KVR - Blog Post #2 Weekend in Viroqua

     We woke up at the cabin in Sidie Hollow on Saturday, June 5, looking forward to a hot, sunny day. Okay, or at least I was. Hubby, his brother and his sister-in-law were looking forward to the air-conditioned car and plenty of shade when we were outdoors.

     After an hour or so at the Farmer’s Market in Viroqua –            

     We next drove to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center.

The Kickapoo Valley is popular with kayakers and canoers, neither of which describe the four of us. There are a lot of other outdoor activities in the Reserve, but the short trail out back of the Visitor’s Center was the only one we took on.

    I discovered many photo opportunities, both in the parking lot and on the trail.

If we would have known that it was also “get to know your llama day”, I might have signed us up.

For more info:

            The Kickapoo Valley Reserve – http://kvr.state.wi.us/About-Us

            More on the Kickapoo River – https://www.driftlesswisconsin.com/explore/kickapoo-river-valley/

            My previous blog post about the weekend – http://chrisloehmer.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-gift-for-you-blog-post-1-weekend-in.html

         

 

A Gift for you - Blog Post #1 Weekend in Viroqua

             Are you kidding me? I’m totally stumped. Here we are, the end of July, and I haven’t journaled anything about our trip with Hubby’s brother and sister-in-law to the Airbnb in Viroqua the weekend of June 4-6. And I only wrote two and a half pages in my Trip Log. Good thing I snapped nearly 300 pictures; I guess that’s the only way I’ll remember the details. 

 First of all, my gift to you is a great gift idea for someone hard to buy for. For Christmas, we gave the brother and sister-in-law part of a weekend in an Airbnb. We’d pay for the first night and split the cost of the second night with them. Together, we would pick the weekend and the place, but Hubby and I took care of finalizing everything. We talked about bringing food for meals to fix there, but ended up only doing that for breakfasts. Lunches were more like communal snacking, and we ordered carry-out for supper Friday and Saturday.

 But, if you should opt for this gift for your loved ones, decide first if you are going with them or sending them off alone. We had a great time and get along wonderfully with this couple. It’s just something to think about.

 Ok, so you can stop reading and go about your business now if you feel satisfied with the information I just shared.

 Or plunge onward.             

On the way to our cabin in Viroqua, we stopped to visit family near Cashton. The Fish Creek Ridge Lutheran Church holds many memories for them.             

As does the Fish Creek Cemetery. Just so no one drinks the water.

On to our Amish Cabin at East Sidie Hollow.

Our bedroom. At first, it looked pretty small, but it worked out totally fine. 

The bedroom in the loft. 

The downstairs - kitchen and living room. 

Come back Friday to hear of some of the things we did. 

The cabin's info: 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45217530?

source_impression_id=p3_1627471662_p%2BYuw%2BTsUwd3dxFV&guests=1&adults=1

Are You Stuck?

    Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do. (Philippians 4:13, Easy-to-Read Version) 

When I sit down to write my Sunday morning inspirational post (which I usually write on Saturday night), something always comes to me. Or, actually, God puts something before me, either in the form of something which happened over the past week or something He plops into my head or my heart.

Occasionally, as in today, I got nothing. Or I have a few thoughts which feel lame and don’t come together for me. I have a list of Bible verses to turn to when that happens, but sometimes, even none of those jump out at me.

Last resort. I did a Google search of “Bible verses for when you’re stuck”. Isn’t it great to be able to get an answer to any question?

Oops, stop right there, Chris, the answers to your questions aren’t found on the internet. Well, they sort of are. But the reality is that even if the answers are there it’s only because they were in the Bible first and someone put them on the world wide web. Which is where the verse above came from.

Good words, but what can I say about them? So, my final last resort is to pull out my actual Bible on paper, randomly open it and point to a verse.

    The Teacher tried very hard to find the right words, and he wrote the teachings that are true and dependable. (Ecclesiastes 12:10, Easy-to-Read Version)

Hmmm? Well, there you have it. God is good. 

Indianhead Motel

  I’ve been going to share this story for quite a while – you know how I love sharing random, boring tales of my life. But, since I just finished writing about my weekend in Chippewa Falls this May, I thought I’d tell you about the first time I spent the night there.

I was in my second year of college when my friend and I decided to spend spring break at her sister’s house in Rochester, Minnesota. So yes, while all the other college kids were going to Florida or Texas or Virginia Beach, we went to Minnesota to get away from winter weather. That worked so well for us.

My friend’s brother picked us up at our dorm on Saturday morning. If I remember correctly, he had been on spring break the previous week and was heading back to college himself – veterinarian school – I have no idea where – but he was willing to deliver us to their sister in Rochester on his way.

Of course, it was starting to snow when we slid into his car early that morning. As we began the drive west, the snow fell heavier and heavier. The vehicle was soon crawling down the highway. Finally, after four hours of that, when we had only gone ninety miles or so, we decided that we needed to hang it up. There was no way we would make it to Rochester by dark at that rate.

We pulled off the highway at Chippewa Falls and checked into the first motel we saw – the Indianhead Motel. We got one room, with two double beds. Remember, we were all starving college students. I can’t remember what we did all afternoon in that uncomfortably small room, while snow continued to fall. But by late in the day, when the snow finally lessened, we ventured out to the Catholic church for Saturday night mass, picked up some fast food, and went back to the room to eat while we watched the movie “The Jazz Singer” with Neil Diamond.

That night, I slept closest to the window in the bed with my friend, while her brother slept on the far side of the other bed. I’m sure one of them called their sister to tell her of our delay; I don’t remember if I called home or not. This was way before cell phones. 

In the morning, we brushed the snow off the car and finished the two-hour drive to Rochester. The weather was a little better, but not warm enough to go swimming outside. Good thing we were able to use the indoor pool on the top floor of the Kahler Hotel.

Over the years, I’ve driven through or past Chippewa Falls many, many times. But every time I looked for the Indianhead sign. Yes, the little two-star motel is still there. I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of the outside.

 

A Few Old Buildings from Chippewa Falls - Blog Post #7

 As you may already know, Hubby, Dino and I were camping all week last week. Even though I really want to tell you all about that trip, I have that weekend in May in Chippewa Falls to finish up, as well as an entire weekend in Virocqua in June that I haven’t even whispered to you about.

I get this from my father you know – he called it Wanderlust. Yes, I’m always ready to go bumming again as soon as I get home, shower, and wash some clothes.

So, let me finish off that weekend at the AirBnb with my friend by showing you a handful of random pictures from downtown Chippewa Falls.  

You know how fascinating I find old buildings. 

And especially old buildings with mural. 

Even if the murals are a little old and worn. 

Or modern. 

Or on a building which has an old mural on one side - 

And a new mural on the other side - 

And what could be the original slaughter house out back.  

And then there are the adorable pictures on window fronts. Or is that chicken in the middle really adorable and exactly what is it doing? 

And though most buildings don't readily reveal their history, 

Others do. 

Which is when the camera really comes in handy. 

Because I usually don't have time to read everything there is to read on the streets I wander. 

Oops, I almost forgot my favorite building, which is not my favorite on the outside, 

but because of what they sell inside!

And though I'm home for a little while, I still have many travels to share. Stay tuned. 

For more information about downtown Chippewa Falls:  

            The Meat Market –

 https://streets.mn/2016/09/29/wheres-the-beef/

            A list of the historic buildings –

http://www.chippewafallsmainst.org/historic-walking-tour.html

            Somebody took even more pictures of these building than I did –

https://www.dewitzphotography.com/eau-claire-wi-photographer/wisconsin-historic-city-series-the-view-from-chippewa-falls-mainstreet/

 

 

The Old Man and the Lake

            You probably already know that on Sundays, I try to write something inspirational here, a meaningful Bible verse, a prayer, a spiritual message of how God shows us His love. Or something similar.

           Today’s quote, however, comes from the book “The Incredible Journey” by Sheila Burnford. You know the story – the three pets travel cross-country to get back to their family, and the cat and the young dog make it home and go running to their people, but the old dog, Bodger? Well, the family didn’t see how the old man could make the 250-mile trip.

           “He broke into a run, faster and faster, until the years fell away, and he hurled himself towards Peter. And as he had never run before, as though he would outdistance time, Peter was running towards his dog.” 

I’ve often referred to my dog as Dino the Wonder Dog. (In fact, this blog is named after him, and by the way, it’s pronounced Dean-O.) Lately, however, at fourteen and a half, he’s been more the D.A.S.S Dog – deaf, arthritic, and somewhat senile dog.

He spends his days lying in the shade in our yard, staring off into the woods. Then sometimes, he slowly, painfully gets up on his wobbly legs and wanders off into those woods, where he won’t come when called because he can’t hear us. When inside the house, he follows me from room to room. But sometimes he loses me, and I feel bad when I walk up behind him, touching him, which scares him as he never heard me coming.        

Yesterday we returned home from our annual camping trip in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each day, after the process of waking up and adjusting to the camper and the campsite, he’d have an hour or so of energy and clarity. But he’d tucker out pretty quickly. Daddy would have to take him some where shady to rest when Mommy was off exploring and hiking to waterfalls. He also needed to be lifted into the truck, and sometimes into the camper. 

Then on Thursday, when we finally got to the beach at Lake Superior, his puppy spirit soared. His eyes were clear and his head high as he waded into the cool water. He was so happy, so full of joy, even though he didn’t jump in swimming as he had years ago, and I only threw the stick for him once.    

I’m not sure how many trips he has left in him, but he’ll be with us for as long as he can.

God is Good

    O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. (Psalm 136:1, Revised Standard Version)

As you may recall, I’ve made the two-hour drive to Oshkosh many times over the years to attend the Christian music festival, Lifest. For obvious reasons we weren’t able to go last year, and the year before I can’t remember why, but we didn’t make it either. We talked about going this year but had decided that we just had too much on the calendar. Next year, we vowed.

Then, a few weeks ago, someone from our church messaged me that she had won two single-day tickets to Lifest and asked if I wanted them. She wasn’t going to be able to go herself. (Last week, a friend from church told me that she’s the one who mentioned me to this other woman. How blessed I am to know so many loving people!)

It took no effort to convince Hubby that this was a message from God that we needed to go.

Yesterday morning, we pulled out of the driveway at 7:10. The weather all day was absolutely perfect, mostly sunny, low humidity and temps in the mid-seventies.

I can’t say that we had an over-the-top ridiculously awesome time, but it was so good – so very good – to be surrounded by thousands of fellow believers, praising God and hearing His word. Reminding me that I am a child of God and that He holds me in His hands no matter what challenges I face. And that I need to show that on the outside and not just carry it with me on the inside.   

And as the picture here clearly shows, it was good to get away and experience God’s peace even in the midst of all the crowds and noise.

Lord, God, heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness, Your kindness, Your strength and Your wisdom. Amen.

     Find out more about Lifest at their website:

https://lifest.com/oshkosh/

     Blog post from my last Lifest:

https://chrisloehmer.blogspot.com/2017/07/do-not-worry.html

The City Which Says Beer to Me - Blog Post #6

I’m still not sure if this will be my last post about my weekend away in Chippewa Falls. I feel there is still so much to share. 

One thing I do know for sure is that this particular city has always been synonymous with Leinenkugel beer. At least for me anyway. 

In 1845, Jacob Leinenkugel immigrated with his family to Wisconsin from Germany, where his father had brewed beer. Armed with that knowledge and settling in a part of the country with plenty of pure, clear water and good earth for growing the appropriate grains and hops, Jacob founded his brewery 1867. 

Many of the original buildings are still in use.

Because my friend and I aren’t much for drinking beer, we hadn’t planned on taking a tour. Studying these buildings though and reading about the company’s history, I have changed my mind and will definitely need to take a tour one day. 

In the meantime, there were plenty of photo opportunities along the banks of the Duncan Creek.   

For more information about Leinenkugel’s history and brewery –

https://www.leinie.com/our-story