Getting to help out the Innkeepers of the Valley Springs Farm Bed and Breakfast in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, was one of the highlights of Red's stay!  It loved bottle feeding the calves and assisting with milking the cows. It also loved walking the gardens and helping to pick the ripened fruits and veggies that they will serve for breakfast the next morning.  Every bit about it was so unique; it's not every day you get to actually stay on a working farm!

Hidden Serenity Bed and Breakfast is located near the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin and Red was anxious to discover what that really means. A trip to pristine Mauthe Lake was a great introduction for the Red Chair! Dipping all four feet in the water and sitting at the end of the pier while kids were fishing and others were kayaking on the lake, Red could see why people love the peaceful waters and surrounding woods. But it was the trip up Parnell Tower in the heart of the forest that really helped Red understand what this area is all about. From high above the trees Red could see the way that the glacier had made its mark on the land. Hills called Kames, Moraines, Eskers and the stunning Kettles dot the landscape and Red was in awe. The National Scenic Ice Age Trail winds its way through the forest and Red has to admit, it is a great workout!

The Red Chair always loves a trip to a local zoo.  While visiting the Christmas House Bed and Breakfast in Racine, Wisconsin, Innkeeper Pamela spent the Day showing Red the best spots to visit around town.  Red's highlight of the day, befriending the camels of Jo-Don Farms.  Red posed for a couple quick pics with the photogenic camels (we love the one with the hair!) and gave them some treats as thanks.  Red loved the day at the local zoo!

Not only is Horicon Marsh the top birding spot in the Midwest and conveniently located close to the wonderful Honeybee Inn Bed and Breakfast, but it actually has a fascinating history.  The Horicon Marsh Boat Tours offer a fantastic look into the history and formation of the area as well as a new perspective of the Marsh from the water.  Once back on land the Red Chair headed over the the statues where Red med the Wooly Mammoth.  These creatures actually roamed the Horicon Marsh area thousands of years ago and to the Red Chair, imagining this area with herds of Wooly Mammoths on the horizon is such a cool thought!

One of the most interesting and unique features of the Crystal River Inn Bed and Breakfast is that they have a beautiful labyrinth right on their property in the short grass prairie.  This is a seven circuit labyrinth consisting of prairie grass and flowers.  This style of classic labyrinth dates back thousands of years and has offered many the opportunity to find self reflection and meditation.  Innkeepers Deb and Robert offer a guided labyrinth walk and talk for guests to come and learn about what makes the labyrinth so special.  The Red Chair found walking the labyrinth each morning was a great way to start the day!

The EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Aviation Museum is a unique museum that displays historic, antique and experimental aircrafts.  The EAA brings in almost one million people to Oshkosh the last week in July each year.  Red wanted so badly to catch a ride on one of the experimental aircrafts. Some though were just too big for Red to jump in so Red had to stay put on the floor next to some of the other historic planes in the museum.  It was truly fascinating learning the history and importance of these aviation inventions and it was a stop Red highly recommends to others who find them selves in Oshkosh, WI.

Innkeepers of the Franklin Street Inn made sure that the Red Chair  spent time down by Fox River riverfront at Lutz Park to learn all about and view the unique locks.  The Fox River and its locks system are the only available network for transporting large quantities of commercial goods prior to the railroad.  Once the locks were opened, the area economy boomed, and 24 steamers per week came to port in Appleton by 1857.
The Red Chair also learned about the power of the river and the various dams built in the area to harness the power from the river. Appleton became a national leader in developing hydroelectric power for incandescent lighting to local homes and businesses. The Vulcan Hydroelectric Central Station boasts several first, including the first commercially successful electric trolley system, which operated in Appleton from 1886-1930. 
Red took some time to read about the history of the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway that linked Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. The Waterway allowed boats to bring new settlers, as well as manufactured goods, more readily to Appleton and the Fox Valley region as well as other parts of Wisconsin. Narrow steamboats were specially built to navigate the river’s narrow and often overgrown channels back then. 
Red loved visiting Appleton and learning all  about the Fox River and its locks system as well as other firsts in hydroelectricity and the many influences the Fox River has had on Appleton and the Fox Cities.

Late April in Manawa, WI and the Red Chair is all about being outside and loving the longer days full of sunshine!  While staying at the Lindsay House Bed and Breakfast, innkeepers Judy and Tim suggested Red check out the nearby Wolf River, Little Wolf River Walking Trail and the Pat Wade Memorial Trail.  Wolf river offers all kinds of fun activities from fishing to kayaking and canoeing, plus in the summer whitewater rafting is available!  The walking trails offer several miles of walking trails that wind through the beautiful areas in and around Manawa.  For our Red it was a great opportunity to enjoy the spring weather and get to experience an exciting new place.

Less than one mile from the Pleasant View Bed and Breakfast lies the scenic Old Abe State Trail.  This abandoned railroad grade was transformed into a paved twenty mile trail that connects the Lake Wissota State Park and the Brunet Island State Park in Cornell, WI.  This trail is a great hiking, biking, horseback riding and walking trail that winds through agricultural and forest land while following the undeveloped shoreline of the Chippewa River.  Red loved watching the abundance of wildlife, scenic beauty and exploring the many historical sites along the trail! See more pictures and details about Red's stay in Chippewa Falls here!

Our latest leg of the Red Chair journey kicked off at the Phipps Inn Bed and Breakfast in Hudson, Wisconsin in April 2017.  As we all know in the hospitality biz breakfast is key to a great stay and let me say Phipps Inn Bed and Breakfast did not disappoint!  Red loved morning coffee in Bridget's Suite with new friends and the lavish breakfasts served each morning.  As Red always says, a great adventure begins with an amazing breakfast...