Winneconne, Omro, and New London

It's been a long winter here in Wisconsin and we are enjoying the first taste of spring that we are experiencing this week.

We have been using these beautiful days to explore some of the charming little towns that are close to Oshkosh.

Winneconne is a very pretty little town of about 2300 that is located on the Wolf River and Lake Winneconne.  The town is actually split in half by the river.  The downtown is on one side of the big bridge.  There is a large fishing pier jutting out into the river near the bridge.

Winneconne is a very walkable town. The downtown has many bars, restaurants and businesses to explore.  There are maps located along the Main Street so you can easily navigate the town.  There is a large quarry swimming beach called Marble Beach, a historical village with signage to explain the history of the area, and many places to just walk and enjoy the water.

Unfortunately, I did not take any photos on this visit but I will add some the time we visit.  If you want to explore a little town that will leave you saying, "Wow!", go to Winneconne.

The next little town we visited was Omro, located just 10 miles from Oshkosh.  Omro has a population of 3500 and is located on the Fox River which runs through the downtown area.  There is a nice riverwalk located behind the businesses on the main St. with a few walking bridges where you can cross over the other side of the river. 

There is a historical self guided tour with each site having a number which corresponds to a map that you are able to pick up either at stop one at the park or at City Hall. We enjoyed learning about the history of the charming little town of Omro.  Just like Winneconne, Omro has many bars, restaurants and businesses to enjoy.

Again, we did not take any photos, not sure why because there is so much to photograph in both these towns. but we will take some the next rime we visit.

The third delightful little town we visited was New London, located about 30 minutes from Oshkosh with the Wolf River running through the downtown.  The population is about 7500.  Our first visit to New London was on the weekend of St. Patrick's Day to see Pat McCurdy perform.  New London is known as New Dublin on St. Patrick's Day week and the entire town plus many visitors come to enjoy the festivities. It was wild and crazy that night but we definitely felt the charm of this town and knew we had to visit again at a quieter time.

We returned on a beautiful spring day and we were not disappointed in this town.  We did learn from a local that the Wolf River was very high and as we walked around we noticed how the riverwalk was completely covered in areas.  The river was almost up to the backdoors of the businesses located along the river.  Here are some photos of the overflowing Wolf River.

These colorful buildings are businesses located right on the Wolf River.  As you can see, the water is almost up to the back doors of some these buildings.

Check out the benches which are not in the Wolf River

Well, I guess I can't go any further on this river walk without going right into the river.

Notice the trees which I am assuming do not usually grow in the river.

New London could also be called the city of murals.  There were beautiful murals on almost every building that had a plain wall.  Here are just a few of them.

I think we could also call New London, the city of parks.  It seemed like they made every little green space into a small park with a wooden sign bearing its name.  We found a big park on our walk. It had a disc golf course, a few playground areas and a mile plus of marked nature trails winding through the beautiful wooded area. We definitly plan to play some disc golf there and visit this park again in the fall to see the colors.

New London is a very walkable town.  There seemed to be something new to discover around every corner.  There were beautiful big houses with such a variety of architecture.  On our way out of the city we drove around a bit nore to take in a few more sites. We found ourselves on this street that ended in the Wolf River.  Luckily we stopped in time!

Well, there you have our critiques of three Wisconsin towns that are well worth a visit!

There is so much to discover right up the road.

Our Favorite Bike Trails

 One of our favorite things to do is take our bikes, as in bicycles, not motorcycles, and ride on one of the many beautiful trails we have here in Wisconsin. We wanted to share some of the trials that we enjoy the most. We don't have electric bikes as it seems most people do these days, so we like trails that are relatively flat and easy to ride. As usual we will let you know where the bathrooms are located and where you can find food along these trails.  

1.  The Glacier Drumlin Trail from Cottage Grove to Waukesha  The trail runs 52 miles and has both crushed limestone and paved areas. We have ridden the entire trail but not all at one time. We usually are able to do 20 miles total comfortably. Anything more than that takes the enjoyment out of it for us. I will break this trail down into the segments we have ridden. You will need to pay the state fee to ride this trail. There are pay stations along the route.

     Dousman to Waukesha This part of the trail is 25 miles round trip. It is paved the entire way. there is one hill in Dousman but other than that, the trail is very easy. There is a nice parking area in downtown Dousman where there is also a little ice cream shop and nice bathrooms. There are also bathrooms in Wales right along the trail at a little park with a cute train. You enter Waukesha at Prairie Park where there are bathrooms. We like to continue into Waukesha and make our way to Frame Park which is a beautiful park with a trail around the river. It's a beautiful spot for a place to rest before heading back.

     Lake Mills to Dousman This section is about 20 miles round trip and is on crushed limestone. It goes through pretty wooded areas; we ate lunch at a cute little restaurant in Sullivan. This was a few years ago, so not sure if that restaurant is still there. Lake Mills is a great little town to explore. The trailhead is right in the city with bathrooms and ample parking. Main St. in Lake Mills had lots of fun eateries and bars. You can also get off the trail at Sandy Beach if you want to take a dip.

     Cottage Grove to Lake Mills We parked in Cottage Grove for this segment of the trail. We had lunch at a nice little stop in Deerfield. This area is crushed limestone and easy to ride. You go through wooded areas and farm fields. There are many flushable bathrooms along the route.

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.2.  The White River Trail  This is one of our favorite trails (19 miles), most likely because it is in Elkhorn and runs near our first home and the hospital where our girls were born. It's like going home for us. We park at the trailhead just outside of Elkhorn and ride to the Cup and Pedal restaurant/gift shop where there are nice bathrooms. At this point, after lunch, we usually head back to Elkhorn and ride around the city for a bit revisiting all of our old haunts. Elkhorn is a very flat city and is very easy to tour on a bike. The trail actually goes farther than the little restaurant if you want to ride on through more farm fields. You will need to pay a fee to ride this state trail.

3.  Fox River Trail in Green Bay goes along the Fox River for 25 miles. It is paved and so easy to ride The one end goes through some very awesome art structures. There are numerous parks and even a lock and dam that you can visit. There are many bathrooms and places to eat just off the trail. We have never gone over 10 miles on the trail so I am not sure what you will find beyond that. One note this is a city trail and you do need to pay a fee to ride it. A state pass will not work on this trail. I did have a tire blow out on our last ride and I can tell you that there is a bike shop right there on the path and they were so helpful and got us on our way so quickly with a new tire.

4.  Glacier River Trail is located in Fort Atkinson where you can pick it up right downtown. It goes to the Rock County line and may go beyond that by now for a total of 55 miles. It's an easy trail with a covered bridge.on the trail. You do have to leave the trail and go on the road for a short distance, but you also get to go down by the Rock River on that on road part which is pretty. Most of the trail is wooded and runs along Highway 26. The only bathrooms will be in Fort Atkinson so use them before you leave town. It is a free trail. 

5.  Bugline Trail  We have ridden this trail many times and we enjoy it each time.  We always hop on in Merton where there is ample parking and bathrooms at a park across the street. It's a fun trail because you go through Sussex where there is a wonderful coffee shop with lots of outdoor seating. We usually ride to Menomonee Falls. There is a beach just a short distance off the trail if you want to take a dip. You pass a huge limestone quarry with the prettiest blue water. The entire trail was just recently paved so the ride is easy, and the scenery is pretty. There are a few parks along the trail with bathrooms and picnic areas. It's about a 30-mile round trip. This is a free trail, so you won't need a state pass to ride on it!

6.  Wild Goose Trail This trail is a long one (34 miles). It runs from Clyman to Fond du lac. You can get a nice ride through Horicon Marsh from this trail. The beginning of it between Clyman and Juneau has lots of ruts in the trail and I don't enjoy riding on that type of trail. We have not ridden it for a few years so maybe that part of the trail has been improved. It is a peaceful trail with many shaded areas and grasslands. You can park and get on the trail at many areas. There is a big parking lot at the junction of Highways 33 and 26. There is a nice gas station at that corner for snacks and a bathroom break. You do need to pay the state trail fee to ride this trail. There is a sign along a portion of the trail that you should wear blaze orange if riding during hunting season.

7.  Woiuwash Trail This trail starts on the riverwalk in Oshkosh near the campus. We love the portion in Oshkosh that also goes over Lake Butte de Morte on the Highway 41 bridge which has lots of signage about the Indian tribes from this area. From the bridge you can continue on the trail out of town, or you can do as we do and ride back in through the cemeteries.   At times we do continue a few miles up the trail out of town to the Bare Bones Brewery, a fun stop along the way. The city portion of the trail is free, but you do need to pay as you proceed out of town.  Oshkosh is our favorite city for biking because it is so flat and rideable. There are plenty of bathrooms everywhere and Menomonee Park is a wonderful place to bike alongside Lake Winnebago. If you are a senior looking to bike the Woiuwash, I would suggest just ride the city portion and then tour around Oshkosh to finish your ride.

8.  Rawley Point and Mariner Bike Trails Rawley Point is our favorite trail. You can read about it in detail in a previous post. We hop on at Neshota Park in Two Rivers where there is ample parking and very nice bathrooms. It's about 5 miles from there to the shores of Lake Michigan where you will find a concession stand and lighthouse. walking the beautiful beach is always a treat. The trail itself winds through gorgeous woods. The trail has curves that require a slow ride. It's a great trail for seniors and families alike. This trail hitches up with the Mariner Trail as you travel through Two Rivers. The Mariner trail runs to Manitowoc and goes along Lake Michigan. There are bathrooms along the path. Once in Manitowoc you can explore that city by bike, too.  If you ever want to meet us we ride this trail every Memorial Day weekend.

9. Interurban Bike Trail is 30 miles long in its entirety. We have ridden it from Grafton where there is parking and bathrooms to Port Washington. It is paved and you are on road at times. Once in Port Washington we love to park our bikes and just walk around the beautiful parks along Lake Michigan. As you know from previous posts we love the city of Port Washington. It is a fun trail but it has challenges in some hills. It is a free trail. We have also ridden from Port Washington to Cedarburg which is always a fun city to explore.

10.  Military Ridge Trail is 40 miles long and runs from Fitchburg to Dodgeville. We have never ridden the entire trail but have ridden from Mount Horeb which is a beautiful, fun city full of trolls to Ridgeway. There are stops at Blue Mounds State Park and Barneveld where there's a memorial to all those affected by a tornado.  The trail is limestone and flat. There is a fee since it is a state trail.

11.  400 Trail is a 22 mile trail running between Reedsburg and Elroy. It runs along the Baraboo River and is a very scenic and easy trail. There is a fee to ride this state trail. The famous Elroy/Sparta Bike trail connects with the 400 but we split that ride into two days since it was too much for one day for us.

12.  Elroy-Sparta Trail is 32 miles long and runs between Elroy and Sparta. There are three tunnels on the trail which makes it a fun adventure. We split our ride into two days, doing the first two tunnels the first day and then the longer tunnel the next day. You need to walk your bikes through the tunnels, and you cannot see the light at the other end through at least one. You will need a flashlight. I have no desire to do this trail again because of the dark tunnels, my eyes don't like that much darkness anymore so if you are a senior just bear that in mind.  It also has some inclines and steep climbs as you approach the tunnels so not so easy for us seniors without an electric bike.  There is a fee for this trail. 

13. Badger State Trail runs from Belleville to Monticello. We rode the trail a few years ago when the Stewart tunnel was open. It is under repair at this time but will open again. Since the tunnel is built on a curve you cannot see the light at the other end. At this time there are detours around the tunnel.  We found Monticello to be a very nice little town with restaurants and bathrooms. Belleville is also a great town to explore and ride around. This trail runs along the Sugar River and there is the Sugar River trail in this same area. We have never ridden that trail but I am sure it is very nice, too.  This trail can get bumpy especially in the springtime when it gets wet and ruts form. The service is limestone.

14.  Oakleaf Trail in and around Milwaukee has over 135 miles of trails to ride. We have ridden on different portions of this trail.  We rode if from Humboldt Park in Milwaukee to Grant Park in South Milwaukee. This is a beautiful trail running along the bluffs of Lake Michigan. There are numerous parks along the way with bathrooms and beaches. Ending at Grant Park Beach is a perfect time for a snack and a rest on the beach. There is a public golf course where you can get a bite to eat. As you near Milwaukee again you will see the beautiful skyline. It is a free trail.  We have also ridden a portion of the trail from Brown Deer to Wauwatosa. This also is a very scenic stretch winding through wooded areas along the Milwaukee River through parks and residential areas. Some of it is on road. Once in Wauwatosa there are many restaurants and places of interest. 

15. Hank Aaron Trail is a 15 mile trail It runs from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Milwaukee/Waukesha County line. It runs right by the former Miller Park now American Family Stadium where the Brewers play, and you can ride it right into the Domes at Mitchell Park as well as into Lakeshore State Park. It's an easy trail with lots to see and nice stops along the way.

16.  New Berlin Trail This is a short 7-mile trail, flat, paved, and very easy to ride. We usually park at Frame Park in Waukesha and ride to the start of the trail. We ride it to Greenfield Park in West Allis where it connects to the Oakleaf trail. It also connects to the Glacier Drumlin by going on city streets in Waukesha. If you are at Frame Park, there is a great map of these trails near the bathrooms and playground. This portion is free. 

17. Sunset Trail is located in Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek Door County.  This is a beautiful trail that winds through the gorgeous scenery in Peninsula State Park. It can be a bit challenging at times with inclines, but the views are so worth it.  Door County has many areas where you can bike if you don't mind a bit of traffic. 

18.  Lake Country Trail runs from Oconomowoc to Pewaukee although we have only ridden the portion from Oconomowoc to Delafield and back. We hop on the trail at Roosevelt Park in Oconomowoc where there is ample parking, bathrooms, and a wonderful playground. It is an easy, flat, paved trail that goes past subdivisions, corn fields and parks. We ride the 8 miles to Delafield and then enjoy time at Cushing Park. Delafield has many cute shops and eateries. You can also take the trail from Cushing Park to connect to the Glacier Drumlin trail. Oconomowoc also had many areas to bike and explore around its lakes. It is a free trail.

19.  Watertown/Oconomowoc Interurban trail This is a brand-new bike trail located in Watertown with a trailhead on Clark St. There are bathrooms at this trailhead. So far, the trail has 7 miles of paved path completed. Eventually it will connect to the bike trail in Oconomowoc. 

We have also enjoyed trails in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota as well as a few in Northern Wisconsin but for now we are keeping it to more local ones. We found it best to buy an annual pass for these trails so you aren't nickel and diming it each time you ride one. You can find out lots of information on these and other trails just by googling, but I am hoping that we at least gave you some help in choosing which ones to pursue.

Happy Biking to you!

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Shalom Wildlife Center and Shamba Safari

 This is a post more for an adventure with your grandkids although there is no reason why you can't go to these places without them. Personally, we would not go to either without kids in tow.

We discovered Shalom Wildlife Center about five years ago. It is located near West Bend.  Every time we have visited, we have had a wonderful, memory making time. While the park is easily walkable, our granddaughters prefer us to rent one of the golf carts and then let them drive us around as we look at all the animals. 

Shalom offers over 81 species and more than 800 animals. It is a unique zoo with animals in large natural areas. It has been dubbed as America's biggest petting zoo because there are many animals that you can pet and feed along the route. Pails of food can be purchased at the welcome center/gift shop. 

/There are also informative signs along the four-mile gravel road. There is information about the Native Americans who inhabited this area, too. Near the end of the route there is a great play area with oudoor games and playground equipment as well as picnic tables. There is a snack bar on the grounds with nice, clean flush bathrooms.

So next time you have a free day and you want something fun to do with the grandkids, that is not just your typical zoo, try the Shalom Wildlife Center. You will leave with many happy memories!

There is another fun, unique zoo in Neshkoro called Shamba Safari. It is a drive through zoo, so you just stay in your car. Be sure and get a pail or two of food at the welcome area/gift shop. You drive the loop to different grassy areas that house the animals. The animals come right up to the car window, and you are able to feed them. One word of warning. watch out for the camels, they are very aggressive and practically climbed right in the car. My granddaughters, being older quickly rolled up their windows and laughed as they stuck their heads in my window, but younger children would be scared! There is also some controversy over the prairie dog situation,.which are apparently an invasive animal species here in Wisconsin. 

We made many memories that day with our granddaughters but it is not a place that we need to visit again. I would definitely say "give it a try and see what you think."  Your grandkids will enjoy the experience.

There are lots of wonderful zoos around the area, but if you are looking for a unique zoo experience, give these two places a try.

Marvelous Time in Milwaukee

 We spent our last anniversary, June 2022 in Milwaukee. The perfect get away for a long weekend when going too far from home is not doable. We stayed for three nights in the Air BnB above the Kegel Inn in West Allis. The Kegel Inn was built in 1924 and is a German style beer hall and restaurant with authentic German Beer and food. There is a large outside beer garden and the room we stayed in was up above the restaurant overlooking the beer garden. The studio room was decorated in period decor and had many beautiful old vintage pieces. It was definitely a step back in time and we really enjoyed the experience. We did enjoy one of their world-famous fish fries which was very good.

We took a van tour which was very interesting. We have been to Milwaukee many times and John grew up in West Allis, but on this tour we saw places that we had not seen before. The driver was also the owner of this tour business and his pride showed throughout the tour. We started at city hall and the Fonzie Statue on the Riverwalk. The driver even had a Fonzie style jacket that we could wear as we posed by the statue.We made a stop at Black Cat Alley, The Public Market, and the North Point lighthouse. After the tour, we again went to see some of the favorite spots on our own.

We were able to watch this archeological dig at the North Lighthouse

City Hall

We enjoyed lunch on the Riverwalk. If you haven't done the Riverwalk, it's a must do. While not quite the caliber of San Antonio's riverwalk, it is very impressive. There are numerous bars and restaurants along the walk as well as historical signs and art/sculptures. There are boat tours available along the walk, too as well as paddle taverns. 

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That night we took a boat cruise on the Milwaukee River and out to Lake Michigan. It was supposed include two drinks, which it did and some music. I guess I was expecting some Jimmy Buffet or easy listening rock, but the music was geared to the many younger people onboard. There were several bachelorette parties and other young people celebrating what young people celebrate so it wasn't quite a peaceful as I had hoped so I would suggest, as a senior, taking an afternoon cruise which caters more toward older folk like us. We also walked around the Deer District after the cruse, always a fun place to explore.

The next day we took a long walk along Lake Michigan. There's a long breakwater walkway. You can walk a long way along the lake on the sidewalk. We even saw a baptism of many people taking place in the Lake. We found a brewery from out Hop Pass book in Wauwatosa and had a few beers before our dinner at Balistreri's where, in my humble opinion they serve the best pizza ever! 

On our way home from this fun adventure, we walked around John's old neighborhood in West Allis. Always fun to go back to the old stompin' grounds.

So, if you are a senior here in Wisconsin and want to visit a place closer to home, give Milwaukee a try. There is always the zoo and several museums, too as well as watching the Bucks, Brewers, or college teams if you want some sports.