Where's the cheese?

The answer to that question is pretty easy - the cheese is in Wisconsin! 

What could be more typical of Wisconsin than a cow decorated with many
types of cheese.

Just the other day we were talking to a man who doesn't live in Wisconsin. He remarked that in Wisconsin, grocery stores stock so much more cheese than the grocery stores in his state. Wisconsin does produce nearly 25% of all the cheese that's made in this country so it stands to reason that more of the product would be available in grocery stores.
   
Two weekends ago we were up nort' for my niece's wedding. We decided in stay in Stanley for the weekend. Since the wedding was late Saturday afternoon, we had time to explore a cheese factory in the area during the morning. We finally found LeGrander's Hillside Dairy south of town toward Thorp. 

We arrived at just the right time because Dan LaGrander, owner, was there and gave us a private tour of the facility.

The investment that Dan has made in his cheese factory
is in the millions, if not the tens of millions. 

We learned that LaGrander's produces about 70,000 pounds of cheese per day and operates 5 days/week with 40 employees. Dan's son, Randy, is a Master Cheesemaker. To earn this title, a cheesemaker has to have at least 10 years of experience before engaging in a 3-year program that includes an apprenticeship, course work, and a rigorous final written exam. Wisconsin is the only state to offer this program, patterned after similar European programs. 
    
Wisconsin's landscape used to be dotted with many more cheese factories than one can find today. The peak was in the 1920s when 2,800 existed. Today only 126 factories are left. However, this is still the most of any state in our country. Wisconsin cheesemakers also lead the country in the varieties of cheese they produce - 600. California cheesemakers come in a far second with only 250 varieties. Mozzarella cheese is the number one variety that is made in Wisconsin - probably because of all the pizza we eat! 
    
Even though the term, "cheesehead" can be a derogatory slur, many Wisconsinites, like me, are proud to be called one. 

During football season fans wear a cheesehead. We saw this fan in Orlando
in 2011at a bar where more patrons were wearing Packer gear than in any
Wisconsin bar that I've ever seen!

To find cheese factories and retail outlets, check out the Wisconsin cheese map. It's good to have with you when wandering Wisconsin. 

Power (and state parks) for the People

The last week of July we wandered up to Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek. But first, a stop in Maribel on Friday and Saturday nights at Devils River Campground.

This mill was on the campground.  Sawmills of the past became grist
mills rather quickly. The lumbering industry in Wisconsin never lasted as long as promised.

The Point Beach nuclear power plant was close by so we decided to pay a visit to the Education Center. We were impressed with the quality of the "museum." Lots of hands-on activities, for both kids and big kids. And, I thought, a well-balanced exhibit that included information about other sources of energy - from coal to solar to wind. Plus we learned from the staff person at the desk  that nuclear power plants - at least the ones in the United States - would not blow up. We're not Chernobyl.

The model of the assembly that contains the nuclear
fuel rods reminded me of the Empire State Building.

All the greats in the field of electricity, including
Ben Franklin, were shown along with an explanation
of their contribution to the field. Ohm, Watt, Ampere
have been honored by having their names attached
to an electrical term.

We learned that the spent fuel rods at the plant are being stored
on site pending the outcome of the federal government establishing
a permanent storage site. Funding for the Yucca Mountain site
in Nevada has been terminated.

Our other visit in the Two Rivers area was to the Rawley Point Lighthouse. We met up with at least three photographers that were taking pictures on an overcast day.

We were glad we had our Wisconsin State Park sticker since the lighthouse is in a "fee" area - the Point Beach State Forest.
  
One attraction in Maribel - unfortunately off limits because it's on private property - is the Maribel Caves Hotel. All that remains today is the stone shell of what was purported to be a haunted hotel - at least in days gone by.

Our next stop was Door County and Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek where we met up with Rick's son, daughter-in-law, and the two grandsons. Peninsula is one of the most popular of our state's parks. Not very crowded on Sunday when we arrived - the rain probably caused people to cancel or leave early. But a little rain didn't bother us. In fact, listening to the rain on the roof of the trailer is most pleasant.

We've added two more lights (at either end of the awning) to our rig.
Rick says that we can never have too many lights!

We were lucky because the next day was one of the most beautiful summer days we've had in a long time. A perfect day for picking cherries and touring Washington Island. But first, breakfast at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay.

It was a mechanical goat up on the roof this morning to cut the grass.

Next stop - Falcon Orchard where we picked a few buckets of cherries. I was glad the proprietor didn't weigh me before and after we picked cherries to charge me for the all the cherries I ate without putting them in the bucket!

I was told that the best way to pit the cherries was with a paper clip. It worked. 

We ferried across Death's Door from Gills Rock and landed on Washington Island to sunshine and blue skies where we took a tram tour of the island. 

The Stavkirke (stav, or mast, church) was one of the stops on our tour.
Rick's son and daughter-in-law had seen these types of churches when
they were visiting Norway a few years ago. According to Kari,
there were no lights in the Norwegian churches; this one had a few fluorescents!

Our four days were capped off with breakfast at Pelletier's in Fish Creek on Tuesday morning. We couldn't resist the cherry stuffed French toast - a specialty of the restaurant.

Calories don't count when one is on vacation!

Next time we travel to Door County, we'll do a traditional fish boil. Maybe next summer.

On the Road with "Frolie"

Last week we wandered around central and east central Wisconsin during some pretty hot days. Fortunately, with plenty of shade at the campsites and a couple of fans in the trailer, we were comfortable.
   
Even though we've used Rick's '65 Frolic for weekend campouts, this was our first week-long trip that we took with the trailer we've nicknamed "Frolie." The name comes from the way the guy who sold the trailer to Rick advertised it on Craig's List last summer. 

Note the "noodles" that cover the lines that secure the awning poles. Rick's idea.

Our first stop was Green Lake. Hattie Sherwood Campground was a city park as near as we could figure. No one on duty. I felt sorry for the camper who answered everyone's questions much like a camp host would have done.  Dinner was at Adam's Rib across from the Green Lake dam.

Adams is the last name of the family that owns the restaurant. Good food.

The next two nights were spent at Big Eau Pleine Park, in Marathon County, not too far from Mosinee. Only one other family was camping at our location.  

New meaning for "deer camp." We came upon this couple in another section of the park.

We ventured up Rib Mountain while we were in central Wisconsin. Camping is no longer available at this state park. Apparently it was underused so the park is just for day use now.

One of the rock formations on Rib Mountain.
What we see is quartzite, not granite. So why
is the ski area called Granite Peak?    

This may be the highest point on the "mountain"
but the highest point in Wisconsin is Timm's Hill
in Ogema (north of Wausau) at 1915.5 feet.

We headed east at the middle of week ending up in Waupaca. We met friends for dinner - at Rick's favorite place, Weasel's. This night he didn't have his usual lamb shish kabob but tried a steak that was recommended by our neighbors at the Waupaca Camping Park. He was satisfied.
   
The next day we spent a few hours at the Iola Old Car Show. This year we didn't "exhibit" so didn't have a place for respite like we've had in past years.

I can't tell a Ford from a Chevy so it was fun to see how various models compared in the theme tent.

Ford and Chevy vans side by side.

I prefer the older models of the Ford and Chevy sports cars. More elegant.

How can you go wrong with this T-bird?

The Corvettes of the 1950s had nice lines.

Not too many foreign cars in evidence at the Iola Show.

Still have a soft spot in my heart for a VW camper. Rick had one that remains
 in the family now that his son owns it. 

Cars of today just don't have the detail of the classics. 

What an elegant hood ornament!

When one is getting money from an ATM, it's probably a good idea that one has privacy. This outhouse design at the show gave us all a chuckle.

The next two nights were spent on the east side of Lake Winnebago at the Calumet County Park. Our campsite was right on the lake. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful sunsets each night. 

A placid lake in the evening. . .

both evenings we were there.

Again, very few campers in the park until Friday night. I joked with one of our neighbors that Rick uses the light on the top of the trailer to signal the "mother ship." 

And wouldn't you know, his signal worked and attracted an alien visitor!

One attraction in Hilbert, near our campground, that we didn't want to miss was the Corner Cupboard.

The owner of the Hilbert store also has the Gibbsville General Store.

Supper clubs are so Wisconsin and we like to stop in for dinner whenever we find one near where we are vacationing. 

The food at Roepke's did not disappoint. The salad bar was especially delicious.

Our vacation week ended in Sheboygan where we once again driveway camped at Rick's son and daughter-in-law's home. It was the occasion of grandson #2's first birthday. Always a joy to see the boys and a fun way to end our vacation.

Celebrating Independence Day

Independence Day has just been celebrated this week across America. One of the best places to celebrate is in a small town.
   
On the 4th of July we were in Knowles - in Dodge County. Knowles is so small that it's not even an unincorporated "census designated place." 

But the people came from miles around for the Independence Day parade that made its way down the main street (and only one of three streets) of Knowles for 75 minutes. 

People were lined up three and four deep along the parade route. We had
a great view from the front porch of the home of our friends Amanda and Troy.    

The Knowles Fire Department started the parade. This department was joined by all the others in the area with their various tankers and hook and ladder trucks. Good thing the volunteer firefighters weren't needed to put out any fires considering that there are more fires on July 4 than any other day of the year. But then, those fires probably occur in the evening when fireworks are shot off.
   

The Lomira High School band was the only musical unit
in the parade.

These kids deserve a lot of credit for sticking around
for the 4th of July rather than going to the beach.

Veteran parade watchers know that LOTS of candy is thrown out by people riding on the "floats." Kids bring their bags and probably collect more of the sweet stuff in a little over than hour than they do at Halloween. And they don't even have to dress in costumes!

The candy throwers start at a young age.  

A few of the units in the parade moved on their own power. Most were pulled by either a truck or a tractor.

An educational message from a company that cleans up after a fire.

Fire seemed to be the theme of the parade. 

First, the Fire Queen.

Next, the Princess.

Finally, the next generation.

It wouldn't be a small town parade without the tractors. 

One of two Minneapolis Moline tractors in the parade.

Not many red tractors. Most were green John Deeres.

The horses brought up the rear as they do in most parades.

But there were no street sweepers to clean up.

We stopped by the Pike Lake House for a late lunch.

Rick and I both had the Texas Reuben - beef brisket, pepper jack cheese, cole slaw, and barbecue sauce. 

Tasty but very messy!

Rhythm & Booms has been a Madison tradition for 21 years. I've seen the fireworks across Lake Mendota in years past but this was the first year I had an unobstructed view at Warner Park on the north side of the lake. I was a guest of Wegner CPAs. Because of the cloud cover, the smoke from the fireworks didn't dissipate very quickly. By the end of the 30-minute display, the area looked like it was covered in a thick fog.

Ground action.

Some of the "booms" in the foggy finale.

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits. ~Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence)