Anyone who knows Wisconsin as well as they know the Priya half of this road-tripping duo will know exactly why I was looking forward to our ninth state with excitement….. cheese ☺️
Our first Wisconsin stop was nine minutes after crossing the St Croix River at the Bass Lake Cheese Factory. The Bass Lake Cheese Factory was established in 1918 and has since passed through the hands of four families. Down a country road in the middle of nowhere and across from a corn field, this cheese shop was a very happy introduction to the world of Wisconsin cheese. While we waited for our first experience of deep fried cheese curds to arrive, we were kindly offered a 6-cheese sampler platter which included pickled cheese, buffalo wing cheese and onion and chive cheese. And we thought all of these were great till the deep fried cheese curds came fresh and hot out of the kitchen. There are no adequate words to describe these gastronomic pockets of crumbed gooey melty pillowy cheese. We left the Bass Lake Cheese Factory with delighted tummies and a bag full of various cheeses to sustain us.
Heading north, we made our way to Ashland. Staying on Lake Superior was a Wisconsin must-do for us and the Airbnb we chose, Norrsken Cottage, was absolutely perfect. Superbly hosted by Kevin and Steve, the cottage is metres from the lake’s edge, surrounded by trees and while only minutes away from the town of Ashland, seems a world away from anywhere else. Kevin and Steve did everything to make sure our stay here was second to none. We’ve already decided we’re coming back during a future winter to stay and walk over the frozen lake!
In Ashland we were taken with the murals that decorate the walls of the township. Painted by two northern Wisconsin artists, these beautiful paintings reflect the history of Ashland and give the town a personality of it’s own.
A drive to Bayfield took us to Apostle Island Cruises. Yet again the weather gods came through for us and while the drive to Bayfield was wet and miserable, as soon as we boarded the boat the skies cleared and the rain stopped. For two and a half hours, we cruised over Lake Superior and along the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a coastal national park and is made up of 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland. Known as the Jewels of Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands provide dramatic backdrops from Hermit Island’s brownstone cliffs to lighthouses to Devils Island’s sea caves.
Driving through the Northwoods of Wisconsin, we made a stop at the Delta Diner on our way down to the Wisconsin Dells. Located in the middle of the woods, Delta Diner has been lovingly rebuilt to the glory of a 1940s diner with friendly waitresses, blueplate specials and delicious food and it was a fabulous dining experience.
As we drove through the trees to make our way south, we were treated to the foliage starting to change colour on the trees around us. Still a sea of green but with beautiful splashes of red, orange and yellow starting to make their way in.
Our final stop was in Wisconsin Dells. Taking an Original Duck Tour, we set off through the trees before driving into the river whereupon we travelled along the Dells of the Wisconsin River. This 8km/5mi stretch of river is lined with unique sandstone formations that date back to the last ice age, approximately 15,000 years ago.
Wisconsin you have been terrific. Your scenery, your cuisine and your people have made our journey here a happy one. Thank you!
P&S