| For years the Wisconsin Dells has been known to | | | | bucket's full dousing force.For those of us not up |
| travelers as a summer getaway for fun in the | | | | for thrills and spills, the water park also offers |
| sun while enjoying some of the nations best | | | | "Spirit Island", a more relaxing part of the water |
| water rides. Now the excitement doesn't have to | | | | park which features smaller tube rides and a lazy |
| end when Labor Day comes around. | | | | river where one can kick back and relax in the |
| The Wisconsin Dells now hosts a variety of | | | | water as the current carries you around in a |
| Indoor Water parks that are a great alternative | | | | circle. There are also a couple kiddie pools with |
| for winter vacations. One such resort is the new | | | | mini water slides for those to young to enjoy the |
| Great Wolf Lodge. For a while I've watched it | | | | bigger rides. |
| being built on my travels up north on I90/94 and | | | | We enjoyed dinner at the Great Wolf's Loose |
| this past Christmas got to experience it first hand | | | | Moose Bar and Grill. It was a decent menu where |
| with our family. | | | | you could enjoy anything from sandwiches to |
| My wife and I arrived on Saturday where we | | | | prime rib. You could even try and elk burger. While |
| were warmly greeted by the front desk clerks. | | | | dining, some of our younger group members |
| The lobby featured a giant cuckoo clock which | | | | were pleasantly greeted by the lodges own furry |
| would give a performance at set times during the | | | | mascots, Biko the Bear and Wiley the Wolf. |
| day. We met up with our family on one of the | | | | After dinner, a walk through the bakery across |
| floors where the little ones were busy decorating | | | | the hall made us almostforget how much we had |
| Christmas cookies as part of the many activities | | | | already eaten. It would be hard to go down the |
| sponsored by the Great Wolf. | | | | water slides tonight, though some of us did try it. |
| Some of our family was found down at Youkon | | | | We then checked out the Buck Horn Exchange |
| Jack's, the Great Wolf's own game room. We | | | | gift shop where we looked for souvenirs to |
| could test our skill on over 70 different games to | | | | remind of us our stay. |
| win tickets which could be cashed in for a any | | | | For those not up for water rides that afternoon, |
| number of prizes. The big prize in our group was | | | | they could enjoy time at the Great Wolf's Cameo |
| an Angelica doll from the Rug Rats that little | | | | Spa and Salon where you could get your hair |
| Brooke's dad won for her. There was also a 3-D | | | | done or have a nice massage. If you felt like |
| theater show featuring Biko the Bear next to the | | | | working off some of your meal, you could check |
| arcade. | | | | out the Iron Horse fitness room also located in |
| One of the biggest parts of our stay was the | | | | the lodge. |
| huge indoor water park. You could climb around in | | | | The next morning we were treated by my Mom |
| the "Tree House" There were tube rides where | | | | for a breakfast brunch in one of the Great Wolf's |
| guests could go solo or ride double as they | | | | private party rooms. It was a nice buffet setup |
| splashed there way down and around curves, | | | | with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit and |
| through water falls, and into dark tunnels that | | | | muffins, The kids were then surprised by a visit |
| would open up into a gaping pool of water. We | | | | by Santa Claus who was also around the lodge |
| had a great time as we carried our inflatable | | | | that weekend. He brought gifts to a lot of smiling |
| tubes to the tops and anxiously awaited our turn | | | | faces. |
| down the slide. There were body slides for those | | | | The group then went on an old fashioned hay-ride |
| brave enough to go with out a tube where all you | | | | where a tractor pulled everyone around the |
| have to do is lay on your back and head feet | | | | outside of the resort to view Elk and other |
| first through a series of twists and turns that are | | | | wildlife. We were joined by Wiley the Wolf who I |
| sure to get your heart racing. I had to remember | | | | suspect was looking for some stray elk. |
| to plug my nose at the end of the slide or else I | | | | There was way too much to see and do for just |
| would get a snort of water. The lodge also boasts | | | | a weekend stay. The best part was being able to |
| a giant 50 gallon bucket that sits high on top of | | | | enjoy everything right at the resort and not have |
| the rides and fills up every 5 minutes. A bell | | | | to go elsewhere for food and entertainment. A lot |
| sounds, warning that the bucket is about to | | | | of times I find a hotel room is just for sleeping, |
| empty its contents and all who are in range are | | | | but it was nice being close to the water park and |
| sure to get drenched. I expected everyone to | | | | activities. It was a perfect alternative for a winter |
| run away when the ringing started, but instead | | | | getaway. |
| they all fled toward the center to experience the | | | | |