Road Trips, Excursions and Weekend Getaways
My frequent travels to the north woods take me through some interesting places in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
When I was growing up, I couldn't wait to get to where we were going. Now, I enjoy taking my time ( a sign of getting older?) and, more often than not, make the trip in two days or more instead of one. I always try to get off the main highway and do some exploring.
It is said that time is precious. It is not nearly so precious as the hundreds of places that are just waiting for you to visit. As my favorite Uncle Tommy used to constantly tell us: "Take some time to look around you. It's amazing what you will see!" R. Karl
Lures & Decoys
- Madison Getaway (Madison, WI)
- Fireside Theater (Fort Atkinson, WI)
- Little Red Berry That Could (Wisconsin Rapids & Nekoosa, WI)
- Cars, Trains & Ducks (Wisconsin Dells, WI)
- Fishing Hall of Fame (Hayward, WI)
- Klondike Days (Eagle River, WI)
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
The Indians called it mune-owk, and it meant “spirited land.” Manitowoc hugs the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Its heritage is one of rich maritime history, fur trading and the lumber industry. I invite you to read about our road trips there and to plan one of your own.
On the Bourbon Trail - A Trip Through Kentucky
I've driven through Kentucky countless times, never having a clue as to what treasures were to be found within its borders. But on this particular occasion, we had narrowed our focus to a relatively small number of things to do and see... Even so, five days "on location" yielded an incredible wealth of information -- not the least of which was what we gleaned from our tour of the bourbon trail.
- It's the Water... And a Lot More!
- Go Climb a Rock
- Whisky For My Horses... Water For My Men
- Musket Balls & the Make of a Marker
- A Brief History of Bourbon
- How Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky Is Made
Sheltered Bays
- The Heidel House (Green Lake, WI)
- Grey Rock Restaurant Review (Green Lake, WI)
Side Trips
- Cures for Cabin Fever (The "Are We There Yet?" Syndrome)
- Loon Capitol (Mercer, WI)
- Oconomowoc For The Weekend (Oconomowoc, WI)
- Sea Dog & Architecture (Chicago, IL)
- U-505 Submarine: Museum of Science & Industry (Chicago, IL)
S.S. Badger
The S.S. Badger offers the largest cross-lake passenger service on the Great Lakes and an authentic steamship experience. The relaxing four-hour, 60-mile cruise takes passengers and a wide variety of vehicles, across Lake Michigan between Ludington, MI and Manitowoc, WI. Read about our journeys on the S.S. Badger below.
- Big Ships Fun Ports I (Ludington, WI)
- Big Ships Fun Ports II (Manitowoc & Sheboygan, WI)
- Badger Reprise (Ludington to Manitowoc, WI)
- Badger Converts to CNG
Way Points
- Far End of the Lake (Fond Du Lac, WI)
- Mars Resort (Lake Como, WI)
- More Than 10,000 Lakes (Itasca State Park in MN)
- Turtles, Eagles & Bears, Oh My! (Destinations in WI & MN)
- Stillwater Dinner Train (Stillwater, MN)
What's Brewing?
- Capital Brewery and a Fish Fry (Madison, WI)
- Berghoff & Blues Festival (Albany & Monroe, WI)
- Tour Point Beer Brewery (Stevens Point, WI)
- Home Brew (Making your own beer)
- Huber Brewery & Green County (WI)
- Leinenkugel's (Chippewa Falls, WI)
