Tuesday Travel Snapshot-Peace and Tranquility

Why a road sign?  This picture may not mean much to anyone else, but to me I look at it and am transported. Taken back to two weeks ago when I was relaxing with a book in my hand at my campsite on Big Arbor Vitae Lake. I passed this sign everyday when I went for my 2 mile stroll.

For one week every July since my daughter Megan was about 3 years old, we have joined my parents on their yearly trip to first northern Michigan then northern Wisconsin. This has been a yearly ritual for me since I was about a month old.  

The first years Megan and I joined my parents were filled with days at the beach, day trips all over northern Michigan, and a trip to Mackanaw Island

. These last couple of years, now that Megan is a teenager,  are more relaxing since she likes to just stretch out on the zero gravity lounger like Mom and read. About the only time she leaves is to go fishing with Grandpa after supper till after dark, then their traditional dish of post fishing ice cream after. 

So this picture takes me back to peace and quiet. I think everyone has that picture they look back on and are taken back to a peaceful time of their life. It can be a travel snapshot or maybe even a picture of a flower grown in the backyard. 

What's yours?

Fabulous Overnight Getaway To Chateau De Pere

My hubby is always full of surprises.  This past weekend to celebrate our 24th Anniversary he told me to pack a bag  after I came home from work Friday, we were heading to an undisclosed location for the night. After some questions about what to pack we headed off north.

Now you all know my obsession for all things French right?   The only hint he would give me was that our getaway had a French theme.  So imagine my happiness when we arrived after a 45 minute drive to Chateau De Pere in De Pere Wisconsin.  I had been to the restaurant, Café Chanson just this past summer for a Paris girls reunion lunch, so I was a little familiar with that. This restaurant offers traditional French food. 

Not only were we going to have a dinner later in the restarant, but we were going to stay overnight in the beautiful 36 suite hotel!  After we checked in we took the elevator to the second floor to find a beautifuly decorated King Suite with a single whirlpool tub.  It was a corner room, so we had a view of the river on two sides.  We found the room to be quiet and the king sized bed to be incredibly comfortable.  The great part was they are running a special for the month of April.  All rooms are just $69.00 a night!  Check out the website for details.

We had early dinner reservations ay Café Chanson since we were going to a comedy club later.  It was a Friday night and being it was quite early there were not many people in the dining room.  I started out with a white chocolate martini.  We then ordered a Cassolette for starters and for dinner I ordered Beef Bourguignon.  Both were delicious!

 

It was a perfect overnight getaway!  So if you are looking for a wonderful French themed place to escape to, look no further than De Pere Wisconsin.  De Pere is just a short distance to Green Bay and the famed Lambeau Field which is the home of the world famous Green Bay Packers

Tuesday Travel Snapshot- Big Arbor Vitae Lake Northern Wisconsin

Sick of winter?  I thought so!  I couldn't agree more.  Today with the wind chill it was about -40 below.  That's weather not fit for man or beast!  So it was time to share a little slice of summer.  this pic was from my week long yearly camping trip to the north woods of Wisconsin.  Our campground happened to be right on Big Arbor Vitae Lake in Vilas County.  Every morning I would take a walk on the road that runs along the lake.  Ah! looking forward to those dog days of summer!!

Tuesday Travel Snapshot: Wisconsin Dells Weekend

The wave pool in the Wild Waterdome waterpark at the Wilderness Resort at Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Friday Night Frolic In A Small Town

I have to say that I don't always like living in a small town.  Sometimes I long for the hustle and bustle of a big city.  Always something to do no matter what time of year it is.  Chicago is my favorite go-to city when I crave that excitement.  I'm just 3 hours away via car and train and I'm right downtown.

That being said, when we have some excitement in my small town of Kiel, Wisconsin I like to check it out.  This year a group of downtown businesses got together to host a new event called Frolic On Fremont.  This took place Friday night from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. These businesses along with some others had in-store drawings and specials and the participating ones get together to donate gift certificates for one lucky winner provided you visited all the businesses and got a card initialed from each one and then it was thrown in for a big drawing.


My new favorite store Sneak A Peek Boutique



One of these participating businesses is one of my new favorite places called Sneak A Peek Boutique.  This shop is made for me.  Inside you will find lots of my favorite things including handbags, scarves (LOTS and LOTS of scarves), jewelry, hats, lots of gift items and even special occasion cards.  This place is packed with cleverly displayed things!  I had just stopped in and made some purchases last weekend and I made some more purchases Friday night.  Best part is, everything is reasonably priced so you can buy lots! The only bad thing is you need your checkbook or cash.  No cards excepted!

All in all it was a nice night and even the hubby came along with Megan and I!  We purchased a few items, stopped in to visit the new barber in town and got our entry stamped with all the businesses.  The best part was seeing all the people out and about enjoying what our small town has to offer.  I can remember growing up in the same small town whent Friday nights were spent downtown shopping.  Not only grocery shopping, but back then we had a few clothing shops, a shoe store, the local hardware store (which is still going strong) and when you were done with your Friday night shopping there were plenty of restaurants to fill the empty stomach!  We hardly ever went to any of those bigger cities like Green Bay or Appleton.  Everything was right here.



Ornament display inside Jess's Floral & Gift



Okay so maybe it's not so bad living in a small town.

If you are in town sometime and want to stop in Sneak A Peek, it's on the west end of Fremont Street which is our main street in town.



Cedarburg Winterfest and Midwest Pet Expo

Yesterday brought wonderful winter temps for Wisconsin.  Actually we have been enjoying unseasonably mild temperatures on and off all winter.  Anyway, we decided to take advantage of the warm sunny day and head south to Cedarburg for their Winterfest.  We were able to see some great ice carvings

Some with a fashion twist, like this stiletto.

and a lighthouse

We saw dogs pulling over 1500 pounds

There was yummy food

A parade featuring the famous Klement's sausages

Then we were off to the Pet Expo at State Fair Park in West Allis.  Check out the burger and fries

Look good enough for humans, but these are only for our four legged friends!

Plenty of cute doggies

Rescue booths.  Furry Bottoms happens to be a favorite of ours.  Our furry friend Zoe came from Furry Bottoms Rescue.

Then much to our surprise another appearance of the Klement's sausages!

It was a fabulous day!