Grand Hotel: How to save money while savoring the landmark resort
Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel – unusual because of its appearance, architecture, attitude and location – soon goes into hibernation for six months. The Michigan summer […]
U.S.
Midwest rural art parks: a smooth blend with nature
When fall colors hit their peak, we hit the road in search of the most brilliant blaze of hues. That part is expected. What adds […]
Odes to rock ‘n’ roll in Clear Lake, Iowa
The half-mile walk between northern Iowa cornfields leads to a pinwheel of copper Jell-O molds and, lower to the ground, stainless steel cutouts of a […]
B&B is retired tugboat on Mississippi River shore
Around the time Jonathan Lucroy hit his second RBI double during the All-Star Game in Minneapolis, I sat 15 miles east, without a television, clue […]
Red Wing museum gains $1.5 million pottery collection
Red Wing, a Mississippi River city on the Minnesota side, has been home to a pottery museum for years – but now it’s billed as […]
Save by catching Derby fever before (or after) Louisville’s big race
When the first Saturday in May arrives, at least 150,000 spectators fill Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, long referred to as the “greatest two […]
Mile-High Denver: Home to more breweries/brewpubs or pot shops?
Under an I-25 overpass, one block from a power plant and almost 1,000 miles from home, I catch a whiff of Wisconsin in Denver. This […]
Mennonite Relief Sale: quilts, bakery, ‘Menno food’
Less than 200 miles separate Wisconsin from Bloomington, Ill., but what a potential difference in buffet lines: Red beet eggs. Ham loaf. Vareniky (stuffed dumplings). […]
Black history lessons address racism, inventions, music in Macon, Ga.
Whenever Black History Month arrives, I am reminded that Wisconsin is not average. About 88 percent of the state’s population is Caucasian and 6.5 percent […]
Appleton T-Mac BBQ team wins big at American Royal
In the thick sea of luxury RVs, scrappy trailers, tent awnings and dwindling daylight, I found Tom McIntosh of Appleton. The flapping Green Bay Packer […]
Finding the good life in food, drink, beaches of Traverse City, Mich.
You know life is good when seagulls are your alarm clock, a miles-long morning walk doesn’t require shoes and breakfast begins with peaches, cherries or […]
Seeing beyond Yoopers in Marquette, Mich.
Think of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and what comes to mind? Moose crossings? Remote living? Blustery weather? Da Yoopers singing “Rusty Chevrolet”? My life is a […]