Driftless getaway

I love that Nathan's birthday is at the end of the summer. Besides the weather, the festivals and the outdoor activities, it is also a great time time to explore, which we are always a fan of.

Our friends had told us about a great little cabin a little over 2 hrs west of Madison.  An easy road trip with a whole different geography and vibe.  About 25,000 yrs ago, glaciers carved the landscape that is now Southwestern Wisconsin, but there was an area that was missed....the drift-less area. Traveling along hwy 14 the landscape starts to get more hilly and the rivers and roads become winding and quiet.

We got to the tree-cabin early evening and after a quick unpack of the truck, settled in on our rooftop 

deck to officially start the birthday weekend.

 The next morning we headed into Viola to check out a flea market and then down another wooded road till we got to Viroqua. Although the town only has 4,400 people, it is bustling with antique shops, restaurants and markets.

On a recommendation from Rick, the owner of the cabin, we stopped in Optimo Cafe for a delicious breakfast of handmade pastries and omelets alongside local bacon and Kickapoo coffee.  Optimo is part of the Viroqua Public Market, which has vendor booths set up inside offering handmade wearables, antiques and jams & jellies.

Speaking of food stuffs...each Saturday, the parking lot across the street is transformed into a farmers market.  The driftless area has a large population of Amish, so as you can imagine, the pies, breads and woven baskets were everywhere.  Sprinkle in some artisinal cheese and organic produce and it is a one stop shop.

For anything you can't find there, head down a few blocks to the Viroqua Food Coop.  Similar to co-ops you'd find in Boulder or Madison, this little gem had all the essentials.  Pre-made sammies for our afternoon drive, gourmet crackers and chips,  a great selection of mico brews and even some natural toiletries in case you forgot your bug spray.

The area is also home to Wildcat State Park, miles of bike trails and a perfect river for canoeing or kayaking.  There are several outfitters that offer rentals as well as shuttles and lots of spots to camp. Again- since the geography here is really so different, you feel you are out west instead of just a couple hrs west.

After another long winding road back to the cabin, we took Abby and went on a long pre dusk walk along the river.  The wildflowers, the setting sun, the chirping crickets....magical and so peaceful.

When Sunday morning finally arrived, my birthday boy was greeted by an al fresco breakfast of crepes, fresh berries and mimosas.

Following the river back to Madison, we popped into an orchard outside Gays Mills for a bag of freshly picked apples and a scenic overlook.

For just a tank of gas and 2 days, the 3 of us felt refreshed, inspired and grateful of the natural beauty right in our back yard.

The term "stay-cation" has become quite the buzz word in this tough economy.  I like it for a bunch of reasons.  Less travel-time/more free time, cheaper, fewer fossil fuels consumed and lastly supporting the folks in my little corner of the world.  Vendors, inn-keepers, shopowners.  My choice to stay in the area helps them do what they love....and I love what they do.  So next time you are needing a little getaway, take out a map of where you live and draw a circle 1-2 hours in diameter from your front door.  Take a road-trip, you might discover a whole new world.