Friday, June 13, 2025

Brenda Novak Road Trip Adventure -- Year 2

 Brenda Novak has another new release The Summer That Changed Everything. She challenged us to take a picture with the book. Since summer is for adventures, what is more fun than taking your book on an adventure with you.

This year's adventure takes us to Two Rivers, Wisconsin. A quick 90 minute drive up I-43 from Milwaukee and an hour or so east of Appleton and the Fox Valley, it made a perfect day trip for Stacy and I. We already had the trip planned and on a whim, I grabbed my book to include it in our adventure. Some people bring trolls, stuffed animals, or other toys, I bring a book on my adventures.

Stop #1 -- Sputnik crash site

Our first stop was not in Two Rivers but in Manitowoc. On September 5, 1962 a piece of the Russian Spacecraft Sputnik crashed in the middle of the street in Manitowoc. Being weird enough, it was something I wanted to visit. We actually missed the actual circle in the street but saw the sign and a monument plaza in front of the art museum. Inside the  Rahr-West Art Museum, is the piece that crashed outside. We did not go view it but one day I will.

Stop #2 -- Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum

Two Rivers was big in the printing press industry. The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of the printing press. They still produce signs and posters to this day. It was amazing to see they went from printing presses to washing machines. It was a perfect place to explore especially with a book being printed material. 




Stop #3 -- Roger Street Fishing Village

Before the printing industry came to Two Rivers, fishing was the way of life in the early days. Being on Lake Michigan and two rivers, the water was a great source of income. The Fishing Village is a small museum complex that explains the history of the fishing industry in Two Rivers as well as the Coast Guard and the famous Christmas Tree ship that went down in the waters outside of Two Rivers. There is a wonderful audio tour that allows to learn about everything the buildings. 



Stop #4 -- Cool City Brewing Company

After our history filled morning, it was time for lunch. We opted to go to Cool City Brewing since it was near the Fishing Village and the Washington House. Even if you are not in to beer, the also have coffee. The menu is small but it does have plenty of healthy options and not to so healthy options. We split 3 different flights -- a cheese curd flight, a taco flight, and a flatbread flight. All were wonderful but it was a lot of food for 2 people. The beer was good too. 






Stop #5 -- Washington House

Even though we were full from lunch, we headed to the Washington House which is the home of the Ice Cream Sundae. It is also a treasure chest of days gone by. Besides having an ice cream parlor it is also a museum. Each of the rooms in the former boarding house and bar, depicts history of Two Rivers. We were even lucky enough to have an accordion player entertain us. After the browsing the museum, we each got a dish of ice cream. I have been here a few years ago and indulged in an ice cream sundae then. 



Stop #6 -- Spirit of the Rivers

Our second to the last stop of the day was an impromptu stop at a statue along the lake. We saw a sign for the Spirit of the Rivers and decided to check it out. It is a statue that honors the birch bark canoe which was a vital part of the Native American history in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes. 

Stop #7 -- Mariner Trail/Lake Michigan

On our way back to my car, Stacy mentioned we should check out the giant rocking chair. She just knew it was a in park by her friend's house. The park was Lighthouse Park in Manitowoc along the shores of Lake Michigan. The rocking char is not huge but it does give you a good view of the lake and a place to rest when walking the 6 mile Mariner Trail that connects Two Rivers and Manitowoc.  




If it was a nice day out, we probably would have enjoyed the beach but it was cold and windy. But it was still nice to take a few minutes to read on the beach. 

Overall it was a fun filled day. There is plenty more to see and do in Two Rivers/Manitowoc that we did not hit including the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. So if you ever find yourself in the definitely take a day to explore the history of Two Rivers and Manitowoc.

Stay tune in 2026 to see where my Brenda Novak Road Trip Adventure will take me next. 

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Eating Donuts in Mad Town

 One of the many things I want to do in each county in Wisconsin (and State) is have donuts. Not Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme but local donuts. Last year I noticed a bakery not far from our hotel but we opted for bagels instead. This year I gave the hubby the same choice bagels or donuts. He went with donuts from Greenbush Bakery.

Greenbush Bakery has two Madison locations, one on Regent Street and the other on High Crossing Blvd. Both locations are open 6 AM - 8 PM Mon-Sat and 6 AM to 1 PM on Sundays. There is street parking only for the Regent location. We got lucky and ended up parking right in front. 

We opted for 4 donuts. There were many verities to choose from. The hubby and I both got Bavarian cream. He got a sugar ring and I went with sprinkles. They all looked good so it was hard to choose. 

We actually sat outside to eat our donuts. It was a beautiful morning. Behind us we could watch them make donuts. 

Our Bavarian Cream donuts were scrumptious. Not too much filling and not overly sweet. It was light and airy as well. We saved our others for the next morning (and were still pretty good the following day). 



We definitely will be back the next time we are in Madison. They don't beat Munster donuts but they are sure good (and a bit closer). If you haven't tried donuts from Greenbush Bakery, you definitely should.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

5544. Go to Dotty Dumpling's Dowry in Madison

 Last year at the State Softball Tournament, the hubby and I were deciding between pizza or burgers for dinner. We opted for pizza but decided to put Dotty's on the list for a future trip since they came highly recommended. 

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry is a Madison institution right off of State Street. It has been around since 1974 and probably is an original burger bar. It is open 11-10 Tue-Sat and according to their website 11-4. Parking can be a treat but we were able to park in the ramp across the street. 


Dotty Dumpling's Dowry is famous for their burgers and cheese curds not to mention the eclectic decor. It is not a large place but definitely a hopping one. We were able to get a table probably because it was a Wednesday night in June. 





The menu consists of burgers including build your own as well as some salads, fish, and chicken. There is even Jambalaya. Fries are extra. They also feature a Friday Night Fish Fry. Despite it's name no dumplings are on the menu.

Since I always want to get a BBQ Bacon burger, I decided to get something different even if the Southwest burger sounded good. I went with their Best Seller burger -- The Melting Pot. It is 3 cheese and bacon burger with a garlic sauce. I asked for the sauce on the side. The hubby built his own with melted cheese, mayo, and ketchup -- A heart attack on a bun.

The burgers lived up to their reputation. They were amazing. I was too busy devouring it to think too deeply how tasty it really was. The garlic sauce was perfect for the French fries. 



My only compliant was that it was the lighting was very dim. It made it hard to read the menu especially for first timers like us. The small print and dimness was not a good combination especially for someone who said they could wait a year for bifocals.. yeah not so much now. Good things cell phones come with flashlights now. 

We would definitely go back to Dotty Dumpling's Dowry. If you are in Madison definitely check out Dotty Dumpling's Dowry. Find out why this place has stood the test of time for yourself. 

5834. Go to Sisson's Peony Gardens in Rosendale

For the last 5+ years I wanted to check out the Peony Gardens in Rosendale but I didn't want to drive to Rosendale just to see some a garden. Last year on the way home from the State Tournament I could have stopped but I just wanted to get home. This year I told the hubby we were stopping on our way down since we had some time.

Sisson's Peony Gardens started back in 1920 by Wilbur Sisson. They eventually grew to 5 acres but over time it was sold off and overgrown. In 2005, the gardens began a restoration project and are now back open to the public during June when the Peonies are in bloom. 

Located on Main Street in Rosendale, Sisson's Peony Gardens are open when the flowers are in bloom usually in the month of June. Hours vary but if the gate is open, the gardens are open. Parking is on side streets. 



We parked on Lafayette Street in the back of the gardens. I walked up the path and into the garden.



Majority of the flowers date back to the original garden.  





There were so many different colors and varieties. Not all of them of them were in full bloom. We were about a week away from the entire garden being in bloom. 







My favorite was the peach colored ones. 


There was a bench to sit and enjoy the garden.


Sisson's Peony Gardens is a definite stop for any flower lover. Being halfway between Fond du Lac and Ripon, it makes it a nice stretch break between the two cities while you explore all the fun Fond du Lac county has to offer like the Galloway House in Fond du Lac or the Birthplace of the Republic Party in Ripon.  Just make sure not to speed through Rosendale.