Greetings, PDR fans! Can you believe it's already Labor Day?! The calendar may claim that it's summer for a couple more weeks, but in Minnesota, we know we're in for colder weather soon.
I've been making the most of the short summer. I learned a lot and had a blast at the MTE Trade Show in Las Vegas last month. And, in the auto world, it seems the next opportunity for learning, networking, and just having fun is just around the corner. This month, I'm headed to Irvine, Texas, for the Auto Body Association of Texas or ABAT trade show. It takes place from September 17th through the 18th. I can't wait!
Getting back to Minnesota reality, soon we need to start thinking about colder temperatures and icy roads, so you might want to think about one more road trip before relocating to your couch. This month we're focusing our attention on our neighbor to the east. For those of you geographically challenged, I'm talking about the great state of Wisconsin. Yes, there's more to the Badger State than just cheese.
Check out these fun Wisconsin options:
Whether you've got a day to spend, an entire weekend, or longer, Wisconsin offers nearby attractions for both adult and family fun. Take a look at a few options below to see if one might work for your family.
· Lake Pepin offers over 100 miles of scenic beauty. You could just pack a picnic and find a spot to sit and enjoy the beauty of the lake. But, plenty of nearby options along the lake will also make for a great day.
Just driving down there, you'll encounter beautiful rolling hills, picturesque farms, wildflowers, horses, cows, and even the occasional llama. You will run into the town of Maiden Rock which represents a great place to stop for all things apple. At the orchard,. they offer apple picking, activities for kids, a shop with all kinds of goodies, and some pretty darn good hard cider.
Stockholm. Wisconsin boasts one of the smallest populations in the country. That doesn't stop them from offering all kinds of shops, a terrific organic restaurant, and some of the best pie in the world.
Lake Pepin
And, then in the town of Pepin, you've got the beautiful Villa Belleza Winery. Why not stop for a pizza and a bottle of wine, or just do a wine tasting.
·Wisconsin Dells requires at least a weekend of your time. The kids will love what the Dells has to offer, especially the waterparks. There's plenty of fun for adults as well. Of course, there's a variety of resorts and places to stay. But, if you're looking for something a bit different, why not stay at the Olympus Resort. You may as well fantasize you're in Rome if you drive all the way to Wisconsin Dells.
Olympus Resort
·Door County represents a place that just about everybody who goes there wants to go back. Not only do they go to enjoy the scenery, but Door County offers lots of family activities such as visits to orchards and farms, water sport activities, exploring mansions, and visiting shipwreck sights. If it's just the adults along for the ride, you might want to visit a brewery or winery.
Aerial shot of Door County
·If you haven't visited the Apostle Islands, you really should put it on your bucket list as a Midwest resident. From the Twin Cities, Bayfield represents about a five-hour drive. To get over to Madeline Island, you'll need to take a ferry. You can leave your car behind if you want to or drive onto the ferry if you're going to do some extensive island exploring. Even if you stay in Bayfield, you'll find plenty to do with everything from fun restaurants and quaint shops to camping with beautiful scenery. But, to see some incredible stars make sure to head over to Madeline Island for at least one night.
Bayfield
·Lake Geneva (the one in Wisconsin, not Switzerland) takes about five hours to get to, and you'll hit Chicago if you travel another two or three hours. On this beautiful lake and surrounding area, activities range from touring historic mansions to ziplining and just enjoying time on the water. If you've got more than a few days combining Lake Geneva with a trip to Chicago makes for a fun, diverse vacation.
Take a break from school stress:
Especially for parents of school-age children, the school year represents added stress with the day-to-day routine, homework, and other activities. Of course, this year, we're still dealing with COVID-19 and need to pay attention to various mandates and the health of our kids.
Road trips still represent the safest form of travel. Don't miss out on a family adventure this month if it's possible to squeeze it in.
If you want your car to look great for your adventure, or you pick up some dents and dings along the way, you sure don't need to stress out about that! Remember, at Gray Duck Dent Repair, we come to you to make your ride look good as new. We will also work with your insurance company. Give us a call or contact us here if you need an estimate or questions answered.
We look forward to hearing from you.