Tag Archive | bicycling

Wonewoc -The Midpoint of the 400 Trail

Jun24

6-13-15

IMG_1968Downtown Wonewoc

Wonewoc is a small community of 816 people in Juneau county that plays an important role in the bicycling community by being the half-way point of the 400 State Trail.  The community was originally settled by Yankee colonists from New England. The name Wonewoc means “howling hills”. This is the “driftless area”, untouched by the glacier. George and Lucinda Willard settled here in 1851. The railroad helped build this community, it is no longer here though.

Lets begin by exploring downtown Wonewoc, most buildings are made of red brick here.  I also noticed nearly every storefront was occupied too, a good sign of a healthy economy.  The town keeps the residents informed of local events and supports their business with their Facebook page, Wonewoc Main Street Merchants.

Downtown Wonewoc

The first store on our left is Beyond Boundaries, LLC (formerly Talg’s Feed Mill, over 100 years old!). They rent canoes, kayaks and bikes. The Baraboo River flows through town a short distance from here and helped power early industry. Across the street from Beyond Boundaries is the Veterans Memorial.

Wonewoc Vets Memorial

The other business on this side of the block is Degner’s Corner Bar, also serving food.

Degner's Corner Bar in Wonewoc

We begin the 2nd block on the right side.

2nd Block of downtown Wonewoc

The side street is Washington Street, where we find the original City Hall building.

1916 City Hall building in Wonewoc

I even found a plaque recognizing all the people and organizations that helped re-vitalize downtown. Also a great mural.

Center Street Renovation in Wonewoc

Wonewoc mural

We come to the other end of the street and Old Blue’s Pizzeria and the Wonewoc Bakery. I stopped in the bakery and got 6 doughnuts, only $3.60 and very good!  The owners are very friendly and would love it if you stopped by. Here are their hours.

Wonewoc Bakery and Old Blues Pizzeria

Wonewoc Bakery insideWonewoc Bakery Hours

On the other side from here are:

 Blossoms and Bouquets FTD Florist, Britnics Café, The Mayer’s Off Ice, Center Street Coffee and Treats, The Silent Rooster, the Post office, and Bernie’s Wagon Wheel II.

Downtown Wonewoc 2nd block

As you see, a great many stores and restaurants.

Wonewoc was also home to noted Dode Fisk, gravestone monument located in Pine Eden Cemetery at the edge of town. He owned a circus and traveled the country.

Fisk Monument in Wonewoc

Now for the 400 trail. Just behind downtown is the trail, with a depot, restrooms and signage listing the downtown businesses. Hungry bikers will have plenty of options for refreshment at this convenient midpoint.

The 400 Trail in Wonewoc

Wonewoc sign on 400 Trail

Wonewoc History and Map sign

Our final destination here is the Canoe Landing. This used to be where the mills were located, powered by the Baraboo River. It is now called “The Lost District”, where Wonewoc Began.

Canoe Landing in Wonewoc

Wonowoc Lost District sign

That summarizes our visit to Wonewoc. We look forward to our return, perhaps at one of their many festivals.

Don’t Go Half-Way to Brodhead

Oct2

Brodhead sign

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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, Brodhead downtown Tinker's Garden in BrodheadTinkers Garden plaque Gazebo in Brodhead, WI Across the street in a building is a mural paying homage to the railroad and depot in Brodhead. Brodhead mural 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.Brodhead Depot

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

Brodhead Civil War Memorial

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.

Decatur Dairy in Brodhead

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

Cheese TreeAl and Laurie at Decatur Dairy in Brodhead

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.

Half-Way Tree sign

Half-Way Tree Burr Oak

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!

Ten Eyck Orchard Round Barn

Ten Eyck Barn Quilt

apples

Al and Laurie at Ten Eyck Orchard

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.

Clarence covered Bridge in Brodhead

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

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Milling Around in Paoli

Jun16

6-11-13, 8-9-14, 8-13-16 and many more visits.

 

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It was to revisit this beautiful little hamlet of 3300 people on the Sugar River.  Last time we came was Oct. 2009.  Paoli was founded by Peter Mats in 1846.  It soon had a lumber mill, later becoming a grist mill. Also a  cheese factory and other businesses necessary to build a thriving community.  Several buildings were made of local stone, still standing and in use today.

Let’s begin our walk down Paoli Road, the main street which is the center of commerce here.

On my right is the Abel Contemporary Gallery

Photo by Al Kutil

 

On the left is the Paoli Schoolhouse Shops and Cafe.

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Soon we are on the bridge overlooking the Sugar River. It’s part of the huge Upper Sugar River Watershed in Dane County.

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Upon crossing the river, on the left is the Paoli Clay Company. They produce clay for pottery making use.

Paoli Clay Company

Next up also on the left is the Paoli House Gallery, another artist enclave. Closed in 2014.

Paoli House Gallery

Lastly on this side is the new Landmark Creamery, replacing the Paoli Local Foods store. It opened in 2018.

Next door to that is the Paoli Pub and Grill.

Paoli Pub

Across the street on our right are many beautiful shops, some in historic buildings. On the right is the Paoli Secret Garden, which opened on June 1 of 2013.  The owners JJ and Kellie were busy setting things up when we stopped by. They took the time to pose for a picture with us and show us the many delightful products they had to offer.   They would love for you to stop by! If you can’t come to the store, you can buy their products from their Etsy store.

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Paoli Secret Garden

Here is a “living table”. Also a look inside their shop in the yellow building.

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Next door is  Paoli Road Mercantile, formerly a whey house. It is built of large multi-colored rocks that give it such a unique and beautiful appearance.

 These businesses are part of the Mill Shops and Park.

 

The Bread and Brat Haus is especially popular. We had Chicken Pot Pie there when we went to the Paoli Fall Festival and it was delicious!

They also associate with The Hop Garden below.  Enjoy live music from the Hop Garden stage while enjoying food from the Brat Haus.

This view is behind the Brat Haus and The Hop Garden.

  Totally Wired is next to the Paoli Secret Garden and their specialty is purses.

The Zazen Gallery is next on our right.

Cluck the Chicken Store. They provide for the needs of chicken owners, as well as people who love cute chicken decor.

6-11 169Chicken Heads

At the end of Paoli Road is Paoli Park, a great place to eat your lunch on a warm summer day. Bicyclists stop in Paoli also for refreshment on their ride. The Badger State Trail passes through town. It has a gazebo and a garden area with an arch.  Also many mature trees.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit to Paoli, we sure did!

Links

*  Visit Paoli

*  Paoli Mill Terrace and Park

*  Paoli Secret Garden

* The Hop Garden

*Cluck The Chicken Store

*Cottage Goddess

*John/Christine Designs

*Landmark Creamery

*Paoli Bread and Brat Haus

*Paoli Gallery and Print Shop

*Paoli Road Mercantile

*Paoli Schoolhouse Shops and Café

*Zazen Gallery

*Paoli Pub and Grill

*Abel Contemporary Gallery