So, it's been forever since a post. Uncle Roadtripper and the Shotgun Navigator had a parting of the ways over some personal issues we will not go into here. It's been 5 years since the Shotgun Navigator has been co-pilot for Uncle Roadtripper. There have been a couple family outings, one to Milwaukee to do a boys weekend with the dad and brothers, and another to Door County for a family vacation.
The Milwaukee trip was all about breweries, distilleries, and the Cubs. Did Great Lakes Distillery, Sprecher's Brewery, Milwaukee Brewing Company, and Lakefront Brewery. Great Lakes Distillery makes and sells many different liquors, from whiskey to vodka as well as absinthe. I've not been to many distilleries,but not many that I have heard of make absinthe. Granted, if you've done one distillery, you've done them all (and that includes for my brother's bachelor party doing Maker's Mark, Willet Distillery, and Jim Beam. Breweries are the same.), but they are all good for the tasting and the story behind it. They are all worth the trip. The breweries in Milwaukee were basically like $7 a head to get in for the tour and some beer. Sprecher's, you get a band with 4 tabs on it. If multiples in your party, everyone grabs a different beer and you taste a little from the other glasses. Milwaukee Brewing Co. is a full pint and then half-pints for the rest of the tour, so you end up with like 4 pints worth of beer if you want. Lakefront seems like it was 4 pints, or at least 4 beers, as well.
The bourbon distilleries, well KY has this thing called a law where they can serve no more than 3 half shots to you. The distilleries are worth it for being able to try different types of liquor, Absinthe was good, Great Lakes Kinnickinnick (not positive is correct spelling) Whiskey is good, all their products were good. They have a bar onsite and part of their agreement with the city is that any liquor they serve must be made onsite. Also, it was the first place I walked into and asked for a Caucasian and didn't get a questioning look. Best White Russian, well White Russians as I had two, I have ever had. Their coffee liquor is out of this world.
Door County has a lot of wineries. I don't remember off-hand the name of the one we went to, but it had a distillery as well.They make a gin that is reminiscent of Bombay Sapphire. Their vodka is real interesting. It goes down smooth, no burn. Then you get this, I can only describe it as a backdraft, of a peppery sensation back up your esophagus. It is an interesting and not bad thing. It opens your sinuses. It is just a weird feeling. You don't get it when you mix it with anything, but you do get a light peppery taste. And to clarify "peppery," we're talking the pepper from salt and pepper. But it is not a strong pepper taste. Even did a brewery there. called Shipwrecked. No tour, but you can mix and match six packs. They have a restaurant as well. The food was pretty good.
I did a daytrip last fall with a friend. It was just to get out of town and go back through some places I have been previously, that my partner in crime had not been to. She enjoyed it as well as I did. We both saw some new stuff. I had been through many of the cities we went through, but it was just long enough ago that they had changed a little. Gave me a few "I don't remember this..." moments. LOL
5/28/16
9/4/11
Too Quiet
Unfortunately, there haven't been any trips this year. The Shotgun Navigator has been consistently working since 11/2010, which is a good thing on some fronts, bad on others. Getting Wanderlust...want to disappear for a couple days....or weeks...If you view this, don't be afraid to comment. Good, bad, or indifferent. I am also looking for ideas for future trips. Any questions, ask.
12/8/10
So, it's been a while. There have been a couple day trips since the last post, but nothing real major til this one. We have, for the most part, just been kicking it in the grand state of Illinois. Nauvoo, IL, is a nice little city right along the river. It's Amish country. It's worth a stop if in the area. But on to the "big one".
So Uncle Roadtripper wanted to do one last little getaway with me before the weather got bad. The past several months it's been just to get the Shotgun Navigator out of the house. So, the first weekend after the Navigator got himself a new job, Uncle 'Tripper wanted to go south one more time in 2010.
The initial plan after we got underway was to stop in Evansville, IN. As per usual, we were backroading it for the most part. The plan was to go into KY the next day and loop back home. We got into Evansville, and everything is sold out. There was a soccer team convention in town. Literally, everything in the town was booked. So, we ended up having to head into KY. We get to Owensboro, which is only like 45 minutes down the way, at least by the route we took. Even there, hotel rooms were at a premium. There was partial overflow apparently from the soccer convention as well as a youth football convention in town. Owensboro is a nice town. Would like to get back for more time than what we spent there. Don't remember where we ate dinner off-hand, it was a mexican joint, but the food was good. The hotel, well, it was a little different. We stayed at the Ramada there. The first hotel I've stayed at in a looooong time that has entrances from the outside. The room itself wasn't bad, but the hotel itself needs some updating. Didn't eat onsite; the restaurant was closed. Didn't go to the bar either; I'm 37, and apparently it is open to the public and saw a bunch of 20-somethings going in. Uh, no. Not my idea of fun. I could hear the music from the other end of the parking lot. Didn't figure it would be fun. Whether or not it is, I can't honestly say.
So, the next morning we had to start heading towards home. I thought it would be cool to go by the river til we go closer to Illinois, then head north to home. We headed out of Owensboro on 60 and got off that outside Henderson on 136. We missed a turn somewhere and ended up following the river, which while not totally a bad thing, meant we went from pavement to gravel road on W Franklin Rd to 268 and 136 thru Uniontown onto 360 to 56 into Illinois. We went thru Old Shawneetown and Shawneetown. IN Illinois, 56 turns into 13. We followed 13 to I57 and went south to Cairo IL thru Marion, which is home to a federal prison. Cairo has a foot and a half in the grave unfortunately. Nice little town, but not much there unfortunately. It is, however, near where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi. So there is some importance there. We headed back on 57 and jogged over to 51, retracing a route we had been on a bit over a year earlier.
For as short as it was was, it was nice to get out of town, even if for only overnight. Anything along a river is pretty scenery, whether on paved or gravel roads. Marion is a pretty town, as is Cairo for being almost dead. It's a pretty section of IL/KY/IN. There may be pics in the near future, if not, look for more general info posts over the winter. You can also always post questions and I will answer ASAP.
So Uncle Roadtripper wanted to do one last little getaway with me before the weather got bad. The past several months it's been just to get the Shotgun Navigator out of the house. So, the first weekend after the Navigator got himself a new job, Uncle 'Tripper wanted to go south one more time in 2010.
The initial plan after we got underway was to stop in Evansville, IN. As per usual, we were backroading it for the most part. The plan was to go into KY the next day and loop back home. We got into Evansville, and everything is sold out. There was a soccer team convention in town. Literally, everything in the town was booked. So, we ended up having to head into KY. We get to Owensboro, which is only like 45 minutes down the way, at least by the route we took. Even there, hotel rooms were at a premium. There was partial overflow apparently from the soccer convention as well as a youth football convention in town. Owensboro is a nice town. Would like to get back for more time than what we spent there. Don't remember where we ate dinner off-hand, it was a mexican joint, but the food was good. The hotel, well, it was a little different. We stayed at the Ramada there. The first hotel I've stayed at in a looooong time that has entrances from the outside. The room itself wasn't bad, but the hotel itself needs some updating. Didn't eat onsite; the restaurant was closed. Didn't go to the bar either; I'm 37, and apparently it is open to the public and saw a bunch of 20-somethings going in. Uh, no. Not my idea of fun. I could hear the music from the other end of the parking lot. Didn't figure it would be fun. Whether or not it is, I can't honestly say.
So, the next morning we had to start heading towards home. I thought it would be cool to go by the river til we go closer to Illinois, then head north to home. We headed out of Owensboro on 60 and got off that outside Henderson on 136. We missed a turn somewhere and ended up following the river, which while not totally a bad thing, meant we went from pavement to gravel road on W Franklin Rd to 268 and 136 thru Uniontown onto 360 to 56 into Illinois. We went thru Old Shawneetown and Shawneetown. IN Illinois, 56 turns into 13. We followed 13 to I57 and went south to Cairo IL thru Marion, which is home to a federal prison. Cairo has a foot and a half in the grave unfortunately. Nice little town, but not much there unfortunately. It is, however, near where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi. So there is some importance there. We headed back on 57 and jogged over to 51, retracing a route we had been on a bit over a year earlier.
For as short as it was was, it was nice to get out of town, even if for only overnight. Anything along a river is pretty scenery, whether on paved or gravel roads. Marion is a pretty town, as is Cairo for being almost dead. It's a pretty section of IL/KY/IN. There may be pics in the near future, if not, look for more general info posts over the winter. You can also always post questions and I will answer ASAP.
9/9/10
Roadtrip ideas
So, you need an idea or three on where to go. You can't figure it out from my suggestions????? I keed! So, in no particular order:
1. Minocqua WI. Think long weekend. Gorgeous area. Mainly for boaters and snowmobilers, so if not necessarily a huge fan of either, 2-3 days is plenty.
2. Quincy IL. You want to be downtown. Villa Katherine is a must see. Historic Downtown is beautiful. You can stay a week and not eat at the same place twice. Stay away from Jorge the Crooks unless into expensive seafood. Didn't have a drink, but bar selection looks insane. If not a week vacation, definitely wouldn't be bored on a weekend trip.
3. Little Rock AR. Again, stay near downtown. Holiday Inn Presidential is approx. 1/2 mile from the Clinton Library and it is a must definitely see in the area.
4. Manitowoc/Two Rivers WI. On the Lake, so scenery is good and sure one can find something to do.
5. Less a destination and more a ride part 1. Along the Ohio River. Get some decent maps and follow the pretty scenery. There are bunches of cities to stay in along the way.
6. Less a destination...part 2. Along the Mississippi River. For the same reasons as above.
7. Gallipolis OH. Ok, so you want to be into the paranormal. Across 2 bridges is Pt Pleasant WV, home of Mothman. On the River Ohio, so the area is pretty. Not really more than a two night stay. If your route will allow it, go to Huntington WV for a night or so.
8. Less a destination...part 3. A back road trip through WI. There are a mess of nice little towns that are interesting going through.
9. Bemidji MN. Near the headwaters of the Mississippi. A long weekend to a week vacation. 'Peppercorns' is the restaurant to eat at if only there for one night.
10. New Ulm MN. I only passed through there, but it looks to be a definite long weekend spot.
Just some thoughts from my travels.
1. Minocqua WI. Think long weekend. Gorgeous area. Mainly for boaters and snowmobilers, so if not necessarily a huge fan of either, 2-3 days is plenty.
2. Quincy IL. You want to be downtown. Villa Katherine is a must see. Historic Downtown is beautiful. You can stay a week and not eat at the same place twice. Stay away from Jorge the Crooks unless into expensive seafood. Didn't have a drink, but bar selection looks insane. If not a week vacation, definitely wouldn't be bored on a weekend trip.
3. Little Rock AR. Again, stay near downtown. Holiday Inn Presidential is approx. 1/2 mile from the Clinton Library and it is a must definitely see in the area.
4. Manitowoc/Two Rivers WI. On the Lake, so scenery is good and sure one can find something to do.
5. Less a destination and more a ride part 1. Along the Ohio River. Get some decent maps and follow the pretty scenery. There are bunches of cities to stay in along the way.
6. Less a destination...part 2. Along the Mississippi River. For the same reasons as above.
7. Gallipolis OH. Ok, so you want to be into the paranormal. Across 2 bridges is Pt Pleasant WV, home of Mothman. On the River Ohio, so the area is pretty. Not really more than a two night stay. If your route will allow it, go to Huntington WV for a night or so.
8. Less a destination...part 3. A back road trip through WI. There are a mess of nice little towns that are interesting going through.
9. Bemidji MN. Near the headwaters of the Mississippi. A long weekend to a week vacation. 'Peppercorns' is the restaurant to eat at if only there for one night.
10. New Ulm MN. I only passed through there, but it looks to be a definite long weekend spot.
Just some thoughts from my travels.
8/25/10
The last second trip
So, I am sitting home this past Saturday (8/21) when Uncle Roadtripper stops by to see how life is going at this end of the world. We get talking and he says "Too bad we don't have a place to go." I told him to come in and we'd see if we could come up with something, figuring that if we did we would leave a day or two later. I mention Cincinnati, and he goes "Let's go." I'm like "What, now?" "Sure." Give me 45 minutes I say. So, at noon we took off towards the Nati. Getting on 136 East in Heyowrth IL, we headed towards Indiana. Somewhere wight near the border we somehow got a smidge screwed up. We missed a turn, which isn't a biggie. We followed State Line Road back up to our right road and into IN on 28. Now, we've done this stretch of 136IL/28IN before on the border. You go through Williamsport and Attica IN. We headed south on 231 to 46 and went through Bloomington IN and Columbus IN to I74 into the Nati. We went the 8 hour route. Oy. It's 5.5 if done by interstate. Needless to say we didn't get to hook up with the brothers. One it turned out one was out of state; the other was at the movies and didn't get the message until the following day.
So we woke up next morning, and I tried to get ahold of the brothers one more time. We gave them a half hour cuz Uncle Roadtripper was getting antsy about sitting about sitting around. I finally heard from them about two hours later. Uncle decided he wanted to see Kentucky so I took us the long way into KY. I'm not familiar enough with the Nati to take us through downtown on 75 without boogering it up so we went on 275. We got off 275 on 237 and started south. We then jogged east to 27 and continued south to Cynthiana. There we headed back west on 62, through Georgetown and Versailles. We headed north on 60 in Versailles through Frankfurt to 127. We headed to the River at Warsaw and followed the river via 42 and 36 through Ghent, Carrolton, and Milton. At Milton, we crossed over into IN. Had I paid better attention to the map, I would have gotten us on 42 when we originally got into KY. Needless to say, by the time we got home, we had spent about 13 hours on the road that day. Too much road time in a day. Stay tuned.
So we woke up next morning, and I tried to get ahold of the brothers one more time. We gave them a half hour cuz Uncle Roadtripper was getting antsy about sitting about sitting around. I finally heard from them about two hours later. Uncle decided he wanted to see Kentucky so I took us the long way into KY. I'm not familiar enough with the Nati to take us through downtown on 75 without boogering it up so we went on 275. We got off 275 on 237 and started south. We then jogged east to 27 and continued south to Cynthiana. There we headed back west on 62, through Georgetown and Versailles. We headed north on 60 in Versailles through Frankfurt to 127. We headed to the River at Warsaw and followed the river via 42 and 36 through Ghent, Carrolton, and Milton. At Milton, we crossed over into IN. Had I paid better attention to the map, I would have gotten us on 42 when we originally got into KY. Needless to say, by the time we got home, we had spent about 13 hours on the road that day. Too much road time in a day. Stay tuned.
8/7/10
Number 2
A bit over a week later, the uncle comes by. "You know," he says, "I've never really been thru Northern Iowa. Let's go that way. We'll go into Minnesota from there." Suuuure. Why not? We had to wait a few days as I had something coming that I had to wait for. So, about 5 days after he had initially came over, we took off. We started this trip where we had started the last, I-80. This time tho, we stayed away from the river, taking 61. We followed that north to Maquoketa and took 64 west. We followed that to outside Anamosa, Hwy 151. We followed that north thru Monticello til we got to 38. We followed that to 3 and headed west. After a little more wrangling, we passed thru Charles City. Just outside the city we started seeing a bunch of bicyclists. Had I done my research beforehand, I would have realized RAGBRAI was happening. Look it up. We stopped in Mason City, IA for the night. Nice city, nice hotel. There was a small lake/large pond right behind the Holiday Inn. The bar was a pretty good time as well. Pretty good conversation and whatnot.
Next morning, we headed north on 69 into MN. We got on 13 in the town of Albert Lea. We followed that to 14, and west on that to 15N in New Ulm. New Ulm is a gorgeous city. Well worth a couple night stay. We, however, kept rolling along. We stayed on 15 to 55W to 71N. We stayed on 71 to Bemidji. Benidji is near the headwaters of Ole Miss. It is also a beautiful city. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express there. About half a mile from the hotel is a restaurant called Peppercorns. Awesome. It is a bit pricey, like $15 minimum for an entree. But it is awesome food and well worth the price.
Next day we headed out. We followed 2 out Bemidji til we hit 65S. We stayed on that to 23E. We followed that to where it turns into 48 and into WI where the Hwy turns into 77. We jumped from there to 53S into Eau Claire. The hotel bar was pretty good that night. It was definitely busy. There was a wedding party going to happen the next day and the people were starting to show up. The bar was good sized, with like a dozen beers on draft. It was a pretty good time. It was also the uncle's birthday. He is now officially 87. The next day we headed home, with no 13 hour saddle time this trip. It was only like 8. We sort of meandered our way back into IL and home.
There may be another trip soon. Keep looking and enjoying the ride.
Next morning, we headed north on 69 into MN. We got on 13 in the town of Albert Lea. We followed that to 14, and west on that to 15N in New Ulm. New Ulm is a gorgeous city. Well worth a couple night stay. We, however, kept rolling along. We stayed on 15 to 55W to 71N. We stayed on 71 to Bemidji. Benidji is near the headwaters of Ole Miss. It is also a beautiful city. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express there. About half a mile from the hotel is a restaurant called Peppercorns. Awesome. It is a bit pricey, like $15 minimum for an entree. But it is awesome food and well worth the price.
Next day we headed out. We followed 2 out Bemidji til we hit 65S. We stayed on that to 23E. We followed that to where it turns into 48 and into WI where the Hwy turns into 77. We jumped from there to 53S into Eau Claire. The hotel bar was pretty good that night. It was definitely busy. There was a wedding party going to happen the next day and the people were starting to show up. The bar was good sized, with like a dozen beers on draft. It was a pretty good time. It was also the uncle's birthday. He is now officially 87. The next day we headed home, with no 13 hour saddle time this trip. It was only like 8. We sort of meandered our way back into IL and home.
There may be another trip soon. Keep looking and enjoying the ride.
The first 2010 trip
This was a short one; two nights, three days. "I want to drive by the river." he says. So, towards Ole Miss we went by way of I-80. Now, to follow the river, you get on Hwy 67 in Iowa. It's pretty much a right turn before you're even totally off the bridge. Now, during this trip and the one we did two weeks later, I've now seen about 2/3 of the Great River Road. Here is a link on it: http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2279/. There are better ones out there, but this will give you an idea of what's on the way. Also, you can pick up the book Road Trip USA. It lists everything you need to know and see along the way. It is by far one of my favorite stretches of road I have ever been on. But, I digress. We headed north on 67. For the most part, you can look out the passenger side window and see the river the whole way. Le Claire is a pretty little town, as are the others you hit along the way. We headed back into IL on 64, going thru Sabula and entering IL north of Savanna on 84. Savanna is a pretty city; I've been thru it on a previous trip with the uncle. We followed 84 thru Galena and into WI. 84 turns into 80 when you enter WI. Hwy 80 is another road I've seen quite a bit of. Rolling hills in the south and slightly rolling in spots in the north. Some decent scenery. We followed it into Cuba City. As mentioned in another post, Cuba City has profiles of all the presidents along the main drag. It's worth checking out. In Cuba City, we jumped on County Road H, heading west. We merged into CR HH into 61/151/35. We passed thru Dickeyville and up to Potosi and Tennyson. Nice towns, nice area. We got on 133 and that took us back toward the river. We followed it thru Cassville and north and east til we hit CR V. We turned onto CR VV to CR A. A heads back to the river. There are times you are on the GRR in WI but not near the river. Kind of weird. A turns to X in Bagley. We followed that til we hit CR C and from that onto 35. We followed 35 all the way to La Crosse where we spent the night at the Holiday Inn downtown. I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but at this hotel, you are 2 blocks from the river. Bring your camera. Downtown La Crosse is pretty and you're at Ole Miss.
We head out the next morning and got on CR XX just outside La Crosse. Takes you thru New Amsterdam. We connected again with 35 towards Trempeleau. We stayed on 35 til we hit CR F, at the north end of Prescott. We stayed on that to Hudson where we picked up 35 again. We stayed on that thru St Croix Falls and north to Hwy 70. From there we went to Minocqua. Now, you may be wondering why we were off and on 35 the whole day. It was all about staying near the river. And while I could go on and on about Minocqua, I won't. I'm sure I've given enough about it to interest you.
Next morning we decided to head home. Uncle Roadtripper's leg has been bothering him since last October, some days worse than others. So we started south on 51 on what was supposed to be about 6.5 hours in the saddle. We get to Hwy 8 and he goes "Let's go east to the Lake." So we got over to the lake, and CR LS. Followed that thru Two Rivers and Manitowoc. I think in an older post I commented Two Rivers is "a nice little town." It's a little town of almost 13,000. I never realized it was quite that large. We spent a little time on 43 til we hit 60. We decided to stop for some lunch. It was 3:15. We had left at like 6:30 that morning. We headed west again to 51 and took that home. We pull into town at 7:10 that night and the uncle is like "Wanna get something to eat?" LOL No, I wanna get un-braindead. But, I didn't say that. And thus ends the first trip of 2010.
We head out the next morning and got on CR XX just outside La Crosse. Takes you thru New Amsterdam. We connected again with 35 towards Trempeleau. We stayed on 35 til we hit CR F, at the north end of Prescott. We stayed on that to Hudson where we picked up 35 again. We stayed on that thru St Croix Falls and north to Hwy 70. From there we went to Minocqua. Now, you may be wondering why we were off and on 35 the whole day. It was all about staying near the river. And while I could go on and on about Minocqua, I won't. I'm sure I've given enough about it to interest you.
Next morning we decided to head home. Uncle Roadtripper's leg has been bothering him since last October, some days worse than others. So we started south on 51 on what was supposed to be about 6.5 hours in the saddle. We get to Hwy 8 and he goes "Let's go east to the Lake." So we got over to the lake, and CR LS. Followed that thru Two Rivers and Manitowoc. I think in an older post I commented Two Rivers is "a nice little town." It's a little town of almost 13,000. I never realized it was quite that large. We spent a little time on 43 til we hit 60. We decided to stop for some lunch. It was 3:15. We had left at like 6:30 that morning. We headed west again to 51 and took that home. We pull into town at 7:10 that night and the uncle is like "Wanna get something to eat?" LOL No, I wanna get un-braindead. But, I didn't say that. And thus ends the first trip of 2010.
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