2015 Fall Western Trip: Amherst, Wisconsin

The Amherst, Wisconsin visit was to catch up with long time friends Dave and Ann Wright.  I have known them since 1969 when they lived in Gouverneur.  Judy has never met them.  I haven't seen them in a couple of years, but they are the kind of friends that when you connect again, it seems as if the time has never passed.  Dave and Ann have been working artists most of their life, and in fact are still making and selling art, both in galleries and through their website. www.artbywrights.com.

We camped at Lake Emily County Park for five nights, arriving on Wednesday the 16th and leaving on Monday the 21st.  This is a small, only 65 sites or so, and very nice park.  We parked on site 6.  Most sites are long with a nearly level gravel pad, reasonably private, and have electricity.  We would definitely stay here again.

Lake Emily County Park, Site 6

Wednesday, 9/16:  We arrived about 2:00 in the afternoon.  After checking in (it was self registration, and we had to use cash because they would not take out of state checks) and setting up, we gave Dave and Ann a call to plan the evening activities.  A social tradition among a group of their friends here is to meet at Sunset Lake every Wednesday in the late afternoon for a pot luck dinner.  According to one, this has been going on for 30 years or so.  Sometimes only 10 or so will show up, while other times over 30 will be present.  I have been on several occasions, and it is a good way to catch up and is always a good time.  This time was no different.  Several remembered me, and they were all very gracious and made Judy feel right at home.

Thursday, 9/17:  After a couple days of driving and then partying, we slept inThursday morning.  We cooked a late, casual breakfast and did some grocery shopping.   We showed up at Dave's about 3:00 and went with them to watch Dave, Ann and a group of friends play in an Irish music jam session.  Dave plays fiddle, and Ann plays flute and whistle.  They have been doing this for several years and it's great fun to watch and listen. Later that evening we did BBQ pork tenderloins over a wood fire.  It was a nice relaxing day.

Friday, 9/18:  Today we decided to visit the Birds in Art exhibit at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, about an hour away.  Birds in Art is a juried show that every year assembles art involving birds from all over the world.  It is a phenomenal exhibit!

Friday evening we went to the Central Waters Brewery to sample a couple beers.  Many of the folks form the Sunset Lake crew were there also.  Central Waters opens up the tap room at the brewery on Friday,  Saturday and Sundays only.  There was music, a packed house, good beer and great conversation.  The word in the beer world is that Central Waters is doing it right.

Saturday, 9/19:  Today was a bit of a laid back day.  We took the Zoeys and met up with Dave's brother at Skunk Lake Natural Area to hike with the dogs.  The Golden Retriever Zoey went swimming, and had a ball.  That evening we went to BBQ party at Glen and Cyndy's.

Sunday. 9/20:  Today is our last full day in Amherst.  Wine tasting and Packer football were on the schedule.  We picked out three wineries to try, and as usual with wine tasting, the results are mixed.  Not every wine is compatible with every palate.  The three stops varied from a small winery in the basement of the owner's home to fancy new buildings and landscaping.  We bought a few bottles at each.  However, in our opinion, the day's winner was clearly the Pine River Winery, located in the owner's basement.  Pat is a High School science teacher and makes wine on the side.  He makes wine very similar to the way I do, and sells about 1,000 bottles a year.  And his wine clearly matched our palates the best.  He hopes to retire from teaching in 7 or 8 years and become a full time vintner.  The other two stops were Vines and Rushes Winery, and Lunch Creek Winery.  They both had some interesting wines, but we really enjoyed Pine River the most.

Vines and Rushes Winery

Grapes are netted at Vines and Rushes to protect them from deer.

Sunday evening we watched the first half of the Greenbay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks football game.  If you live in Wisconsin, Packer football is right up there with Mom and apple pie.  :-)

On Monday, it's back on the road again heading west to Rapid City, South Dakota.