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If you were invited to a "creator retreat" with a bunch of women you have never met, would you go? It's so far out of my comfort zone, I almost said no. But I decided I need to start putting myself into more uncomfortable situations so I said yes and had the best time. There’s something special about getting a group of creative women together in a cozy lake town for a few days; good conversations, great food, and a little space to recharge. That’s exactly what we did during a weekend creator retreat in Waupaca , a charming town known for its Chain O’ Lakes, small-town shops, and relaxed Northwoods feel. Our home for the retreat was the beautiful Dryden Lodge , and it could not have been a more perfect setting. The lodge blends historic character with cozy, modern touches, making it feel both elevated and welcoming the moment you walk in. With spacious common areas, wood details, and plenty of natural light, it’s the the coziest spot and the perfect getaway. Night One: Pizza, Wine & Vision Boards After everyone arrived and settled in, we kicked off the retreat with a relaxed evening at the lodge. Dinner was simple and delicious: pizza and wine as we chit-chatted and got to know eachother better. We created water bottle vision boards, courtesy of Shellady Udoni with United Country, Udoni & Salan Realty Group . Such a fun and creative activity where we decorated water bottles with stickers representing our goals, inspirations, and intentions for 2026. It was the perfect little activity to start the weekend. Day Two: Yoga, Local Food & Downtown Waupaca We started the morning with a peaceful yoga session at the lodge with Kika Schey Yoga . Easing into the day with movement and mindfulness - it was perfect! After yoga, we enjoyed a beautiful charcuterie-style breakfast board from The Gouda Life . The spread was filled with cheeses, fruit, pastries, and other delicious bites that were almost too pretty to eat. After breakfast, Krysten Potega stopped by to give us a little insight on how to become a successful creator. She shared her experiences, answered the 1 million questions we had, and provided some great information on platforms, brand deals, and so much more. We learned so much! Once we were ready to head out, we wandered into downtown Waupaca. Lunch was at Sulten Belly , where we filled the table with colorful salads, hearty sandwiches, and amazing mac and cheese. Shopping & Candle Making No girls’ weekend is complete without a little shopping, and downtown Waupaca has some truly charming local spots. A lot of businesses graciously gave us coupons to their shops and it was so appreciated! We popped into: Country Chic Boutique The Revival Boutique Northern Home Wanderlust Scents Lucky Tree Each shop had its own personality - from stylish clothing and accessories to beautiful home décor. It was the perfect way to spend a relaxed afternoon strolling through town. Of course, a coffee stop was necessary. We grabbed drinks at Java Jive , which gave us a much needed caffiene boost. One of the most memorable stops of the weekend was making our own candles at Huck & Finn . During the workshop, we got to blend our own custom fragrances, choosing from a variety of seasonal and classic scents before pouring the wax into beautiful jars to take home. It was such a fun, hands-on activity and the perfect creative break during our weekend. Plus, now every time I light my candle, I get to be reminded of how great our weekend was. Distillery Tour & Evening Drinks In the afternoon, we headed over to Empty Barrel Distillery for drinks and a behind-the-scenes tour. It was fun learning more about their process while sipping delicious handcrafted cocktails. Then we popped into Grand National Lounge for another round of drinks before heading back to the lodge to get ready for dinner. Dinner at Indian Crossing Casino To wrap up the day, we headed to the historic and beautiful Indian Crossing Casino for dinner. Visit Waupaca hosted the dinner for us and everything was perfect. We sampled several small plates: charcuterie, potato leek soup, bruschetta flatbread, cheeseburger sliders, and a deep fried brownie ball for dessert. Between the incredible food, lake views, and great conversation, it was the perfect ending to a full day of exploring. Unfortunately due to Wisconsin weather (Blizzard Elsa), we all headed home after dinner. It was so sad that our trip was cut short, but we made the best out of the time we had together. It was so fun getting to know like-minded ladies from all over the state of Wisconsin and I guarantee we will stay in contact for years to come.

Wisconsin knows cheese — and 2026 is packed with festivals that prove it . From iconic small-town celebrations and summer curd fests to world-class cheese competitions and industry expos, this list rounds up every major cheese festival happening in Wisconsin in 2026. Whether you’re planning a road trip or just looking for your next excuse to eat more cheese, consider this your ultimate guide to a very cheesy year. Beer and Cheese Fest | Madison | January 17, 2026 The first cheese-filled Wisconsin festival is Beer and Cheese Fest  in Madison. This festival has been around for 15 YEARS! General admission tickets cost $74 (unless you snag the early bird price!) and get you unlimited beer and cheese samples. There is a V.I.P. option for a more elusive experience. Make sure you have sober driver to take you home! Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival | Kenosha | April 18, 2026 The Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival is a fundraiser that was created for the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha. There will be live music, beer, and lots of cheese. Tickets are $55 online ahead of time or $60 at the door! Between the Bluffs | La Crosse | April 25, 2026 The Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine and Cheese festival in La Crosse is one you should not miss. I attended this festival a few years ago and it was so much fun! Ample amount of vendors serving up craft beer along with cheese samples to fill your stomach. General admission is $60 -- be one of the first 500 to purchase and save $5! Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival | Little Chute | June 5-7, 2026 Little Chute holds a yearly festival called CheeseFest - Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival . Activities include amusement rides, food booths, live music, a cheese curd eating contest, a cheese curd catching contest, and more. There's an entire weekend of fun to be had! Beer, Bacon, and Cheese | New Glarus | June 13, 2026 This festival is one of the most well known in Wisconsin. Check out Beer, Bacon, and Cheese Festival  in New Glarus for all of your cheesey desires. The festival has several beer and seltzer vendors along with cheese vendors. There is a parade, live music, and tons of fun. Tickets for this one sell quick! Cheese Curd Festival | Ellsworth | June 26-27, 2026 Some may refer to Ellsworth as the Cheese Curd Capital of the state. Ellsworth Creamery puts on an annual Cheese Curd Festival  where vendors create cheese-curd centered dishes like cheese curd tacos, cheese curd ice cream sundaes, and more. There is live music, a car show, shopping, and games for the kids! Cheese Capital Festival | Plymouth | June 26-27, 2026 The Cheese Capital Festival  in Plymouth, Wisconsin is always a hit! The festival consists of a parade, live music, cheese eating contest, foam cheese race, and more. There are dozens of activities for children and TONS of cheese to eat! Colby Cheese Days | Colby | July 17-19, 2026 In a town that shares a name with cheese, would you expect anything less? Colby Cheese Days features a lively carnival, parade, 5k/10k race, car show, peddle tractor pulls, street dances, and free Colby cheese! Sign me up. Blair Cheese Festival | Blair | September 24-27, 2026 Located in Trempealeau County, Blair Cheese Festival boasts a weekend of fun! Catch  a truck and tractor pull, run in the 5k, meander through the car show, and stay for the variety show performed by the local schools. Green County Cheese Days | Monroe | September 18-20, 2026 Green County Cheese Days is a long-running festival celebrating cheese, Swiss traditions, yodeling, copper kettle cheesemaking, cheese foods, and parades. This festival happens every other year, so make sure not to miss it! Drink Wisconsinbly Curd Fest | Milwaukee | October 2026 (exact date not announced yet) The date for Curd Fest has not yet been announced, but this event is put on at Drink Wisconsinbly Pub in Milwaukee, right outside of the Fiserv Forum. Expect to see several cheese vendors, live music, signature cocktails, and more.

Las Vegas is known as a party city - bright lights, gambling, live shows, music, and lots of alcohol. I have spent my fair share of time on the Las Vegas Strip and my favorite: Fremont Street. I love Vegas BUT as a solo female RV-er, hanging out at bars and casinos by myself did not seem like the safest option. I also don't think my dog would have enjoyed spending all of that time alone. So instead, I opted to find a handful of things for us to do within 3-hours from the city of Las Vegas. Buckle up for these places to visit within 3 hours of Las Vegas! Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the closest Vegas activity - approximately 25 minutes west of the city. We actually spent an entire week boondocking on one of the canyon roads - absolutely beautiful! There are several hiking trails to take advantage of as well as rock climbing, OHV trails, mountain biking, and a scenic drive if you're more of a "look don't explore" type of person. This is a great day-trip option if you want to get away from The Strip for a bit! Valley of the Fire State Park Valley of the Fire State Park has been one of my favorite places so far on our trip. It is located approximately 45 minutes north east of Las Vegas. National parks frustrate me because of their dog regulations, so I tend to explore state parks whenever possible. The hiking here is outrageous - so much to see! The red sandstone formations are so picturesque. I could have spent multiple days just exploring. There is a $10 entrance fee ($15 if you are not from NV) but I promise it is worth it. Lake Mead National Recreation Area Lake Mead is approximately 30 minutes east of Las Vegas. We actually disperse camped right on the water after our trip to Valley of Fire. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the largest in the United States! And man is it pretty. Our night was absolutely wonderful - we even heard some wild donkeys in the distance (yes, that's a real thing). The following morning, we hiked a whole bunch before heading out. Gorgeous, gorgeous area with so much to offer. Zion National Park A little further of a drive (2 hours but absolutely worth it) is Zion National Park . This National Park quickly made it's way to being one of my favorites. I only did two short hikes but the views were breathtaking from every angle. I did not hike the infamous "Narrows" because that would have meant leaving Kona in the RV for far too long. Depending on when you visit the park, you may have to use their shuttle service. Because we came during off-season, we were able to drive through ourselves and I think that made for a better experience. I would love to come back here some day and explore even more. Red Cliffs National Recreation Area Before you hit Zion National Park, make a stop at Red Cliffs National Recreation Area in southwest Utah. The recreation area is home to over 130 miles of designated hiking and biking trails. Kona and I went bright and early for a hike but ended up staying there all day. We went on a second hike in the afternoon before leaving - it is just that good! They also have several mountain biking trails and equestrian trails available for public use.