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We are a full month into our RV adventure, and I just entered the state of Wyoming over the weekend. We spent a full two weeks in Montana! I have been to all 50 states and Montana was one of my favorites – maybe even #1. Visiting in an RV was a much different experience than going with a friend for a long weekend. I’ll share some of the highlights (mostly state parks) as well as a few interesting things I learned about Montana. We started our Montana journey visiting Mashoshika State Park. I didn’t love it. The hiking trails were extremely difficult to follow and the park was pretty small. We didn’t end up spending a whole lot of time there. Afterwards, we headed to Sluice Boxes State Park where I saw my first black bear. Scared the living sh*t out of me if I am being honest. We obviously had to leave immediately so we headed to Giant Springs State Park which is absolutely beautiful. I don’t think I have ever seen clearer water in my life. We hiked around this park a bunch and then started heading more north to make our way to Glacier National Park. This park has been on my bucket list FOREVER and I was so happy to be there. Unfortunately, long story short, we did not get WiFi and I was unable to work. That meant we had to leave unexpectedly and much sooner than anticipated. The Monday that we were at the park I ended up using PTO so we could experience it at least a little bit. We drove the entire “Going to the Sun Road.” Dogs are not allowed to hike at GNP, which I knew ahead of time. But what I didn’t know is that the weather was going to be totally crappy, there are lines of cars waiting to park for hiking, and navigating an RV on that road is terrifying. I white-knuckled it the entire time. After we drove from one side of the park to the other, I decided we needed to try to find somewhere that we got WiFi so we could be prepared for the work day tomorrow. That ended up becoming a 2-hour drive south towards Missoula. We did get to visit Flathead National Park on our way, though, and it is a stunning place. I appreciated that little detour after the day I had. I really debated whether or not to go back to Glacier the next weekend but honestly, I just didn’t think it made sense. I had such an intense, anxiety driven experience while I was there. Kona also does not do super great in the RV alone. Sometimes she is fine but most of the time she will bark and whine her head off until I return. I don’t think leaving her in the RV for a 5 mile hike would have been the smartest idea. I want to go back to GNP but without an RV and without a dog. The park remains on my bucket list for now. We spent some time in Missoula, Bozeman and Billings over the course of the next two weeks. We hiked at a couple of parks in Missoula but I didn’t love the city overall. The further I get into this trip the more I am convinced that I am just not a city girl (and yes, I still have my house in Milwaukee). We visited Lake Como for a hike and it was BEAUTIFUL. A lake surrounded by mountains – exactly how I picture Montana. We tried going for 8 miles but after the first mile it was very obviously not a hike suited for dogs. Kona fell twice trying to jump onto and over things. We ended up shortening the hike a bit. We went on a pretty hefty hike at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park. You can do cavern tours here – which I would have loved – but we were there during the off-season and they only have tours once every other week so the timing just didn’t work out. Our hike was 3 miles (one way) and we ended up taking the road on our way back because it was HOT and I don’t think either of us would have been able to handle it. After Lewis & Clark we drove about 25 minutes to Missouri Headwaters State Park. This park was very beautiful as well – tons of hiking trails intertwined with rivers and small lakes. We went on a much shorter hike here, but the views did not disappoint. I love how a lot of the Montana state parks are fairly close to one another. It makes things so much easier! We stayed at a brewery in Three Forks that evening, which is about 15 minutes from Bozeman, MT. I got to visit the famous bakery, Montana Wheat, and indulged in the most delicious chocolate chip muffin. Bozeman is a large city that I have been to before and loved. But again, Montana with a dog and an RV is a lot different. The sleeping situation here was terrible. Actually, it was terrible in Missoula, too. I stayed at Cracker Barrel for 3 nights in Missoula and aside from our first night in Bozeman, we stayed at a city park on the street. It was fine, but surrounded by people and we all know I prefer to be secluded. I do want to shout out Harvest Hosts for the first night in Bozeman because we stayed on the most picture perfect farm that I really did not want to leave. It was absolutely Montana goals. Getting out of Bozeman, we headed to Billings for a day and hiked the Rimrocks. Pretty cool scenery, very easy hike. We stayed one evening at a dispersed site on the outskirts of Bozeman and it was total solitude. I loved it. Our last day in Montana was spent exploring Big Horn Canyon. Technically the Big Horn Canyon is in Montana and Wyoming but I deemed this day as our “last Montana day.” It was absolutely beautiful – wild horses, tons of great hiking, and awesome views. It was SUPER windy this day but we managed to get about 6 miles in anyway. Here are a few random facts about Montana: · Dogs are not allowed to be on the patios anywhere that serves food. This REALLY put a damper in our adventuring. In WI, dogs just can’t be inside a restaurant. Here, they can’t be inside OR outside. · There are casinos EVERYWHERE. They are attached to gas stations, liquor stores, and standalone buildings It’s crazy! · “Dogs must be on a leash” apparently does not apply to 99% of the people in Missoula or Bozeman. Kona and I spent a lot of time dodging unleashed dogs. · There are lights ¼ mile away from an intersection to let you know that the light will be turning red soon. I found this very helpful and something that should be implemented in more places. · There are TONS of coffee “huts” – they are the size of a small shed and are located in random parking lots all over the place. I saw a “soda hut” in Billings, too!

Did you know that there are waterfalls in Wisconsin? I didn't, until a few years ago. But when I found out I made a personal goal to visit a waterfall whenever I had the chance. I've seen over a dozen at this point, but here are 5 Wisconsin & Michigan waterfalls worth visiting. Potato River Falls Located near the town of Gurney, Wisconsin, Potato River Falls is a sight to behold. There are two large waterfalls - Upper falls and Lower falls. The hike to view the falls is not long, but there are a lot of stairs required - keep that in mind! I visited these falls while it was raining and they were worth the wet clothing. Long Slide Falls Long Slide Falls is located a few miles north of Pembine, WI; approximately 3 hours north of Milwaukee. The falls cascade for about 50 feet and it only takes 1/2 mile out and back to get there. I took Kona to see these waterfalls and I was so impressed! These may be my favorite waterfalls in Wisconsin so far. Dave's Falls Dave's Falls is located inside of Dave's Falls county park in Amberg, Wisconsin. The hike to the falls is lined with beautiful rock formations and is considered easy. There is a small fee to visit the county park, so plan for that before arriving. These waterfalls are absolutely gorgeous! Bond Falls Heading over to Michigan, the Bond Falls are absolutely worth the stop. These falls are located in Haight Township in Ontonagon County. It will take you a little less than 5 hours to get here from Milwaukee. If you heading to the Upper Peninsula, you have to make this stop. The hike from the parking lot to the falls is about .5 mile. Easy peasy! Canyon Falls Canyon Falls are also located in Michigan and are considered to be the "Grand Canyon of the UP." The falls are located in L'Anse, MI along the Sturgeon River. They cascade over 30 feet! The hike to get there is about 2 miles, so make sure to bring your walking shoes.

I got into Grand Forks, ND around 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon. I got a reservation for the night at Turtle River State Park's campground. It was nice: clean, secluded, good amenities. I made chicken and zucchini on the grill immediately when we arrived cuz ya girl was HANGRY. Then I worked on social media things the rest of the evening. It was nice to get in early(ish) and have time to relax before going to bed instead of the go-go-go we've been doing. Sunday, September 10, 2023: we woke up around 5:30am - Kona's choice. I made coffee and then started getting the RV ready to drive again. We stayed at a campground the night before so I could take care of the RV: dumping and filling the tanks, electricity hookup, showers, etc. After filling my water tank and dumping the "black tank", I went to the showers... and they were locked. I hadn't washed my hair in 5 days so I decided to just do it right there in the parking lot and honestly, no regrets. We headed out to our first destination which was 4 hours away - Lake Sakakawea. We took a gorgeous 2-mile hike when we arrived. The bugs were bad, but the views made up for it. I made lunch and refilled our water bottles but North Dakota water tastes funny. I mean no offense; it's probably normal to them. But compared to Wisconsin water, it's weird. I regretted filling up as many bottles as I did. Back on the road for another 2 hours. A lot of the roads on this leg of the trip were gravel/unpaved and it was not fun. Kona doesn't like when there are ripples in the road, and there were a lot, so she was pacing back and forth nonstop while we were driving. I actually pulled over at one point to try to give her some love so she would calm down - it didn't work. We finally got to Killdeer Mountains at Little Missouri State Park. It is a very beautiful state park that is used a lot for horseback riding. Kona and I began to make a 5-mile loop around the park. It was extremely scenic but an extremely tough hike; we were up and down nonstop. We got about 2 miles in and the trail legitimately just disappeared. The ground isn't normal dirt ground, and whatever it was made out of seemed to have washed away during a storm. We were lost. With zero cell service. So instead of trying to figure it out we just decided to double back the way we came. It ended up being an 75 minute hike and overall it was good. Then we drove another hour to Dickinson, ND to where we were staying for the night: Phat Fish Brewing. We got in around 5:30 and posted up at their outdoor patio. I ordered us some cheese curds which were surprisingly delicious, along with a pizza and beers. The pizza was just ok; probably because it had honey on it and my waitress didn't bring any napkins. It was a mess. The cheese curds, on the other hand, were fire. They came with some sort of seasoned ranch that was also delicious. I tried 3 of their beers and didn't love any of them, but their patio was really nice and the parking situation was great. Monday, September 11th, 2023: I lied about that parking situation - it was right next to a train track and SO loud at least every 3 hours. We did not sleep well. Today we worked all morning at a park in Dickinson, ND. It was the first time I was able to get a workout in and it felt great. Kona enjoyed being able to sleep while I worked; girl has been tired. I wanted to go to Theodore Roosevelt National Park during the day, but the time change really screwed up my schedule and I couldn't fit it in. I decided we would go to the visitors center right before closing to get a national parks pass and then explore the park a little bit. Turns out the visitor center that we went to doesn't sell park passes, and we would not have made it before close to the next visitor center. Bummer. I decided we would just head up to our campsite for the day and visit the park tomorrow. I am so glad that it worked out the way that it did because we ended up being able to get a campsite and it is BEAUTIFUL up here. We are at the top of Little Missouri State Park National Grassland and it is just gorgeous. We are going to hang here for the evening, work on social media things, and get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow we will explore the park (or stay up here all day?) Tuesday, September 12, 2023: We did not go to the park today - we stayed in our spot and honestly I'm more than ok with that! The weather has been SO windy though, so the back door net kept falling down. I tried to put the awning up but it was a total shit show. I cried a little bit but luckily nothing broke. We took a few walks up and down the gravel road that the campsites are on to try to check out all of the other views. I honestly think that I got the best campsite on the block. I ate leftover pizza for lunch (again) and then grilled chicken and sweet potato and zucchini for dinner. I put the mini grill on my foldable table and of course the entire thing fell off. Luckily the veggies were in tinfoil and didn't hit the ground, but the chicken went all over the place. I rinsed it off and cooked it anyway. After dinner, I did some yoga. I also painted my toenails and chatted with Kailagh on the phone for a bit. Wednesday, September 13, 2023: Honestly, I got a little frustrated with life today. I want to see Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but their visitor center closes at 4:30 and I don't want to risk losing my camping spot. I want to be able to spend at least a few hours at the park and can't do that without being there after dark during the week. That being said, I decided to take a half day on Friday. We are going to go to the park during the day and then cross our fingers we can find somewhere to park at night. Then on Saturday morning we will start heading to our next destination(s) which ultimately will be Glacier National Park. I did see wild horses today which was pretty cool. I also got my first "good" workout in, and washed my hair with my outside shower. Overall, it was a good day. Just a little frustrating at times. I took this trip because I don't want to be trapped in Milwaukee, and now I feel like I'm just trapped other places. Maybe Milwaukee isn't the issue; maybe it's having a 9-5. Friday, September 15th. 2023: Today has been rough. The day started out good – had a half day for work. Actually got dressed in real clothes. Put makeup on for the first time in weeks. Then I got to the point where I was getting ready to leave for Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the RV wouldn’t start. I turned the generator on without a problem so I thought I would wait a bit to see if something was just off. After 30 minutes – still nothing. Called my dad and he told me that the battery is dead. So I called Triple A and tried to take matters into my own hands in the meantime by hooking up the house battery charger I bought to the RV and then to the RV battery. That did not work. Triple A showed up after about 90 minutes and jump started the RV. Great. We are on the road again to the park! We finally get our annual pass, start driving around taking pictures of animals and scenery and then I come across a bison. HUGE, close to the road on the passenger side. I go to roll Kona’s window up so she doesn’t scare him, and the entire window slides down and fully disappears. I call my dad and he tries telling me to use duct tape to pull the window glass up – didn’t work. He’s also telling me that I cant turn the RV off because it will die again. So I go to find the nearest battery place – Dickinson. The place that is 30 minutes east; where I was last weekend. I drive to Dickinson, get to the mechanic shop and he starts working on the window. He tells me that a cable snapped and he has to order the part. Mind you, all of this is happening while Kona is freaking out; whining and barking nonstop while I am driving. I also tied her to the back seat of the RV so she wouldn’t try jumping out the front window but she kept getting the tie out stuck underneath the front seat and choking herself. It was a whole thing. After the mechanic told me I would have to come back tomorrow, I decided to make the best of my stay in Dickinson. I went to Walmart and got water, groceries, jumper cables, OH and a new grill. I left that part out. I was so excited that the RV battery was running that I forgot to close the side cabinet and my grill fell out at some point. I heard it happen, but it moves around a lot so I didn't think much of the noise. Whoops. I also found a dump station that was free so we took care of that right away. I wanted to get laundry done, too, but unfortunately the laundromats closed by the time I was ready to get there. I am hoping that the mechanic can actually fix the window tomorrow morning and I can just be on my way. We will be set back a few hours but if I can make it to Glacier before the weekend is over, I will be happy. That’s all I want: Montana. Saturday, September 16, 2023: We stayed at Phat Fish again and were woken up by the trains a bunch but at least we had somewhere to stay. I found a park this morning and took Kona on a 2-mile walk and got rid of all of the garbage in the RV. We headed over to the mechanic at about 8:15am. 2+ hours and $310 later, the window was fixed and we were FINALLY on our merry way to Montana.

Oconto County is a beautiful place located in Northeastern Wisconsin. I spent a weekend in the Lakewood/Mountain area and we had so much fun! Lakewood is located approximately 3 hours north of Milwaukee and 3h 15m northeast of Madison. The town is a popular getaway destination providing ample ATV trails, gorgeous hiking opportunities, delicious restaurants, and that small town charm. Check out this northern Oconto County travel guide. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS I stayed in my RV for this trip at what easily became my favorite campsite yet. Chute Pond County Park is located in the town of Mountain, about 15 minutes outside of Lakewood. Our campsite was secluded and came with a picnic table, fire pit, and electricity hookup. The campground is right on the water and there is a boat launch and public beach available. Not only was the campsite clean and scenic, there are tons of hiking trails throughout the park. We spent a few hours each day wandering around so Kona could get some exercise. One of the coolest parts of the park is "Slippery Rock" which is also known as a "natural water park." There were tons of children and adults alike taking turns rushing down the slide. I did it, too, and it was a ton of fun! GET OUTSIDE Not many people realize how scenic northern Wisconsin is; this area is a prime example. Although we hiked throughout the campground a lot, we also took some off-site adventures. Mountain Fire Lookout Tower is located in Mountain, WI. Tucked away within the Nicolet National Forest, the tower was the first in Wisconsin to be on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places. It's 100 feet tall and the views are worth every step. Butler Rock is also located in Mountain. The hiking trail is short, yet steep, and leads you to the highest point in Oconto County. The views were breathtaking and I would love to come back during the fall season and experience the vibrant colors. FOOD & DRINK In my humble opinion, small towns always have some of the best restaurants. Lakewood is no exception. We started the morning with a coffee from Northern Perks Coffee Shop. They have an extensive menu of hot and cold coffee, tea, smoothies, and more. They also serve baked goods! The coolest part about this coffee shop is that it doubles as a gift store. While you're waiting for your delicious beverage, you can shop the apparel, home decor, and artisan food items. Don't forget to bring home mom a gift! We stopped by Braise North for breakfast and oh my goodness - SO good. Their menu changes regularly, so check their Facebook for updates. If you plan to go for dinner, be sure to make a reservation. It's a popular spot! We ordered their Breakfast Naan and a Market Bun: ham, caramelized onion, & cheese in a puff pasty. I also had to get one of their chocolate chip cookies because I saw it in the window and I mean come on... how could you pass up a cookie that looks like that?! Waubee Lake Lodge provided us a delicious lunch along with lakeside views. We enjoyed our meal on their beautiful, gigantic, covered patio and sipped on a few specialty cocktails. I was thrilled that Kona was able to join us on the patio. The service was fantastic and our meals were delicious. We got their cheese curds - so good! The ranch was creamy and very tasty. We had dinner at Weatherwood Supper Club located in Mountain. We arrived right when they opened and there was a line out the door. We ordered a few old fashioneds and were told that it was double bubble; 2-for1! Great start to the evening. We waited about an hour for our table but once we were sat we received our meals at lightning speed. The steaks we ordered were absolutely superb along with the rest of the meal. If you are a supper club enthusiast, you've gotta check this place out. SHOPPING I love a town staple and Sweet Memories Candy Shoppe is just that. The entire building is packed with different types of candy ranging from sweet to sour to gummies to homemade fudge. They have over 60 flavors of salt water taffy! There is also a small ice cream shop in the back of the store. I felt like a kid in a candy store while I was walking through (get it?). Yvonne's Classy Closet is a fun boutique shop! They have such a variety of items to browse through: clothing, jewelry and accessories, gifts, and more. The clothing is so unique yet trendy. I bought myself a beautiful necklace. This is a great place to stop no matter who you are; there is something for everyone!

If you live in the state of Wisconsin, I'm sure you are familiar with Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells is located approximately 2 hours north west of Milwaukee and 1 hour north west of Madison. Known as the "Waterpark Capital of the World," the Dells is home to a variety of waterparks, amusement parks, and outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy thrilling water rides, go-karting, mini-golf, zip-lining, and much more. The area also features scenic natural attractions such as the Wisconsin River, which runs through the town and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking. If you have not visited The Dells recently, consider a weekend trip - you definitely will not be bored! SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS There are several (several) hotels, resorts, cabins, and other places to sleep in Wisconsin Dells. What you decide to book should really depend on the experience you are looking for. Because the weather was still questionable, we did not see a need to book a hotel with outdoor water activities. We were lucky enough to be provided a stay at Springhill Suites by Marriott. This hotel is very close to all things downtown Dells which made it the perfect location for us. The hotel itself is extremely clean both in the lobby area and the room itself. The room had plenty of space and they serve free breakfast in the morning! It was perfect for the weekend. THINGS TO DO Although it has been years, I have visited Wisconsin Dells a handful of times already. I have enjoyed several Wisconsin Dells activities including mini golf, roller coasters, deer park petting zoo, indoor and outdoor water parks, museums, shopping, and more. This trip was Kailagh's first time in Wisconsin Dells so I wanted to make sure we did some of the *key* tourist-y things. First up on that list was a Wisconsin Dells Original Duck Tour! The Original Wisconsin Ducks offers a one-of-a-kind tour that takes visitors through the stunning natural beauty of the Wisconsin River and the surrounding wilderness. The tour is conducted on specialized amphibious vehicles, known as "ducks," that are capable of navigating both on land and in water. The tour is half on-land and half in-water and covers over 6 miles of scenic landscape, including pristine sandstone formations and majestic trees. Our tour guide, Jenna, was extremely informative and entertaining. Another fun adventure we were gifted was a museum tour of Ripley's Believe it or Not. Ripley's Believe it or Not is a popular tourist attraction that showcases bizarre and unusual exhibits from around the world. The museum features over 300 interactive exhibits and artifacts that range from shrunken heads to a two-headed calf. We had a great time trying to find all of the hidden passageways throughout the tour. This unique museum is perfect for families, friends, and anyone who loves to explore the strange and unexpected. FOOD & DRINK While in Wisconsin Dells, we obviously had to go on a hunt for some good cheese curds. The first stop we made was at Sandbar, located right in downtown Wisconsin Dells. The Sandbar has been around for more than 60 years and there are over 100 beers on tap! We enjoyed an order of cheese curds and a couple drinks to start off our day. Next, we visited B-Lux. B-Lux is known for their milkshakes and burgers, but their cheese curds are delicious as well. We ordered a few appetizers to share in addition to our boozy milkshakes. The atmosphere is very fun and inviting and the menu of food to choose from is extensive. They use Ellsworth Creamery cheese in their deep fried curds - you know they're going to be good. Another spot I know Kailagh NEEDED to visit was Nig's Bar. Taking a "Swig at Nig's" is an ICONIC move in Wisconsin Dells. Kailagh loves dive bars (much like myself), so I knew that she would enjoy this stop. We took in all of the fun decorations, played a few slot machines, and enjoyed our Swig with tourists and locals alike. In my opinion, there is only one spot for breakfast in Wisconsin Dells and that is at Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty. Paul Bunyan's is a classic restaurant that has been serving up hearty meals for over 60 years. The restaurant features rustic, woodsy decorations, complete with a towering 25-foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan himself. Currently, they are only serving breakfast, but that's the best meal of the day. Food is served all-you-can-eat family style brought right to your table. Paul Bunyan's is a beloved institution in Wisconsin Dells and a must-visit for anyone looking for a good meal in a fun and unique atmosphere.

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Sauk County. Sauk County is situated in the southern part of the state and is known for its picturesque scenery, including rolling hills, rivers, and lakes. The Wisconsin River flows through the county, providing a wide range of recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, and kayaking. Sauk County has a rich history and culture, and it offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and small-town charm. While visiting the area, I was able to experience several small towns, great hikes, and delicious food. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS I had the pleasure of staying at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Sauk City. The hotel features a range of modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and hot tub, and a fitness center. I was so happy to be able to get my workout in! The room had a TV, refrigerator, microwave, and a coffee maker. The bathroom was a generous size and everything was so clean! Additionally, there is a complimentary hot breakfast buffet provided in the morning. FOOD & DRINK While visiting Lake Redstone in LaValle (I'll touch on that later), I stopped by Redstone's North End Tavern for dinner. It was wing night, so I ordered 8 bone-in wings with their house sauce, along with cheese curds & an old fashioned. The tavern is located fairly close to the water and has both an indoor and outdoor seating area. I sat outside because the weather was perfect (finally) and enjoyed my meal. The service was great and the food was fantastic. I recommend stopping here if you are ever in the area. It's such a vibe! For lunch the following day, I traveled to Loganville and ate at Logan's Heroes Bar & Grill. Loganville is a fairly small town but Logan's Heroes is serving up very large portions. I ordered the chicken bacon ranch wrap with a side of French fries. The wrap was stuffed to the brim and the fries were overflowing the plate. It was so tasty. The bar itself is very clean and includes a pool table along with some slot machines. Logan's is the definition of a small-town dive bar and I love it. Dinner at Prairie House Food and Spirits in Sauk City was delightful. They serve muenster cheese curds and we really enjoyed them! I also ordered a California BLT which ended up being a gigantic sandwich. The service was friendly and super quick. Prairie House is known for its extensive selection of craft beers and spirits with a diverse collection of whiskey and bourbon. Prairie House also hosts regular events and live music performances regularly! SHOPPING Obviously I needed to pay a visit to Cedar Grove Cheese while I was in town. Located in Plain, WI, Cedar Grove Cheese is a family owned and operated cheese factory. Unfortunately I was not able to tour the facility, but I was able to watch fresh curds being made through the window! They have so many selections to choose from within the store; I grabbed a bag of cheese curds (duh) and some cheddar garlic & herb for later. A few miles down the road from Cedar Grove Cheese was the cutest shop called Block 23. They have a selection of local meats and cheeses, along with premade sandwiches and desserts. They also sell the cutest gifts - the perfect stop if you are looking for something to bring home with you! I purchased one of their iced chai lavender lattes and Renard's Cheese Whips (my favorite). GET OUTSIDE Sometimes I go places in Wisconsin and become totally baffled on how I am still in Wisconsin. Lake Redstone, located in La Valle, is a beautiful spot! There is a public beach, boat landings, a small waterfall, and it is a fantastic lake for musky fishing. I spent some time walking along the beach and enjoying the views. It was very quiet - a great area to disconnect if you need it! When I tell you that Ferry Bluff State Natural Area left me breathless - I mean it. The hike to the top is fairly steep, but only about .4 miles. I decided to go early in the morning and I am so glad that I did. Look at these views! Overlooking the Wisconsin River, you will find sandstone bluffs and acres upon acres of forests. The area is absolutely gorgeous. The trail is closed from November 1 - April 1 to allow for eagle breeding, so make sure to visit outside of this timeframe.

I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Portage, WI with my mom and my pup! Portage is located approximately 100 minutes northwest from Milwaukee and 45 minutes north of Madison. We adventured the area all weekend and enjoyed some of the fun things that it has to offer! SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS We had two different sleeping arrangements for this trip - a hotel and a campsite. I wanted to practice with the RV, so Kona and I stayed at Sky High Camping Resort. There is SO much to do on the campgrounds - I was impressed! Huge swimming pool, basketball court, pickleball court, mini golf, and more! We stayed on a full service site and had hookups to both water and electric while we were there. Everything we needed was right at our finger tips! Because 3 of us in the RV is far too much, my mom stayed at The Ridge Hotel. It is located right in downtown Portage which allows easy access to lots of shopping and restaurants. It was very affordable and convenient for our trip. GET OUTSIDE When we arrived on Friday evening, we headed to Paquette Park for their Concert in the Park series. Panchromatic Steel band provided us with an awesome concert while we relaxed in our lawn chairs in the beautiful park. The concert ended a bit early because of rain, but it was so much fun while it lasted! Kona had a great time dancing with me (I think). Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day so we began our morning with a stroll on the Levee Trail. The trail is a ~3 mile path with stunning views of the Wisconsin River. It was a pretty easy hike and Kona loved taking in all of the smells and eyeing up the wildlife. We saw cranes and deer on our walk! My mom and I headed to Silver Lake Beach in the afternoon to go kayaking! You can rent kayaks right on the beach for $5/hour - it was perfect. I kayak pretty regularly but my mom does not. She had the best time! The sun was shining and we were on a gorgeous lake - what more can you ask for? There is a beach and concession stand here, too. It is the perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon. Throughout the weekend, we made it a mission to find all of the canoes that are a part of Canoes on Parade. Each canoe is painted by a local artist and represents the Native people "portaging" their canoe over the river. Fun fact: Portage means "to carry". FOOD & DRINK On Friday evening, we headed to Neil's Wine House for a bite to eat. We sat on the patio with Kona and ordered a few appetizers with wine. The tomato bruschetta and caprese salad were delicious. We really liked the patio area, too. It was decorated beautifully and the service was 10/10. After our walk on Saturday morning, we stopped at Two Rivers Coffee located right in downtown Portage. We ordered some caffeine and one of the best banana chocolate chip muffins I have ever eaten. I loved the atmosphere at this coffee shop. It is definitely somewhere I would spend lots of time in if I lived in the area. We popped by (pun intended) Craig's Popcorn Corner on Saturday afternoon. Craig's Popcorn Corner was so much more than I expected! Not only do they have TONS of flavors of popcorn, they also have an extensive ice cream list and a few additional items on their menu. We sat on the patio and enjoyed ice cream and garlic parmesan popcorn. It is such a fun, iconic spot and the popcorn was to die for. Saturday evening we dined at Suzy's Steak and Seafood House. I loved the atmosphere here, too. We arrived fairly early and they already had a decent crowd; that's the sign of a good restaurant. I ordered the bacon wrapped sirloin with a sweet potato and my mom got the prime rib special. Oh, and we ordered some cheese curds (obviously). All of the food was fantastic and so was our service. If you are looking for more of an upscale dinner in the area, this is the spot! SHOPPING Downtown Portage has TONS of places to shop! Our first stop was at Portage Craft Mall. I loved everything in this store. 55 local artisans and crafters sell their items here and when I tell you I could have spent an entire month's mortgage in this store, I mean it. They had everything from jewelry to home décor to glassware and clothing. Our second stop was at Mercantile. This store also had SO much to offer! Several floors of specialty foods, gifts, collectibles, and more. I did a couple of laps in the store and found something new each time. I ended up spending quite a bit of money here but hey, you only live once, right? I got some really delicious cheese and that's honestly all that matters.

I LOVE Oshkosh. I went to college there so I'm a little biased. But every time I go back to visit, I remember just how much fun I had back then. The city is beautiful and covers ground near Lake Winnebago, Lake Butte des Morts, and the Fox River, making it the perfect destination for days on the water. Oshkosh is approximately 80 minutes northwest of Milwaukee and 90 minutes northeast of Madison. Here are some things you need to do in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS Take advantage of the waterfront views while you're in town! We stayed in an absolutely gorgeous AirBnb during our weekend trip. Tjs Destination Oshkosh owns several rental properties in the city and we experienced Hickory on The Lake located on the shores of Lake Winnebago. The property is 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and SUPER conveniently located. We watched both the sunrise and sunset from the backyard and relaxed in the four seasons room. I cannot recommend this lodging option enough! FOOD & DRINK When I was attending college in Oshkosh, I ate a lot of Jimmy John's, Polito's Pizza, Big Apple Bagels, and Rocky Rococo's. While Polito's is still one of my favorite pizza spots in Wisconsin, my taste buds have matured juuust a bit. Here are some of the spots we ate at during our stay. Gabe's Wisconsin Kitchen and Tavern did not exist back in my day but WOW I wish it had. They are known for their beer can chicken and we made sure to take advantage. We ordered the Beer Can Mac & Cheese, Southwest Salad (with Beer Can Chicken), and of course an order of cheese curds made with Ellsworth Creamery cheese. The restaurant itself was very welcoming and started gaining quite a crowd by the time we left - that's a sign of good eats. Ardy and Ed's Drive In is an Oshkosh staple. They have a such a fun menu with tons of classics and they will deliver food right to your car on roller skates! We enjoyed our ice cream on their patio area and took their famous draft root beer to-go. The restaurant has been around since 1948 and has won dozens of awards for the delicious food and old-school vibes. If you know Oshkosh, you know there are a lot of great dive bars. We had to visit at least one! We checked out Jockey Club which is a recently remodeled bar and restaurant with a beautiful outdoor patio. They serve daily specials, an awesome fish fry, and have tons of TVs inside for you to enjoy while sipping on a cocktail. All of the bartenders and patrons were extremely welcoming! Elsewhere Market and Coffee House is located right downtown and is a definite must-see. I will cover the market portion in the "shopping" section, but their coffee is SO GOOD. They serve regular coffee, iced coffee, and Vietnamese coffee. It is to die for. Their menu also includes sandwiches and baked goods for you to enjoy while relaxing in their gorgeous space. Caramel Crisp and Café supplied us with Sunday breakfast: breakfast sandwiches, iced coffee, and their famous cookies. They make SO MANY desserts, but are originally known for their gourmet popcorn. There are over 15 flavors to choose from! The café serves different menu items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can confirm that their breakfast sandwich is pretty yummy. SHOPPING While you're grabbing some eats at Caramel Crisp & Cafe, check out their toy store, bookstore, and giftshop! Their toy store has everything from stuffed animals, games, art supplies, puzzles, and more. I couldn't believe how big it was! The gift shop has tons of Oshkosh-branded items and other boutique goodies. It's the perfect place to grab a keepsake! Wagner Market is one of the coolest spots in Oshkosh in my humble opinion. Inside you will find a deli, a butcher, 100+ different cheeses, and 500+ different varieties of craft beer. Excuse me, what?! It took us so long to decide what we wanted to try, but each time I made a lap through the store, I found something new! There is just so much to look at and choose from - you won't leave empty handed. I mentioned Elsewhere Market & Coffee House earlier, but now I want to focus on the market side. Attached to the coffee house you will find a beautiful store stocked with home goods, gifts, and other locally sourced finds. Grab your coffee and head on over to do some browsing, you won't regret it. The Oshkosh Farmer's Market is AMAZING. There are over 165 local vendors selling items such as fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, crafts, and more! We loved checking out all of the different booths and even taste-tested some kombucha. I bought a loaf of cheese-bread, a smoothie, and a bouquet. There is live music and food stands, too! The perfect way to start your Saturday morning. GET OUTSIDE Cruisin Tiki's in Oshkosh is only a few years in the making and WOW I wish it existed back in my day. You can rent a private tiki boat for 2-hours and enjoy views of the city while in the water. They do multiple themed tours throughout the day so you are guaranteed to find one that fits what you enjoy. The boats take off from Fox River Brewing and allow you to purchase food and beverage from the restaurant to bring on board! We brought some cheese curds on our ride. It was PERFECT! Sawyer Creek Nature Preserve is a beautiful area located on the outskirts of Oshkosh. There are a few trails that run through the preserve and they are perfect for a mid-day stroll. The area is so green with trees, flowers, and other plants and includes a small, quiet creek. We took a break from our eventful visit to spend time here and it was a great spot to recharge.

Are you a craft beer lover? Baraboo is holding their second annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 23rd! The event will be held inside of the historic Hippodrome at the Circus World Museum. Baraboo is approximately 1h45m drive from Milwaukee and 55m drive from Madison. THE FEST MASTERS Meet your Oktoberfest Fest Masters: Mike & Bonnie Palm. Mike is a former Mayor of Baraboo and Bonnie is very involved in the non-profit sector. They were chosen as the Baraboo Fest Masters because of their loyalty and involvement within the community. If you see them at the festival, be sure to give them a big Prost! SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS Fairfield Inn and Suites is the presenting sponsor of this year's Oktoberfest! The hotel is BRAND NEW so if you are needing a place to stay during Oktoberfest, this is it! Fairfield Inn & Suites offers free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and an indoor pool. They are a quick 5-minute drive from the festival grounds making it the perfect location for your weekend festivities. THE VENUE Baraboo Oktoberfest is being held at the Hippodrome inside of the Circus World Museum. The Hippodrome is a long-standing event space that typically houses the circus and magic performances. It is known for exciting shows and celebrations - Oktoberfest will be no different. Outside of the Hippodrome there will be food trucks, live music, and other fun events throughout the day! ENTERTAINMENT There will be an ample amount of events throughout the day to keep you entertained during Oktoberfest. Some of these include tapping of the gold keg, a costume contest, and a stein holding contest. Make sure you're in for the long haul by staying for the evening live music! Get ready to party with Madison's own Gold Dust Women's Band at the Hippodrome. Headlining Oktoberfest is the well-known 8 woman Fleetwood Mac tribute band. From 7pm-9pm you can enjoy your craft beer while jammin' out with these rockstars. THE BEER Two local Baraboo breweries are participating in Oktoberfest with their delicious Oktoberfest beers. Tumbled Rock Brewery is located on the outskirts of Baraboo near Devil's Lake State Park. With a diverse selection of handcrafted beers, from crisp lagers to bold IPAs, Tumbled Rock Brewery caters to a wide range of palates. Their Oktoberfest beer is absolutely fantastic; cheers! The second Baraboo brewery that is participating in Oktoberfest is the Al Ringling Brewing Company. The brewery is located inside the historic Al Ringling mansion and is deeply rooted in German heritage. On a standard day, you can find about 19 craft beers on tap along with a German-focused food menu. Their Oktoberfest beer is phenomenal, get it while you can. Prost!

I love a good burger. Especially burgers that are overloaded with flavor. This is a short list - there are SO many more that you should try, but these are some of my favorites. Bixenberg Tavern Technically Bixenberg is located north of Milwaukee in Germantown, but they deserve to be on this list. You can choose between a single or double hand smashed burger topped with your choice of cheese: American, cheddar, swiss, pepperjack, or beer cheese. We tried the beer cheese and it was absolutely fantastic. Pro tip: order the cheese curds. Milwaukee Burger Milwaukee Burger Company is located in Franklin, Wisconsin and obviously they are known for their burgers. We tried the Wisconsin Smashed Burger and OMG was it fantastic. Two burger patties topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and Burger Co. sauce. Heirloom MKE I LOVE majority of the food at Heirloom MKE. Their new restaurant in Bay View is absolutely fantastic and OPENING AUGUST 26, 2023! Their Heirloom Burger is topped with Carr Valley cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and house sauce. Pro tip: order the cheese curds. Oscar's Pub & Grill Oscar's has been on my list of places to go for awhile and I am glad I was able to check them out before I left. The Big O burger is their specialty - chipotle jack, smoked gouda, hickory bacon, chorizo, fried onions, jalapenos, and a side of guacamole. There was so much happening on this burger and it was phenomenal. AJ Bomber's AJ Bomber's is a staple spot in Milwaukee and their Milwaukee Burger deserves some recognition. This 1/4 lb patty is topped with Applewood smoked bacon, Schlitz onions, and Colby cheese. Not a lot of ingredients, but tons of flavor. Pro tip: ask for peanuts.

There are so many great places to sleep and eat within the Lake Winnebago Region. High Cliff State Park has beautiful campsites, there are a handful of resorts on the water and unique Airbnbs. I had the opportunity to stay at Hotel Retlaw while I was there, and it is one of my favorite hotels to date. Hotel Retlaw has been open since 1923 and is located in downtown Fond du Lac. It is on the list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation deemed by the National Park Service. And let me tell you, it is beautiful and perfectly located in the middle of everything Fond du Lac. Amenities include two dining options: Table One and One Main Cafe. There is also a lobby bar if you are simply looking for a yummy craft cocktail. There is a fitness center, covered parking structure, in-room refrigerator, locking safe and a HIDDEN TV! Another one of my favorite spots on this trip was Urban Fuel Coffee Station in Fond du Lac. I LOVE coffee shops and the interior of this one was amazing. The outside is pretty unassuming, but the inside consists of several tables, couches, and areas for working or pure relaxation. They also have a food list serving both breakfast and lunch options. I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a croissant and it was delectable. If you are looking to host a larger event, you can rent out Urban Fuel Coffee Station. They also serve wine! It truly is a perfect spot. On the topic of breakfasts, let's talk about Sweet and Salty Pig in Fond du Lac. I have been to Sweet and Salty Pig a handful of times and there is a reason for that: it's SO good. I have never had something I didn't like. My mom joined me for brunch here on a Sunday and there was a line outside prior to opening. They serve breakfast and lunch all day and a lot of the meals they serve have bacon. We ordered the breakfast egg rolls, breakfast totchos, and a special flat bread that they were serving just for that weekend. It was a very hearty meal and everything was so flavorful. The service is always quick and friendly. Sweet and Salty Pig should definitely be on your brunch bucket list. There's a reason I keep coming back! There are two popular supper clubs in the Lake Winnebago Region. The first is Wendt's on the Lake which is located in Van Dyne, right on the edge of Lake Winnebago. You get lake views while enjoying your meal! We visited here for their Friday fish fry - something they are well known for. They offer a handful of fish options for the occasion; I stuck with the standard deep fried cod. It was served with choice of potato, cole slaw, and bread. The perfect fish fry combination. This is a pretty popular spot that does not take reservations on Fridays, so expect to wait for a table (it's worth it). They have a full bar and make a mean old fashioned which helps to keep you occupied while waiting. Schwarz’s Supper Club is the second supper club in the Lake Winnebago Region we must talk about. They are located in New Holstein which is a longer drive from Lake Winnebago, but definitely worth it if you want the true supper club experience. I got there about 30 minutes after they opened on a Saturday and the parking lot was already packed. When you walk in, there is a large bar area and a few tables for seating. You order a drink at the bar and ask for a menu. After deciding what you want, you sit the menu upwards and a waiter will come to take your order. Then your name is put on a list and called when your table is ready. I have not been at a supper club like this before but it was a great experience. The food was absolutely phenomenal and so was the service. If you are a supper club guru, you need to visit.

We all know I love deep fried cheese curds, but generally speaking, I love cheese. I love stopping at local cheese shops while I am travelling. I have been to SEVERAL more than what is included on this list - these are just some of my favorites. Renard's Renard's is by far one of my favorites. I selfishly wish they were closer so I could visit them more often. They are located in Sturgeon Bay, the perfect pit stop on your way into Door County. Their cheese curds are used in A LOT of the deep fried curds in Door County - and for good reason. They make such a wide variety of delicious cheese and have samples throughout the store for you to try. There is also a small bistro inside of the store if you're craving something more substantial. Cheesers Cheesers is located in Stoughton, Wisconsin, which is about 25 minutes southeast of Madison. The shop has been around for approximately 25 years, and absolutely screams "Wisconsin." You can sample different meats and cheese while you spend hours shopping your way through their gift section. They have fresh cheese curds! Wisconsin Cheese Mart Believe it or not, I visited Wisconsin Cheese Mart Milwaukee location for the first time just recently. They are located right Milwaukee, making it the perfect stop for Milwaukee visitors. They have a wide selection of meat, cheese, locally made beverages, and other fun Wisconsin items. There is a second location in Madison! La Clare Creamery La Clare Creamery specializes in goat cheese. Not only do they have a store inside, but there is also a cafe, greenhouse, tours, and more. You can read about it here. La Clare is located in Malone, Wisconsin. This made the list as one of my favorites because there are just SO many options. And I don't want to discriminate against goat cheese! I sampled so many different cheeses while I was here - you can't go wrong with any of them. Hill Valley Dairy Hill Valley Dairy is located in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This spot is a little unique because not only do they have a cheese shop - they also have a cheese bar. It is a separate area that is connected to the store where you can drink wine and taste cheeses. Try their whiskey cheddar cheese... it's one of my absolutely favorites.