October 7 to 8 - Castle La Crosse, Wisconsin

After leaving Badlands National Park, the drive was straight through South Dakota, Minnesota, then to La Crosse, Wisconsin. I didn’t stop to take photos on the side of the road as it was Highway 90 pretty much the whole way. Lots of wide open spaces with corn, and corn, and corn, and cows. Somehow I seemed to miss most of the 10,000 lakes they talk about in Minnesota. Must be further north.

As I neared Wisconsin bits of trees started to appear around farm houses. I realized these trees were what was left of the original forests in the area, and I guess, in a way, I was thankful these little bits remained. For the most part the land was filled with vast amounts of corn. We sure consume a lot of corn in this country!

When I arrived to La Crosse, Wisconsin it was already dark and I preceded to look for the hotel Mike had so kindly booked for me. Only, it ended up not being a hotel, but a castle, no joke! Castle La Crosse, Holway House, a 19th century castle! The castle was built in 1891 in the Queen Ann style by a lumber baron and it was amazing. I didn’t drag my flash out, but did take a few photos of the interior to share. My husband is a prince for giving me this fabulous BNB gift.

The inn keepers/owners were lovely. Brandon also served as the chef and made an absolutely wonderful breakfast with scones, a frittata, regional sausage, salad, amazing caramelized potatoes and a lovely desert in a stemmed aperitif glass. I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but it truly was lovely. Breakfast was served buffet style in a spacious dinning room and was attended by all the house guests. We shared where we were from, stories, and pleasant morning conversation. What a way to start the day!

The morning was followed by a personal tour of La Crosse by Billy. First stop the Apple store to replace the mouse I lost somewhere along the way, followed by a visit to Grandad Bluff Park and Riverside Park. I don’t think I’ve ever met a kinder inn keeper, going out of his way to make me feel at home, solve a problem, and show me around his lovely little town.

A little bit about La Crosse: it’s a town along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin. Famous for fur trading, lumber, and brewing. I have to say, I did not know the Mississippi was wide enough to support a lumber industry so far north, which was another change in my perceptions of the US.

On to Battle Creek, Michigan.

Castle La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin taken from Grandad Bluff Park

Can you pick out the castle?

Bridge over the Mississippi River.

Riverside Park