This Friday, we were given the keys to our new condo. It’s in the Powdermill Resort at Big Powderhorn Mountain in Ironwood (where I work). The Powdermill Resort used to be a thriving resort and conference center, but now it is closed and the apartments have become condos.
I am thrilled that we got this place. Because the resort is closed, the place was a steal. It is directly across the road from the mountain, between two chair lifts. Powdermill Creek is behind the condo (to me, it seems to be more river than creek).
Our realtor tells us this is an excellent trout stream, but, of course, we have yet to test that out. The boys will have to give it a try this summer.
On the short walk to the creek, we discovered a whimsical arbor that someone is building.
The condo itself is very small. It’s a studio with a lofted bedroom, but with fold out couch and floor mattresses, we will be able to sleep all five of us (plus a friend for Sarah). The person who sold it to us was an indoor smoker, so we spent the entire weekend scrubbing walls and cabinets to remove the lingering residue and odor. We can’t get the smell out of the bathroom for some reason, so we are going to replace the ceiling panels and put on a fresh coat of paint and hope for the best.
On Saturday night, after cleaning all day, we couldn’t imagine cooking, so we went exploring. We got lucky, stumbling across Rigoni’s Inn, where we found this deal:
Surprise! The pizza was awesome, with a thin crust. The sausage was homemade at a local place in Wakefield, and the cheese was so stringy I had to wrap it around a fork and eat it like spaghetti. Rigoni’s pizza is now my favorite in Ironwood.
After stuffing ourself fat, we met up with friends at the Cold Iron Brewery, the gem of downtown Ironwood’s night life. The Jack Frost parade had just ended, so the place was packed with families. We enjoyed hanging out with friends and their kids, and played an especially rousing game of Apples to Apples with a special kid.
Once we get the condo fully cleaned and furnished, we will rent it out when we’re not using it. If you or anyone you know is looking for a ski weekend or other Ironwood area adventures, please contact me.
Other than Powderhorn, there are many ski areas within ten miles. There are also cross country ski trails close by, and the trail behind the condo would also be perfect for snowshoeing. There are also many summertime adventures that could be had, with Black River waterfall hiking trails within two miles. Twelve miles up the road is Black River Harbor on Lake Superior, and we are seven miles from The Copper Peak Adventure Ride and Mountain Biking Trails.
All in all, our weekend was hard work with a bit of play, and so worth it. I look forward to lots of family time and outdoor adventures in this amazing place.
The UPside 