Bear Paw Adventure Resort is located on the Wolf River in Northern Wisconsin. The wolf is one of the regions most popular whitewater play spots. Late last week their whole complex was destroyed by a tornado. Here is a bit from the Antigo Daily Journal:

Cleanup crews assembled at the Bear Paw resort south of Langlade today to try to salvage any remnants of the business demolished by one of at least five tornadoes that swept across the state.

The tornadoes touched down mainly across central and northeast Wisconsin overnight Thursday, sending at least two people to the hospital and leaving thousands without power.

The National Weather Service believes at least one tornado touched down for an extended period, ripping through parts of Langlade, Menominee and Oconto counties.

Wisconsin Emergency Management spokeswoman Lori Getter said inspection crews were out today trying to compile damage reports. As of midmorning, no local authorities had asked for state help, she said.

“We’re fortunate no one was killed,” she said. “That was the big thing.”

Some of the worst damage was at the 25-acre Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort. The resort runs along the Wolf River. Its 10 buildings included cabins, a restaurant and a store.

The complex was to be the home for a gala weekend of activities.

In fact an advertisement scheduled to run in the Antigo Daily Journal today carried the headline “Bear Paw = Fun!”

On Saturday and Sunday a weekend of kayak and canoe demonstrations were scheduled on the Wolf River and the event traditionally draws a big and fun-loving crowd. But on Thursday afternoon, many things changed.

“Our restaurant’s totally gone. There’s maybe two walls standing,” said co-owner Shirlee Roshe. “Our entire retail shop was blown across the road. Most of the merchandise was between the highway and the field on the other side of the highway.”

At least one kayak was thrown more than 30 feet into the remnants of snapped pine trees.

“Most of our buildings are gone. I was just sickened,” Roshe said as she headed to the property to direct volunteers’ cleanup efforts.

She said one employee on the property when the storm hit suffered minor cuts to the head.

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All of our hopes and best wishes for the future go out to them.