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The Lake Winnebago Region has no shortage of things I enjoy: wineries, distilleries, and ice cream. If you can relate, you are in the right spot. One thing about me is that I LOVE a local winery. I love learning the stories of where they began and I love tasting lots of different wines. While I was in the Lake Winnebago Region, we stopped by two wineries and I loved them both. Ziegler Winery is located in Malone, Wisconsin on the east side of Lake Winnebago. The tasting room sits on a huge vineyard - approximately 12 acres and 7,000 vines. Their tasting room is one of the largest in the state of Wisconsin with two stories and a few fireplaces to help you relax. There is plenty of room for big groups making this a perfect spot for a special occasion get together. They also have an outdoor patio set up with a live music stage for entertainment during the summer months. We ordered a flight of wines to taste. They have so many options to choose from! I am usually a red wine drinker, but I loved the 2020 La Crescent wine. It was so fruity and flavorful. They serve food here as well, mostly appetizers - their Bavarian Pretzel is to die for. The second winery we had the pleasure of visiting was Vines & Rushes Winery located in Ripon, Wisconsin. This space was also quite large - a room for sampling, an event space, and a room with lots of tables and chairs. They have live music here as well with a stage indoors. We did a wine tasting and learned a lot about how the winery came about and the history of the wines. My favorite wine was the Brianna 2020 wine - named after one of the winemakers’ daughters. Vines and Rushes is known for the wood-fired pizza and I knew by the delicious smells alone they would not disappoint. If you are not a wine drinker and prefer hard liquor, Ledgerock Distillery is here to save the day. They are located in Fond du Lac and distill vodka, bourbon, moonshine and gin. We sampled a few of the options and I was impressed by how smooth they were. They know what they're doing! There is a gift shop inside as well as a small bar to order a cocktail. There are tables in the building and picnic tables outside. The weather was nice enough that we were able to spend some time in the sun and enjoy our drinks. The distillery is located in more of a secluded area, and it was nice to sit back and relax. Since we're in Wisconsin, I obviously have to talk about dairy in the Lake Winnebago Region. LaClare Creamery was one of my favorite spots on this trip. If you are unfamiliar, LaClare produces mainly goat cheese and has won several awards for their delicious creations. We were able to tour the facility which includes an event space, a full greenhouse, a large barn with goats, a café, and a gift shop. There is so much to do! LaClare also hosts different events such as goat yoga, grilled cheese competition, and artisan markets. The café has a wonderfully unique menu, and each item is served using some type of cheese. They also make ice cream in-house if you are looking for a sweet treat. Speaking of sweet treats, if you are in the Lake Winnebago Region area, there are two ice cream stops you HAVE to make. The first is Gilles Drive-in located in Fond du Lac. It's an old school drive-in serving up some of the best food and ice cream around. They've been open since 1949! I ordered a sundae with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, graham crackers and brownie bites... YUM. The drive-in itself is such an experience. The second spot you must visit in the Lake Winnebago Region for ice cream is Kelley Country Creamery. They are in Fond du Lac and refer to themselves as the "best ice cream in the middle of nowhere." They have a menu of rotating flavors which are sure to please anyone. It seemed to me like it is a place that always draws a crowd, but the line moves quickly so don’t let it deter you. There is seating inside but also several picnic tables and rocking chairs outside to enjoy your ice cream in the sun. I ordered a double scoop in a waffle cone, and it was by far the most generous double scoop I have ever received. Kelley Creamery was voted Best Ice Cream Shop by Good Morning America and named among the top 10 ice cream places in the nation by People Magazine.

When we woke up the next day, we traveled about 3 hours to a city called Homer which was still on the coast but on the peninsula. Unfortunately, the weather was still pretty crappy but we tried to make the most of it. The "downtown" of Homer is called the "Homer Spit" which is basically a road that goes to the edge of the peninsula filled with mostly restaurants and tourist shops. I wasn't having it because it was raining, though, so we decided to visit a few places instead: Homer Brewing, Grace Ridge Brewery, and Bear Creek Winery. It eventually stopped raining which was great because I don't think we would have fully appreciated the beauty of Homer if the weather was shit the entire time. It. Was. Gorgeous. The beach and the mountains and MAN if it wasn't in Alaska I'd probably move there. It was just breathtaking. We stopped at a local dive bar called Salty Dawg Saloon and had a drink. It was a very different place but came highly recommended. Dollar bills covered the ceiling and walls and everyone in there was having the time of their lives. We went to dinner at a place called Kannery Grill where I ate the most delicious food - my favorite was their salmon and bacon dip. We decided to call it a night after that. The next morning I decided to go for a run. I know, I know, who works out on vacation? But I mean the VIEWS of this run were absolutely worth it. It was our last day in Alaska so we headed back to Anchorage. On the way, we stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and saw a bunch of awesome Alaskan animals - grizzly bear, bison, moose, elk. When we got back to Anchorage, we headed "downtown" which, again, had a bunch of touristy shops and restaurants. Then we took another long walk down a trail that was right on the coast. It was a really nice day out this day - of course, the day we leave. We stopped at a brewery called 49th State Brewing Company for a drink and then headed to the airport. Overall it was a very good trip. Lots and LOTS of driving, lots of money but also lots of beautiful views, new experiences and memories with my mother.

Port Washington is a lakeside town just 30 minutes north of Milwaukee and 1 hour and 45 minutes from Madison. Port Washington is known for many things - their marina, the lighthouse, their food scene, and their fun events. However, today we are focusing on their ice cream options. There are several spots in Port Washington to find a delicious treat, and what is better than eating it while looking at beautiful Lake Michigan? Dockside Deli Dockside Deli is located just steps from the water, making it a popular choice for fisherman and boaters. They are known for their freshly baked bread and delicious sandwiches, but they also serve ice cream! You can choose from a variety of flavors in a waffle cone, cake cone, or a dish. Grab yourself a sweet treat after feasting on one of their hearty sandwiches. Frankie's Ice Cream Frankie's Ice Cream is a seasonal ice cream spot, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Why are they only seasonal, you ask? Because Frankie's is an Airstream Safari! They are located in the heart of downtown and offer several picnic tables and Adirondack chairs for seating. They serve lots of flavors of Cedar Crest Ice Cream AND fresh, hot mini donuts. We ordered a donut sundae - donuts on the bottom, ice cream on the top. Best of both worlds! The Chocolate Chisel The Chocolate Chisel is an artisanal chocolate shop creating indulgences like truffles, chocolate bars, caramels, and more. They hand make all of their chocolates along with the molds that they are made in! It is so impressive. In additional to their chocolates, they serve ice cream! We tried the lavender honey and peanut butter fudge - both were fantastic! This is a perfect spot to visit if you are looking for a sweet treat to eat now and one to take home for later. Toucan Custard Toucan Custard is newer to the Port Washington area and if you prefer custard over ice cream, this one's for you! Along with their full menu of food items, Toucan Custard has an extensive menu of sundaes, banana splits, and more. They rotate different flavors of the day so you have the opportunity to try something new each time you visit! They have a beautiful outdoor patio as well as indoor spots so you're covered no matter what the weather. I ordered the Peanut Butter Fudge Oreo Sundae and it was absolutely loaded with toppings; my favorite.

Wisconsin is known for cheese, and better yet, cheese curds. If you know me, you know I love a good deep fried cheese curd. Perfectly battered, melty cheese, served with a side of house made ranch dressing. Give me all of them. I visited Madison recently to try out more of their deep fried cheese curds AND get some deals using their Craft Beverage Trail Pass. Every order of curds I ate were delicious, and each craft beer I tried paired perfectly. Let’s take a little adventure, shall we? Lone Girl Brewing Lone Girl Brewing located in the town of Waunakee and they have been brewing their own beer since 2016. Their cheese curds are made with muenster cheese and battered with their own lite beer. I paired the curds with their new Orange Pop Cream Ale which was super tasty. Their Craft Beverage Trail pass gets you BOGO on beer – make sure to use it! Starkweather Brewing Company Starkweather has only been open for about a year, but they know what they are doing when it comes to beer and cheese curds. These are also made with muenster cheese and served with homemade ranch. They have jalapeno ranch, too, which I LOVED. I paired my cheese with their HOP-MYHZ Hazy IPA beer. The Craft Beverage Trail Pass gets you BOGO on beer here, too! Vintage Brewing Company Vintage Brewing has 3 locations in the Madison area. I visited the one near Capitol Square and it was a vibe. We were there during brunch time and the menu looked absolutely fantastic. Their curds are breaded, not battered, and the cheese is from Ellsworth Creamery. The breading was nice and thick – just like the ranch. The Craft Beverage Trail gets you $1 off of one of their beers! Coopers Tavern Now we head down to Capitol Square to check out the curds at Coopers Tavern. Coopers uses PBR in their batter which makes the curds nice & crispy. They are made with Ellsworth Creamery cheese and served with their homemade ranch. Merchant A few blocks away from Coopers Tavern is a pretty hip spot called Merchant. It is a very chic spot and their curds are made to match. They are battered in buttermilk, perfectly melty, and served with ranch & hot honey. I’m a ranch gal, but the hot honey was a nice touch. Lucille Lucille was decorated so wonderfully for the holiday season. I had not been here previously, but I was extremely impressed. Their cheese curds did not disappoint, either. The cheese for these curds comes from Cedar Grove and they are served with marinara and ranch. The marinara came out piping hot and was a great addition to the cheese curds. Fromagination Ending the day at Fromagination, an artisan cheese shop on the square. Even though they do not have deep fried curds, they have numerous other cheese options to choose from. In addition to cheeses, there are locally made items such as jam, wine, and crackers. It is a great spot to purchase gifts or to stock up on your favorite cheese.

Cedarburg is a quaint little city located about 20 miles north of Milwaukee. It is known as one of the best towns in Wisconsin because of it's historic architecture, cozy restaurants, and specialty stores - like Frannie's Market. This was my first time visiting Frannie's and I was overwhelmed in the best way. The store is curated to perfection and you can feel how much love and hard work goes into the space. Frannie's was founded in November of 2020 by the owner, Sarah. The market focuses on specialty food products and quality goods. Looking for a quick snack? A gift for the friend you haven't seen in awhile? Interested in taking a succulent wreath-making class? Craving a new cheese? Frannie's should be your one-stop shop for all of it. Let's focus on the cheese first because... well it's me. And I'm the cheese girl. Frannie's has an awesome selection of specialty cheeses that are cut-to-order. I was lucky enough to snack on a few delicious items during my visit. I tried Blakesville Creamery -Lake Effect. This is goat cheese from one of my favorite goat cheese creameries in Wisconsin. If goat cheese isn't really your jam, you might be able to hang with Lake Effect. It's more mild with a thick snowy rind. I also got to enjoy some amazing artisanal crackers by Flower Co. These gorgeous little things have literal dried flowers in them! So pretty AND delicious. I paired them with some Fig and Black Tea preserves by Quince & Apple. It was the perfect amount of sweet and salty. A few more things on my snack plate included Hook's 5-year cheddar, Wisconsin Old Fashioned Salami by Underground Meats, Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve (this was SO tasty), Smoking Goose Coppa (pork collar rubbed with black pepper, garlic & paprika) AND Velvet Bee's honey butter. You have not lived until you have tasted this honey butter. I have never seen a brand more accurately described. In addition to the cut-to-order cheese, Frannie's has a variety of cheeses to grab out of the cooler. Some include The Big Moo Cheese, (CODE: WCP15 for 15% off) Hooks Cheddar, and Sartori. The cheeses aren't the best part, though. The best part of the market is everything you can purchase to accompany the cheese: wooden charcuterie boards, jams and spreads, wine, specialty meats, chocolate, and lots of delicious snacky additions. I'm telling you, Frannie's carries some of the coolest, most delicious stuff. I suppose we can talk about something other than cheese. I felt like each time I did a lap through the market, I found something I hadn't already seen. I was on a treasure hunt. Gourmet pastas, homemade granola, locally sourced honey, beautiful terrariums. Sarah tries to use as many local vendors as possible and I admire that. I am a huge advocate for shopping local, and I recognized so many of my favorite brands at Frannie's. I briefly mentioned classes earlier - let's dive into that. In addition to all of the unique item in-store, Frannie's offers a handful of different classes like terrarium, charcuterie, succulent wreath-making. There is truly something for everyone. Classes are offered a few times each month and you can register right on their website! Frannie's also hosts collaboration events which include dinners, cheese pairings, and more! If you have not yet checked out this adorable little market in Cedarburg, consider yourself to be missing out. It is one the best specialty food stores I have ever stepped into.

Travelling with friends and family gets harder as we get older. It's difficult to agree on where to go, a timeframe that works, and what to do while you're there. This leaves you with one option... travel alone. It sounds scary, but I promise you that it is absolutely worth it. You should not miss out on going to new places and trying new things just because you don't have someone to go with! At this point, I've gone on 4 trips via plane by myself and a handful of road trips with just me and my pup. Did it feel weird at times? Yes, of course. But I don't regret any of those trips but I know I would have regretted not going. I'm planning more road trips for me and Kona in the upcoming months. To ease your solo travel anxiety, I have compiled a list of some of my solo road trip essentials. Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. SNACKS! I am a huge snack gal ESPECIALLY on a road trip. You can't drive when you're hangry so make sure you have something to snack on! I like things that are easy: protein bars, nuts, goldfish, and of course, cheese. Water Bottle Keeping your stomach happy is just as important as keeping yourself hydrated. I like this water bottle because it keeps water COLD and it fits perfectly in your cup holder. Bring some Liquid IV while you're at it. It will double your hydration and tastes better than regular water. Fanny Pack I really like this particular fanny pack for a few reasons. I enjoy hiking, and for short hikes that may not require a backpack, having this fanny pack to hold my keys, phone, etc. is very helpful. It's not bulky like most fanny packs so it's easy to hider underneath clothing. And because of how stretchy it is, it can hold a lot more than you'd think! Portable Charger Having a charged phone is extremely important when traveling alone. If your phone dies, your lifeline is gone. This portable charger is super compact... definitely small enough to fit in your fanny pack! It plugs right into your phone so there is no need for extra cords. Emergency Roadside Kit Never, and I mean NEVER, take a road trip without an emergency roadside kit in your car. I bought this one a few years ago and it has everything you need if you have car issues. It comes in a compact kit so it won't take up a ton of space in your car. You need it! AirPods If I am on a trip alone, that means I don't have someone else to talk to (aside from myself). I always make sure to bring my AirPods with me so I can listen to music and podcasts. Sometimes, on solo trips, I will start the day with a quick meditation and having it play in my ear helps my focus. Hiking Backpack I am absolutely obsessed with this backpack. There are so many different compartments to help keep you organized. It's also water resistant, so if you end up hiking in the rain or spilling something, nothing inside will be ruined. Even if you're not hiking, this backpack is great to use for packing because it holds SO MUCH. Kindle Oasis I love reading so bringing my Kindle on a solo road trip is a no brainer. Travelling alone can get a little lonely at times, so having something to keep me occupied is important. Sometimes I bring an actual book, but I like the Kindle because it allows me unlimited options.

Kona is the best part of my life. We go on many adventures together and LOTS of walks! Most days, we roam around our neighborhood, but we love to jump in the car and visit other spots in the area for a change of pace. Here are a few of my favorite dog walking spots in Milwaukee. This list is a two-parter, you can find the first part here. 7 Bridges Trail in Grant Park Back to the south side of Milwaukee, Seven Bridges Trail was new for Kona and I in 2023, but we loved it. The trail is located right along the shore of Lake Michigan and we love a beach (even in the snow). There are numerous foot bridges (seven), stone paths, and creeks along the route. I cannot wait to take her here in the summer and fully enjoy the lakefront. Estabrook Park Located in Shorewood, Estabrook is one of my all-time favorite spots to take my pup. Not only is the trail located along the water, but there is a beer garden! There is also a dog park, but Kona doesn't get along well with other dogs, so we typically don't hang out there. Estabrook contains another section of the Oak Leaf trail with paths of pavement, gravel, and mud. There are always people fishing in the river and the greenery surrounding is beautiful. Lakeshore State Park In my opinion, this is a park that does not get enough love in Milwaukee. Lakeshore State Park is located right in downtown Milwaukee, practically in the middle of the city. Once you are inside of the park, it feels like an urban oasis. The park connects to both Hank Aaron State Trail and Oak Leaf Trail and it is almost entirely surrounded by water. There is a small beach with plenty of benches to relax and take in the sights of the city landscape. The trail is paved and it runs through the well-maintained prairie restoration area. Menomonee River Parkway So this technically is not a park, but it is a trail that we frequent often. There are several sections to the Menomonee River Parkway, but the section in Menomonee Falls is one of our favorites. The parkway follows along the Menomonee River for about 2 miles and includes a footbridge, a waterfall, and several natural areas. The parkway is quite busy so I like to take Kona here earlier in the morning to beat the crowds. There's also room for fishing and a paddle launch if you're looking for a little adventure.

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. Cedar Valley Cheese Store Cedar Valley is by far my favorite cheese store. It is located in Belgium, Wisconsin, approximately 40 minutes north of Milwaukee. They have such a large selection of their own cheese, including their world-famous string cheese. There is a small café in the back of the store along with a gift shop. AND HOMEMADE ICE CREAM. I visit here a few times each year and always leave with a nice cheese haul. Mullins Cheese I had the opportunity to check out Mullins on a road trip and I’m so glad we were able to stop. The store is small, but there are so many things to choose from. You can take home a frozen pizza, or order some of the hot food they whip up right in the store. They have some of the best cheese curds in the Wausau/Stevens Point area. Clockshadow Creamery Clockshadow Creamery makes the cheese curds that are used in a lot of my favorite deep-fried orders. Their shop in Walkers Point is small, but don’t let that fool you. They make fresh cheese curds several days a week and sell tons of locally made products. If you get lucky, you might even see the cheese being made! Mars Cheese Castle Mars Cheese Castle is a MUST if you are in southern Wisconsin. Located right off the highway in Kenosha, you cannot miss the giant castle. The amount of goodies they have here is astronomical. All of the cheese you could imagine, meats, an entire liquor selection, baked goods, local jams and spreads, and Wisconsin branded gear. There is also a restaurant inside of the store – try their deep fried curds! Fromagination Located right on Capitol Square, Fromagination is a stop you must make while visiting Madison. Think “high-class cheese” (lol). They have cut-to-order cheese as well as artisan gift sets and even fondue. Fromagination also hosts cheese classes if you are looking for something a little different!

At the top of my list of things I love the most: My dog. I know this is a travel blog, but a lot of the local travel I do is with my bestie: Kona. I adopted Kona on a total whim in 2016. I worked at a mortgage company and helped organize a holiday donation drive to one of the area shelters. I went with a group of coworkers to drop off the donations and there she was. She was so terrified in the back of her kennel - head down, sad eyes, hating how loud it was. My heart hurt for her. I took her into a room to show her some affection and she was the sweetest angel I had ever met. Gave me all the kisses, wanted all the pets. I hesitantly filled out the adoption application thinking that it would take a few days - a.k.a. give me time to change my mind. I was wrong. They looked over the application front and back and asked what time I was coming the next day to pick her up. That's how I ended up with my dog. I will say - she was a total nightmare when I brought her home. She destroyed two dog beds, she ate the plastic tray in the bottom of her crate, she LOVED eating the garbage, she pooped in the house at least a dozen times, and her separation anxiety was at an all time high. On top of that, Callie (my cat), despised Kona. The day I brought Kona home, all I could think about was how much of a mistake I had made. After a few hours, I crated her up and went to the bar to drown my sorrows. I was SO torn on what to do. I never had a dog growing up. We were always a cat family (and bunnies... a parrot...) but never dogs. I was not prepared for the kind of responsibility that comes with a dog. You can't leave them at home for 3 days unattended like you can with a cat. They require much more attention, more at-home time, more activity, more everything. I was 26 years old at this point and quite frankly I felt like adopting Kona was going to be the end of my social life. She had been abandoned twice already, and I couldn't bring myself to be the third. I decided to stick it out. It kills me when people adopt dogs and don't give them a fair chance to become part of the family. We had a rough couple of months, but eventually, we found our groove. She no longer has separation anxiety, she hasn't had an accident in the house in almost 6 years, her and Callie (my cat) are best friends, and she is fine to stay at home alone for up to 10 hours. If I would have brought her back to the shelter, I don't know where I would be today. Kona absolutely changed my life the day I adopted her. She changed it for the better. She made me grow up and forced me to become more responsible. I stopped staying out all day and night because I had to be home to take care of her. A few months after her adoption, I literally bought a house with a fenced-in backyard for her. She has made me a more active person by being the reason I need to go outside for a walk(s) every day. 26 didn't seem young to me at the time, but looking back at the 6 years we have had together, we have accomplished a lot. She has helped me through some really dark moments by allowing me to snuggle with her in bed all day but still requiring her daily walks. Fresh air helps on the bad days. I always make sure to include her in things whenever I can. We go on road trips just the two of us; I take her out for ice cream and cheese curds. We play hide and seek in the house when crappy Wisconsin weather strikes. And we share a bowl of popcorn together on our Friday movie nights. The dog is literally my best friend. Want me to cry on command? Talk about the fact that she won't be here one day. I want to make sure that she has the absolute best life while she's around. She loves hiking and going on car rides just like her mama - which is why she's the perfect travel partner. When I began writing this post, I had intended it to be a list of my favorite places to walk Kona. Instead, it ended up as a Kona appreciation post. I'm ok with that because she deserves it. You can find the dog walking lists here and here.

I’ve been on a mission to find the best deep fried cheese curds in Wisconsin for over two years. I have eaten curds at over 200 different places. I’m not sure if I have found the best in the state yet but I have found some very good contenders. However, I can confidently say that I have tried all of best deep fried curds in the City of Milwaukee. This is the ultimate list. Dairyland I love Dairyland. I discovered them when they were a food truck at Zocalo Park and became obsessed. Their burgers are top tier. Their chicken sandwiches are drool-worthy. But their cheese curds? The best in Milwaukee. I know you are probably thinking “well they didn’t win best curds in Milwaukee” – and you’re right. But I whole-heartedly believe that they did not win because not enough people have tried their curds. The curds are battered and made with Clock Shadow Creamery cheese. This is your sign to go to the Market Hall and order them with a side of their homemade ranch. If you try them and hate them, you’re wrong. Black Sheep These curds are a delightful surprise. They are made with pancake batter, topped with powdered sugar, and served with syrup. Sounds weird, right? It is. Oddly enough, it works. Black Sheep has an awesome menu overall, but their curds deserve to be recognized on this list. They are also made with cheese from Clock Shadow Creamery and they are absolutely some of the best in Milwaukee. Camino Camino has two locations – Milwaukee and West Allis. This is a list for the City of Milwaukee so we will focus on that location. Camino is known for a lot of things – their wings, their burgers, and their handmade perogies. Which are all delicious… but don’t sleep on their curds. They are also made with Clock Shadow Creamery cheese and served with Russian Dressing. The dressing is a bit different, but it pairs very well with the cheese curds. Fuel Cafe Once again, we’re here to talk about Clock Shadow Creamery. Am I obsessed? I might be. Do I get paid to talk about them? I wish. The curds at Fuel Cafe surprised me. They surprised me because I ordered them on a whim, and typically I only order curds when they have been recommended. These cheese curds are very lightly battered to perfection. The cheese pull was magnificent and the ranch was divine. Fuel Cafe is a motorcycle-themed restaurant, which makes the cheese curds even more badass. Lakefront Brewery You didn’t actually think I was going to leave out Lakefront Brewery, did you? They have been rated top curds in MKE for years and years. There’s a reason: they are delicious. Unshockingly, they are also made with Clock Shadow Creamery cheese curds. They are made with Lakefront’s homemade beer batter and served with some of the best ranch in the city. Every Thursday, Lakefront offers a unique curd flavor: pizza, chocolate covered strawberry, jalapeno… the list goes on. Lakefront Brewery is a Milwaukee staple and their cheese curds are no exception. Heirloom Food Truck Heirloom is a farm to table food truck that travels around the Milwaukee area. Although they are typically in Wauwatosa, they visit Milwaukee as well and I absolutely could not leave them off of this list. CLOCKSHADOW CHEESE battered perfectly. Somehow, these babies are always gigantic. They are served with a drool-worthy jalapeno ranch AND a tomato jam on the side. The people that run this truck are just as wonderful as the cheese curds they serve. These are a must-have in Milwaukee. Who’s on Third Who’s on Third serves battered curds using Lakefront Brewery Riverwest Stein. The cheese curds melt in your mouth. The cheese pull is magnificent. They are served with ranch, marinara, AND Who’s Sauce (fricken delish). Although I’m a ranch girl through and through, I love a unique sauce and I love a variety of sauces even more. Crafty Cow In a turn of events, Crafty Cow uses Ellsworth Creamery cheese in their curds! Ellsworth actually has an entire festival where vendors make tons of unique dishes with curds. I’ve attended. It’s magical. I digress… the curds at Crafty Cow are so tasty. They are served in a big metal bowl and I very much appreciate the portion size. They batter is extremely light and the cheese is super stretchy AND super melty. It’s the perfect combination. They are served with homemade ranch which I love so very much. O’lydia’s I stopped by O’lydia’s on a total whim for my birthday a few years back. It was a completely random choice on my end and it resulted in so much delicious food. They use Clock Shadow cheese curds which makes total sense … they are practically neighbors. These curds are served with a spicy pineapple sauce. Weird? Yes. Delicious? Also yes. The sauce is extremely flavorful and pairs so well with the cheese. These curds are breaded and I like them a lot, which says something because I tend to gravitate towards batter. On Tap The curds at On Tap were eaten on a whim, too, and boy did they make me happy. I’m not sure what cheese they use, but I know that their beer batter is made with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. It is so light and crispy and the cheese pull is phenomenal. These are also served with homemade ranch and it passed the thick test. On Tap is newer to the scene but they know what they’re doing. A restaurant that knows how to make good curds is a stellar spot in my book.

Looking for outdoor activities near Lake Winnebago in the Fond du Lac and Waupun area? I've got you covered. There is SO much to explore in the area. While on my trip, I visited four different parks and/or natural areas. Each was beautiful in it's own way, but all were well-maintained, picturesque, and made for adventure. Lakeside Park Lakeside Park is located in Fond du Lac. Nestled along the shores of Lake Winnebago, the park offers stunning waterfront views and a tranquil atmosphere. Adventure-seekers can take advantage of the various outdoor activities available, including fishing, boating, and kayaking on the expansive lake. It is also a great place to wander and relax while walking the paved trail throughout the park. The trail links up to The Loop – a 16- mile bike and pedestrian pathway that winds through Fond du Lac. The park is filled with charming rides for children such as a miniature train and splash pad. I was able to enjoy the beautiful lighthouse as well as visit with the deer in the petting zoo. Lakeside Park truly has so much to offer. Definitely something for everyone! High Cliff State Park High Cliff State Park is a breathtaking natural wonder that offers a truly immersive outdoor experience. Situated on the east side of Lake Winnebago, the park showcases stunning limestone cliffs that rise dramatically above the water, creating a mesmerizing view. The park features the effigy mounds, constructed by Native Americans over a thousand years ago. Kona and I explored two trails: Red Bird Trail and Lime Kiln Trail. The Red Bird was my favorite as it treks right along the cliff - such beautiful scenery! There are fairly defined paths within the park, but Kona and I love to explore so we were off the beaten path quite often. The park is home to an abundance of deer, foxes, and various bird species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. We saw several bird watchers in different areas of the park. The park also has space for camping as well as a beach. I feel like there was so much that I didn't see while we were there, and I would love to come back for camping sometime. Hobbs Woods Hobbs Woods was a delightful surprise. I will be honest, as we were driving there, I felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. But the middle of nowhere always ends up being the best, right? Hobbs Woods is a Nature Area located in south Fond du Lac. The park is a total of 60 acres including approximately 3 miles of trails. We explored the main trail which was marked well and easy to navigate. There is a creek that runs through the middle the middle of the park making it very picturesque. There is an abundance of trees providing so much shade which made the hot weather feel a lot cooler. We arrived in the late morning and had the area to ourselves for a bit. By the time we left, the parking lot was filled with families ready to begin their own adventures. Hobbs Woods is definitely worth the visit. Horicon Marsh Horicon Marsh is located in Horicon, Wisconsin. It is at the south end of the Lake Winnebago Region, but absolutely worth the drive no matter where you are located. The marshland spans across over 33,000 acres making it one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States. It runs through several communities in the area including Waupun, which is known for its fantastic shopping options and dining venues. The marsh is home to over 300 different species of birds, a haven for any birdwatching enthusiasts. In addition to the birds, there are several other species of wildlife in the area including muskrats, beavers, deer, and more. We saw a few herons, baby geese, a tiny turtle, and even a beaver while exploring. This was honestly one of the most beautiful places I have been, and I regret not checking it out sooner. There are a handful of trails to choose from, but Kona and I chose the 2.4-mile loop that surrounds the water, and it was perfect. The Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center provides a beautiful view of the marsh, activities for children to learn, as well as a gift shop. Inside of the Visitors Center is also the "Explorium," is a series of interactive displays showing the progression of Horicon Marsh and different milestones it has achieved. Because I had Kona, I decided not to go into the Explorium this time... but I will be back!

Sometimes you just have to get away for a bit, even if the trip is less than 24-hours. Lucky for me, living in Milwaukee gives me plenty of options for a quick road trip. Last weekend, we headed to Chicago. The main reason was to see Luke Combs at Soldier Field (obviously). But we made the most of our trip while we were there. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS There are not really any hotels super close to Soldier Field (which is very annoying). We didn't want to pay a hundred bucks for an Uber, so we chose something within walking distance that looked like a decent spot. We really lucked out with The Congress Plaza Hotel. It has a lot of mixed reviews online, but we had a superb experience. It is very old fashioned in terms of decor, but the room was huge, the bed was comfy, and everything was very clean. We arrived about an hour later than expected so didn't have time to do much except freshen up and make some pre-concert drinks. Luckily, the weather cooperated with us that day (for the most part) and we were able to walk to the concert. It was about a 1.2 mile walk, and the bulk of it was through Grant Park. I did not take any photos of Grant Park, but it was very well maintained and beautiful. There were plenty of sidewalks, statues, and other landmarks. I think Congress Plaza Hotel was one of the best options for walkability to Soldier Field. It took us a little over 20 minutes. FOOD & DRINK I had a cheese curd place picked out that I really wanted to visit, but unfortunately they opened too late for the timing to work out. Instead, I used Instagram to ask for recommendations, and we ended up at Fatpour Tap Works on Division Street. It looked like the restaurant was two stories, but there was a party on the top floor so it was blocked off. We were seated on the patio because we live in Wisconsin and I will take any patio opportunity that I can get. It took an exceptionally long time for the server to realize we were seated in his section, but when he did, the food came out quick. We ordered some cheese curds that came with a side of "Fatpour Sauce" along with Elotes Dip as appetizers. I tried the Maple Bacon Burger with brussel sprouts, and Emily ordered the Ricotta and arugula pizza. Both meals were delicious. We were not obsessed with the cheese curds and the dip could have used more corn, but they were enjoyed nonetheless. THINGS TO DO As I mentioned previously, we were in Chicago for the Luke Combs concert. Emily doesn't believe in concerts, but told me that if Luke Combs was ever around, that is the one event she would pay for. So I immediately made sure we got tickets when his tour dates were released. This was my first time at Soldier Field. It was nice - pretty much what I expected for a field. Our seats were in the 2nd level so we were fairly far away, but were able to see the screens really well and the sound was great. Beers at the field are more expensive than in Wisconsin (obviously), I think they were around $13 for something basic like a Miller Lite. It ended up being a pretty expensive night, and it rained for a few minutes, but I love Luke Combs so it was absolutely worth it.