Wisconsin/Illinois Trip Day 3

The first stop for our third day was Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain, WI. Our guide gave us a good tour and explanation of how they make premium cheeses the old fashioned way. We even went through the waste treatment facility--very quickly I might say! Almost everyone went with home with some "squeakies". This is fresh cheese that had been made that very morning. They even make Water Buffalo cheese at certain times of the year! These milk holding tanks were painted so the milk wouldn't feel lonesome during storage--according to our guide, Kathy.

                                                                                

Lunch was at The Old Feed Mill in Mazomanie, WI. There we enjoyed a delicious meal--and great desserts! This old mill has a rich history that dates back to 1857--before the Civil War. It was started as a water and flour mill by the railroad company that created the first rail connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River System. It is featured on the Food Network as one of the best in country cuisine!

After lunch it was on to The Shoe Box in Black Earth, WI. It is the Midwest's largest shoe store. They have over 300,000 pairs of shoes, and represent over 180 major shoe companies. Most of us had a little less money when we left there. Pictured here are Martha Speir, Karen Barker, and Sue Heath as they prepare for their shopping experience.



                                                                                

Rural Route 1 Popcorn in Monfort, WI was a fun stop. They not only have just about every kind of popcorn one can imagine, but a very nice gift shop as well. The store was opened in 1983 as a way to market about 25 acres of popcorn that were being grown on the farm. It was an attempt to diversify and explore a new production crop. Now the farm has 3,000 acres, and several hundred are dedicated to producing gourmet popcorn. Chocolate covered popcorn is one of their specialties, and several containers of C.C. Winkle, S. S. Dunkle, and Ivory Almond K'Nuckle found their way onto the bus.

After cheese,  pot roast, and popcorn, it was time for the evening meal! There is never a shortage of good food on our IEAFCS trips. The group enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Eagle Ridge Resort, just east of Galena, IL. It is a luxurious resort, golf course, spa, etc. Desserts at Eagle Ridge were "to die for." Carol, how do you find all these places?

Members of the group are: Jody Talick, Joy Richey, Sue Heath, Janet Burnett, Shirley Cummings, Steve Wiyatt, Jean Wiyatt, Patti Faughn, Mary Clark, Lois Smith, Terry Clark, Donna Mueller, Lyn Flahardy, Jimmy Smith, Cliff Flahardy, Martha Speir, Kathy Griffy, Karen Barker, Gary Slack, Linda Griffy, Sheila Grebel-Kertz, Glennon Schlitt, Carol Schlitt, Pam Slack, Jananne Finck, and Karen Gibbs.

Wisconsin/Illinois Trip Day 2 continued

After the tour and lunch at House on the Rock, our group boarded the bus for Pendarvis in Mineral Point, WI.  This is a restored lead mining settlement from the 1830's. Cornish miners from Cornwall, England settled there in the boom years of lead mining and constructed small limestone homes. Our guide, Cindy, is pictured as she explained how Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum saved several of the original structures beginning in 1935.


                                                                                      

The next stop was a Brewery Pottery Studio. We saw a pottery demonstration and enjoyed a shopping opportunity. This individual was very skilled in her work!

Next it was on to Potosi, WI where we toured Whispering Bluffs Winery and the National Brewery Museum. Our tour leader explained how a couple of  not-for-profit groups are working to preserve the history of American breweries. A delicious dinner followed at the Potosi Brewery Company Restaurant. Then it was back to the hotel after a very busy day




Unrelated note: For those who remember Sharon Tanner (Saline County Extension Home Economist), her husband, Jim, passed away today--Sept. 19th. Per his request there will not be a funeral service. Send a note to ieafcslife@gmail.com if you would like Sharon's address so you can send a card.

Wisconsin/Illinois Trip--Day 2

The first stop was at The House On The Rock in Spring Green, WI. Alex Jordan of Madison, Wisconsin spent his entire life building and designing the house and surrounding area.

It is an architectural marvel built in the 1940's on top of a 60' chimney of rock called Deershelter Rock. The house is 14 rooms, and there is a 375' ramp that takes visitors through the treetops to get to the house.

                                                                       

The infinity room  is the 14th room of the house and was finished in 1985. It extends 218 feet out over a scenic valley and is 156 feet high.
 It has walls made of 3264 windows (and a few screens). Those who walk to about the middle get a very special view of the tree tops through the floor.

This is the view of the tree tops. It is certainly closer than one would get from a plane. And, yes, that is a hornets nest that was just under the glass!



                                                                            

After the house was built, Jordan built more buildings and began to fill the surrounding area with every kind of collection imaginable. There are pipe organs, antique weapons, coin operated music machines (which play beautiful music), doll houses, chandeliers, and miniature circuses--plus a lot more! This giant whale is just one example.

The Carousel Room contains the world's largest merry-go-round with 269 animals--none of which are horses. The carousel horses are placed in many other locations throughout the tour. An entire workshop operated for years just to repair and re-paint the carousel figures as they were purchased.  This carousel has 20,000 lights and 182 chandeliers!



                                                                                              

The entrance road to the house features many planters with an oriental serpent theme. One might say that the sheer quantity of items in the place is overwhelming.  You could go through it several times and see something you missed before.

Are the collectibles real?? Sources say that some are and some are not. This is the most visited tourist attraction in Wisconsin  however, so the intrigue continues.

More on day two will be shared in the next post.

Wisconsin/Illinois Trip--Day 1

Twenty six IEAFCS Members and friends began the journey to Southwestern Wisconsin for five days of seeing old friends, meeting new ones, exciting tours, and great food! The first day included a long drive from southern Illinois to southern Wisconsin. We arrived at the House on the Rock Inn at Dodgeville, WI in time to check in and get ready for dinner.

                                                                                  

It was a delicious meal at the Wisconsin Riverside Resort  in Spring Green. Some individuals in the forefront of this photo include Terry and Mary Clark, Karen Gibbs, Sue Heath, Jody Talick, and Sheila Grebel-Kertz.

Gary and Pam Slack, Glennon and Carol Schlitt, Donna Mueller, Jannane Finck, Patti Faughn, Shirley Cummings, and all the rest of us also enjoyed a fantastic meal. Then it was back to the motel to get ready for a big day on Thursday.

Here We Come!

Twenty six IEAFCS members and friends are leaving Wednesday to tour northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Grant's home in Galena will be just one of the stops. We will also visit a cheese factory, the House on the Rock, a pottery studio, a winery, and one of the largest shoe stores in the US. Looking forward to a great time!

Watch for details of  the trip in a few days.