Peak experiences

For people who collect high points, nothing but a hike to the top will do.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

The expedition began on a beautiful fall morning. I got in the car, drove a few miles over the Wisconsin border and followed country roads to a gate, where a gravel lane led to a farmhouse.

I parked, walked up an oak-lined path and, just like that, was atop the highest point in Illinois.

Charles Mound, at 1,235 feet above sea level, was a nice place to be. Near the U.S. Geological Survey benchmark, its thoughtful owners had placed two lawn chairs, facing a golden, hazy countryside dotted with silos.

There were much better views nearby, in the Mississippi River Valley. Still,  this particular spot had recently drawn visitors from Texas, California, Washington, Colorado and many other states, 36 of whom had signed the register that sat in an old milk box.

Read entire story

Best bets for the weekend

Play like it's still summer and enjoy first fall festivals.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

It feels more like June than September, with swollen rivers and warm temperatures.

But that ought to work fine for the World Water Ski Show Championships  in Wisconsin Rapids and Family Camping weekend on Chicago's Northerly Island, one of our top cheap fall getaways.

At Duluth's Hawk Ridge, thousands of sharp-shinned hawks know what time of year it is, and so do the migrating butterflies celebrated at Monarch Festival in Minneapolis.

Milwaukee is holding the first of four weekends of Oktoberfests, and there are four grape stomps, two of them across the St. Croix River from each other. While you're on the river, check out the St. Croix Art Bench Trail.

Beer is flowing up north, at festivals in Marquette and Mackinaw City, and in Mount Horeb near Madison. Wisconsin is the hotbed for food festivals, with fondue in Fond du Lac, apple dumplings in Elroy and watermelon in Pardeeville.

Others festivals this weekend tip their hats to a colorful past: Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield, Laura Ingalls Wilder Day in Pepin and Pufferbilly Days in Boone, Iowa, named for a steam engine and featuring Civil War battle reenactments.

In Prairie du Chien, the 19th-century version of roadsters will be speeding around the track at the Villa Louis Carriage Classic.

So much for festivals. We know what's on everyone's mind: What will fall color be like this year? Our bet is that it will be good, but peaks will come later than usual. For tips on where to look, see Pursuing the hues.

Next weekend

It's the season for cheese, beer and polka.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Cheese Days in Monroe, Wis. This festival in the capital of cheese country, home of Swiss Colony and the nation's last Limburger factory, features a cow-milking contest, yodeling, tours and a big parade at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 16-18.

Oaktoberfest in Oak Park, Ill. In this western suburb of Chicago, there will be music, craft beer and, for kids, a root-beer garden, games and zucchini-car races. Sept. 16-17.

Oktoberfest in St. Paul. Enjoy bed racing, polka lessons and German comedy shows in addition to music and dancing in Rice Park downtown. Sept. 16-17.

Wauktoberfest in Waunakee, Wis. This town just north of Madison celebrates with lots of contests: frau carrying, yodeling, beer keg race, dachshund dash and Limburger cheese and sauerkraut eating. Sept. 16-18.

For more events, see our Events Calendar.

(A word from our sponsor)

In Minnesota, follow a bike trail to a fall festival

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

In autumn, bicyclists can pack maximum fun into a weekend by riding a scenic bike trail and catching a fall fest on the way.

This Friday and Saturday, ride the Paul Bunyan State Trail through lakes country and you'll hit Ethnic Fest in Walker and Heritage Days in Pine River, plus trail parties in Pequot Lakes and Hackensack. Next Saturday, there's Fall Festival in Nisswa.

In the Twin Cities, follow rivers and lakes Sunday on the festive Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour and next Sunday on the Minneapolis Bike Tour.

On the popular Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley state trails in bluff country, there's Taste of the Trail the next three Saturdays: this week in Lanesboro, then in Harmony/Preston and Rushford/Houston.

And around Mankato, catch the fall colors Oct. 9 on the Mankato River Ramble.

Fall is short. Make the most of it on a Minnesota bike trail — no trail pass required!

Forward to a friend

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Home |  Plan a trip |  About Us |  Privacy

MidwestWeekends.com - A guide to travel in the Upper Midwest
2220 Seabury Ave - Minneapolis, MN 55406

unsubscribe from this mailing list