If you're looking for an Up North weekend getaway but think it's too far to drive, consider a trip to Wausau. A mere three hours away, Wausau has some great fun on tap. From baseball to horses to hiking to art, there's plenty to savor in a single weekend in the heart of Wisconsin.
Take I-94 to Madison and follow the signs to 39/51 through Portage and Stevens Point and into Wausau.
Along the way, hop off 39/51 at Westfield and instead of turning left into town, turn right and follow E to Y (there's a sign on your right after you exit 39/51). Make a left at Y and about 1/4-mile along the road you'll come across a miniature horse farm.
Stop and gawk at these magical, tiny critters on the left side of the road and be sure to pet the standard size horses, who love the attention, across the road. Next to their corral is the building where tours of the farm begin daily at 1 p.m. No appointments required, just get there at 1 with your $8 for a look at some of the farm buildings and a chance to play with the littlest of horses!
Back on the big road, you'll know you're arriving in Wausau when you see the big hill begin to emerge on the west side of the road. That's Rib Mountain (715-842-2522), which rises nearly 2,000 feet above sea level and more than 600 feet above the road.
The mountain -- which is made from some of the oldest rock in North America -- is a great state park with breathtaking views, especially from the 60-foot observation tower that crowns the peak. Campers can rent sites near the top and wake each morning to a panoramic view of central Wisconsin. In the winters, the mountain becomes a skiier's paradise.
Down in the city of Wausau, which has 38,000 people (there are 70,000 in the metropolitan area), there is a lovely downtown with a big shopping mall (Younkers, The Gap, Sears, etc.), a riverwalk, and historic buildings, including the train depot made famous by Wausau Insurance's TV ads.
A bit north and east is the Andrew Warren Historic District full of beautiful old homes, including a pair by Frank Lloyd Wright. Although one is obscured from view, you can get a good look at the exterior of 1224 Highland Park Blvd., which was built circa 1938-'41.
While you're in the neighborhood, visit the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, which is always free and has been open to the public for 25 years. The collection and home were once the property of Leigh Yawkey Woodson, who donated her treasures to the community upon her death. For more on the museum, which also has a peaceful, rustic sculpture garden, visit www.lywam.org.
For a little nosh, head to Hereford & Hops, 2205 Sherman St., where you'll find a range of made-on-the-spot beers and a pretty typical brew pub menu (not much for vegetarians!). But you'll also find a pair of huge grills where you can grill your own steaks. Fun for the entire family.
If it's in season, you'll want to make baseball a part of your trip as Wausau is the home to the Woodchucks of the Northwoods League's Southern Division. These are college players keeping fit over the summer and the competition can be pretty fierce and the atmosphere is as infectious and unpretentious as at any minor-league stadium. Keeping things lively is Woody, the unflappable Woodchucks' mascot. Admission is $4 for adults and beer is $2. This ain't no Miller Park pricing, folks. So, stop in at Athletic Park and see the 'Chucks take on the Madison Mallards, the Mankato Mashers or the Alexandria Beetles!
Stay over in one of Wausau's B&Bs or many hotels and motels, information on which can be found at www.wausaucvb.com.
Next morning, lace up your walking shoes and head 15 miles northeast of the city to the Dells of the Eau Claire River (715-261-1550). This county park has paths that flank the river and its beautiful stone formations which look like smaller versions of the Wisconsin Dells. But, there are few people around. The trails are easy to navigate and the sound of the rushing water provides the perfect soundtrack for a hike. There are also camp sites, a beach, picnic areas, an Ice Age Trail segment and more.
For a little variety, return to Milwaukee via Hwy. 45. You can hop off for a little detour on a Rustic Road at Tigerton and visit Mares Farm Market near Clintonville. Terry Mares and his sons raise all kinds of vegetables and sell them at a small stand, but they also cut a maze into their corn field in the summer and $6 for adults provides a great time stalking (pun intended) around the field. But, mind you, it gets pretty hot in a corn field, so take advantage of the mid-point rest tent and pop open a bottle of water ($1).
For more information on these places and other great things to do in the area, contact the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau at (888) 948-4748, 10204 Park Plaza, Suite B, Mosinee, WI 54455.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
