Deb in front of the covered bridge enjoying peaceful, rural Wisconsin. We only hear the river flowing and birds singing!
After freshly fallen snow we love to go out in our snowshoes. We drove two miles east just down Rural Road and then continuing on K to the historic Red Mill. Robert got Deb’s picture in front of the covered bridge (over the Crystal River) that leads to the little wedding chapel… peaceful and picturesque.
We just finished blowing and shoveling about a foot of new snow off the driveways here. What a gorgeous day with the sun shining and temps in the mid 20’s. Our guests just returned from cross country skiing at Hartman Creek State Park and they said it was perfect with fluffy snow and well-groomed trails. I just took this picture from the front porch of the Inn. Here’s our 1902 barn and milkhouse and in the background through the trees is the Little House on the Prairie.
We just cleared away about a foot of new snow - great for skiing
We went to Iola for the Winter Carnival Norwegian Supper of lutefisk, lefse, meatballs, real mashed potatoes and gravy, cooked corn and salad and to top it off Norwegian pastries: rosettes, krumkake, sand bakkels, spritz cookies – yum! It’s served family style by community members of the Sons and Daughters of Norway, Kiwanis, and others dressed in colorful Norwegian vests. We also shopped in the Scandinavian crafts room and got several Norwegian rugs for the Little House on the Prairie and two rugs for the Welcome Room made by a weaver in Amherst out of old bluejeans! We love the concept of making something new and beautiful out of a cast-away! Remember this for next year – first Saturday in February – come stay with us and go to the Winter Carnival – see the Badger Games and enjoy some Norwegian hospitality. It’s such fun!
Crystal River this Morning
Take a look from our front (screened) porch steps after as fresh fall of fluffy snow last night. Our guests went snowshoeing around the place last evening and loved it. X-country ski conditions are great, also. The snowflakes are large and flat and really sparkle in the sunlight.
We just finished clearing about 3 inches of powder - gorgeous.
Just now – about 3 pm – our neighbor came over to tell us we have an eagle perched in our tree overlooking the Inn! What a magnificent bird. What an auspicious event to have as today is our 4th anniversary here! 
It’s a gorgeous fall here and the colors range from brilliant yellows to orange, gold, maroon and red! This weekend, October 1, 2 and 3, is the Hidden Studios Art along the Ice Age Trail – a wonderful time to visit local artists’ in their studios. For details see http://www.hiddenstudiosarttour.com/ Come stay with us and enjoy fall beauty and artwork!
This chrysalis is the first we’ve found and it is under the banister of our front porch. We hope the many (40?, 50?) caterpillars we’ve had chomping on our various milkweeds are doing the same thing. This photo taken two days ago. Several of our baby milkweed plants have been stripped of leaves by the caterpillars but it is worth it for the blessing that these insects are.
Monarch Chrysalis on the Crystal River Inn B&B front porch railing.
Waupaca 2010 Triathlon Poster with our guest participants signatures.
Our guests participated in the Tri – many for the 4th year in a row. Congratulations one and all. A highlight of the event for us is the brunch served after the event when the participants and friends can feast on fresh fruit, ham and cheese scones, Crystal River Scramble (LOCAL EGGS!) , etc. and talk about their event. The energy and sharing is exciting to us as well.
It’s fun to see newcomers visibly relax before the Tri as they hear from experienced ones what to expect and where to go… and expand their circle of friends.
Here is one monarch caterpillar chomping away on our swamp milkweed (asclepias incarnata). It is one of at least 8 of various sizes on the three plants. We planted them especially for butterflies, especially the monarch, our WI state insect.