Wisconsin--Land of Cheese and Beer!

Bob and I knew we wanted to spend some time in Wisconsin as I had never been there. He made reservations at Highland Ridge Campground in the Eau Galle Recreation Area. It looked to be a central spot for us to explore southwestern Wisconsin. When we left Leech Lake Dam Recreation Area we planned to spend one night on the road before reaching our reserved destination. As we were traveling, we decided to go all the way to Highland Ridge. Our reservation was for Monday through Saturday, but we arrived on Monday. There were only a few campers in the campground so we thought our site might be available....not to be! The people in the site were having so much fun that they extended through Sunday night. Oh, well, we picked another site nearby and would move on Monday.

In preparation for our stay, Bob found a bicycle trail with geocaches all along the trail. Our first order of business on Monday was to find the trailhead in Woodville. As we drove into Woodville, school was just letting out for the day . We saw three young Amish children walking home. As we turned another corner nearer to town, we spotted a young Amish student driving a wagon being pulled by two horses. The young man was standing to drive the wagon and  sitting on the floor in the back were either his siblings or neighbors. The wagon was moving right along with a  steady clip clop clip clop.We found the trailhead, then returned to the campground to move the RV to its site for the week.

Tuesday we met our friends Ed and Doreen in East St. Paul. They were on their way home to Iowa after visiting their oldest daughter Michelle in northern Wisconsin. We met Ed and Doreen when Bob was stationed at Loring AFB in  Maine. Ed just retired after 42 years in the Iowa Air National Guard.
We tried to find a Mexican restaurant--the one recommended was closed for remodeling--so the best we could do was Buffalo Wild Wings.

Wednesday we went geocaching along the bike trail. The trail goes from Woodville south to Spring Valley. On Tuesday we hiked out three miles, found all the geocaches on that section of the trail and hiked back to the trailhead in Woodville. We scouted around and found another parking area where we could start the next section of the trail another day.

Later that afternoon, we drove into Spring Valley. On our way we saw a place we just had to stop--Cady Cheese Factory & Shop. It was a small shop, but they had many different varieties of cheese. Bob and I purchased some cheddar cheese curds to take back to the RV. MMMMM, squeaky cheese!

 From the cheese factory we headed on in to Spring Valley. We looked in the gift shop of Crystal Cave. It is the longest cave in Wisconsin. We just missed the last tour of the day. We did find several caches in town.

Another day we drove over to Menomonie and took Highway 25 south to Caddie Woodlawn County Park. The house that Caroline Woodhouse grew up in is located at the park. She was the inspiration for Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink--her granddaughter.

 The farmhouse is intact on the property. It used to have a kitchen addition behind the main house, but it is no longer standing.

 Also located in the park is an old building that historians believed was used as a schoolhouse for the Woodhouse children and their neighbors.

 From the park, we continued south to another cheese factory--Eau Galle Cheese and Gifts. This store was larger than Cady, and it had many local gifts as well as cheese and ice cream. It was a warm day, so we treated ourselves to some delicious ice cream. Then it was time for us to head back to the RV.

Wednesday we went geocaching along the next section of bike trail. Again, we hiked three miles out and then returned to the car. This time, we failed to find one of the caches. We met two other cachers and warned them of the one we couldn't find. Bob looked on-line the next day and they hadn't found that elusive cache, either.

 Thursday, we stopped by Wal-Mart in Menomonie and got our flu shots. After that we headed to Chippewa Falls and the Leinenkugel Brewery. We took the tour of the brewery. The building in the back on the right is one of the original buildings from the 1890s.

The original spring water came from this spring house. You are not allowed to take pictures inside the brewery, but you do get to sample the products!

Bob and I joined the others from our tour to sample five beers each. I liked each one I sampled except the IPL.

Bob liked the IPL so I traded mine for his Red Lager. It was a good trade!

Friday and Saturday we did some more geocaching along the bike trail and in a local forest that is primarily used for education. We had a great time in the Spring Valley area, but it was time to move further south. Sunday, we left  and headed for Sunrise Orchards, a member of Harvest Hosts, located in Gays Mill, Wisconsin. When we arrived, the place was jam-packed with families out for a Sunday drive. There were all sorts of activities going on. Bob and I couldn't get in the parking lot with the RV so we parked alongside the highway---with many other cars. We walked around the area and were impressed with everything apple. Since it is October, harvest decorations were everywhere.

 There were also pumpkins everywhere.

 After everyone cleared out, we were able to get the RV turned around and parked in the parking lot. This was our view from the RV windows.

 And of course, here is a picture of our 'campsite.'

 When we arrived on Sunday, there wasn't a cart to be seen. But Monday morning, that all changed. You probably can't tell from this picture, but each row has about 20 carts!

 The 'horse' corral was also quiet. Bob and I went in and purchased some goodies before leaving the orchard.

Our next stop was also a member of Harvest Hosts. I wonder what that business will be......