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In all honesty I have never said I want to visit Wisconsin one day. Now that I have, I sure am glad I did!

Wausau is such a cute town that I’m glad I had the chance to visit. It’s a pretty walkable town with friendly people. It makes you slow down a bit and just enjoy what’s around you. From here I took several day trips to explore neighboring towns in Wisconsin.

October 31, 2020: During my time here I explored little lake towns along Green Bay with my trusty sidekick, Mom. This area is definitely a summer time retreat destination, but a visit during fall is nice too. Each little town has shops, restaurants, and nice views of the water. It’s a leisure day drive with the end destination being Northport, the northernmost town on the peninsula.

The Cookery in Fish Creek was absolutely delicious! I forgot to take a picture of the food because I was just ready to dig in. We got the fish tacos and a turkey, cream cheese & cherry chutney sandwich. Dessert was also a must here. We had the cherry crisp, carrot cake, & chocolate cake sampler along with a slice of caramel apple pie.

We planned to explore Green Bay and have dinner somewhere, but we learned Green Bay is a town with literally nothing going on. No restaurants to even have dinner. Back to Wausau for some delicious Thai food.

November 1, 2020: Unfortunately today’s day trip to Madison, WI was a bust. It had been hit hard during riots and all of businesses were boarded up and graffitied. It is sad that so many once thriving cities are now boarded up and desolate. After a 4 hour drive we were back in Wausau and up on Rib Mountain where the snows flurried. It was a perfect ending to an otherwise uneventful day.

November 6, 2020: A day trip to Minocqua was on the agenda. There were little shops here as this is a touristy town also. Disappointingly, there weren’t many restaurants. We ate mediocre sushi on a picnic table nearby and got on our way down the road. On a whim we pulled into Bad Bones BBQ and it did not disappoint. Quite the opposite actually, some of my favorite bbq I’ve ever had and had stunning views of a lake! After stuffing ourselves full of bbq and bread pudding we headed back to Wausau.

Wausau is a ski resort town, but has a great summer scene as well. You can canoe down the river and even hit a few rapids. The downtown is super cute and thriving with shops and restaurants.

Some of my favorites here included:

Tine & Cellar – Jagerschnitzel and quinoa veggie burger were fantastic as was the lavender crème brulee.

Polito’s – great place to grab a slice of pizza and sight see downtown, which I did on several occasions.

Until next time Wausau!!

Logistics for this mega bike ride weren’t as difficult as you may think. The chosen path is The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, which makes it easy for you to get from Key Largo to Key West in 100ish miles. Renting bikes from Key Largo Bikes also makes this trip a breeze.

Day 1 – Key Largo to Islamorada – 25miles of pedaling

Arrived in Miami and took an uber to bike shop in Key Largo (approx 1 hour). Got the bikes and were off! I booked our accommodations for each night so we could just leisurely pedal and stop wherever we wanted knowing we already had a place to stay. We started with breakfast at a Cuban restaurant near the bike shop (it was ok). Peacocks roamed freely in some areas and were so beautiful! Made a pit stop at the Islamorada Beer Company to have a few drinks and made our way to Robbie’s, which was cute but felt a little touristy. Stopped at Anne’s Beach to put our feet in the water and rest before we made our way to our home for the night.

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We stayed at a cute little place, Lime Tree Bay Resort, that had a restaurant where we also had dinner. The food was good as was the key lime pie. The goal was to have key lime pie everywhere we went so we could judge who had the best. At the resort right when I was thinking to get in the water I saw a 3ft shark. That urge to get in the water quickly passed.

Something to note if you make this trek in the summer is the weather. It’s Florida so it’s obviously hot and muggy, however, we had some sun but mostly overcast weather and rain, which are not my ideal conditions, but for this trip it was perfect! The trail has a lot of exposure so you could easily get fried. Bring plenty of water because some stretches there’s not a ton of places to stop. This was the first trip where we didn’t have a home base and had to bring all of our stuff with us. It was no biggy, we travel light anyway.

Day 2 – Islamorada to Big Pine Key – 45ish miles of pedaling

After a little breakfast at the resort it was time to hop back on the hogs to the next destination. I saw a 6ft shark in the water below the bridge. Sharks really do live in the ocean, huh? We stopped for lunch at Island Fish Company where we had an excellent view. It was raining pretty heavy so I was happy to stop. From about this point on I wore my homemade poncho, which is nothing more than a trash bag, and not the first trip I’ve had to do this. Hallelujah for the poncho and sombrero which made the rain bearable! We also stopped at Herbie’s Bar & Chowder House for beer, conch fritters and key lime pie.

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We continued to pedal to Keys News & Coffee and shortly after made friends with a man fishing. He didn’t speak English, but we were able to communicate and had a few laughs with trying to get the coconuts down from the tree. More pedaling to Bahia Honda State Park. It was absolutely beautiful here. Shortly after this stop FD shimmied up a tree and got 3 coconuts! We enjoyed 1 of them roadside and continued on to our lodging on Big Pine Key. We stayed in a camper that I found on Airbnb. This particular section of the keys doesn’t have a lot of lodging options, however, our camper was nice and new and out in the middle of nowhere. For dinner we biked to the next key and ate at Boondocks Grille (not impressed at all).

Day 3 – Big Pine Key to Key West – 30ish miles of pedaling

Started with coffee at 7 Mile Cafe & Kava Bar and off to our final destination of Key West for a few days! Today was a bit rainier than the others, and the poncho and sombrero were still my friends. We did our usual of stopping to swim, eat, and the like. While the trip was very relaxing and fun, the last 8 miles wore on me mentally. With the rain and soreness from the bike I was ready to get to Key West. The stop at Baby’s Coffee lived up to all the hype I had read prior to taking this trip. The bagel, the coffee, the friends we made, were all amazing!

We finally arrived to our bed & breakfast at the Southermost Point Guest House and it was just the cutest! After a quick swim in the pool we took a walk down Duval Street and then had lunch at the Seaside Cafe. Shortly after it was back on the bikes to explore Key West. At this point it was 100 and sunny so biking was the only way to explore. We consumed more key lime pie at Kermit’s and lounged at our bed & breakfast. The grounds here were so pretty and the porch was perfect for sitting.

The food at Conch Republic was delicious, but the beer at Waterfront Brewery was better. So good it was worth a second trip. On the way back from dinner there was a complete down pour and we flew on those bikes! It was a total white wash. I’ve never pedaled so fast.

Day 4 – Lounging – still pedaled around Key West

Right near the b&b there was the most amazing Cuban restaurant called Ana’s Cafe. The breakfast, coffee, and smoothies were all so delicious. We came back a few times. After sitting on the beach for awhile it was time to get back on the hogs and explore. There aren’t a ton of beaches on Key West, but Smather’s Beach is the largest (and very pretty). We ran into a friend we met at Baby’s Coffee a few days earlier and she recommended we try Rams Head Southernmost. It did not disappoint and had a great lively ambiance! Definitely try the stuffed avocados. Key lime pie was also delicious.

The next morning for breakfast we ventured to Moondog Cafe since Ana’s was closed. We had fish benedict (amazing) and key lime pie. My favorite key lime pie from the trip was from….Moondog Cafe! It was slightly different than all the others we had.

It was time to leave the bikes and head back home. The nice thing about this bike shop is that you rent them in Key Largo but can leave them in Key West and they will come pick them up.

There are many keys that make up the Florida Keys with each one being different. Some are sleepy and then there is Key West, which is very lively. Biking was definitely the best way to experience them all. From the peacocks, deer, roosters, and sharks there was a lot of wildlife to be seen and a lot of good food to be consumed. I would highly recommend this trail system and the nice thing is that the trail is relatively flat with the exception of a few bridges. Yes, there are tons of bridges to cross too. Sometimes you are on the side of the road other times just on the path. I would not hesitate to say anyone can do this ride.

Over the Christmas holidays I had the pleasure of finally visiting the Biltmore in Asheville. I could kick myself for waiting so long to check it out as many times as I have been to Asheville. I would call this the crown jewel of Asheville along with the Omni Grove Park Inn.

When you visit the Biltmore it is imperative you pay the extra ($15) for the audio tour. It provides a lot of history. Without it the tour is not as good. It’s decorated beautifully for Christmas!

They even had Christmas carolers! The botanical garden is also pretty spectacular.

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Let’s talk food – there is a cafe near the Biltmore called Well-Bred, and yes it is delicious. Some of the best pastries I’ve had!

Bistro located on the Biltmore estate was delicious as well! We had a chicken salad sandwich with the best homemade chips I’ve ever had and persimmon toast. Highly recommend!

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The next day we were off to the Omni Grove Park Inn to view all of the gingerbread houses. All ages compete, but only 1 is crowned the winner by the Food Network. It will cost you $25 to park and there’s no way around it because there’s nowhere else to park. It’s worth it however. The hotel itself is beautiful! I imagine Mr. Vanderbilt of the Biltmore and this fellow were friends.

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Last stop is Biscuit Head! You can always count on a good meal here!

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Hi, it’s me again. I’ve been slacking on posting lately. Let’s call it writers block.

Anyhow, I spent some time in the great state of Indiana over the summer visiting family, and primarily my Grandma (who is my favorite).

Most of what occurred is some porch sitting, relaxation, and a lot of family time. Very reminiscent of my childhood summers where I would spend months here. These are some of my fondest memories as I got to spend a lot of time with my Grandma. We always have fun together and enjoy piddling. Watching her dance to Blanco Brown’s The Git Up made my trip!

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Can you believe I had one of the best Italian meals in Beech Grove, Indiana?! Some sweet friends were kind enough to treat me and Granny to dinner at Napoli Villa. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and ate everything put in front of us, including homemade tiramisu.

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These are some of the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen.

Be warned, no pictures you see will do any justice! Normally I find myself looking at the ground paying close attention to where I step. Not here, you just look up and don’t care if you trip. This park is so grand and beautiful! One of the signature hikes is Angel’s Landing, named this because the peak is so high that only angels can land here. You can also climb to this peak with the help of chains and mental strength, but it is very difficult. Go early because it is extremely hot. Also, take water, water, and more water. And snacks to give you nourishment. There is another hike here, called the West Rim, which is less populated than Angel’s Landing and offers incredible views. Not only was this park absolutely beautiful, but at the top of West Rim hike it was dead silent. When’s the last time you were in complete silence at 7900 ft elevation? It’s the most serene feeling and something I definitely cherish. It would be easy to spend 3 days here. Some of the trails were closed due to flooding, but that’s ok it just gives me a reason to go back and explore more of this treasure.

Items Needed: Neutrogena Sunscreen Clear Face Break-Out Free to use on ALL exposed body parts (no need to wash your hands after applying because it’s not sticky!  My favorite sunscreen ever). Clif Bars and Bladder Bags for hydration.

After 26,702 steps it was time to drive to Kanab, UT and explore the next destination…

Let’s get to it, food is an important part of any good trip! I’ll highlight my food recommendations here because they deserve their own post.

St.George, UT: Hash House A Go Go

Southern cuisine at its finest!

Zion National Park: Springdale, UT:

Pizza & Noodle – located in a former church with good pizza. Sit outside for stunning views of Zion.

River Rock Roasting Company – located about 30 minutes from Zion in La Verkin. This is the best pizza I’ve ever had! It was so good I went back the next day for dinner. So yes, we had pizza 3 nights in a row for dinner. It happens. They also roast their coffee beans in house and have amazing views from the patio.

Heading towards Grand Canyon from Kanab, UT:

Bird House in Page, AZ –

Grand Canyon:

While your options for food and lodging are limited and feel a little like tourist trap we did find 2 places that were excellent.

Plaza Bonita – good Mexican food and large servings for the price.  I’m spoiled with Authentic Mexican food, but this was very good.

Big E’s Steakhouse – such a great find!  The inside was designed like a western movie set and they had a huge movie screen with aerial photos of canyons playing.  It was like dinner and a show!  Highly recommended! I was too hungry to take any photos.

Las Vegas:

Bacchanal Buffet in Caesar’s Palace – talking to the locals this is the buffet to hit if you’re in Vegas. So many options and everything was really good. I’ll admit I had sticker shock, but hey, it’s Vegas.

Last but not least, a complete dining experience at Eataly! This is an Italian market with many eateries all in one store. Think homemade pastas, pizzas, coffees. We grabbed a table and then ordered a dish to share at each eatery.

Lodging:  Mostly at Airbnb’s (which were amazing) with the exception of Vegas (MGM Grand – highly recommend) and Grand Canyon (Red Feather Lodge – OK, but expensive for what it is; not many options and only in the room to sleep)

After many days hiking and enjoying Mother Nature’s elements Vegas was the last stop on the adventure! I thoroughly enjoyed Las Vegas! It was lively with the casinos, shows, and pools. First day was a relaxing poolside day followed by a fantastic dinner at the Bacchanal Buffet in Caesar’s Palace and “O”! My dogs needed the rest after all the steps they took!

I am a Cirque du Soleil super fan and saw the wonderful “O” at the Bellagio. This show had a pool element, which was cool. Day two consisted of exploring the strip (approx. 4 miles) and all of the casinos. Each hotel has a different theme and are humongous. Walked a whopping 35,129 steps! This same night we had an Eataly 5-course meal (separate post) and a Bruno Mars concert!!! This was a bucket list item for me and it was everything I though it’d be and more! Seeing him perform was unlike any show I’ve seen, and quite frankly if I never go to another concert I am good. Sorry Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys, you were next.

Kanab, UT is a small town about an hour away from Zion National Park. There’s a slot canyon, Wire Pass, that’s definitely worth a visit. It’s not very populated and the trailhead is accessible via a 4×4 vehicle. Double check the weather beforehand as flash flooding is a threat. Water, snacks, and sunscreen are essential to any outdoor activities, especially in the desert. You can also experience complete serenity here.

Next stop: Grand Canyon (South Rim)

We visited the South Rim. The North Rim opens mid-May. Honestly, I can’t imagine taking this trip after April due to the heat. Luckily, you are in Kaibab National Forest (1.6 million acres) so there are trees and shade. You will need the same water, snacks, and sunscreen for this adventure. There is a shuttle that runs and stops at all the lookout points. We chose to do the rim trail because quite honestly after days of hiking made the thought of going into the Grand Canyon and having to hike back out seem impossible. I also like the thought of not actually knowing what the bottom of the canyon is like.

After observing it from multiple lookouts your mind plays tricks on you because you can never see a beginning or an end. Just like its’ name, it is GRAND. The wind gusts that come through are unlike anything I’ve experienced and have a strong yet peaceful sound.

We chose to bike most of the rim trail. While you can’t actually bike on majority of the trail nor would I want to because of the drop offs, you can still see everything and go at your leisure to each lookout point. The shuttle is great, but for me I value quiet and enjoy being in the fresh air on a bicycle. You will come across many elk, leave them alone and don’t feed them, enjoy their home in silence and leave it as you found it.

Items Needed: Neutrogena Sunscreen Clear Face Break-Out Free to use on ALL exposed body parts (no need to wash your hands after applying because it’s not sticky!  My favorite sunscreen ever). Clif Bars and Bladder Bags for hydration.

A walk down memory lane as I write this…

We started our San Fran trip with a guided electric bike tour with Dylan’s Tours.  It was a 6 hour electric bike tour with a local as our guide.  Here were some of the stops:

Fisherman’s Wharf – a popular tourist area with great shops and eateries.

Golden Gate Bridge – it was such a thrill zooming across this on an electric bike!  It was very windy and hearing the stories about when it was built was amazing.  Definitely didn’t have the same safety measures in place as we do today.

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The Painted Ladies – beautiful Victorian homes, better known from the opening of Full House.

Haight-Ashbury – hippie central; Janis Joplin lived here along with Jerry Garcia.

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North Beach – Little Italy, bring on the pasta!

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Fort Point – Located just beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, gives you a front row seat to the San Francisco Bay. This former military fortification was used during both the Civil War and World War II.

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Palace of Fine Arts – Inspired by Roman and Greek architecture, the Palace of Fine Arts was originally constructed to celebrate San Francisco’s recovery from the 1906 earthquake.

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Sea Cliff – Noted for its large houses with ocean views and home to many celebrities.

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Legion of Honor – Called San Francisco’s most beautiful museum, the palace occupies an elevated site in Lincoln Park and displays a collection of ancient and European art.

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After our tour ended we hung out with our guide, Said, and went to a couple of other places such as the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building and ate a little cash-only gem in Little Italy.  We rented the bikes for an additional day, so we could get around easily.  San Fran is known for its’ hills and we climbed a lot of them!

I would’ve liked to go to Alcatraz, but unfortunately didn’t purchase tickets in advance and it was sold out, which is pretty common. Buy tickets a few months in advance to secure a spot.

A couple of other sites that deserve to be noted:

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Next on this tour…Monterey, CA!

Located two hours south of San Francisco and a beautiful drive down Highway 1. It’s a sleepy little beach town, and also cold as hell. I had planned for a beach day on this trip to California, which I got, but having to wear pants and a jacket.

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Monterey is a good overnight place and I absolutely loved our hotel, Spindrift Inn. It was a Victorian style room with a fireplace and they put chocolates on the pillows at night. We didn’t do much except eat and lounge around.

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Next on the tour…Point Lobos

Point Lobos National Park is about 20 minutes from Monterey and not overly populated. This was such a great hike and hidden gem. There was a hidden beach we relaxed on for awhile as well as beaches that belonged to the seals. Pictures don’t do this place justice unfortunately. It is very beautiful and serene.

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Located in Damascus, Virginia is a 34-mile downhill trail.  If you’re a cyclist you’ll understand why this sounds amazing.  And if you’re a cyclist pulling an 80lb dog in a cart behind your bike, you’ll understand why this sounds even more amazing!  We are always up for a weekend trip that’s dog friendly and includes bicycling, so this was a win.  This trail is Damascus’ main source of income, and there were tons of riders to prove it. There are multiple companies that offer bike rentals and will shuttle (30 min drive) to the top of the mountain where you will begin your descent.  (We used Sundog Outfitter).

If you follow me for long you will know how I feel about rain, and how rain feels about me.  Of course there was rain on this beautiful, outdoor adventure!  And not just rain, I mean downpour!  We got to the halfway point and the bottom fell out.  Luckily there was a little eatery that had a tent in the yard where we could go for cover along with about 100 of our closest friends.  I started to see people that were completely covered in mud and refused to let that happen.  I actually found a new fashion item to prevent the mud from slinging off the tire – A giant trash bag.  Two of them were just lying on the ground.  Hallelujah!  We made arm and head holes and wore them with pride and stayed mud free!  We stopped at Damascus Brewery then made our way to Johnson City, TN!

 

Side note, there isn’t much to do in Damascus other than the trail, which is why we did not stay the night.  This trip was paired with a stop in Johnson City, TN & Knoxville, TN.

 

Item needed and not packed: Rain gear of any type

Item purchased: Trash bag I found