9-30-13

Brodhead is a picturesque community in Green County with much to see.  The Sugar River Trail is here also, the southern trailhead. It’s 22 miles long, going all the way to New Glarus. We began our explorations downtown, the town has a square with gazebo and picnic tables. Its called, “Tinker’s Garden.” Here is where many festivals take place, Across the street in a building is a mural paying homage to the railroad and depot in Brodhead. We could see the restored depot from here. Inside is the museum and an engine and caboose you could go in. Unfortunately, it was closed for the season. Maybe we can get back here in the spring when it re-opens.  The Brodhead Historical Society does good work here.

adjacent to the depot is the Veterans Memorial Park, in the center is a tall Civil War Monument.

After exploring downtown for a while, we headed to points just outside. Stopped by Decatur Dairy for a grilled cheese sandwich and some cheese curds. We were too late for a tour but we will go back.

They even had a “cheese tree” totem pole outside, cool!

Speaking of tree, Brodhead also has a historic living tree called the Half-Way Tree. Indian runners used it as a marker because it was half-way between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan.

It’s harvest time, and that includes APPLES!  Our next stop was nearby Ten Eyck Orchard for some locally grown apples and cider. The historic round barn with the apple barn quilt are this farm’s most distinctive features. We bought some Empire apples, delicious!

It was time to head back north towards Madison. On the way, we walked a bit on the Sugar River trail to see the famous Clarence covered bridge replica, completed in 1984.

Come all the way to Brodhead, it’s well worth the visit!

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