Rolling Along With The Reynolds

Jim and Cindy's Adventure Blog traveling all over the USA

Travel Blog

Cana Island Lighthouse 

Day 3 adventure in Door County peninsula Wisconsin:
 A trip to Cana Island lighthouse. Road the tractor across the causeway to the tiny island for foot traffic only. The water on Lake Michigan was exceptionally smooth today, showing off its gorgeous Caribbean blue green hues. Climbed the lighthouse and was gobsmacked with the view.

Cheese, Cherries, and Wine  

Wrapped up this wonderful day trip with a final stop at Renards Artisanal Cheese and Cherry Shop to load up the charcuterie board for tonight’s meal back at camp. Cheers!

Scenic Drives

* enjoyed a quick picnic and refreshingly chilled our feet down at the sandy beach in the Newport State Park. Also visited Sister Bay and Ellison Bay villages.
* Memorial Day celebration at the KOA in Brussels, WI doing Brats and Burgers on the blackstone.

 

Door County Day 4 and 5 pictures (Album 2023-14)

 

Door County Wisconsin

Manitowoc and Devil’s River

Today we visited the town of Manitowoc and toured the USS Cobia, a WWII Submarine. While in town, we also scoped out the parking/navigation situation for the SS BADGER, the Ferry that will be transporting Clark/Lois and crew on a 4 hour ride to Michigan (so excited for that upcoming trip next week!)
On the return drive back to Brussels tonight, we swung by Devils River Campground. This place was not selected during my itinerary and reservation planning due to the grounds being grass and not recommended for big rigs. But I was so intrigued by the photos when browsing their website that I made it a waypoint stop today and we are so glad we did! It was a wise move not to stay here, but it was so well worth a visit. Such a beautiful river and waterfalls on a very historic site. 

Manitowoc and Devils River pictures (Album 2023-13)

 

State Parks galore! And many adorable village towns
WISCONSIN , DOOR COUNTY Peninsula. So beautiful! đź’•
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Day one adventures:
Potawatomi State Park, Peninsula State park, Whitefish Dunes State Park, and the towns of Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, and a delicious dinner in Ephraim at the polish Prince of Pierogi!

First Night in Door County pics – Brussels, WI (album 2023 – 11)

First Full day in Door County pics (Album 2023 – 12)

Prince of Pierogi 

Loved this place and it’s HIGHLY recommended. Found a great Polish lager beer. Chatted with the owner who has a great story:

 

Prince of Pierogi Restaurant is the initiative of the self-made Chef Krzysztof Krol.
Krzysztof first visited the United States in 2012 for the cultural exchange program Work & Travel and enjoyed it so much that decided to come back for 3 consecutive summers.

Despite visiting over 30 countries and 40 states, Krzysztof picked Door County, WI for his residence due to its great community, outdoor activities and the opportunity to live the dream.
The number one thing he missed about his home country was his Mom’s and Grandma’s home cooking.

Chicago, New York, Milwaukee or Pittsburgh are located too far away to enjoy an authentic Polish meal so young Chef decided to fill the gap in the local market by starting his own restaurant.

“I always thought Door County’s food scene is lacked some variety especially if it comes to ethnic foods.
Polish accounts for the 6th biggest ethnic group in the United States and the 3rd biggest in Midwest. Everyone loves Polish food.

I am very happy I have the opportunity to introduce my nation’s best dishes to this outstanding community and its visitors” – said Krzysztof.

https://www.princeofpierogi.com/

 

First Full day in Door County pics (Album 2023 – 12)

 

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Stayed at a nice quiet campground that of course has an airport since so close to the EAA Aircraft Museum. 

Pictures in Oshkosh (Album 2023-10)

EAA  – Experimental Aircraft Association Museum

We’re a few weeks too early to revel in the festival world of the annual EAA Fly-in, which occurs in July. But the Museum was awesome and spent a few hours marveling at the aircraft engineering from days gone by to present day. How far we’ve come from the Wright Brothers! The Rutan brothers’ accomplishments were on display here, including the Voyager aircraft (the first non stop flight around the world) and SpaceShipOne (the…….

Pictures in Oshkosh (Album 2023-10)

Duluth Trading Co.

We discovered that the Duluth Trading Company is headquartered in a small town of Mt. Horeb (“Troll Capital of the World”) and also had an outlet store in Oshkosh. Grabbed a pair of overalls (so cute!) and other items. 

Pictures in Oshkosh (Album 2023-10)

 

Darcy approved Wisconsin Grass

The kitteh-kat so enjoyed getting outside and frolicking in the dandelions and eating lush green grass.

Pictures in Oshkosh (Album 2023-10)

 

 Day Trip to Dubuque Iowa  

* Fenelon Place Elevator Company- the worlds steepest shortest scenic funicular railway, 296 feet in length and elevating passengers 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place. The views were magnificent- you can see all of downtown and the Mississippi River. We parked car at top, rode the cable car down, and walked all over downtown spending a great day in Iowa.
* Shot Tower – super interesting structure made back in the 1800s to manufacture ammunitions.
* Mississippi Riverwalk – was very pretty (but can’t help giving a shoutout to Columbus Georgia Chattahoochee Riverwalk; they know how to do it!)
* Star Brewery – we encountered multiple wedding receptions going on at various venues here on the Riverwalk, including the historic Star Brewery. A perfect May Saturday day to have a wedding; congrats and best wishes to all the happy couples.
* Enjoyed fudge, ice cream and flowers at a cute candy shop before riding the cable car back up the hill.
* To break up the hour drive back to camp, we swung by and finished the day at Petosi Brewery Museum. Not just beer itself, but they showcased a wealth of delicious Root Beers too! Cheers!
Even with all the walking we did today, I somehow don’t think we burned up all the calories we took in, LOL
2023 – 9 Picture Album of Iowa and Wisconsin

Platteville, Wisconsin:

Biking on the Rountree Trail and enjoying Mound View County Park  

The Rountree Branch Trail system is part of a larger Regional system going for miles nestled in the heart of the beautiful Driftless Region. Rolling hills, organic farms, breweries, wineries were just some of the sights. We biked part of the paved trail which goes right through the lovely Mound View County Park and Campgrounds and beyond to the town and stopped off for a margarita and lunch at Fiesta Cancun. The most beautiful flora was blossoming all over; pictured here is Physalacriaceae fungi. (Never made it back after sunset to see if it was glowing). Prairie Smoke (aka Ol’ Man Whiskers) and pink/white/orange honeysuckle was everywhere.

2023 – 9 Picture Album of Iowa and Wisconsin

Trolls in Mt. Horeb? Yep, so had to do a day trip!  

Our last day in this area took us on a day trip to see the Trolls in Mount Horeb Wisconsin. Such a cute Norwegian town, they actually tout themselves as the “Troll Capital of the World”! The town has 34 trolls scattered about and a convenient map brochure listing them all out to have a fun scouting walkabout.
While here too we discovered that Duluth Trading Company is headquartered here. With only 20 minutes to close, we managed to power shop and chat up with a friendly staff who told us all about their history and more (it was nice to find out that Oshkosh has an outlet store which we intend on visiting tomorrow on travel day).
2023 – 9 Pictures of Trolls