On one of our many trips to Wisconsin, we stayed at a great hotel right on Lake Michigan, the Lighthouse Inn. I thought I was just finding a reasonably priced place to stay since our main focus was getting to Green Bay for a Packer game, but this hotel really surprised us!
The Lighthouse Inn is located in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, which is a cute little town by Lake Michigan. Two Rivers has a population of about 11,000. The name comes from two rivers, the East and West Twin Rivers which run together just before flowing into Lake Michigan.
Two Rivers, Wisc.
We got an executive Queen room which had a lake view. Our room was quite comfortable with a Queen sized bed, refrigerator, microwave, desk, and recliner. At night we would open the window and listen to the sound of waves hitting the shore. I especially liked it on a windy and stormy evening when the waves were crashing up over the rocks.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2t8WXfF0gU/
We really liked our room, it was a little outdated, but very comfortable. I definitely recommend getting a room on the lakeside with views.
One highlight of our recent trip was our Tour of Historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We have attended 3 football games there but getting a “behind the scenes” tour was great! Lambeau Field is the oldest continually operated NFL stadium. It first opened in 1957 as “City Stadium”. In 1965 it was renamed for Packers founder and long-time coach, Curly Lambeau. In 2007, the stadium was voted #1 in game-day atmosphere and fan experience by Sports Illustrated’s online poll. We met our tour guide in the Atrium at Lambeau Field. The Atrium is open every day. This is what you will find in the Atrium.
On the second day of our road trip to Wisconsin, we stayed at the Starved Rock Lodge, Oglesby, Illinois. I chose this location mainly because it was southwest of Chicago and in Central Illinois. Whenever we take a trip to Wisconsin, we try to avoid Chicago traffic if possible. Starved Rock State Park is situated along the south bank of the Illinois River about 100 miles from Chicago, it was first opened to the public in 1912. The park attracts more than 2 million visitors each year and was voted the Best Tourist Attraction in 2019. It has 13 miles of scenic trails and 18 canyons to explore. In the spring or after a heavy rain, the Park has many waterfalls to enjoy. Unfortunately, this fall was quite dry there, and we did not see any waterfalls but the canyons were beautiful just the same.
Some road trips are just for fun while others are made with a purpose in mind. In mid-September(pre-covid) we headed out for a road trip from our home in North Carolina to Wisconsin. Our mission was to pick up my Mom, who was moving in with us. but, before we picked her up in Eau Claire, we decided to have a little vacation. Once she moved in, we would become caregivers and not be able to have a vacation for a while.
This road trip is a little over 1000 miles and takes about 17 hours if we drive straight to Eau Claire, WI. We always try to stop for the night about 8 hours down the road. We have a few options; stop in Cincinnati Ohio, Dayton Ohio, Louisville Kentucky or push it to Indianapolis Indiana(9 hours).
Day 1
The weather was great as we loaded our truck and hooked up the small trailer. It was early in the morning on a Tuesday, we had dropped off our dog, Poppie, at the kennel the night before.
Our plan was to get about halfway(8 hours) down the road. There was nothing special about our day, the first day is usually LONG and is ALL about getting down the road! We stopped for lunch at Bob Evans in Charleston, West Virginia, and then continued until we decided that was enough for one day. We stopped for the evening outside Louisville, Kentucky.
We tried to keep this first day inexpensive so we stayed at Sleep Inn. These hotels are usually clean, have good reviews, and are inexpensive. No time for a pool or fancy restaurant!
My husband and I really enjoy traveling, and a road trip always gives us time to talk, which is great! A lot of our problems are solved, and plans are made while heading down the highway.
Mountains of West VirginiaPaddleboat in Louisville, Kentucky on the Ohio River
If you have ever taken a road trip in the midwest, some of these states are long with only a few cities along the route. I spent some time looking at the clouds out my window while my husband was driving, These clouds were mesmerizing! They are really quite beautiful if you take the time to look at them!
Day 2
We left Kentucky and headed into Indiana. As I was taking in the sights, I saw something peculiar which made me do a double-take! A tree was growing on top of this clock tower in Greensburg, Indiana!
The Tower Tree
The history and mystery of the Tower Tree
Early in the 1807’s the people of Greensburg noticed what seemed to be a small sprig growing on the courthouse tower. It began to grow in height. It seems that it somehow had taken root in the crevices of the roof on the tower. Over the next few months, other sprouts started springing up at different places until five were counted, making a small grove. The courthouse officials became alarmed that the trees may cause permanent damage to the roof. They hired someone to ascend the building and remove some of the shrubs. Today two trees remain.
This photo was taken in the winter but during the spring and summer months, these trees put forth beautiful foliage. It has never been explained as to how the seeds of the first trees found their way to the roof. If you were wondering what kind of trees? They are Mulberry trees!
Continue Day 2
Day 2 was a lot more fun than Day 1, and we only had to drive 5 1/2 hours. We had a reservation at Starved Rock State Park near Oglesby, Illinois. We ALWAYS avoid Chicago traffic when traveling, so I found this place which is about 2 hours southwest of Chicago. We find it easier to travel through the center of Illinois when going to Wisconsin. It’s not necessarily the shortest route but it usually avoids a lot of traffic.
Starved Rock Lodge is near Utica, Illinois when you book your room you have the choice of the Lodge wing(built in the 1930s) and the Hotel wing, which is a little more modern. We stayed in the Hotel Wing. The Lodge was beautiful. It was a relaxing afternoon with a trolley ride through the park and surrounding towns, a dip in the pool and hot tub, a little shopping in the gift shop, and dinner in the main dining room.
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