A "Hawks" View

Want to experience the most relaxing get-a-way ever – Hawks View Cottages and Lodges.   Let me tell you how we found this place.

My husband won a magazine contest with a prize from Seven Hawks Vineyards.  We were contacted and told we had three redemption options.  One – drive to their location and pick out the prize value in wine.  Two- have them select wine that they would ship to us.  Three – receive  gift certificate that could be applied to a stay at one of their cottages or lodges.   We opted for a stay –  a decision we will never regret.

Hawks View is located in Fountain City, WI on the shores of the mighty Mississippi River.  The cottages (there are five) were built on the hillside overlooking the town and the river.  They were built between 1999 and 2000 using salvaged materials with the vision of creating a tree house feel.  You can see that vision  from the moment you start walking to your cottage. 

The cottages are nestled on the hillside totally surrounded by trees.  When you enter the first thing you see is this amazing panoramic view of forest and water. When you go upstairs to the bedroom you are greeted with the same view.   

 

While the list of amenities is too long to detail in this blog - I do want to highlight my favorites. 

·         Fully stocked kitchen with breakfast items provided including homemade wheat bread

·         Two bottles of wine from the Vineyard which by the way were very good. They have a tasting room in Fountain City as well if you want to purchase any.  

·         Best one – NO TV.

The latter was a surprise and a welcome one.  What they provide instead are jigsaw puzzles, CD players, a selection of easy listening CDs, a TV screen for viewing DVDs and a selection of games.  My husband and I, after a day of exploring the area would sit back with some of the wine, play games and just talk. It was so refreshing. 

While we were there as I said – we explored the area.  We traveled Hwy 35 north along the Mississippi.  Where we found more charming little river towns, two state parks (Perrot and Merrick), and amazing views. 

Don’t want to take advantage of the cooking facilities at the cottage then let me recommend two restaurants right in Fountain City.  The first is the Monarch – an Irish Pub with great traditional Irish fare with other options thrown in.  The second is The Golden Frog – a bar established in the late 1800’s and still going strong.  The staff is friendly and the food is very good,. 

I have attached a link to the website – check it out and all the lodging options you have with them.    http://www.hawksview.net/cottages/

Seriously think about spending some time at Hawks View – anniversary, birthday, romantic get-a-way or quality family time -  you will not regret it.     

More Places that are Must Stops

I have received lots of positive feedback about my last post so have decided to go with the new format for a bit.  So again here are a few places you should take the time to visit.  

Montfort - Rural Route One Popcorn: Popcorn is popcorn – right?    Well if you visit Rural Route One Popcorn you will find out differently.  They have transformed ordinary popcorn into to delicious addictiveness.   Sure you can buy regular popcorn but why when you have so many yummy selections to choose from like C.C. Wincle (caramel corn with roasted cashews), RC Snakle (white fudge meets sweet raspberry and tart cranberry bit), or Cherry Cheesecake.  You can also buy bags of mixed flavors which is my go to.   Would rather pop your own corn – they have all the corn you need and every popping accessory to be had.   If all this was not enough -  you will find amazing jewelry, kids toys and books, novelty items, kitchen tools (my personal weakness) and many delightful  gift and decorative items.  

 

Princeton - Once In a Blue Moon:  Found this restaurant by a unique alignment of stars on what started out as a very bad road trip. A local merchant in a town on our route recommended this place as an alternative to our plans.  What a recommendation. The restaurant is located at 538 W Water Street in Princeton – right in the middle of an interesting downtown area. Follow a lifelong dream of owning their own restaurant - twenty years ago the owners left Laguna Beach and headed to Princeton, WI.  Once in a Blue Moon has been going strong for 19 of those 20 years. The front entrance area is a mini boutique with some very fun items, but what makes this place is the food and the service.   We sampled a wide selection of offerings and all were amazing.  Taking the time to check this place out is definitely  worth the time.

 

 

Green Lake - Guth’s End of Trail Candy and Ice Cream Store:  This store is not big but it has a wonderful selection of delightful homemade chocolates.   The prices are very, very reasonable.  Guth’s is a great place to take a break from exploring Green Lake to enjoy some ice cream or frozen yogurt.  The staff is very friendly and so helpful.   In fact it was here I learned about Once in a Blue Moon.  Along with treats you will find some novel gift items.  All and all a great place to visit more than once.  

Take the Time

Unlike my usual postings - describing a destination and what you can find going to it and back again – I am going to share some places you need to take the time to visit.  These are places that are unique and fun and need to be enjoyed at least once.    

La Grange – La Grange General Store and Backyard Bikes:  This store is located at the intersection of Hwy 12 and County Rd H. It is also near several scenic bike trails such as Kettle Moraine and John Muir.   It serves as a bike shop for bicyclists and a pit stop for anyone.  It is very rustic but don’t be fooled by the appearance.  Inside you will find gifts and trinkets and a large selection of snacks, beverages and other food at the deli.  A fun and refreshing oasis no matter how you’re traveling.   

Arena – Arena Cheese Factory: Not sure how many cheese factory stores there are in the state of Wisconsin but this is one of the better ones.  It is located on Hwy 12 on the way to Spring Green – hard to miss with the giant gray mouse out in front holding a giant cheese wedge.  If you go for only the cheese curds (sold Monday through Friday) it is worth the trip.  But don’t be surprised if you leave with other cheese.  I am particularly fond of their Maple Cheddar (seasonally sold in the fall). 

Theresa – Confections for any Occasion and Widmer’s Cheese Factory:  While Theresa, Wisconsin is a small little berg just north of West Bend, it is the home of two very unique businesses.  

•  Confections for any Occasion is located on Milwaukee Street in downtown Theresa.  It is a combination candy/eatery/gift and wine store.  Its uniqueness is that the confectioner is blind.  His name is Joel and his chocolates are amazing.  He waits on customers with ease – knowing exactly where all is confections are in the cases.   They offer a limited menu but we have found those items we have sampled very good.  

•  Widmer’s Cheese Factory is located on W Henni Street just a couple blocks from the confection store.   While with most cheese factories the actual cheese making operation is some place off the store area.  With this factory when you step in the door you are looking at it.   The sales area if very small but they offer free samples of their products which are absolutely amazing.   Their cheddar and cheddar combinations cannot be beat.   If you are looking for a good cheese spread this is also the place to find it.  Highly recommend the brick cheese spread. 

 

Monroe – Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern:  This store is located on the square in Monroe Wi.  Nothing fancy – a few booths and a long bar with some table offeringss.   No menus – just wood boards with their standard selections listed.   You will find the daily specials and soups written out on a white board.   They specialize in cheese or sausage sandwiches or combos of the same.  Hard to believe they even offer Limburger cheese and Brauschweiger on the menu – yum.   I’m a bit addicted to their Tuna Sandwich which is amazing but only served on Friday.   You can never go wrong on any of their soups or chili’s.   Great meal, great staff and you can always take a sampling of their cheese and meats home. 

 

Verona – EPIC Headquarters:  OK – why am I sending you to place that programs medical records soft ware – because this campus is absolutely amazing.  While you cannot enter the buildings - you will find the structures unique and the statuary fun and whimsical.   Each building has its own theme from Harry Potter  to a barn.  Construction is constantly reshaping the landscape into unique one of kind structures.  

 

 

I highly recommend taking the time to visit one or all of these destinations and as always make it a circle trip.   Enjoy!!!