Ice Cream Date at Toucan Food & Custard in Port Washington

 Whenever I go home or Kristine is up in my neck of the woods, we try to get together for a drinks or ice cream. Something quick and easy so we can catch up. It works perfectly in our busy schedules.

Since I was home after I biked the Old Plank Road Trail and Kristine was free, we decided to meet up for ice cream. She suggested Dairy Queen... I was like how about Toucan's? I never been and they have dole whip. She agreed. 

Toucan Food & Custard is in what I know as the old Donut Depot on Grand Ave. Over the years the building housed many different business and now is home to Toucan Food & Custard. Originally it started in West Bend and moved to Port a few years ago. I've been meaning to stop for some custard but usually the hubby wants to get home. They are open 11-9 Wed, Thu, Sun, and Mon and 11-10 on Fri and Sat. They are closed on Tuesdays. There is plenty of parking in back.

Toucan Food & Custard serves both food and custard as its name suggests. We just wanted ice cream. They have custard (chocolate, vanilla, Superman, and the flavor of the day) as well as Dole Whips. Their sundae and split menus are quite extensive. Their list of shake/malt flavors puts Kopps to shame. Mango Shake anyone? Nerds Concrete Mixer? 

After a lot of debating, I opted for the brownie sundae with chocolate custard. There were several good options. All the reason to go back right?

My sundae was perfect. It was the right size, came with a cherry, and was not too rich. It was no more expensive than any other sundae. Oh and it tasted delicious. 

Toucan Food & Custard was a perfect place to grab some ice cream and catch up. You can never go wrong with ice cream and good friends. If you haven't tried Toucan Food & Custard definitely check it out. The food looks good too. 

286. Bike the Old Plank Road Trial near Plymouth

 We always drive by the Old Plank Road Trail as we head back to Port. It's on the original bucket list. For the last couple of years since I got my new bike I have wanted to bike at least part of the trail. Finally I decided I was just going to do it this summer. The hubby loaded the bike in my car and I headed to Plymouth. 

The Old Plank Road Trail is a 21 mile (one way) bike/walking trail. In runs from Sheboygan to the County Line where it meets up with a Fond du Lac trail that runs to Fond du Lac. There are several trailheads that you can park at. I picked the one off of 57 near the Walmart. There was plenty of parking and I had options to head either west or east. I opted to go east as I knew there was a steep hill near Greenbush if I went west.

I decided I'd bike to the first trailhead or turn around that I find that was at least 4 miles from the start. That turn around turned out to be about 5.5 miles from my car. 

That 5.5 mile ride was mainly flat with a few rolling hills. Highway 23 was on one side and lush fields on the other. At one point there was a pond. There were a few bugs.. one that gave me a nasty bite on the back of my arm. There were a few times you crossed a road but most of them were not busy.

Honestly it was not that bad of a ride. Maybe one day I will do the whole 42 miles (ha ha) but until then this quarter of the trail was perfect for me. I was sore and tired by the time I got to my parents but I would do it again. I am glad I finally decided to make an effort to bike the Old Plank Road Trail. It is definitely doing once even if you just walk part of it. 

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. 

Random Statues and Sculptures 2025 -- Spirit of the Rivers

 I am a sucker for a random statue or sculpture. When Stacy and I passed one on the shores of Lake Michigan on the way back to my car after our Two Rivers  Adventure, it was a no brainer to check it out.

Spirit of the Rivers is a bronze sculpture that is located on along the shore of Lake Michigan between Manitowoc and Two Rivers. 

It celebrates the history and culture of the earliest inhabitants. It reminds of us of generations before us that traversed the land and waterways. 

To see the Spirit of the Rivers, park in the parking lot and then walk a short distance to the sculpture. Take a few minutes enjoy the Forget Me Not restoration project, when in bloom. 

Then take in the beauty of the Lake Michigan. Even on chilly, angry days the lake is always relaxing on your way back. 

Spirit of the Rivers is worth the stop if you ever find yourself in Manitowoc or Two Rivers. 

Stay tuned for other random statues and sculptures throughout my adventures. Who knows what I will find. 

5978. Explore the Washington House in Two Rivers

When planning our Two Rivers Adventure, I knew I wanted ice cream. I had a sundae at the Washington House which is the home of the ice cream sundae but I never really explored the house. I didn't realize it was a museum. I mentioned this to Stacy and gave her the option if she wanted to do the Washington House. Since it was close to the other places we visited, we opted to check it out.

The Washington House is located downtown Two Rivers. It is open seasonally 12-6 Thursday-Monday. There is street parking all around it. It is free to visit and donations are accepted.

The Washington House was a former inn and saloon. Back in 1881, the ice cream sundae was invented at Berners Ice Cream Parlor so there is a replica Berners' Ice Cream Parlor inside. There are two floors of exhibits.

You walk in to the old saloon with the long bar and are greeted by a handful of elderly volunteers. Some of the ladies were playing cards while an accordion player was entertaining everyone. It was kind of like stepping back in time. We were given a brief history of the place and left to explore on our own.

The downstairs rooms featured exhibits you would typically find a local history museum.. 

Military Artifacts

Houseware Artifacts

We had one of these growing up.

Local Sports History

Even some fossils

We headed upstairs and entered the ballroom where a rummage sale was taking place. The ballroom features several unique and rare murals. The stage was set up as a big band era band stand. 

                                                 

                                          

The rest of the rooms were the same was many other museums I have visited.

A bedroom

A Doctor's Office

A Dentist Office

A Barber Shop

There was even an entire room of musical instruments

Yup.. I've seen my share of history museums and they are all the same. Clark County is still my favorite. I will keep visiting local history museums because they are important to local areas and you never know what you are going to stumble upon. 

After exploring the museum, we headed to the ice cream parlor for some ice cream. Since we full from lunch, we opted just for ice cream. It is Cedar Crest ice cream which is made in nearby Manitowoc. It was a perfect end to a fun day.

I still would recommend the Washington House for ice cream and you might as well check out the museum while you are there. It is very well done and worth checking out.