Wisconsin Roadtrip #2

So, let's pick this one up in Manitowoc. We did take 39/51 to start this one, but followed I43 north of Milwaukee to location, rather than County Road LS. As stated in an earlier post, every time we end up in Manitowoc, something is going on. This time round, there was a High School Reunion going on. LOL Sorta figures. Again, there was some great conversation while down in the bar. Like I say, part of the reason I like doing the full-serve hotels is you get a chance to talk to other people travelling, or in this case, others in town for a reason. It ended up being a good time. Different bartender this time, but same result. Ended up talking football with a few of the participants in the reunion. LOL No fights broke out though, which is a good thing. If you know anything about ChiBear or Packer fans, we/they are pretty hardcore about our football teams and this particular rivalry. Twice a year, the world stops for me during football season. Whether they win or lose, I'm cheering my Bears on both games. Like I say, most of the fun I've had on roadtrip have happened in a hotel bar. Not to discount any of the scenery I've seen along the way; it's been wonderful, all of it, but it's being able to hang with other travellers that has been the most fun.
So, next day we headed back to one of my fave locations, Minocqua. We actually found Wabeno this time. Cool little city. Had to mess with the teach I know and tell her they have a "this way to Yippy's house" sign in the town. It was good for a laugh. Look it up, Wabeno is an old logging town. It's right in Nicolet National Forest territory. LOL It was funny, I think we saw a dozen houses between getting off 41/141 and Wabeno. Not counting Oconto Falls and Lakewood. For the most part though, you're in nomansland. We stayed on 32 til Rhinelander and picked up 47 into Woodruff, which is like 2 miles north of Minocqua. The bar was pretty quiet this time through.
Next day we ended in La Crosse. We got off 51 soon as we could on 8. Anyhoo, LaCrosse is set up streetwise like Quincy IL is. Figured it out real quick when we came into LaCrosse and I started seeing numbered streets in descending numbers to the river. The lower the number, the closer to the river you are. Being familiar with Quincy, I could get us to the hotel w/o too much trouble. But the bar scene at the hotel was cool that night. There was a total of like 5 of us in the bar (including the bartender) and two of the people were locals. But the other hotel person had gotten in earlier that day from Oz (Australia). The bunch of us had a good conversation about national health care. The Oz-folk apparently have no clue why we are having this discussion since they've had nationial care for forever. And everything is covered. EVERYTHING. You want acupuncture? Covered. Need surgery? Covered. And they can't figure out why we are debating this. So yeah, good conversation, good alternate view on our problems.
So, next day we get on the road, and jump on 61 south and end up in Quincy. The new Holiday Inn is nice. It's new as in under a year old new. The bar was a great time. It rivals the Radisson in Branson in all around fun. Just a good buzz, good conversation, good everything. Sometimes the stars line up right multiple days in a row for good times.
And of course the next day we headed home. One of us was a hair hung over, but whatever. LOL One of the more interesting trips all in all. Stay tuned for more.