"It's Gotta Be In Ya To Do It."

Three hours of research, two courthouses, a WEIRD lunch in Ladysmith, and over 4 hours of driving along USH 8 across northern Wisconsin. Where am I now? Oh yeah, Tomahawk. It's pissing rain. Because of that, along with the humidity and those bastard aggressive mosquitoes, my trek up the rickety fire tower at Wisconsin's Highest Peak, Timm's Hill, didn't happen. Next time, northern Wisco, it's not like I won't be back!

Perhaps even better than Timm's Hill was a visit to the Wisconsin Concrete Park. If you've read Weird Wisconsin, you know what I'm talking about -- absolutely FANTASTIC folk art, off Hwy 13 in Phillips. It rivals the Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden by Herman Rusch in Cochrane, WI. Both are from the same era, were created by a single individual during his retirement, and were restored by the Kohler Foundation. I was able to visit Prairie Moon last field season, and loved the variety of creatures in the garden. Fred Smith's creation in Phillips featured mostly people - miners, cowboys, soldiers, Native Americans, as well as deer (with real antlers!) and horses. Much of the glass in the concrete was from beer bottles from the neighboring tavern that Fred Smith ran in his retirement. Old beer bottles are soooo cool. The gift shop in Fred Smith's former home was also open. It contained a lot of handmade item like knitwear, braided rugs, quilts, antique silverware wind chimes, and jewelry. They also had a small selection of antiques that were SO under priced! Man, if only I had ROOM, I would've walked away with a turn of the century wood and leather trunk for $40. As a concession, I got a pretty sweet amber glass barrel beer mug that advertised Wisconsin with a big burly lumberjack. That is something to smile about.

Fred Smith lived by his motto, "It's gotta be in ya to do it." I can't help but wonder if, because he tended bar in northern Wisconsin, men sipping their Schlitz elbow-up at the bar thought, "That's what she said!"

Tuesdays (Mostly) Suck in St. Croix Falls

Today begins a 4-day loop around Wisconsin for research in Polk County, Price County, Washington County, and Rock County. I don't have a visual, but yeah, that's a lot of driving. I-94 and I are like old friends that both love and annoy the hell out of each other. Southwest Wisconsin will have to wait, because the Northwest really isn't ready to let me go!

I've never been to St. Croix Falls , but always wanted to explore it because I love both Mississippi and St. Croix River towns. St. Croix Falls was pretty much what I expected - picturesque, quaint, historic, and artsy. But when are picturesque, quaint, historic, and artsy river towns going to learn that people WANT to explore them after 5pm on weekdays? Seriously. Is EVERYTHING closed on Tuesdays? That answer to that - almost.

This place looked cool, but guess what - not open.


At least the view to the river was open.


Need a sign? Look up!


St. Croix's historic downtown provided no relief from the blazing hot early evening humidity. None of the ice cream or coffee shops were open. No art galleries, no yarn shops, no antiques. Not even the "Monkey Pit"... come on now. If there's something called the Monkey Pit in town, shouldn't it always be open?


Our one savior was the Winery & Grille, which served amazing food (delicious homemade pasta sauces and vinaigrettes) and local wine from a family establishment, the Indian Creek Orchard. I'm not a fan of sweet fruity wine, but the heat and St. Croix's ubiquitous banners touting their "Buy Local" campaign prompted me to try a glass of the Indian Summer Blush. It was a thirst quencher. Definitely tasty, but sweet. I like a wine with more cajones, so I followed up with the Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo. Paired with the mocha espresso cheesecake = nom nom nom!

Dining while perusing wine labels = likeable.


My nicely chilled Blush.