Sampson Creek Ranch

05/20/2026

Needing some extra help after the tornado damage? I’m really glad to see the community helping out!

The Ringle Fire Department was also taking donations at Incredible Bank. Not sure if that is still open, but a phone call would answer that. I do know those funds were going directly to the tornado families, unlike the two large foundations in Wausau that might just get mixed into the big fund.

Application for Disaster Relief Assistance:

Qualified applicants can receive support for:
• Monthly mortgage expenses for a damaged primary residence
• Rental costs due to displacement
• Hotel reimbursement due to displacement

Assistance is available up to $1,000 per household. Funds will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

🗓️ Deadline to apply: July 15, 2026

Applications and any Attachments Need to be Sent to [email protected]

Application Here: https://www.cwbr.org/clientuploads/PDFs/Relief/2026_Wisconsin_REALTORS_RRF_Relief_Assistance_Application_5.1.2026.pdf?_t=1778001092
Required Document Checklist: https://www.cwbr.org/clientuploads/PDFs/Relief/2026_WI_REALTORS_RRF_Required_Documentation_Checklist.pdf?_t=1778001055

05/10/2026

Also in the Sampson Creek Ranch. See previous post for the Pileated Woodpecker

05/09/2026

On the Ranch today!! Pileated Woodpeckers are super skittish so it’s always a treat when you get to catch a glimpse of one! ❤️

05/04/2026

We’ve been counting. 😁

The second picture shows how big the trees were in 2001. What were you doing 25 years ago? Where were you in life? This was the year 9-11, the twin towers falling happened.

The third picture shows how big the trees were in 1976 - 50 years ago. If you can REMEMBER that far back, I would be grateful for the life you have had. I can barely remember. What were you doing? What was life life like for you? Tell us, share a memory if you can.

I remember riding my bike on Martin Road at that young age and it was a gravel road. Who remembers Martin road NOT being paved?

WHO remembers it being called Martin Brothers Road? Who were the Martin Brothers anyway? I heard they were logging people for the paper mill. Well full circle then. Salute to the people who made their way through the wilderness before roads.

There are many questions I have about the land beneath our homes, that I ran through the forests as a kid, rode the hay trailers across the fields, galloped horses along the trails, watched my parent connect ridiculously heavy irrigation pipes along the crops, caught bugs, watched cows calf, hugged kittens, and yes sometimes climbed trees. Although it still baffles me the amount of times I fell out of a tree that I never broke anything. Must be those amazing strong Polish genes I’m gifted with.

So tell me, do you know of a railroad before Martin Road existed? And who the heck dug the trenches in the swamp, absolutely line straight from the satellite photos. Amazing…. Who were those people? I love knowing the history of a land.

So the trees we lost in the Martin Road tornado were upwards of 57 years plus. 1969 or before….. Were you born? Did you live here yet if you live on the road now? What do you remember? If you remember at all, that’s a blessing. Thank your creator, whomever he is for this life.

If you remember any of these, please share a comment. If you can fill in the blanks for me, please share that as well! Im grateful for you all. Not one person lost. Grateful we all have another day to share life, enjoy nature and watch the next generation grow as our eyes fade and our skin doesn’t quite snap back as well anymore.

04/30/2026

Tito Excavating is on site ripping stumps out and shaking them free of soil…. Making the ground new again.
👍

Can you make out the logo on the bucket with the grapple attachment? Yes there is a Tito logo. That’s pretty special. Must have been customized for Tito Excavating. What is the other logo? Don’t see that as often anymore. Extra points to you if you can name the company! 😁

04/28/2026

This one is for Mom and Dad who aren’t here to see all the destruction personally. Quite a few semis have already gone to the mill. Next will be cleanup of the debris. There’s still quite a bit to log on the back fields. But hopefully in the next few weeks we will be onto cleanup and shredding to make the ground new again. We counted the rings on several of the stumps. we are figuring that the pine plantation was planted somewhere in the late 60s. Making the trees about 57 years old or more.

04/27/2026

A few more crazy photos from the tornado 🌪️ damage.

Anyone missing an arrow?? Planted in the ground between two fields. Not one of ours. Did it arrive swirling in the tornado?

Snapped trees and some laid down. How did part of the shed end up on the roof? Not getting in that gate today.

Incidentally the shed that’s “missing” we found parts of a 40 away. Anyone have any other pieces of it?

04/25/2026

Water, water 💦 everywhere! Sump pumps still running. Still water under the pine root balls. Ponds are high and trees appear to be growing right out of the water. 💧Everywhere it’s bursting multiple shades of spring green.

04/25/2026

It’s bluebird nesting time! Mom was sitting on the nest when I approached today but I did not catch a pic of her. She quickly evacuated and was gone to the tree tops. Bluebirds generally lay 5 eggs, one a day until they are finished and somewhere around day 12 they will hatch 🐣

06/22/2025

Rosie has her new pool for the year! Hope the rest of you are keeping cool in this near record heat.