Wisconsin
Adventure April 2017
We hopped
on a plane and made our way to Wisconsin in the spring of 2017. We spent a week
exploring the fine state and even made a side trip over into Minnesota. We had
a fine time and saw all kinds of cool places.
“The Shrine
of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, serves the spiritual
needs of all, especially those who suffer poverty in body and soul.” This place
was well worth the trip!
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| Bald Eagle and Nest near Bells Coulee, WI |
Wisconsin
Maritime Museum
“The
Wisconsin Maritime Museum engages and educates the public about the maritime
history of Wisconsin in the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin’s World War
II submarines and USS Cobia, by collecting and preserving artifacts and
archival materials; creating interactive exhibits; promoting research; and
developing and implementing maritime history and marine natural resource
environmental educational programs.”
“Guided
tours of the submarine are offered daily, weather permitting, throughout the
year and are included with your museum admission. Tour times are approximate
and subject to change. Allow three to
four hours to fully explore the Museum and tour USS Cobia.”
“Located in
Manitowoc, Wis. along the shores of Lake Michigan, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum
is a great place to explore and learn about the rich maritime history of the
Great Lakes region. Tours of Cobia, a restored WWII submarine are offered
daily.”
“We are
proud to participate in the National Blue Star Museums program which offers
free admission to active military and their immediate families (spouse and
minor children). This program runs annually Memorial Day through Labor Day.”
What a cool museum this was and the Sub tour was fantastic. Definitely worth
the drive we took to get there!
Fisherman's
Road – Lake Winnebago, WI
Home to the
Fisherman’s Road Fishing Club and the Fisherman’s Road Lighthouse. A fine stop
on our trip!
National
Eagle Center – Wabasha, MN
“Climb in
an eagle’s nest or test your strength against an eagle’s, discover how eagles
soar and view wild eagles on the river – visit today!”
“Experience
the thrill of meeting our live bald and golden eagle ambassadors in daily
programs and special events throughout the year.” Wow is one word to describe
this cool place. All of the birds have been injured and are unable to return to
the wild. They are well cared for.
The
Riverside Museum and Visitor's Bureau – La Crosse, WI
“The Riverside
Museum is filled with history on logging, steamboats, pearl button making,
settlers, prehistory artifacts from the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center,
and more! Self-guided tours are available during our open season, and guided
tours are available year round by calling ahead and scheduling your trip.”
Small museum, but well taken care of. Very interesting seeing the history of
the La Crosse area;
Myrick Park
Center – La Crosse, WI
“The Myrick
Park Center is nestled into a beautifully unique location showcasing La
Crosse’s blufflands, wetlands, woodlands, and native prairies. The center is located in Myrick Park on 789
Myrick Park Drive, directly bordering the La Crosse River Marsh, stunning bluff
views, and trail access to Hixon Forest.
This beautiful location makes it easy to forget it is centrally located
within the city La Crosse, only 5 minutes from downtown.” The trail and
surrounding area never disappoints. We saw muskrats, birds, geese, ducks, an
eagle, and more!
Wisconsin
Veterans Museum - Madison, WI
“The
Wisconsin Veterans Museum is dedicated to the citizen-soldiers of our state.
Employing ongoing and temporary exhibits, displays, and presentations, the
museum's main galleries tell the story of Wisconsin men and women who served in
America's conflicts from the Civil War to the present.”
Wisconsin
Law Enforcement Memorial – Madison, WI
“The Wisconsin
Law Enforcement Memorial’s mission is to remember & honor Wisconsin law
enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.”
“The
Memorial is located on the Capitol Square in Madison, WI
(Corner of
Pinckney Street and Mifflin Street)” Very humbling and well done memorial.
Wisconsin
State Capitol – Madison, WI
What a cool
building and grounds here!
Evans-Bosshard
Park – Sparta, WI
“6 acres
-The Park has exercise stations along the trail, 2 picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills,
fixed benches, playground apparatus, band shell and a canoe launch site on the
south side of the La Crosse River near East Avenue. This park is home to “Concerts in the Park”
every Wednesday night during the summer and the Holiday in the Park during the
winter months. Vehicle entrance to the
Park is from East Avenue.” This was a fun park to explore. Love the walking
trail, creek and covered bridges.
American
Legion Post 51 – West Salem, WI
“The West
Salem Berg-Hemker-Olson Post 51 is located in West Salem, Wisconsin. Post 51
was created in 1918 and has been serving West Salem veterans, and their
families ever since. The names Berg, Hemker, and Olson come from three West
Salem natives who have been honored for their service, Private Alex J. Berg,
Private First Class Adolph Hemker, and Corporal Thomas Olson.”
“The Post
51 Legion Family consists of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary,
Junior Auxiliary and Sons of American Legion.”
We ended up eating here three times during our visit. Great food and
even better people.
Veterans
Memorial - Chilton, WI
“This site
is operated for the sole purpose of honoring veterans from all branches of
service who honorably served the nation during their lifetimes.”
“While the
Memorial is now completed and fully funded there remains a need for continued
support. Future donations will be placed in a maintenance fund which will
insure, for years to come, that this fine facility will continue to be in the
pristine condition it was at the time of dedication.”
“Veterans
names will be added on an annual basis. The annual signup period to get your
veteran included on the Memorial runs from November 1 through March 1.” This was
one of the best military memorials I have visited! Very well designed and
presented.
Le Coulee
Cheese Castle – West Salem, WI
“Stop by Le
Coulee Cheese Castle for some of the best tasting cheese to be found in the
state! Le Coulee Cheese, in business since 1981, is located in historic
downtown West Salem, WI. We offer you over 50 varieties of Wisconsin cheese,
from Colby to Mindoro Blue.”
“We take
pride in having the freshest of Wisconsin cheese and sausage. Our gift boxes
have always been of exceptional quality and value and make wonderful gifts.”
They also have a great selection of ice cream and cheese curds! They were yummy
and we visited more than once during our visit to say hello to Nick.
“THE
PICKWICK MILL was built from 1856 to 1858 by Thomas Grant and Wilson Davis and
is one of the oldest flour mills found in southeast Minnesota. The mill was the
first water powered gristmill constructed first as a sawmill, and later
converted to a flour gristmill, on the banks of Big Trout Creek located in Pickwick,
Minnesota. It is the first commercial flour mill west of the Mississippi river.
The mill ran 24 hours a day during the Civil War and produced 100 barrels daily
for the Union Army. After the war, the mill became a flour-milling center for
most of southern Minnesota and portions of Iowa and Wisconsin.”
“The mill
was built from locally quarried limestone, with a timber frame that was so
closely fit, that nails were not used (outside of the floor). The six-story
building was severely damaged in 1907 when a tornado took off the roof and top
storage room. The mill was then retrofitted with a flat plank roof. The mill
has been restored to a gable roof that is reminiscent of the original design.”
It was not open, but this place is neat.
Neshonoc
Swarthout Park – West Salem, WI
“Neshonoc
Lake is a 606 acre lake located in La Crosse County. It has a maximum depth of
11 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings, a public
beach. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Catfish. The
lake's water clarity is low.” Fun local park that has a fun feel.
Angelini’s
Ristorante – Onalaska, WI
Elsie at LSE
La Crosse
Regional Airport
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| MSP Delta Terminal |
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