Day 1- Thursday, September 24, 2009: Our Cranberry Festival tour group of 39 gathered together to make our way to La Crosse, WI, and the Cranberry Festival in Warrens, WI. Morning travel took us to Mantorville, MN, a city rich in history. The Dodge County Courthouse, located in Mantorville, is the oldest working courthouse in MN, used continuously since its completion in 1871. Hubbell House, opened as a hotel in 1857 and now still in use as a world famous restaurant, is where we dined amidst a charming Civil War Era atmosphere. Both buildings are examples of local structures made of locally mined limestone. After a mouth-watering Swiss steak dinner with all the trimmings, we enjoyed a brief drive by several other historic places, including the Restoration House (1856), log cabin (late 1850's), the "Grand Old Mansion" (1899), Stone Barn Carriage House (1860's), and the Victorian Severance House (1860's) - childhood home of U.S. Senator Cordenio Arnold Severance.
The drive along the Mississippi River into La Crosse took us past Lock and Dam #7. The La Crosse Convention and Visitors Center at Riverside Park was our first stop. A brief video and a walk through Riverside Museum and the peaceful gardens dedicated to La Crosse's sister cities in Europe and Asia highlighted this stop.
Our day concluded with check-in at Best Western Midway, a quiet evening on our own, and a good night's rest in anticipation of our day at Cranberry Festival tomorrow.
Our day concluded with check-in at Best Western Midway, a quiet evening on our own, and a good night's rest in anticipation of our day at Cranberry Festival tomorrow.
Day 2 - Friday, September 25: The clouds in the sky were threatening when we left our hotel for Warrens and the 850+ venders of the craft fair and a tour of the cranberry marshes at the 37th Annual Warrens Cranberry Festival. Upon arriving in Warrens, we were met by Gene and Aleda Moseley, who guided us through a most informative tour of the marshes. One member of our group commented later, "I'm going to enjoy cranberries all the more now that I know
what all goes into producing them." So far, so good - the rain had held off, and everyone was ready to hit the pavement and find out what all the craft booths had to offer. Did we want lawn ornaments, sweatshirts, fall arrangement, flea market items, food - all these and much more were there.
The Cranberry Discovery Center was another fun stop. A museum of the history of the cranberry industry included some interesting items, among them very unusual wooden horseshoes the horses wore in the flooded marshes so they would not sink into the wet marsh beds. And then there were the items made out of the cranberries to be bought. Wine seemed to be our bus's favorite.
After five hours of walking, looking and buying, all were ready to fall into their seats and relax for the hour ride to Fort McCoy. But those five hours had been fun - and just a little rain came from time to time - not enough to spoil what we were doing.
Fort McCoy was founded in 1909 and sits on approximately 60,000 acres minutes west of the city of Tomah, WI. It remains an active base for training for National Guard units and Reserves, according to our step-on guide Theresa. A large part of what is done is preparing units being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We visited a commemorative area, which included a typical barracks and mess hall, uniforms and gear from a history of the U.S. military. There was also a large outdoor display of armor - jeeps, tanks, helicopters, etc.
what all goes into producing them." So far, so good - the rain had held off, and everyone was ready to hit the pavement and find out what all the craft booths had to offer. Did we want lawn ornaments, sweatshirts, fall arrangement, flea market items, food - all these and much more were there.
The Cranberry Discovery Center was another fun stop. A museum of the history of the cranberry industry included some interesting items, among them very unusual wooden horseshoes the horses wore in the flooded marshes so they would not sink into the wet marsh beds. And then there were the items made out of the cranberries to be bought. Wine seemed to be our bus's favorite.
After five hours of walking, looking and buying, all were ready to fall into their seats and relax for the hour ride to Fort McCoy. But those five hours had been fun - and just a little rain came from time to time - not enough to spoil what we were doing.
Fort McCoy was founded in 1909 and sits on approximately 60,000 acres minutes west of the city of Tomah, WI. It remains an active base for training for National Guard units and Reserves, according to our step-on guide Theresa. A large part of what is done is preparing units being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We visited a commemorative area, which included a typical barracks and mess hall, uniforms and gear from a history of the U.S. military. There was also a large outdoor display of armor - jeeps, tanks, helicopters, etc.
Our day continued by motoring on to Norskedalen outside of Coon Valley, WI. (We wondered a little if our driver and escort really knew where we were going as we ventured along the hilly, winding country roads, but they did get us there.) Norskedalen, which means "Norwegian Valley," is a nature and heritage center encompassing about 400 acres and dedicated to preserving, interpreting and sharing the natural environment and cultural heritage of the area. It began in 1977 and preserves a collection of the original log and stone buildings crafted by the immigrants (mostly Norwegian) to this area in the second half of the 1800's. Good food and enjoyable ethnic music from a trio of accordion, fiddle and piano players completed our day's activities.
Day 3 - Saturday. September 26: We went "Down a Country Road" this morning. Actually we traveled a number of country roads near Cashton, WI with Kathy Kuderer, who was able to help us "experience the intriguing lifestyle" (of the Amish community) through her eyes. But before doing this, we enjoyed shopping the Amish shop on the Kuderer's farm. One of our favorite items was collapsible wooden decorative baskets. And even more special was meeting the young Amish gentleman - Aidan - who makes these baskets and who signed them for those who bought. While traveling the countryside, we also were able to stop at two Amish homes, enjoy their hospitality and buy additional quilted items and freshly-made baked goods.
It was then back to La Crosse for a relaxing cruise and luncheon on the Mississippi River with Island Girl Cruises. It was the perfect day - sun out in full with just a hint of a breeze.
After getting our land legs back, it was back across the city to be greeted by the Sisters of St. Rose Convent and a tour of their chapels dedicated in 1906. The Romanesque chapels are on the list of historical sites in La Crosse. Our final stop today was at Granddad Bluff, the tallest bluff in the area at 600 feet. The bluff allows a full overview of La Crosse and the whole Mississippi Valley. The evening was open to relax or maybe even catch the shuttle to Oktoberfest activities underway in La Crosse at this time.
Day 4 - Sunday, September 27: Several of the group did go to Oktoberfest last night and enjoyed the evening. A couple of them even bought the sweatshirt to prove they'd been there.
It was finally time we had to repack and have suitcases out this morning as it was time to start for home. But not before a stop at Preston (MN) Apple and Berry Farm. There were yummy pastries awaiting us and a large number of apple varieties from which to choose. We now had a coach bay full of cranberries, wine and apples!
After lunch at River Hills Mall Food Court in Mankato, it was close to time to separate from new friends made in the course of four short days and return home to organize the wonderful memories of our adventures surrounding Cranberry Festival 2009. - Sandy Moose, Tour Director
It was finally time we had to repack and have suitcases out this morning as it was time to start for home. But not before a stop at Preston (MN) Apple and Berry Farm. There were yummy pastries awaiting us and a large number of apple varieties from which to choose. We now had a coach bay full of cranberries, wine and apples!
After lunch at River Hills Mall Food Court in Mankato, it was close to time to separate from new friends made in the course of four short days and return home to organize the wonderful memories of our adventures surrounding Cranberry Festival 2009. - Sandy Moose, Tour Director
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