Drifting In & Out of the Drift-less Region-Exploring Wisconsin

On Monday and Tuesday, June 15th & 16th we leisurely explored the Southwestern corner of Wisconsin. This area was spared the leveling effects of the great glaciers that ground the rest of the state into the rolling hills of "America's Dairyland". In the Southwest, the ridges run high and the valleys deep. Bordered on the west by the mighty Mississippi River, this was the first part of the Wisconsin Territory to be populated by Europeans. They came to mine the rich lead deposits, establishing a chain of small towns along the river that echoed their ethnic heritage. We explored some of the Great River Road to discover the history and the enduring charm of their communities, including Cassville,and Prairie du Chien. There we toured the Victorian splendor of Villa Louis followed by an excursion into McGregor,Iowa for a two hour backwater expedition on the Mississippi. Our stay at the Westby House B & B including a trek into Cashton in Monroe County for an evening meal at the Badger Crossing and of course a delightful breakfast on Tuesday morning. On mid-morning we put our red Drifty's canoe into the Kickapoo at Ontario and meandered for an hour and a half in gentle curving waters. We then dropped south to Richland Center in Richland County for lunch at the Empire Grill and explored the historic downtown (birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright). Our historical discovery trek continued to the Pendarivs Historic Site at Mineral Point, WI where we learned the early 19th century skilled Cornish miners staked their claim in the driftless region, seeking a better life. Our two day journey ended in Madison with dinner at Bluephies and a walking tour of the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood topped by a turtle sundae at Michael's Frozen Custard. Come along for the adventure.