Travelog WI
11 Great, Free Daytripping Attractions In Southern Wisconsin offer a safe way for building family traditions.
(Photo of Morovian Church in London, Wisconsin) No overcrowded sandy beaches, or raucous nightlife these unincorporated towns in Southern Wisconsin have much to offer for the ultimate, Spring break staycation. There are so many often overlooked villages in our region that are car-stop worthy. In no particular order, as Summer break is all about spontaneity and freewill here are a number of towns for consideration. London, Newark, and Rome are not just major, international airport hubs they are also destination worthy, towns in Southern Wisconsin. N ewark The town of Newark for example, is the birth place of Dorr Eugene Felt (1862-1930.) If you have ever used a Comptometer then you know who to thank. The Comptometer is the world's first, mechanical calculator. According to the U.S. Patent Office Mr. Felt, though only attending high school for one year, produced over 25 foreign and 46 domestic patents. He also wrote and a number of publications, and papers related to labor relations in the U.S. Loyola University in Chicago is home to a number of his writings. Newark's most famous resident the Beckman Mill is worth a visit any time of year. Built in 1868, the mill continued to operate until the late 1950s. In 1977 the Beckman Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The best thing about a stopover in Newark, you can break a sweat while learning about history, Beckman Mill County park offers 50 acres of wetlands, woods and a garden.
Forget the long lines, large crowds, high humidity and heat Second Summer is back and more beautiful than ever. These are the days in the 70s and lower 80s and crisp, clear nights to open the window to.
Pictured above is Devils' Lake State Park Another sign that normalcy has returned to the Summer vacationing season in Wisconsin, the DNR announces on June 1st a number of changes to its' operations across the state. As the number of daily cases of COVID-19 in the Badger State continues to decline and the number of vaccinated Wisconsinites rises DNR officials are now allowing indoor group camps, with both indoor and outdoor camps returning to their capacity of 350. State park properties and State Natural Areas (SNA) which were closed last summer and now open incliude: Gibraltor Rock, Pewitt's Nest, Dells on the Wisconsin River, and the popular Rock Island State Park. Also, in time for Summer all enclosed shelters are now open, as well as playgrounds and towers such as Lapham Peak State Park and Peninsula State Park. Open air shelters and amphitheaters can have maximum capacity or 350 people, as well o utdoor-only concession activities. However, visitor centers, office buildings, and nature centers remain closed until further notice. Some state park, drive-up windows may be open for admission purchases. If you are not sure where facilities are open or closed you can now visit DNR service centers Fitchburg, Green Bay, Madison and Spooner to purchase a state park sticker or fishing license. The DNR assures that it will continue to operate with safety in mind for all visitors and staff based on the Badger Bounce Back Plan COVID-19 precautions such as encouraging social distancing, and park capacities are still in place. The DNR recommends visitors enjoy parks at off-peak times or other properties less popular. State parks that are subject to capacity limits include: o Copper Falls o Devil's Lake o Governor Dodge o Governor Nelson o Harrington Beach o Hartman Creek o High Cliff o Interstate o Kinnickinnic o Kettle Moraine Southern Unit o Lapham Peak o Perrot o Rib Mountain o Roche-a-Cri o Whitefish Dunes o Willow River The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommends you visit those natural areas listed above during non-peak hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. According to the DNR "The majority of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources properties are open, with special conditions to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect natural resources."
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (ODPHP) have created the "Move Your Way" campaign
" O ur goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures," Wisconsin's "conservation governor" Gaylord Nelson said of Earth Day the worldwide event he had founded. On April 22, 1970 the first Earth Day was celebrated by over 20 million Americans. The event brought communities across the country together to support the environment. Today, Earth Day is celebrating its' 51st year and while the mission is the same the message is more clarion and dire than ever before. But in this media landscape of doom and gloom there are signs in Washington D.C. and small towns across the U.S. that people finally understand what Gaylord Nelson's Earth Day truly is. This single day event has brought communities across the globe together to think sustainably, plant trees, save rain forests, prairie and wetlands and foster meaningful legislative action from the world's largest economies to those countries less economically blessed in the global south facing the constant threat of climate change every day. The United Nations Climate Change Conference which will hold COPP 26 in Glasgow this November owes a great deal to Wisconsin's very own, the man from Clear Lake, Gaylord Nelson. In the age of the internet, Earth Day is not only a one day worldwide celebration but a dedicated website https://www.earthday.org/ that nurtures community connections and actions in a Social Media driven context.. The website is vast and somewhat daunting for a first time visitor. If you were fortunate enough to visit Earthday.org on Earth Day you were treated to a livestream of dignitaries and every day people speaking up for the environment and highlighting the actions their communities or organizations have taken to make this planet a healthier place for all of us to live. But the Earth Day website outside of April 22nd offers -downloadable toolkits and action plans that even a single individual can take on. There is the "Earth Challenge" which invites citizens around the globe to document point sources of pollution. The Great Global Cleanup (#GreatGlobalCleanup) encourages people to seek out groups in their community that are cleaning up trash around their neighborhoods and parks. Or you can pledge to make your next meal plant based. These are just a few Earth Day actions that you can do every day, whether your at home or on vacation use Earthday.org as your guide to live a greener, cleaner life and as U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelosn succinctly put it, "(create) an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures."
Healthy to go meals for your day trip adventures through Southern Wisconsin
From London To Rome Spring Break Staycations In Southern Wisconsin's Unincorporated Towns unexpected treasures to visit.
Enjoy your local animal friends before it's too late. We have to appreciate what we have now because they may not be around in the future.
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RV Downsizing Trend Drives High Demand for Teardrop Campers In Wisconsin And Nationally
Pictured above is a Wisconsin made teardrop camper. Photo courtesy of TC TearDrop Campers LLC.
"Well a lot of people don’t want to stay in hotels,
(camping) it’s a way of avoiding that. It’s even just for traveling not even for camping. A place to call home," says Carol, co-owner with her husband Terry of TC Teardrops built in Wausau. Couple the social uneasiness with the approaching Summer season and the RV
and camping industry is seeing one of its' most profitable years on record.
Another trend fueling the interest in campers, downsizing. More Americans especially Gen Y are placing a greater priority on experience and less on the accumulation of material things. From Zillow to Realtor.com everyone is chiming in about the trend and how to adjust to less stuff in less space. And the shrinking living space isn't just about following the latest trend on Instagram or Pinterest its' about reducing your carbon footprint as well. CJ, owner of American Teardrop noted that many RV owners are selling their large vehicles and buying or renting teardrop campers. "the cost alone to keep and maintain an RV is exorbitant," says CJ.
The Teardrop Camper
The Teardrop Camper
The aerodynamic styled, tear drop is well-positioned to ride the convergence of these RVing trends into the forseable future. On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation for the construction of the U.S. Interstate Highway System ushering in post-WWII America's obsession with the automobile and the wide open road. The tear drop trailer, though originally conceived as DIY garage project in the 1930s did not see its' true heyday until after World War II when there was a surplus of raw materials such as aluminum and board wood. As America's "Bigger is Better" mantra changed consumers' tastes for larger automobiles and larger homes the tiny, tear drop camper lost its' appeal.
But times have changed, priorities have changed. More and more Americans want the freedom of the open road and wilderness within a reasonable budget. The Teardrop camper is well positioned to ride this new wave of enthusiasm for the great outdoors. "I think a lot of it lot people looking for opportunity to get out of house," CJ says. The COVID-19 pandemic has also brought families closer together.
So many families are wanting that camping experience that many camper builders are experiencing a building boom. "We have a rental fleet completely booked until the fall. So many people contact us we're turning people away pretty much every day, " says American Teardrop owner, CJ. Sales at American Teardrop sales have according to CJ "doubled or tripled in last 24 months."
What is also fueling the teardrop resurgence?
In one word, size. teardrop campers are small and lightweight, very portable. "Our lightest one is 700 lbs. the heaviest is only 1200 lbs. Even completely loaded up everything throw in they will weigh 2200 pounds," says Carol or TC Teardrops. There is not a lot of upfront costs either. "You don’t need to upgrade your car, we had Prius owners, you don’t have to worry about the vehicle," says CJ.
The Essentials
"Obviously you need (to buy/rent) a trailer hitch," says CJ. You might want a portable stove, cushions, first aid kits, pillows, weather radio, flashlight, or things you may already have as household items just scaled back.. TC Teardrops also builds to customer specs. Rachel and Terry offer options such as 12v, batteries solar, and even an off-road version. It runs the gamut. But you don't have to have all the creature conveniences of home to have fun in the forest. "At no point do you require electricity. Our average customer is out there to camp they want to be outside they want something just a place to go with," says Carol, a place to call home on the road.
CAMPING OUTFITTERS
There a number of great RV dealers around Southern Wisconsin. Some dealers sell RV campers or trailers exclusively that is why Lakes Edition has listed a few below including their websites, and contact information as it is best to shop around.
Fathead Country Campers - In and around the Lake Mills area? Check out Fathead. There staff offers affordable and accommodating full line of campers trailers, pop ups, and truck campers that are set up and on display. For more information visit Fathead Country Campers or or to speak to a friendly Fathead staff directly call (920) 648-8028
Lakeland RVs - Over 35 years in business this Milton institution has one the largest selections of campers, and RVs in Southern Wisconsin. There is also new park models by Kropf, Quailridge and Summit by Forest River. Huge Pre-Owned selection as well. For more information visit Lakeland RV Center or or to speak to a friendly Lakeland staff directly call (608) 868-4071
