As part of a summer road trip, we spent several days in Wisconsin Dells. After meeting Benjamin's father, we all enjoyed a tour on the Original Wisconsin Ducks. These land and water vehicles explore the scenic bluffs, Wisconsin River, Lake Delton, and more. We also spent a day riding the many go-kart tracks and other rides at Mt. Olympus Theme Park. Some of the highlights were the Underworld, Trojan Horse, and Big Chief tracks, plus the Pegasus Rollercoaster. Elizabeth even did her first rollercoaster (the Little Titans) and was able to drive her own solo go-kart on the Tiny Hero track.
Also in Wisconsin Dells, we enjoyed a round of mini golf at Timber Falls Adventure Park and took a two-mile ride through the woods on the Riverside & Great Northern Miniature Railway. At the poison ivy infested Rocky Arbor State Park, we hiked the loop trail around the sandstone bluffs. Then, we enjoyed the Dells Boat Tour of the Upper Dells. This two-hour scenic boat ride stopped at Witches Gulch, where we hiked through a narrow rock canyon, and we also stopped at Stand Rock to watch a dog jump to the rock pillar from the cliff side.
While the others were napping at our cabin, Benjamin and his father toured the Museum of Root Beer and enjoyed a tasting flight and root beer float. It seemed the main thing we did in Wisconsin Dells was eat, and we enjoyed meals at several good restaurants including Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty, Grateful Shed Indoor Food Trucks, and Buffalo Phil’s (where your food is delivered to the table by a model train).
Our time in Wisconsin Dells was definitely a highlight of our trip (especially the go-karts), but beyond "The Dells" we also stopped for some famous Wisconsin cheese at Mousehouse Cheesehaus outside Madison. In La Crosse, we visited the 1,100-foot Grandad Bluff Overlook which is called the most scenic view in Wisconsin and looks out to the Mississippi River as well as the surrounding states of Minnesota and Iowa.
Benjamin and Elizabeth visited Willow River State Park near the town of Hudson where they hiked to the impressive Willow River Falls. They also hiked to the Devil's Punchbowl near Menomonie. After purchasing some cheese curds from the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, they drove to the top of Elk Mound Hill to take in the view from the Castle Lookout. After spending a night in Eau Claire, the next morning Benjamin and Elizabeth visited The Dells Mill near Augusta and a preserved Black River & Northern steam train that was on display in Black River Falls.
In the afternoon, they met Benjamin's father, and all watched CPKC Steam Train 2816 'The Empress' pass near the town of Sparta as part of the Final Spike Steam Tour of North America. After seeing the Empress pass by, Benjamin and Elizabeth stopped at the historic Sparta Depot, then drove to La Crosse where they saw Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Steam Engine #4000 'Aeolus' on permanent display in Copeland Park.
Benjamin attended a funeral in the Viroqua area.
We drove to northern Wisconsin in late September and took an evening cruise through the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. After several hours of touring the islands, lighthouses, and sea caves, we returned to Bayfield for a wonderful dinner at Greunke's. We also toured the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center before ending the night in Ashland at the Hotel Chequamegon.
The following day we visited Amnicon Falls State Park where we saw the Upper and Lower Falls of the Amnicon River, Now and Then Falls, and Snake Pit Falls. Next, we visited Pattison State Park where we saw both the Big and Little Manitou Falls. Big Manitou Falls is the largest waterfall in Wisconsin. North Country National Scenic Trail also runs through Pattison State Park.
Before leaving Wisconsin, we stopped at the Interstate Park unit of St. Croix National Scenic Riverway where we hiked to the starting point of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and viewed glacial potholes and the dalles of the St. Croix River.
We flew to Milwaukee and drove to Viroqua to attend a funeral, but also visited Madison, Dodgeville, and Sparta. We did not have time to see any attractions on this trip.
We spent New Year's with family in La Crosse where we enjoyed a great meal at The Freighthouse, visited the Rotary Lights at Riverside Park, and watched fireworks launched from Grandad Bluff. We also drove part of the Great River Road Byway along the Mississippi River.
Benjamin spent a weekend in Wisconsin visiting family, enjoying the apple orchards of Gays Mills, and hiking part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Over Halloween we visited Green Bay where we toured Lambeau Field and had lunch at the Titletown Brewing Company. After driving to southern Wisconsin, we toured Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds, attended a Wisconsin Badgers football game in Madison, and visited family.
We drove to Wauwatosa, near Milwaukee, for Tiffany to attend an interview. Benjamin drove along Lake Michigan while Tiffany toured the Medical College of Wisconsin. We were also treated to a dinner at The Chancery.
We visited Madison for Tiffany to attend an interview at the University of Wisconsin Medical Center. While there, we were treated to dinner at the Great Dane pub and Benjamin walked around downtown to see the Monona Terrace, Wisconsin State Capitol, Lake Monona, and Lake Mendota. He also had some great corned beef at Brocach Irish Pub.
We drove to Milwaukee for two days of sightseeing with Benjamin's dad and sister. While in the city, we visited the Pettit National Ice Center for some ice skating in the same venue where the Olympic Athletes train. We also toured the Sprecher Brewery, took some pictures with 'The Bronze Fonz' statue, had an interesting meal at the Safe House, and attended a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
We traveled to La Crosse where we rode the La Crosse Queen Riverboat and viewed the city from atop Grandad Bluff. We also drove to Wisconsin Dells where we played mini-golf at Pirates Cove Adventure Golf, did several rounds of go-karting at Mt. Olympus Theme Park, and rode the Dells Army Ducks into the Wisconsin River. We also toured The House on the Rock in Spring Green and canoed the Kickapoo River.
Benjamin drove to Wisconsin Dells where he rode the Riverside & Great Northern Railway.
Benjamin traveled to Door County for a family reunion where he rode the Chicago Fireboat 'Fred A. Busse' into Lake Michigan, toured the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park, fished, and stayed at the Bridgeport Resort in Sturgeon Bay. He also visited Green Bay and attended a practice of the Green Bay Packers football team.
Benjamin visited the Mid-Continent Railway Museum near Baraboo where he rode an excursion train pulled by historic engine 1385.