If you live in the Driftless Area, you are probably well aware that Madison sits on the outskirts of its boundaries, by something like three miles. And as with the Twin Cities and Rochester in Minnesota, Madison – Wisconsin’s capital city – perches like a borderland kingdom that average folksContinue Reading
Caledonia, the county seat, lies nestled in the center of beautiful Bluff Country. Designated “The Wild Turkey Capital of Minnesota” and “The Heart of Quilt Country,” the Caledonia area is home to trout streams, snowmobile trails, horse, hiking, and biking trails. Trout Fishing The Houston County area is home toContinue Reading
At this particular class, I noticed a variety of ages interested in pickle ball from 9 through retirement age. There, I met Jaxson who started playing pickle ball at the YMCA at around 8 just for fun but developed a competitive streak for the game. Along with Jaxson, was hisContinue Reading
Preston Minnesota is located along the Root River in scenic Historic Bluff Country! Also known as “Minnesota’s Trout Capital” Preston is a family-fun destination offering visitors a variety of entertaining, educational, and recreational activities to choose from. We are home to the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery and we are theContinue Reading
The changing fall colors on my left and on my right are the cascading hills along the Minnesota border, which is right across the Mississippi River. There is just something about the sun shining through on this moody overcast day and seeing the bright beams of light as it ripples acrossContinue Reading
A fervent believer in the transformative power of practical philanthropy and public service, Ellen was instrumental in numerous initiatives, including founding a home for children and contributing to the establishment of an early La Crosse hospital. Notably, she led efforts to preserve a prime section of local bluff land,Continue Reading
On the north side of the church stand two headstones of particular interest to me, those of Lorentz Falck and his wife Anna Marie. She was his second wife and there in lies the story. Lorentz Falck was born in 1817 in Balbron, Alsace. In 1844 he married Salome Glass, whoContinue Reading
The Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, MN was founded in 2005, featuring several Shakespeare productions running simultaneously alongside cutting-edge, thought-provoking plays that often share similar themes presented in the Shakespeare plays. It’s a great way to celebrate and enjoy the summer months in this historic river town and aContinue Reading
We’ve all heard about lead before, and its dangerous side effects. Long-term exposure has been linked to brain damage and organ failure in humans. It’s equally as devastating in wildlife. A 2022 study finds that about half of adult bald eagles in North America have chronic lead poisoning. Raptor centersContinue Reading
Since the beginning of time, sailing has attracted both the adventurous and the romantic. The idea of setting sail to far off lands and exploring the great unknown has captured the hearts of many people. It is the topic of daydreams, books, and even the movies we watch today. WhenContinue Reading
Today is the last birthday I’ll spend in Decorah. In a few months, I will be moving across the country. I’ll pack up my life and drive away, leaving behind the limestone outcroppings and parting rivers of the Driftless. A winter’s good-bye to three years untouched by glacier. A lifeContinue Reading
Bay City The gateway to Lake Pepin the village of Bay City is a quaint, quiet spot with a stunning location on the Great River with the first trail destination. 1. Chef Shack Tucked off WI Hwy 35 in Bay City you will find Chef Shack. Carrie Summer andContinue Reading
Friday night the torchlight parade is the place to be. The shop fronts glowing with many onlookers dressed in their best winter attire waiting for the balloon aeronauts. Each crew with family and friends engaging burners radiating an immense feeling of warmth throughout the route. Aside from the beautiful pyrotechnics,Continue Reading
Burpee Museum of Natural History Come explore Burpee Museum and its award-winning exhibits such as Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur, and explore the history of the young T. rex skeleton found by Burpee Museum researchers in the badlands of Montana, called one of the ten most important dinosaur discoveriesContinue Reading
The gathering was inspired by a guy named Daniel Mack in upstate New York. He is a famous artist/builder who makes furniture and home décor from rustic materials found in nature. He describes it best in this quote. “And it dawned on me that to some people, the chairs representedContinue Reading
Healthy Swimming 101 What are waterborne illnesses and how do I get them? You can get waterborne illnesses from unclean water. They can be caused by germs and chemicals found in the water where we swim. Waterborne germs can be found in all sorts of places like swimming pools, hotContinue Reading
Over the years with hard work and dedication the couple turned the original family farm into a thriving winery. They offer 56 homemade wines: each with their own unique pallet and “Pride and Prejudice” flair. The fan favorite “Victor’s Folly”, a sweet watermelon wine. The couple’s passion for an exquisiteContinue Reading
Driftless Historium: The Driftless Historium should be your first stop if you’re interested in learning about the history of Mount Horeb and the Driftless region. Located right off Main Street and across the street from The Grumpy Troll, this building looks small, but it’s bigger on the inside. Open andContinue Reading
But back to Middleton. Due in part to some new construction and some refurbishment of old buildings into new lofts, downtown Middleton has grown itself a restaurant district of varied and complimentary tastes. Within a three-block radius we have Japanese, Hawaiian Poke, Thai, Italian, Retro 50’s Americana, Louisiana Cajun, BarContinue Reading