I know Laverne and Shirley are long gone (at least off of the TV) but the adult beverages are still prominent in the land of cheese, beer and wine and that land is Fish Creek, Wisconsin in Door County.   Visitors to this part of Wisconsin get to enjoy water sports on Lake Michigan in the summer, take snowmobile tours and sled rides in the winter and enjoy harvest time of the fall.  Fall is the time when orchards and vineyards are harvested of their bountiful fruits.

  When coming to the Fish Creek area in Door County, one can find lodging fairly easily and call it home base while each day consists of branching out and exploring the local sites and sounds.  Fish Creek is a small town that is over 150 years old and began as a fishing village teaming with lumberjacks and farmers.  With hard work ethic embraced by those of the past, calling it a day and enjoying a beer or flask of wine was probably pretty normal. 

Today in Door County there is only one brewery that calls this place home and they enjoy making craft brews both seasonal and flagship beers.  Their variations include IPA, wheat, copper ale, blonde, porter and a fall time favorite; pumpkin ale with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.  Since the microbrew revolution in the 90’s breweries have been pairing food with beer and providing that in their restaurants.  Ribs, locally caught fish and pasta all pair very well with the beer variations previously mentioned. 

This region is also home to vineyards and therefore wineries especially with the prominent existence of fruit orchards.  As with beer and food pairings, wine and food definitely go together.  The local wine produced in Door County boasts of light tanins made to allow the palate to taste the fare.  With that being said, wine bars allow the customer to taste local wine with local food.

Fish Creek, Wisconsin in Door County provides fun, activity and good fare and drink to those who arrive weary and tired.

Fish Creek by random letters

Door County Wine by luvautumntime

Wisconsin Beer by Jessica DeWinter

Welcome back!

I have never made it to Wisconsin but the more I hear about this state I should plan a trip sooner than later.  Sitting on the banks of the mighty Lake Michigan just north of Green Bay by about an hour is Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.  Every season is a good reason to visit here.

With winter vastly approaching, the state of Wisconsin definitely feels the cold and chill in the air especially being near the lake.  Winter activities like skiing, snow-shoeing, ice-skating and sledding are all very prominent in these neck of the woods.  Of course, the Green Bay Packers make for a good time if you can weather “the weather”.  I have always enjoyed watching the Packers play in the snow on TV just to wonder how they keep hold of the football.  You can definitely find respite indoors and curl up in front of a nice cozy fire and enjoy a hot chocolate or latte at the local cafe or at one of the many quaint bed and breakfasts that can be found in the area. 

Once the snow and ice start to disappear in spring, the locals remain outside to enjoy the blooming of the local flora and the visitors take in walking tours to learn about Sturgeon Bay’s history.  Throughout the town one can see shipyards dotting the coastline and lighthouses to explore.  

Summertime is a great time to visit Sturgeon Bay especially if you enjoy being out on the water either fishing, swimming, sailing or kayaking.  From horse-back riding to going on bike tours and riding the ferry, there is much to do in Wisconsin’s Sturgeon Bay.

Fall time is beautiful with the leaves changing color and the slight nip in the air.  Enjoying farmer’s markets and outdoor fruit stands are a local passtime here in Door County’s Sturgeon Bay.  Taking walks through leaf covered trails make for a nice outing before the wintry snow starts.  Fall is also time to harvest the grapes (the kind you drink, of course).  Check out and visit Wisconsin’s local wineries and sample their fruits of labor.

So, if you happen to be traveling on business or pleasure to Green Bay, be sure to make some time to travel a little further north to Sturgeon Bay for the day or two and explore this little coastal town. 

Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse by insipidlife

Door County Kayaking by Teecycle Tim

Apparently in Wisconsin and more specifically Wisconsin Dells, water sports and water activities are #1 all year around.  Wisconsin Dells is located along the Wisconsin River and is 2 hours from Milwaukee and Oshkosh, almost 3 hours from Green Bay and only 1 hour from Madison.  Wisconsin Dells offers year round golf, hiking, biking, river boat tours, jet boats, cruises, indoor and outdoor water parks and plenty of dining experiences for the whole family. 

Water slides have come a long way since I was growing up!  The Durango Drop is an extreme 8-story slide that only takes 6 seconds for most kids to get down to the pool.Of course there are water rides for the little people too like the wave pool, Kiddie River and playground.  Other extreme slides are called the “Point of No Return” and the “Vortex”.  The “Point of No Return” is 10 stories up and only takes 5 seconds to get down and the “Vortex” hurls kids down a tight flume at high speeds creating the feeling of being inside a tornado.    

For the more relaxed visitor and guest, the Wisconsin Dells is the perfect place for golfing and taking in the sights.  The topography in the area consists of sandstone bluffs and canyons along the Wisconsin River which can be toured from various water crafts. 

A scenic tour on the river allows the guest to explore the narrow canyons and the countryside of Wisconsin.

Dining in the area caters to just about everyone and especially kids due to all of the activities that exist.  From pizza and all sorts of American fare to the kid’s favorite “Coldstone Creamery” nothing is left out for pleasing the youngsters.  One must indulge in the international eateries as well.  Italian, Mexican and Caribbean fare is offered in the area as well as fine dining for the single guest or romantic couple.

Come visit the Wisconsin Dells and take in all that is has to offer from the water parks and river tours to the resorts and casual atmosphere of the Midwest. 

It was the curious name that piqued my interest in this destination. What is a kettle moraine and why would they name a forest after it? The unusual name is a geological term describing the terrain in the area that was scoured by glaciers during one of the last ice ages. The kettles, or depressions, were caused when buried ice melted and left hundreds of ponds and lakes in their places.

Then, I looked at the map and became even more curious. Here in Colorado, our forests are epic in size, but this Wisconsin State Forest is strung out into 5 different small sections that span a hundred miles. The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is the thread that stitches them all together as it winds through southeastern Wisconsin.

The northern end of the this scenic and historic trail is near the charming town of Elkhart Lake, which has been a Wisconsin family getaway destination since the Native Americans summered here. The great outdoors is the main attraction, with boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking and biking opportunities everywhere. Sleigh rides, showshoeing, dog sledding, cross country skiing and snowmobiling keep the natives and their guests outside throughout the winter months, as well.  Museums, theaters, historic sites and welcoming shops provide indoor activities throughout the year.

The southern terminus is near Whitewater, Wisconsin and in the 115 miles in between, there are nature centers, observation towers, campgrounds, beaches and trails. There are also numerous historic sites, including Old World Wisconsin, a 600 acre living history museum that will keep you engrossed and entertained for days on end with demonstations of farming, trades, handicrafts and food preparation from the 1800’s. Each summer, they celebrate prarie life with Laura Ingalls Wilder Days – wear a bonnet and apron and you’ll fit right in.

Enjoy a great variety of Madison Wisconsin Attractions

Enjoy a trip to this “hamlet” of over 200,000 people just 2 1/2 hours north of Chicago and you’ll be surprised to find out that there are a host of activities for everyone – whether you’re a family-group or a business traveler.

The Henry Vilas Zoo is a great stop for young and old. They started as a family operation in 1911 and still runs today on the premise that the zoo should be accessible to everyone – regardless of income or status. Therefore, keeping with an almost 100 year tradition, Zoo admission is completely free – that’s right FREE. What a great way to spend the day enjoying the spring sun or fall colors.

The Overture Preforming Arts Complex is a premier venue for culture and entertainment in Madison. Enjoy performances by the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Madison Ballet, or even the visiting Chicago Symphony Orchestra on occasion. There is always a show to see or a symphony to enjoy while you’re vacationing in the Madison area.

From water parks and botanical gardens to festivals and museums – Madison offers a plethora of choices for the young and old. One of the best times to visit Madison is in the fall – go check out the Taste of Madison Festival September 1&2, 2007 and enjoy more than 60 restaurant vendors, 16 beverage vendors and 4 entertainment stages. Admission to the festival is free – and vendors will be selling their wares priced anywhere from $1 to $4.

While visiting all of these Madison Wisconsin Attractions, consider staying at an all-suite hotel such as The GrandStay Madison. If you’d rather be down town int he middle of it all – consider the Hilton or Holiday Inn choices.