With the unusual weather this spring, the birds are as confused as we are! There are flocks of birds coming up the Mississippi constantly now. Grab the binocs & a birding guide! In downtown Prescott, turn toward the river & drive to the parking area near the boat landing & park.  Several species have been spotted near the landing & the marina.  Another hot spot is across the Hwy 10 bridge (at the stoplight cross the bridge). The beach  in the park offers a great view of the St Croix National Scenic Byway.  Water birds congregrate in the cove  there. Watch for eagles overhead.

Go back across the bridge, travel through downtown on WI 35 (right turn).  This is the beginning of the WI Great River Road. Continue to the top of the hill, turn right to The Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center, located in Freedom Park.   This facility, located in Freedom Park, is located atop a 400′ bluff, with panoramic views of the Mississippi River & it’s confluence with the Scenic St Croix National Scenic Riverway.  Bird watching is great! Check out the interactive displays while you’re there. This site is handicapped accessible & offers up-scale public restrooms. Volunteers & staff are available to answer questions.  Freedom Park, which offers a paved walking trail atop the bluff’s edge–also handicap accessible.  A picnic pavilion, children’s play area & overlook area complete the site.  It’s a great place to stretch your legs, have a picnic & enjoy nature!

As you continue south on the WI Great River Road Hwy 35), continue to watch for birds.  They don’t call it the Mississippi River Flyway for no reason!

Visit www.WondersofWisconsin.com and vote for Trempealeau for the BEST TOWN ON THE RIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Here are the reasons why: 

1)Perrot State Park- Was established in 1918 and has provided a beautiful classroom for thousands of visitors every year.  The Park provides soemthing for almost every nature enthusiast.It has been said this is God’s Country and when your reach the top of Brady’s Bluff, you can see why.

 2)Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge- If you haven’t already, you MUST experience one of Wisconsin’s best kept secrets!  The Refuge contains 6,220 acres of wetlands, sand prairies and bottomlnad hardwood forests.  The Refuge offers opportunties for hunting, fishing, environmental education, wildlife observation, hiking trails, auto tours routes and bicycling.  It also provides breeding and migration habitat for birds, habitat for native wildlife, protection of endangered and threatend species, and biodiversty.

3) Lock and Dam #6-Is an integral link in the navigation system on the Upper Mississippi.  There’s a lookout tower to see how the boats rise and drop during lockage through the locks.  Its a sight to see the large barges maneuver the locks.

4)Great River State Bicycle Trail-Take a trip through the backwaters of the Mighty Mississippi  along the 24 mile scenic corridor with spectacular views!  The trail provides recreation for bicycling, hiking, jogging and fishing.  Portions of the trail are open to hunting, snowmobling and cross country skining.  You’ll see a variety of wildlife and plants.  A photographers haven.

After a day of recreation, you can eat at one of our dining establishments and then get a good nights rest at one of our many lodging places.  During the summer, Trempealeau’s Garden Club maintains both entrances to Trempealeau and over 57 whiskey barrels full of the most beautiful flowers you’ve ever seen.  And the second weekend of every July, the Trempealeau Lions Club puts on its annual Catfish Days celebration.  Music, Food, Parade, Fishing Tournament, Variety Show, Arts & Crafts, Bike Tour, Walk/Run, Motorcycle Run, Golf Tournament and much, much more.  Several class  and familly re-unions take place this weekend.  Throughout the year, theres always something going on.

Many people that visit,  come back year after year.  And some of those visitors end up moving here, because they love it so much!   We also have wonderful schools, great churchs, a new library, several organizations, great eating establishment, The Brush Museum, Catfish Days celebration and so much more.  But at the top of the list, is the our friendliness and warmth of our community.  You feel right at home.  One visit and your hooked!  With all of that said, thats why you should vote for TREMPEALEAU!!!!!!!!!!

Onalaska - Known as “The Sunfish Capital of the World” celebrates Sunfish Days each Memorial Weekend. It’s a great time to get your friends and family together to kick off the summer. There are carnival rides, petting zoo, live entertainment, food & beverage booths and a parade on Saturday of the event.

Come out and enjoy the Great River Road and Onalaska! Remember to bring your bikes to ride the Great RIver State Trail or your Kayak/Canoe to enjoy the beautiful Lake Onalaska. For more information call the Onalaska Center for Commerce & Tourism office at 1-800-873-1901 or 608-781-9570.

Tired of all the snow and cold weather!! It is time to venture out this weekend for some educational fun in Prairie du Chien. Temperatures will be warming to a balmy 28 degrees, and no snow is in the forecast. Prairie du Chien invites you to their Bald Eagle Appreciation Day Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. held at the Chamber of Commerce’s offices, 211 South Main. Birding experts from Wisconsin and Iowa DNR, Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, will be on hand with exhibits, programs, kids activities, and assisting with bald eagle viewing. Two programs will be held with the live bald eagle from the National Eagle Center. For more information call 1-800-732-1673 or visit our web site at www.prairieduchien.org

 On Sunday, January 21st from 12N to 4 P.M, “Wings Over Alma” is celebrating their 1st Anniversary with “Eagles on ice”, a program including food, music,  games, prizes, a silent auction of art & gifts . Special guest Scott Mehus will make a presentation.  Open to the public with no admission fee.

  Situated on  the Mississippi River bank in the town of Alma, WI, this Visitor Center provides awesome views of the river, with eagles either circling overhead or sitting on the river ice.  View these majestic birds up close thru the viewing scopes, while enjoying the amenities inside the warm  building.  Comfortable chairs offer views of the entire river front.  Artists’ works are displayed in the room, with some for sale. Glass cases display interesting collections.

Enjoy food, live music, games, prizes, & a silent auction of art & gifts.  Knowledgeable staff offer tidbits of information.  This is a “don’t miss” event!

Located in downtown Alma, WI, this is a gem waiting to be discovered.  Address is 118 N. Main Street, Alma, WI  Ph (608) 685-3303

Saturday, September 22

9:00 am - 12:00

National Public Lands Day/Volunteer Seed Collecting Day

Celebrate National Public Lands Day by joining volunteers and Refuge staff as theyharvest native prairie plant seeds for use in restoration projects throughout the Refuge.  Gloves & collection equipment will be provided.  Bring a lunch and meet at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Visitor Center at 9:00 am.  Any question call (608) 539-2311 ext 16

The Rustic Roads System  In Wisconsin preserves some of Wisconsin’s lightly traveled country roads for leisurely enjoyment of bikers, hikers and motorists. Outstanding features include rugged terrain, native vegetation & wildlife or open areas with agricultural vistas that make the road unique.

Have a camera handy!  Enjoy the peace & quiet of these areas—no traffic congestion, no traffic lights—just bird songs.   In fall, the colors are breath taking.  In spring, wildflowers are everywhere!  As you travel the Wisconsin Great River Road, you will have the opportunity to explore some of these Rustic Roads. Since there is little traffic & the speed limit is 45 mph, you have the opportunity to stop anytime & enjoy the peace & quiet.

            Officially designated Rustic Roads are marked with brown & yellow signs marking the routes.  Each road is numbered.  To avoid confusion with the WI State Trunk Highway number, a letter “R” prefix is used with the number.  Example: R51. 

Begin your tour at Prescott, the northern gateway to the WI Great River Road.

Just as you leave the quaint town of Maiden Rock, you will come upon one of these roads  Watch for the brown & yellow sign indicating the left turn onto Rustic Road 51. This road, County Road 20, is a narrow, winding gravel road, located near rolling agricultural farmland.   It frequently crosses a trout stream in the midst of dense woodlands.

At the intersection of 20^th Avenue & County CC is a lovely old church-dated 1881.  Turn right onto Pierce County CC to Lund. Follow CC as it travels through more lovely country to a wayside historical marker, which marks a replica of the log house where Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up. Laura wrote about this house in her book, Little House in the Big Woods.

            Continue on CC to Pepin, WI & Hwy 35 (the WI Great River Road).  The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum is located on the left side of the road, as you travel south through the Village of Pepin.  It’s a great place to find Laura books & memorabilia.

            This is only one of 95 Rustic Roads, scattered across Wisconsin.  For a complete listing order a free copy of the guide to Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads by calling 1-800-432-8747 or online at travelwisconsin.com

Last Friday my family and I traveled the Great River Road south to Dubuque to visit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. The Museum and Aquarium were very educational and exciting. On our return trip to Onalaska we stopped by the Dickeyville Grotto. The Grotto was absolutely awesome! The pictures that are out there don’t even compare to the site itself. If you’re in Dickeyville make sure you stop & tour the Grotto, you’ll be absolutely astounded by the magnificance and intricate detail. We stopped at the Great River Road House and had their delicious catfish meal. Believe it or not even our 15 year old enjoyed the trip!

HISTORIC TREMPEALEAU HOTEL

PRESENTS

BAD COMPANY FORMER LEAD SINGER BRIAN HOWE

Friday, August 24, 2007

OPENING BAND-MOON DAWG at 7:00 pm

Tickets $17.50 in advance or $20.00 at the door

For more information visit www.trempealeauhotel.com or call (608) 534-6898

PERROT STATE PARK

TREMPEALEAU, WI

PRESENTS

Universe in the Park

Join local experts from the UW-Madison Astronomy Department at Perrot State Park Nature Center, on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 9:00 pm, to take a look at what’s what in our universe.  They will have a slide show presentation followed by a viewing session using their telescope!   For more information,  call (608) 534-5073

HISTORIC TREMPEALEAU HOTEL

PRESENTS

Arts on the River-Art Fair

on Sunday, August 26, 2007  11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Join us on the banks of the Mississippi River for Arts, Music and food.   For more information visit www.trempealeauhotel.com or call (608) 534-6898

While Flat Penny Ice Cream Shop is closed until March 7, 2008.  Located in Bay City, WI, on WI Highway 35 in Bya City, WI,  Flat Penny Ice Cream Shop has an antique railroad caboose (SooLine #27 from Colfax, WI.) parked beside it! A great spot for photos. 

The ice cream is really creamy– nine choices of flavors, plus 10 ways to enjoy it! And lots of toppings. If you need a protein boost they feature hot dogs & homemade beef sandwiches, plus pop & coffee (complete with a “splash” of ice cream if you wish!), bottled water, hobo sticks & PowerAde. 

A really neat thing to do: next spring:  get your ice cream. Eat  at a picnic table, with your dog fastened to a “hitching post” next to you (if you have a dog, be sure to mention it when you go inside. They have very nutritious doggy treats!).

In winter, drive to the BNSF railroad crossing just down the road (you can see it from Flat Pennies), cross over the tracks; drive straight ahead to the Mississippi River (2 short blocks); turn right; go the end of the street (maybe 3 blocks).  You’ll be in a parking lot at a park.  Get out of the car; walk out into the  park to Mississippi River’s edge–an opportunity to see the river up-close.  PLEASE DO NOT VENTURE ONTO THE ICE, AS CURRENTS ARE STRONG & THE ICE MAY GIVE WAY WITH NO HINTS AT ALL.   Watch the trees for roosting eagles.   Retrace you route to WI Highway 35 & continue your Great River Road Journey.

Directions:

As you enter the town limits on Highway 35 (the WI Great River Road) watch on the bluff side of the road for the caboose–just about in the middle of the town. Park in front of building, off the road.