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If you are unfamiliar with Harvest Hosts, it is a program where individuals traveling in RV's/vans can stay at a local business for free with a membership. Business types typically include restaurants, breweries, wineries, golf courses, museums, etc. You are expected to purchase something at the location, but do not have to pay to park on their land. It's a really great way to try out a new place in the area! I prefer dispersed camping overall but it is not always available. I used Harvest Hosts as my back-up on my trip and have created a list of the best Harvest Host stays in my RV. This list will be part 1 with part 2 coming next week! Wild State Cider This was the first Harvest Host I stayed at and they definitely set the bar high. Wild State Cider is located in Duluth, MN. They had a reserved area in the back for my RV which was super convenient. The cidery has a huge patio, a food truck, and an awesome indoor space. It was nice to be able to have Kona hang out with me after our day of driving. If I lived in the area, I would be a regular at Wild State Cider. It's a vibe. Phat Fish Brewing I debated whether or not to put Phat Fish Brewing on this list. This brewery is located in Dickinson, North Dakota and they have an awesome outdoor patio. The beer was good and so was the food! It was a little pricey but I had leftovers so I was okay with it. Phat Fish Brewing is right next to a train track which made it very difficult sleeping-wise. Aside from that, this stop was worth it Spring Family Farm This spot was not a business but a 4th generation farm. And my GOODNESS it was the most gorgeous place I have ever stayed. Located in Belgrade, Montana, this farm has gorgeous views of the Bridger Mountains. Their RV area is right next to a small creek and plenty of room to walk the pup around the property. The hosts were extremely accommodating and I really hope we make it back there some day. Mustang Mountain Vineyard Mustang Mountain Winery was the first vineyard I stayed at on my trip and it was magical. I parked between the winery building and the vines - gorgeous! Kona and I were able to walk around the vineyard before bed and it was very nice to have space to wander. And the wine! The wine was fantastic. The two women who run Mustang Mountain were so welcoming and knowledgeable about their wine. We loved our stay here! Idaho Potato Museum When I saw the Idaho Potato Museum on the Harvest Host app I knew I had to visit. I mean come on, what a freakin' dream! The stay was a bit loud due to some nearby train tracks, but that is my only complaint. I got in late so I checked out the museum the next day. It was so much fun! There are tons of different items and literature to read about how potatoes are made and how the process has changed over the years. Best part? The restaurant with delicious French fries.

Manitowoc is one of the cutest little towns I have ever been to. It's about 80 miles northeast of Milwaukee and 145 miles northeast of Madison. Check out this Manitowoc travel guide for ideas during your visit! FOOD & DRINK One of my favorite restaurants in Manitowoc was The Warf. We did not actually eat here, just drank, but the food looked delicious. They are right on the water and have a huge outdoor seating area with lots of yard games and fun lighting. They have live music quite often and it's definitely a vibe to sit and listen right on the river. They have a decent-sized craft beer list and some fun crafted cocktails. Speaking of craft beer, we visited two breweries in Manitowoc. The first was Sabbatical Brewing which is on the west side of town. The inside area is HUGE with tons of picnic-sized tables and tables for four. They also have a very long bar area with ample seating. Outside, they have yard games, fire pits, and space heaters for those chilly Wisconsin nights. They don't serve food here so make sure to eat beforehand! We also stopped by PetSkull Brewing which is right in downtown Manitowoc. They also have a huge indoor space with tons of room for larger groups. Their patio is right along the water providing some great views. PetSkull Brewing had just began to serve food and we gave their cheese curds a go. The cheese curds had a nice cajun seasoning on them and were served with jalapeno ranch for dipping. I really liked this brewery!. It has a good vibe, fun atmosphere, and good beer. Courthouse Pub is a Manitowoc staple. They have been in business since 2001, but the building is from 1885. Very old school tavern vibes. They are also considered a brewery as they brew their own Courthouse Pub beer right inside. If you are more of a wine drinker, Courthouse Pub has an extensive wine list. We ordered curds here, too, and they were phenomenal. The cheese curds are served with a fantastic raspberry balsamic sauce - it works, trust me. Beernsten's is not a bar or restaurant, but instead the local confectionary. Beernsten's has been open since 1932! They are known in the area for their ice cream and I can confirm that it is fantastic. They have SO much candy inside of the store - chocolate, sours, sweets - and tons of different "themed" items. I found chocolate in the shape of cheese... how perfect! SHOPPING We did not do very much shopping while in Manitowoc, but we did stop by two stores: Graced and Kindred Co. Both boutiques had collections of adorable clothing. They also carry seasonal items, home decorations, bath & body items, and so much more. If you are looking to buy someone a gift, I would recommend checking out both Graced and Kindred Co. We also stopped into a spot called Heart and Homestead. They sell a TON of seasonal decor as well as regular decor to make your home feel homey. There were so many cute things including live plants. I don't do plants - I can't keep them alive. But I know "plant mom's" are a thing these days so Heart and Homestead could be your new spot. THINGS TO DO We visited on a Saturday which means the Manitowoc Farmers Market was in full swing! There were so many fresh fruits and vegetables from local vendors, as well as homemade crafty items and things like honey, coffee, etc. The Manitowoc farmers market is set up right along the water, very close to The Warf. Do a little local shopping at the market and then head over there for a snack!

Wisconsin + Cheese Festivals = a good time. If you have never been to a cheese festival in Wisconsin before, make 2024 the year! Here is a list of the cheese festivals throughout the state of Wisconsin. This list may be updated as more cheese festival dates are released. Beer and Cheese Fest | Madison, WI | January 20, 2024 The first cheese-filled Wisconsin festival is Beer and Cheese Fest in Madison. This festival has been around for 14 YEARS! General admission tickets cost $65 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! Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival | Little Chute, WI | May 31-June 2, 2024 Little Chute holds a yearly festival called the 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! Cheese Capital Festival | Plymouth WI | June 7-8, 2024 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! Beer, Bacon, and Cheese Festival | New Glarus, WI | June 8, 2024 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, WI | June 21-22, 2024 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 and Sausage Fest | New London, WI | September 14, 2024 What pairs better with cheese than sausage? Cheese and Sausage Fest in New London offers tons of cheese and sausage samples to fill your stomach. There is also a car and cycle show, craft vendors, children's activities, and more. Blair Cheese Festival | Blair, WI | September 16, 2024 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, WI | September 20-22, 2024 This event is such a special one. Green County Cheese Days happens on even years, so make sure to visit in 2024! This festival takes place in Monroe, WI. There is a fantastic parade, carnival, several cheese tents, live music, winery and distillery tastings and much, much more!

2023 has been the year of the Breakfast Sandwich. I set out on a mission to find THE BEST breakfast sandwich in the Milwaukee area and it was one of the tastiest goals I have ever made. I ended up eating a total of 25 sandwiches and this blog post will be a round up of my top 9 (in no particular order). Although my goal was to find the best in MKE, I ended up eating sandwiches elsewhere and two of those made their way onto this list. Happy eating! North Ave Grill - Wauwatosa More bread that needs recognition: the ciabatta that this bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich is served on at North Ave Grill. It is beyond good. The ciabatta is as soft as a pillow on the inside but crispy on the outside. They use a hefty serving of cheese, too, and we can’t be upset about that. Rocket Baby Bakery - Wauwatosa I love Rocket Baby Bakery in Wauwatosa. I order ahead because they are always so busy and I'm an impatient son of a gun. I ordered this sandwich for pickup thinking it was my standard BEC, but I forgot to add the bacon. SO that's a me problem. The bread on this sandwich was delicious. Absolutely superb. And honestly look at the amount of cheese. What more could you desire? West Allis Cheese & Sausage - West Allis If I lived in West Allis, I'd visit West Allis Cheese and Sausage Shoppe at least once a week. I simply love their food. I ordered their breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese. It was served on a croissant which was absolutely delightful. I enjoyed it on the patio with one of their seasonal iced coffees. Legitimately the perfect meal. Roast Coffee Company - Milwaukee I honestly had not heard of Roast Coffee Company. I took an F45 class on the east side through Yelp and we were hungry afterwards. Stumbled across this gem and couldn't have been happier. Their GGOOLLDD sandwich was absolutely delicious. Avocado, egg, bacon, tomato, cheddar cheese, green peppers, red onions, and chipotle cream cheese. Get. In. My. Belly. Ruby's Bagel's - Milwaukee Ruby's Bagels has always been top of the game for bagels but their breakfast sandwiches?! As of right now, this one is my favorite. I ordered BEC with an everything bagel. Thick cut bacon, free range eggs, and American cheese. The bacon was SO thick and I love me some good bacon. Ruby's is inside of Zocalo Food Truck Park. Make sure you order early, because they sell out pretty quickly on a regular basis (for obvious reasons). Allie Boys - Milwaukee Allie Boy's is one of the most popular spots in Milwaukee. They are known for their massive breakfast sandwiches and they always have rotating specials of unique concoctions. I ordered the egg and cheese sandwich with bacon. It is made with an herbed omelette, American cheese, aged cheddar, salt, pepper, and ketchup. It is a very hearty sandwich and worth every caloric bite. Latitude Cafe - Germantown Latitude Cafe is in Germantown, about 20 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee. I actually grew up in Germantown, and this spot is only a few blocks from my childhood home. I have always wanted to check it out and this breakfast sandwich gave me an excuse. I ordered the breakfast sandwich with bacon (obviously). It is served on this delicious ciabatta bread with egg, cheese, and spicy mayo. I loved the kick of the mayo and the extra umpf that it added. Donut Monster - Whitefish Bay The best part about the breakfast sandwich from Donut Monster is the freshly made English Muffin. It is such a fluffy morsel of dough - you can't beat it. They also use Pine River Cheese Spread on their sandwiches which is one of my favorite cheese spreads. It's an absolutely fantastic combination. Mud Creek Coffee - Stockbridge I stopped at this place on a whim and by golly it is the best breakfast sandwich I have eaten to date. The Chipotle Breakfast Panini at Mud Creek Coffee in Stockbridge is served on focaccia bread. It has pepperjack cheese and chipotle mayo giving the sandwich a bit of a kick. My tastebuds were obsessed. I wish this place was in Milwaukee because I would eat there on the regular. Gotham Bagels - Madison Gotham Bagels is a pretty popular spot in Madison and I was finally able to make my way in 2023. Their breakfast sandwiches are crazy good and super unique. They change the menu fairly often giving the opportunity for new tastes whenever you visit. I ordered something similar to a bacon, egg, and cheese and there was KETCHUP on it!

Let me clarify what this list is first and foremost. This is a list of the top cheese curds I ATE in 2023 throughout the state of Wisconsin. This is NOT a list of my top cheese curds overall. This list is specific to curds eaten in the year 2023. When I posted my 2022 list I got a ton of backlash so I felt the need to add in a disclaimer. Here are my choices for the best Wisconsin cheese curds in 2023! Say Cheese Curd Company - Milwaukee Area These bad boys come from a food truck that I chased around for MONTHS before finally succeeding. The cheese curds from Say Cheese Curd Company are crispy, melty, not too greasy, and delicious. My only gripe is that they did not come with any sauce. Plan to BYOR (bring your own ranch). Paddys Pub - Fort Atkinson The cheese curds at Paddy's Irish Pub in Fort Atkinson surprised me in the best way. They are made with local Kraemer cheese and served with an absolutely remarkable dill aoili and homemade ranch. The batter to cheese ratio is perfection and the cheese pull is 10/10. Tons of the items on their menu are sourced locally and we love that. Even more of a reason to pay them a visit! Tumbled Rock Brewery - Baraboo Tumbled Rock Brewery in Baraboo is one of my favorite places to visit! They have a gigantic outdoor patio area with live entertainment and some of the best craft beer. BUT this is about the cheese curds and thankfully they are also so tasty. They are served with a side of homemade ranch and pair nicely with a side of sunshine. Artisan 179 - Pewaukee Let me start with a disclaimer that the cheese curds at Artisan 179 were the most expensive cheese curds I have ever purchased in my life, coming in at a whopping $18. Are they worth that? Honestly, probably not. I have had several better cheese curds for much cheaper, but these are still very good. They are served with a homemade ranch that will keep you wanting more. Bixenberg Tavern - Germantown I have always said that townie bars have the best food and Bixenberg is a testament to that. Their cheese curds are SO tasty and they are served with a chipotle ranch which is always a perfect addition in my humble opinion. While you're there, give one of their smashburgers a try. I'm not a huge burger gal but I would eat it on the reg if I could. Heirloom MKE - Bay View - Milwaukee I am grateful that Heirloom's recipes only IMPROVED when they moved into their new space this year. Their cheese curds have been a favorite of mine for a long time and they easily earned their spot on this list. Served with a homemade tomato jam & jalapeno ranch. Dairyland - Milwaukee This is another spot that I eat at regularly, so their cheese curds have been on my list multiple years in a row. And my goodness, do they deserve it. I did a segment with Barstool Sports in 2022 about cheese curds in Milwaukee and I brought them to Dairyland. THAT is love. Watch the Barstool Sports segment here while you're at it. 1919 Kitchen and Tap - Green Bay The cheese curds at 1919 Kitchen and Tap in Green Bay are unique and fantastic. They are topped with parmesean cheese! Served with a Romesco sauce - I had never had Romesco sauce before but I really enjoyed it with the cheese curds!

I have been in my RV for 2.5 months so far and made it to California all the way from Wisconsin. I have been to California in the past near the Venice Beach, Disney, and San Diego area. I was not totally sure what to expect when driving through California in the RV, but after my experiences the last 3 weeks, I don't think I will be back. I am writing this a little pre-maturely as I still plan to visit Joshua Tree National Park, but alas, I need a blog for this week. I entered the north side of California through the state of Oregon. The first night I stayed in California in the RV, we were at a Harvest Hosts site in the city of Mt. Shasta. There looked to be several dispersed campsites about 45-minutes south, so that was the plan for the remainder of the week. That Monday, we spent the day at Mt. Shasta city park which was filled with tons of other RVers and van-lifers. When the work day was finished, we packed up the RV and headed to our campsite. Unfortunately, when we arrived to the "site," it turned out it was not a campsite at all. It was an area where several homeless people lived. I use the iOverlander app to find most of my campsites, and this particular spot had not been updated in about 8-months. Apparently within that timeframe, the campsite had been overtaken. I did not feel safe staying there, so we tried another site... and then another. After a lot of panic and tears, we headed back in the direction we came to stay in the forest. We camped outside of a trailhead in the Castle Crag's Wilderness for 3 nights. The only plus side to this was that our campsite was right outside of the Pacific Crest Trail, so we got some good hikes in. On the 4th night that week, we stayed at another Harvest Host site in Redding. I did not love Redding. It is a very large city and abundant with homeless people. I tried to find a park to walk Kona, and it took me 3 tries to find one that felt safe enough. I Googled "crime rate in Redding" and it is one of the highest in the United States. The last night there, I decided to get a campsite in Whiskey Town - about 30 minutes east. This allowed me to refill my water, dump the tanks, and most importantly... sleep safely. When we finally headed out of the area, we made out way south to Lassen National Park - which was closed. We were able to spend Friday night at a dispersed campsite in Lassen National Forest. It was beautiful but absolutely frigid. The next morning we started our adventure to Lake Tahoe. I have never been to Lake Tahoe but it absolutely lived up to the expectation. On Saturday morning, we did the Monkey Rock hike. It was very crowded, but the views were worth it. There is an actual rock that looks like a monkey. It's a real thing. I stayed the night about 40 minutes outside of town in Carson City, NV. I found a dispersed campsite in Voltaire Canyon and it provided us the coolest sunset and sunrise views. I also got to get gas in Nevada... which is significantly cheaper than gas in California (at this time, it was $4.09 in NV and $6.79 in CA). I stopped at the Walmart there, too, to stock up on things for the week. Again - much cheaper than California. The next morning (Sunday, if you have lost track), we did the Eagle Lake Trail in South Lake Tahoe. The hike was *literally* all steps. It really got the blood pumping! Eagle Lake Trail was absolutely stunning. The water crystal clear and the mountains in the distance are magical. It was a little slippery at times because of previously fallen snow, but nothing we couldn't handle. After our hike at Eagle Lake, we headed to Yosemite National Park. I was a bit worried about the east entrance being open but lucky for us, it was! Dogs are not allowed to hike on trails in National Parks, so our visit didn't take very long. I took Kona out on road pull-offs and parking lots to take in the sights. It is an absolutely gorgeous park. We drove 30-ish more minutes south to a town called Mammoth Lakes. We found a campsite within the Inyo National Forest and stayed Sunday-Friday. Mammoth Lakes is the cutest town - very focused on skiing. I don't ski, but Kona and I still adventured around town a bit enjoying the scenery. I spent the day on Friday in one of the biggest Starbucks locations I have ever seen. Yes, it was so big that I felt the need to mention it here. That Friday evening, we headed to Bishop, CA. Mammoth Lakes was in the 30's (teens at night) all week and I was so sick of being cold. Bishop is 40 minutes south and had all of the things I needed for my RV: water fill up, dump tank station, and propane refill. We did all of those things and then headed to a dispersed site in Inyo National Forest. It was absolutely beautiful and twenty degrees warmer (not an exaggeration). The next morning, we drove about 90 minutes to Alabama Hills, CA. One of my followers on Instagram sent me here and I genuinely cannot thank them enough. I intended to just do a hike or two and then head out, but I stayed the entire day and overnight. Alabama Hills National Scenic Area is 18,000+ acres of beauty. SO much hiking! So much to see! Kona and I hiked over 6 miles and then 2 more the next day before heading out. I loved it so much.

I have officially made my way travelling through Oregon in an RV. I have put together a highlight of some of my favorite places, along with some of the hiccups I had on the way. I technically drove through Oregon twice - once was just a quick stop from Idaho to get into the state of Washington. During this trip, we stopped at Hells Canyon which technically crosses both Oregon and Idaho. It was a bit of a mess to get there because you drive through A LOT of forest and my cell service went out (we got lost). It is an absolutely beautiful place when you make it there, though. My only gripe was that there isn't anywhere to hike near the canyon. We really just drove there, took some pictures, then left. I typically try to get Kona a nice hike after a long drive and we were not able to do that. I came back to the far west side of Oregon after visiting Washington. I skipped Portland. I know, I know, how can I skip Portland while in Oregon? I have already been to Portland. I travelled there and explored a few years ago, so I didn't see a need to go back. Anyway, passing through Portland to get to the Oregon Coast was the plan. We stayed a night in the beautiful Tillamook State Forest, and then headed to explore the coast for the next few days. There are so many beautiful parks in the area - so much hiking! We started at Cape Lookout State Park which is about 15-20 minutes southwest of Tillamook. We got here towards the end of October, so it was a bit chilly but still gorgeous. We tried hiking the Lookout Trail, but after about a mile in, it was SO muddy that it was impossible to continue on. We decided to go down and explore the beach area instead and Kona had an absolute blast doing so. Later that day, we headed up to Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint for a hike. It felt like we were in a rainforest. The hike led to a beautiful beach where we spent some time near the water before heading back. The last hike we did in the area was the next day at Sand Lake Recreation Area in Pacific City, about a 40 minute drive from Tillamook. Sand dunes! I have never seen an actual sand dune so this was a really awesome experience. We hiked to the top of one and I can tell you that hiking up a sand dune is no joke. We were covered in sweat (and sand) by the time we got up there. Worth it, though. After leaving the coast area, we headed to Salem, Oregon for a few days. We were mainly here for their internet connection (I had to work) but did manage to find some fun things along the way. Bush's Pasture Park in Salem is awesome. A lot of the time when I am staying in a city, it's hard to find somewhere decent to walk Kona. This park has 90+ acres of land and dozens of trails to check out. It is perfect for anyone in the area with a pup who needs some exercise. After Salem, we headed more East to check out the famous Tamolitch Blue Pool in the Willamette National Forest. We stayed in the forest the night prior, which was great because the trail ended up being only a 7 minute drive. It was pouring outside but I wanted to see it, we were there, so it was happening. It was absolutely worth it. The hike itself was very rocky and steep in some spots - a good workout overall. The pool was epic. So blue and so pretty. I decided not to climb down to the bottom because of how wet and slippery the rocks were, but the views from above were just as good. Near the Blue Pool is Smith Rock State Park; a gorgeous area with several rock formations and trails throughout. Because we had already hiked 4 miles, I opted for a shorter trail. Absolutely gorgeous views along the riverside but even with the rain, Smith Rock State Park is extremely popular. In addition to all of the hiking we did, we stopped at some pretty fun places! Obviously while in Tillamook we had to visit the Tillamook Creamery (I actually went twice). I took a guided tour and indulged in some ice cream and deep fried cheese curds. The whole place is such an experience, I highly recommend. Also in Tillamook is Blue Heron French Cheese Company. We stayed overnight here for two nights through Harvest Hosts and it was delightful. Their retail store has many options of cheese, snacks, gifts, and other goodies. There is also a deli and a candy shoppe to get your sweet tooth fix. The best part, in my opinion, is their petting zoo outside. I explored Blue Heron multiple times while we were here and it was exciting each time! The last place I will mention was another Harvest Host - Willamette Valley Smokehouse. They are located on the south side of Salem, Oregon and offer the most delicious BBQ and craft beers. The location has been open only a few months, but contains an event tent, several fire pits and heat lamps, outdoor games, live music, and more. If I lived in the area, this is somewhere I would spend a lot of my free time.

My name is Sam and I am a 33 year old female currently living out of her RV. Why am I RV living? Let’s start with a little backstory to explain. In 2012, I studied abroad in Europe. We travelled to Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, and France. It was absolutely lifechanging in more ways than one. That trip sparked my love for travel and desire to do it all the time. Unfortunately, I had just graduated college and had no extra dollars to spend on a vacation. That’s when I decided that I was going to visit every state before I turned 30 years old. Domestic travel is cheaper than international, right? But I couldn’t just drive through the state and airports didn’t count. I had to actually do something in each state – eat somewhere local, visit a monument, etc. It took me until 4 months before my 30th birthday to complete this goal. This was also 5 months before COVID-19 hit in 2020. While travelling all over the U.S. (some of which I did solo), I realized that there is SO much more to see than any of us can fathom. Wisconsin is great and all, but there is an entire world beyond that. Because of Covid, I had gone from travelling every 3-4 months to not travelling at all. It was 11 months until my next trip and it has become sparse after that. During Covid I saw “Van Life” and "RV Living" becoming a popular lifestyle on social media. I was so intrigued by it. I began following several different van accounts, research how people made it happen, etc. It seemed like a dream come true. But… I have a house. And a fully in-person job that I need in order to pay the mortgage on that house. So, the van life was only a dream. November of 2022 during one of my therapy sessions, I told my therapist that I had been feeling extremely depressed. I have had seasonal depression for such a long time and living in Wisconsin doesn’t help ease it. My therapist asked me “Well what would make you happy?” And I said “Travel. And be somewhere with sunshine. But I can’t do that because I need to work to pay my mortgage and my other bills.” To which she responded “well how do other people travel full time?” I said, “fully remote jobs, selling all of their items, solely living out of their van to cut expenses, etc.” and she said “Seems like the first step for you would be to find a fully remote job.” So I did. Now, if you know me and are doing the math in your head, you’re probably realizing that I never actually switched jobs during this timeframe. I’ve worked at the same place for almost 3 years. But I interviewed for several positions and I received a fully-remote job offer for $5k more a year than what I was making at the time SCORE! But I really liked my employer and I didn’t want to leave. I had to make a decision – take the fully remote job and travel, ask if I can be fully remote where I work now, or stay put in Wisconsin and keep dreaming my dreams. I crafted an email to my boss explaining to him what I wanted to do – live in a van and travel. I was very straightforward and telling him that I understood if they did not think that would work for the company, but that I would need to find a new position if that were the case (still had the other job offer in my back pocket – but I never disclosed that to him). After several conversations about logistics, expectations, etc., to my *absolute* surprise, they agreed to let me leave. I told them that my plan to start RV living was September 1st and I followed up several times over those 8 months to make sure they knew that I was serious. I began saving money like crazy, shopping for vans, and planning. After doing a lot of research, I decided that I would rather have an RV; mainly for the bathroom and insurance. It is difficult to get insurance on conversion vans. I knew I wanted something smaller, so a Class B RV made the most sense. I found my RV in Illinois at the end of May. After that, I did a couple of “practice weekends” to learn how the heck an RV works and when September 1st came around... and I left. My original plan was to sell my house because having an RV payment, mortgage, Jeep payment, and insurance for all of these things is costly. But after much consideration I decided that it would be a safer plan for me to make sure I enjoy this lifestyle before fully committing to it. My parents are taking care of my house – mostly my mom, my dad does some check-ins – and I did some rearranging of expenses to help my costs. I turned off my internet, shut off my water, cancelled a bunch of subscriptions, changed car, home, and pet insurance companies for a better rate, changed my cell phone plan, etc. It is still expensive, don’t get me wrong, but I am trying to be as smart as I can when it comes to spending money. I am two months into my RV journey, and I don’t know when I will go home. I miss my friends and family, of course, but I feel like this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I am all the way on the west coast (literally, all the way). Some people have said “you can come back and then leave again” which is true, and I might, but as of right now, driving 28 hours home seems like a real pain in the ass. So, I will be in this RV until further notice – probably until my job tells me I have to return or an emergency happens back in Wisconsin.

I spent a good chunk of time in Wyoming and am officially declaring it as my favorite state in the U.S. If you have not been, you need to add it to your list! I stayed in Cody, Jackson, the Shoshone Forest, and near both Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Every single place I stayed was beautiful – and not because I was choosing pretty places. Western Wyoming is gorgeous. If you are planning at trip to Wyoming, here are a few of the top places to visit in Wyoming. Cody, Wyoming is located about one hour away from Yellowstone National Park. This is a great place to start your adventure because you will be at the very north-end of the state. Cody has gorgeous hiking trails, a great food scene, and all the basic “necessity” stores that you may need. The Buffalo Bill Museum is also located in Cody, and it should not be skipped. Plan at least 4-6 hours to get through the whole thing, though, because it is gigantic. My favorite hiking trail in Cody was the Shoshone Riverway Trail. It is approximately 2.5 miles and travels alongside of the Shoshone River. The views on this trail are gorgeous and it is very well maintained. There are a couple of picnic table areas, too, if you want to have a quick lunch after your hike. I stopped at two food spots in Cody: Wyo Dough and Annie’s Soda Saloon. Wyo Dough is a pretty popular pizza joint. I got an order of their garlic cheese curds along with a kids meal chicken tenders. Everything was great – even the curds. I ordered to-go, but for the 3 minutes I was in the restaurant, I could tell that it was all good vibes. If I lived in Cody (which I might someday), I would hang out at this spot regularly. The second place is Annie’s Soda Saloon. They make all of their own soda and have over 30 flavors! I ordered the pomegranate and it was delicious. Huckleberry ice cream was recommended to me, so I ordered some of that in a waffle dish and OMG we need to get huckleberry ice cream in Wisconsin somehow. It was SO good. I went on a hunt the next day to find huckleberry jam because I needed more of it in my life. Yellowstone is one of the most beautiful National Parks throughout the United States. And rightfully so, I may add. If you have not seen the park yet, it should be a bucket list item. We only visited for one day and I think we could have spent at least 3 if we truly went through it all. Some personal highlights within the park included watching Old Faithful explode, witnessing the Grand Prismatic Spring, and hiking the Upper and Lower Falls trail. Old Faithful has always been a bucket list item for me so I was grateful to see it while we were there. The Upper and Lower Falls hiking trails were unintentional but it was a spectacular sight. We saw a decent amount of wildlife within the park as well: bison, deer, and elk. We ended up staying at a campsite in between Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons and woke up to an elk that morning. The Grand Tetons might be my favorite National Park. I visited back in 2019 and fell in love. It is difficult visiting National Parks with a pup since they are not allowed to hike, but I left Kona in the RV for a bit at this one so I could hike around Jenny Lake. The views are absolutely breathtaking and I am convinced it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The Tetons have a ton of bike paths and hiking trails throughout the park. It is different in Yellowstone that way - there are not that many "attractions" within GTNP but I personally think it is more beautiful overall. Just south of the Tetons is the last city in Wyoming I want to cover - Jackson. Although it is a tourist town, it is so picturesque, especially in the fall. They have tons of dog friendly hiking trails in Jackson so Kona and I were able to stretch our legs a bit. If you are looking for a bite to eat, Snake River Brewing has fantastic craft beer and pizza. On the south side of the city is Jackson Hole Still Works - Jackson's only craft distillery. They serve "sloshies" (alcoholic slushees) that are a local favorite.

This is a part two to my first blog listing 5 Day Trips from Milwaukee (read it here). Each of these places is within a 2-hour drive time which makes them all great options for a quick getaway from the city. Whitewater I love Whitewater. It is absolutely one of my favorite places in Wisconsin. Whitewater is located about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Milwaukee. Their food/drink scene is superb with places such as Barista Cats Café, Staller Estates Winery, Jessica’s Diner, and Sweet Spot Café. There is an ample amount of places to shop with some of my favorites being The Fuzzy Pig (GREAT place for seasonal décor and gifts!) and Dale’s Bootery - because what woman doesn’t want a new pair of shoes? There are also so many outdoor activities in Whitewater! I love hiking and there are multiple sections of the Ice Age Trail located in Whitewater. There are also lots of lakes that are perfect for beach days, boating, and water sports. So much to do! Fort Atkinson Not too far from Whitewater is another amazing Wisconsin town: Fort Atkinson. Fort Atkinson is located about 1-hour northwest of Milwaukee. Fort Atkinson is such a tight knit community and has so many things to offer. The Fireside Dinner Theatre is located here and if you have never been, you must visit! The dinner food is amazing and the theatre productions are highly entertaining. Aside from that, Fort Atkinson is filled with great places to eat like Paddy’s Irish Pub (get the cheese curds), Beauty and the Bean, The Island Bar and Grill (great if you are looking for lakeside views), and Frostie Freeze for dessert. You can also make a stop at Jones’ Market for some local artisan goods and a quick sandwich. Lake Geneva Lake Geneva is southwest from Milwaukee and you can get there in just under an hour. Lake Geneva is known for being a tourist destination for Chicago-ians (is that a word?) but don’t let that steer you away. The town is absolutely beautiful and has so much to offer. If you are a golfer, Lake Geneva is a great place to go. If you enjoy being on the water, you can do that in Lake Geneva, too. Additionally, they have several great places to eat including two of my favorites: Flat Iron Tap and Oakfire Pizza. If you are a coffee aficionado, be sure to visit Inspired Coffee. The best people work there! There are tons of boutique stores in the downtown area that are great for browsing around. Shop til you drop, baby! Baraboo Baraboo is a little further of a drive than the aforementioned destinations but it is worth the miles. If you are thinking about Wisconsin Dells right now – think again. Baraboo is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Milwaukee and located OUTSIDE of Wisconsin Dells. They are a town that deserves to be recognized. There are so many great places for a foodie but one of my favorites is Tumbled Rock Brewery. They have a gigantic outdoor patio and grass area with an outside bar and live music. They serve awesome pizza and delicious craft beer. It’s an experience, not just a restaurant. Speaking of craft beer, another great thing to do in Baraboo is visit the Al Ringling Mansion and Brewery. You can take a tour of the brewery and learn all about the history of the Ringling Brothers. Pop on over to the Circus World Museum, too, and check out one of the live performances! Fond du Lac Fond du Lac is just over an hour north of Milwaukee and it is such a cute city! Parts of the city are right on Lake Winnebago which is an awesome lake to spend your summer days. Lakeside Park alone has so many things to offer such as a petting zoo, carousel rides, and more. Downtown Fond du Lac is filled with great restaurants and small shops. One of my absolute favorite places to eat in Fond du Lac is The Salty Pig. If you haven’t had brunch here yet, make the trip just for that. When you are finished with brunch, stop at Ledgerock Distillery for a tasty cocktail and sampling. But before you leave town, make a stop at Kelley’s Country Creamery – some of the best ice cream in Wisconsin.

Fort Atkinson is located approximately 1 hour north west from Milwaukee and 40 minutes southeast from Madison. It is located in Jefferson county along the Rock River. The city is filled with a handful of parks, awesome restaurants, local farming communities, and more. Here is your Fort Atkinson itinerary. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS Kona and I took the RV on this trip! We stayed at Wishing Well RV Resort and my goodness - they have everything! I have only stayed at a few campgrounds in the RV so far but this one has been the best. The campsites are not right on top of each other leaving plenty of room for some privacy. The sites are clearly marked and very clean. Whether you're looking to embark on outdoor adventures or simply unwind amidst the serene surroundings, Wishing Well RV Resort has it all! Kona and I discovered a dog park on the campground - she was thrilled. They also have multiple pools, inflatables, WATER inflatables, an event area, playground, drive-in movies, horseshoe pits, and more! There truly is something for everyone. If you are considering a campground in the Fort Atkinson area, you must stay here! THINGS TO DO The Fireside Theatre stands as a beacon of entertainment and culinary delight. It has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I was FINALLY able to attend a show and I will absolutely be back. We attended a Sunday matinee for Mary Poppins. We enjoyed a bunch buffet followed by a show. The theatre is gorgeous and the gift shop is massive. You can spend ample time there in between your meal and the show. I am hoping to check out a dinner show sometime in 2024. We were lucky enough to attend Fort Atkinson's Rhapsody Festival. The festival is a city-wide with live music at local businesses. Additionally, there is a kids section with a duck race and other fun things to do! We enjoyed walking the city listening to tunes while shopping and snacking at some of the dining options. Hoard's Dairy Farm is located in Fort Atkinson. You can schedule a tour at the farm to learn about all of the work that goes into keeping the 900-acres of land running smoothly. The farm has almost 250 cows, most of which are Guernsey cows. I learned so much about the history of the farm, what is grown there now, the cow milking process, along with all of the awesome technology that has helped dairy farms over the years. After I toured the farm, I went back to Hoard's Creamery office and sampled some cheese. We tried 5 different varieties - some are award winning! Hoard's Creamery Cheese can be found it many local Sendik's, Festivals, and small specialty cheese stores. FOOD & DRINK Start your morning with a coffee and a breakfast sandwich from Beauty and the Bean. This spot is very unique in the sense that it is half hair salon (beauty) and half coffee shop (bean). I have been here a handful of times and there is always a line out the door; that's the sign of good coffee. I ordered a bacon, egg, & cheese bagel sandwich and a caramel latte. Perfect way to begin the day! My first stop for dinner in Fort Atkinson is a spot that I have been wanting to check out for a long time: Fort 88 Smokehouse. Their cheese curds have been on my list for years and I was finally able to give them a go! It was 97 degrees out this day, though, so I couldn't leave Kona alone in the RV. We ordered takeout and shared our dinner. We ordered cheese curds, a brisket melt, and brussel sprouts - yum! We also had the opportunity to visit Paddy Coughlin’s Irish Pub for lunch and it was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. We ordered Muenster cheese curds made with Kraemer Wisconsin Cheese and a fish fry with beer battered fries. The curds were served with ranch dressing and a dill aoili which I loved. I talked to Erin, the owner, about how involved Paddy's is with the community. They work with several local farmers for a lot of the ingredients used in their dishes. I love local supporting local and that should give you more of a reason to visit this pub. We spent dinner on the shores of Lake Koshkonong at Island Bar & Grill. They have live music on Friday nights and the place was poppin! The patio in back of the restaurant is huge and filled with dozens of picnic tables. There is also an outdoor bar area - so fun! We ordered the Wisconsin Cheese Curd burger with fries and firecracker shrimp tacos with tater tots on the side. The service was super fast and the food was delicious, highly recommend! After our meal at Island Bar & Grill, I was craving a sweet treat. We stopped at the iconic Frostie Freeze for some ice cream cones - Kona included. This ice cream spot has been open since 1983 and is one of the most well known stops in Fort Atkinson. They are seasonal, so make sure to check their hours before your visit! GET OUTSIDE There is no shortage of parks in Fort Atkinson and Kona and I love to hike. We checked out two different hikes during our weekend. The first was Effigy Mounds at Indian Mounds Park. The park is five acres and features 11 mounds that have been preserved for almost 1,500 years! The mounds are different animal formations as well as conical mounds. It is a pretty cool piece of history to learn about. We also checked out Dorothy Carnes County Park which was absolutely beautiful in the early morning. This park features 512 acres of land and 9 miles of hiking trails. Rose Lake is located in the middle of the park and majority of the area has been designated as State Natural Area. The park is mainly used for hiking, bird watching, picnicking, dog walking, and more! SHOPPING Fort Atkinson is filled with local providers of dairy, meat, and vegetables. Lots of small businesses lean on each other for product which is one of the many charms of this town. I spent a good chunk of my morning visiting Jones Market. The Jones family has been in Fort Atkinson since 1830 and are best known for their all natural sausage. The market sells things such as ham, bacon, cheese, artisan foods, and more! They also serve lunch items and ice cream. If you are in the Fort Atkinson area, you must check out this well-known destination. Fort Atkinson Farmers Market is held on Saturday mornings. You can choose from lots of local goodies such as fruit and vegetables, canned goods, and craft items. There is live music at the market and it is very dog friendly.

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I wrote a blog about Milwaukee area breakfast sandwiches! I have so many to add – there will be a part four soon! Let’s get to the good stuff. North Ave Grill More bread that needs recognition: the ciabatta that this bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich is served on at North Ave Grill. It is beyond good. The ciabatta is as soft as a pillow on the inside but crispy on the outside. They use a hefty serving of cheese, too, and we can’t be upset about that. The City Market Café This is City Market’s “Scramble Sandwich” with bacon. It comes with a mixture of red bell peppers, green onions, eggs, and cheddar cheese. Most of the sandwiches I order do not have any veggies on them and let me tell you – it was a great addition. Made me feel a little bit healthier, too 😉 Fiddleheads Coffee Fiddleheads has a special place in my heart, and I would love to try the rest of their breakfast sandwiches someday. What you see here is their “Toasted Bacon” sandwich that consists of bacon, egg, smoked gouda cheese, and zesty ranch mayo. Give me all the zest! Fiddleheads serves their breakfast sandwich on a classic English muffin; you can’t go wrong with that. Bruegger's Bagels Bruegger's may be a chain, but you can't deny that they have some of the best New York style bagels. I ordered the Western sandwich on an Everything Bagel with added avocado. It was a hefty sandwich, but so so satisfying. It is stacked high with egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, chipotle sauce, and a mix of onions with red and green pepper. Hawthorne Coffee Roasters I will be honest, I was a little confused when I entered Hawthorne Coffee Roasters. They do not have any sandwiches on their website, but when you go into the cafe, they have some pre-made in a cooler. They will warm it up for you! I chose the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a bagel and ate it outside with an iced coffee. It was a fantastic start to my morning.