National Historic Cheesemaking Center Keeps Heritage Alive

Connie Attractions & Events, Wisconsin October 14, 2014May 27, 2018Cheese Museum, Cheese museum in Wisconsin, Monroe WI, Monroe Wisc, Monroe Wisconsin, National Historic Cheesemaking Center, Wisconsin, Wisconsin cheese 2 Comments

Swiss immigrants brought eighteen heifers and three calves to New Glarus, Wisconsin, in 1846. That was the beginning of what eventually grew into a rich cheese making heritage in Green County. Once home to 300 cheese factories, the number has dwindled to 12 today. However, Green County is still one of the nation’s leading cheese manufacturers. The National Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe, Wisconsin, shares Green County’s cheese making history with visitors. Read more

Chapel in the Hills, Rapid City: Norwegian Serenity

Connie Attractions & Events, South Dakota October 4, 2014June 6, 2015Chapel in Rapid City SD, Chapel in the Hills, Chapel in the Hills Rapid Citty, Norwegian chapel, Rapid City, Rapid City Chapel 2 Comments

Tucked away at the end of a drive through a residential neighborhood, the Chapel in the Hills, like the ponderosa pine that surround it on three sides, rises to the sky, growing narrower as it grows taller. Built completely of Douglas fir, the chapel blends with the natural beauty of South Dakota’s hills and is worth a visit on your Rapid City trip, if not for the spiritual aspect, then for the serenity of the grounds and architecture of the chapel. Read more

Photographing Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

Connie Attractions & Events, Ohio October 1, 2014cedar park, cedar point park, cedar point sandusky, ohio cedar point, sandusky 0 Comment

When at an amusement park, I’m usually not thinking about taking artistic photographs. I don’t carry my DSLR camera, since I’m there to enjoy the park. I recently attended a conference at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, the country’s second oldest amusement park. I didn’t have much time in the park itself, but on the evening I spent there I snapped a few quick photographs using my smart phone just to document the trip. However, as part of the conference, I also went on the optional sunrise photo walk. What a difference it made.

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My camera phone photos are so-so, good enough for trip keepsakes. I took a shot of Johnny Rockets, a full diner inside the park, where they provided service with a smile.

I photographed Lake Erie at dusk from the Sky Ride.

Since Cedar Point is known as the roller coaster capital of America, I snapped a shot of the Magnum XL-200, the first coaster ever to top 200 feet.

Cedar Point was celebrating the first weekend of HalloWeekends, so Halloween decorations were everywhere.

Zombies lurked in the gardens and in the Dead Ride Cemetery.

The sunrise photo walk the next morning, led by Fashion by Mayhem blogger Angie Keiser and Cedar Point Public Relations Manager, Bryan Edwards, was a completely different photography experience. The walk highlighted popular photo subjects, starting with sunrise on Lake Erie.

At 136 feet, the Ferris wheel is one of the largest in North America.

I can’t stop myself from taking photos of pretty flower beds …

… and birds, especially with wings widespread.

I liked the effect of the color against clouds on this one.

It’s amazing how pieces of roller coasters can look like art.

I’m not a professional photographer by a longshot, but the right light, a decent camera, interesting subjects and helpful hints from others make learning fun, and definitely improve my photos.

Cedar Point, located on the shore of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, is open late spring through summer and weekends through Halloween. Check the web site for exact schedule and directions.

Disclosure: My ticket to Bloggy Con included a free pass to Cedar Point , but any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha: A Zoo Lover Must-See

Connie Attractions & Events, Nebraska September 22, 2014May 19, 2017doorly henry doorly, henrly doorly zoo omaha, Henry Doorly Zoo, henry doorly zoo address, henry doorly zoo animals, henry doorly zoo aquarium, henry doorly zoo exhibits, henry zoo, omaha things to do, omaha zoo, omaha's henry doorly zoo, the henry doorly zoo, things to do in Omaha, things to do in omaha today, what to do in omaha 0 Comment

Trip Advisor readers rank Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo as the best zoo in the world. Other rankings and polls consistently rank the zoo at the top or among the top. Of all of the zoos I have visited, I have to agree that Henry Doorly Zoo is the best, taking into consideration mainly the animal exhibits but also other zoo attractions, as well. Read more

Canoeing Wisconsin’s Namekagon River

Connie Attractions & Events, Wisconsin September 18, 2014Canoe rental in northern Wisconsin, canoeing in wisconsin, Hayward WI, Namekagon River WI, Namekagon River Wisconsin, northwoods of Wisconsin 0 Comment

A group of a dozen or so young men had just completed a multi-day canoe trip when we pulled into the parking lot at Jack’s Canoe & Tube Rental in Trego, Wisconsin, early on a Saturday morning. They stowed their gear in their vehicles and gathered for a big group picture. I have no idea how long they had been on the river, but it obviously included at least one night. They were still pumped, it seemed, full of energy.

My husband and I were there for a simple two-hour trip on the Namekagon River. It had been many years since we’d been canoeing, and never in northern Wisconsin. I’d been looking forward to this part of our Wisconsin visit, but I couldn’t imagine taking an overnight canoe trip like that group of 20-somethings, having to haul a tent, sleeping bags and enough food to last and hoping it all didn’t end up overboard.

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Once we were fitted with life jackets, Jack drove us in the van to our launch site just a few miles upstream at Earl’s Landing.

Within minutes we were floating, the sun trying to break through the clouds overhead, riverbanks covered in thick green foliage, a gentle splash of the water the only sound other than an occasional shrill bird call. Until we got to the rapids.

Okay, maybe “rapids” is too powerful a word for a few rocks protruding from water that was maybe a foot deep at that point. Wouldn’t you know, I had just rested my paddle in the canoe and taken my smart phone out to take a few pictures. Shoving the phone back it into my pocket, I grabbed my paddle just in time to push away from a boulder.

The rest of the trip was much the same, easy floating part of the time, avoiding fallen trees and rocks at other times, a nice mix of relaxation and challenge. We ended up finishing the trip in only an hour and fifteen minutes and wishing we would have slowed down the paddling a little to make our time on the river last a little longer. We enjoyed canoeing so much we both left there seriously considering a future overnight trip, complete with tent and sleeping bags. Hopefully, we’ll come to our senses before that happens.

Jack’s Canoe & Tube Rental, located in Trego, Wisconsin, is a fourth generation business started in the early 1960s. Canoes, kayaks, tubes and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent, and they provide shuttle service to river landings. Trips range from two hours to several days. Primitive camp sites are available for canoe, kayak and tube customers. Check the web site for further details.

Disclosure: Our complimentary canoe trip was hosted by Jack’s Canoe and Tube Rental and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, but any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

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See Emmi Roth Cheese Made at Alp and Dell Cheese Store

Connie Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Wisconsin September 17, 2014March 10, 2016Alp and Dell, Alp and Dell Cheese Store, alp and dell cheese store monroe wisconsin, alp and dell cheese store wi, cheese factories in wisconsin, cheese factory, Cheese factory tour Wisconsin, cheese factory wisconsin, cheese stores in wisconsin, cheese.com, cheeses, emmi, emmi chese, Emmi Roth, emmi roth cheese, emmi roth kase, Emmi Roth USA, emmi shop, emmi.com, kase cheeese, Monroe Wisconsin cheese factory tour, roth kase, roth kase cheese, roth kase cheese factory, roth stores, Wisconsin cheese, wisconsin cheese company, wisconsin cheese factory, Wisconsin cheese shops, wisconsin cheese stores, wisconsin cheeses 0 Comment

The Bavarian architecture couldn’t be better suited for a cheese shop owned by a Swiss immigrant, nor could the setting be better located, adjacent to the Emmi Roth USA cheese factory. In fact, visitors can walk down the hall in the Monroe, Wisconsin, Alp and Dell Cheese Store and see some of the very products sold in the shop being made. Read more