5606. Go to Ochsner Park Zoo in Baraboo

 Looking for things to do in the Dells Area in November proved to be a challenge. Many places on my bucket list were closed for the season. After going to the Museum of Root Beer, I headed to Baraboo to check out the zoo. 

Ochsner Park Zoo is located in Ochsner Park in Baraboo. It is open in winter 9-3:30 daily. Summer and spring/fall hours are different. There is a spacious parking as well as a park with picnic areas and paths to walk down by the river. Admission is free but they do accept donations.

Ochsner Park Zoo is not a large zoo by any means but it is a nice zoo. They have about a dozen or so animals. As Danielle said, fall is the perfect time to visit as all the animals were quite active even with the chilly temperatures. 

I saw goats

Emus.. which reminded me of Hippogriffs

Donkeys

An Arctic Fox

A Black Bear

Mexican Wolves

Canada Lynx -- The sunlight and enclosure made it hard to get a good picture of the lynx

Beaver -- He sure enjoyed his stick

and

River Otters -- There were a pair of hams

They were all very active. I couldn't find the prairie dogs or a few other animals. It was great being able to see all the animals. There were not a lot of people there. It was actually very nice.

After leaving the zoo, I headed down the path to the river and walk down by the river for a bit before heading to the Outlet Mall for some retail therapy. 

If you are in Baraboo, I would suggest checking out the Ochsner Park Zoo. It is a great way to slow down and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the Dells. 

Random Statues and Sculptures 2025 -- Davy Crockett

 A few days after I found the Spirit of the River Sculpture in Two Rivers, the hubby and I were driving through Neenah down by Riverside Park and I was like I think there is a new statue in the park. I don't remember see an Indian there before. So after eating our Blizzards at Kimberly Point Park, we drove past Riverside Park on our way home.

As we got to the corner of N Park Ave and E Wisconsin Ave, sure enough there was a new statue. But it was definitely not an Indian. I thought maybe a Fur Trader or something. So I got out and investigated.

When I read the plaque, I was surprised. It was Davy Crockett. What in the world? Davy Crockett wasn't from Wisconsin. However after reading the entire plaque, he is here to remind us of the values he stood for -- Courage, Determination, and Standing Up for What's Right. So true and fitting. We all need to a reminder to be like Davy Crockett sometimes.

Although I was not expecting a statue of Davy Crockett to show up in Neenah but why not. We already of Washington and Jefferson plus Reagan and the Statue of Liberty. The next time you are in Riverside Park in Neenah go check out Davy Crockett and I'll keep my eye open for more random statues.  

5963. Go to Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers

 I stumbled across the Printing Museum in Two Rivers that sounded really cool but I knew the hubby won't want to go. I love printing and signs so this was right up my alley. A fun type of art museum. So when Stacy and I started to plan our day trip to Two River, I had to make sure this was open.

Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum is open Wednesday-Saturday 10-4. Parking is on site. Admission is $10/person. It looks like an old warehouse or factory because it is still a working print shop. 

Since it is a working print shop and museum, depending on the day you might get to see work being done. We weren't so lucky. They were just setting up the presses when we got there.

The first part of the museum exhibit showed other items manufactured by Hamilton such as washing machines and a physician's examining table.

In the main exhibit hall, there was plenty to see with different block sets and styles. It was fun to look at all the different styles of letters.

The other main room showed examples of signs and more different types of presses. 

I just liked looking at all the different types of letters and fonts.  And reading all the signs they made.

The history part was interesting but I really liked the art part of it better.

There is a scavenger hunt for kids. Our mini me had tons of fun trying to find all the objects. We struggled for a bit on the last one until we realized we had to walk out towards the gift shop. 

The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum is definitely worth the visit. They do offer classes and special events as well if you want to get creative. Print shops are not all that common any more and it's great seeing old school art still being made. 

Exploring Pewaukee

The hubby had a double header in Pewaukee last week and I figured I would tag along since I had PTO that I had to use by the end of the month. Since the game was being played at a park in town, I figured there was going to be plenty of walking. The hubby was a little concerned about me walking until his partner informed him that it was safe and the beach was just down the road.

I set off in the direction we came and followed the signs to the Lake. It turns out Pewaukee is a cute little town. I ended up going for 2 walks, taking different routes both times. I told the hubby he needed to do another doubleheader like this next summer because I still have streets to explore.

On my wanderings, I took pictures of anything that looked interesting, pretty, or intriguing. They were exploration walks and I like exploring new cities. Maybe next time I will bring some money and explore the stores, get some ice cream, and lay on the beach dreaming of being on the coast because downtown Pewaukee reminds me of being at the beach on the ocean instead of some inland lake in Wisconsin.

I found the lake and the beach

I still can't believe something like this exists in the middle of Wisconsin. I wish I had another change of clothes so I could take a dip in the lake.

After strolling past the lake, I passed the train depot and onto Historic Watertown Plank Road

Where I found this Church

On my second walk, I went up High Street and found:

An octagon house

A really cool looking fire hydrant

Some pretty flowers

On the way back to the park, I found this boardwalk

And this is where it ended

Yup, it went absolutely nowhere.

So I went back and watch some baseball

I can't wait to continuing to explore Pewaukee and other random towns. Too bad I have to work or I would wander through a different town every day.