I love Fall…

As I write this post, my favorite time of year is quickly fading away. Before we move into the cold, snowy winter, it seems like a good time to reflect on our first year at the cabins. We took over ownership of the cabins December 29th last year. We started 2024 with poor ice for the ice fishermen, but rebounded with a good spring for fishing until the river started rising. High water and flooding took it’s toll on bookings in early summer. Fall has been awesome. The scenery in the Driftless Region, when the leaves change colors, is phenomenal. With fall comes great fishing, duck hunting, archery deer hunting and gun deer season. Needless to say, our fish and game cleaning room has been getting a workout this fall!

All in all, with the ups and downs of the first year, I must say, it’s been an incredible learning experience and adventure. I decided early on to place an emphasis on making improvements and some upgrades at the cabins. Jim & Jo, the previous owners, made a lot of good upgrades in the 4 years they owned the cabins, and I wanted to take that a little further. This year, we installed new mini split HVAC units in cabins 1, 3 & 4. These units can both heat and cool the cabins, and are much more efficient than electric baseboard/wall unit heaters, and window air conditioners. We have also replaced the wall unit heater in cabin 1 with a more efficient programmable infrared heater, and will be doing the same in cabin 2 shortly. Keeping with the theme of efficiency, all smoke detectors have been switched over to 10-year units. We have added a couple more propane grills to mix and some weatherproof Adirondack chairs. The cleaning shed has been outfitted with new overhead LED shop lights and all new GFCI outlets for safety. We have also cleared out all of the brush and debris from behind cabins 3-4-5 and mulched everything behind them. We cleared the brush from the hillside above cabin 2 and are in the process of stabilizing the hillside before mulching that area as well. A new planter box was built in front of the Main House, and old landscaping bed along the fence was rebuilt, planted with hostas and mulched. One of our 2nd floor apartments at the Main House also received new carpet and furniture. While we mainly rent this unit out long term, we have also used it for overflow when we are booked full. We also hired a new cleaner to the staff and a full time laundry person. We have lightened the load for Ma Patti, but she still runs the show!

Looking ahead to close out the year, we are hoping for an extended ice fishing season to make up for last year. Our forecast is calling for highs in the low 20’s for Thanksgiving next week, so we’ll see. Many of my fellow ice fishermen felt cheated last season, including yours truly! At the cabins, we will be installing a new metal roof on cabin 2 within the next couple of weeks. Gradually, the other cabins will follow. 2025 will bring new mini split HVAC units to cabins 2 & 5. Cabins 3-4-5 will all be painted. We will be adding new signage on the property so new guests can find their way to their units. As with 2024, you will continue to see other cosmetic improvements, gradually. We plan to keep the nightly rates the same in 2025, despite the Village of De Soto imposing an 8% room tax on overnight lodging. Hopefully, the Village and the new Tourism Council will spend our money wisely to improve the community and bring more visitors to our awesome area. All in all, 2024 has been an awesome experience. What I especially enjoy about owning the cabins, is meeting and talking with our guests. As an avid hunter and fisherman, myself, it’s been great connecting with many who have the same interests. Happy holidays!

Jeff

A New Beginning…

Welcome to De Soto Riverview Cabins. We are new owners Jeff & Shelly Dellitt. First of all, a little bit about us. I (Jeff) am an avid outdoors man. I have been a hunter and fisherman since I was a young boy. I discovered the Driftless Region a number of years ago on a search for ice thick enough to fish from! After a few fishing trips to Pool 9 of the Mississippi River, I brought my wife Shelly along to take it all in. We both fell in love with the area. The incredible scenery, great fishing and the wonderful people made it easy. After staying several different places in the past, we settled on De Soto to purchase a second home. We called it the Pool 9 Guest House, and now rent it out on weekends we aren’t staying there. Recently, we became aware the owners of J&J Riverview Cabins were considering selling. Since we already rented out the house, and had other investment properties, this seemed right up our alley. As they say….the rest is history. We purchased the business 12/29/23. We would like to reach out to the long time customers of the cabins, along with new visitors to the area, and welcome you with open arms. We hope to continue the legacy of the previous owners Jim & Jo Paul, and Jim’s brother Will. Special thanks to Jim & Jo for helping make the transition a smooth one!