ON-ROAD ADVENTURESSCENIC DRIVES, continuedSoutheast14. HOLY HILL ROAD888/974-8687www.visitwashingtoncounty.comJust north <strong>of</strong> Germantown, you canbegin by touring the original DheinsvilleSettlement. Ten miles down the road,Glacier Hills County Park <strong>of</strong>fers stunningviews <strong>of</strong> Holy Hill. Following Friess LakeDrive south to Hogsback Road west,leads you past a mile-long ridge <strong>of</strong>exceptional natural beauty. Rustic Road33 is nearby and well signed.Above: Holy Hill National Shrine <strong>of</strong> Mary,Washington County.15. KETTLE MORAINE SCENICDRIVE262/594-6200dnr.wi.gov/topic/parksThis 75 mile ramble through the northernand southern units <strong>of</strong> the KettleMoraine State Forest provides gloriousviews from the 60 foot tall Parnell Towerin the north to the historic buildings andfarms <strong>of</strong> Old Word <strong>Wisconsin</strong>’s pioneervillage in the south. Follow the greenand white “Acorn” signs to enjoy gloriousviews, including National Shrine <strong>of</strong>Mary at Holy Hill.South Central16. BARABOO HILLS TOURwww.devilslakewisconsin.com800/227-2266For a contrast to the energy <strong>of</strong> the Dells,head west from Devil’s Lake along Hwy113 to Cty DL and Soler Lane to discoverthe peaceful beauty <strong>of</strong> Durward’sGlen and Parfrey’s Glen. Stay on 113 totop <strong>of</strong>f the trek with an exciting (andfree!) ride on the Merrimac Ferry.17. MT. HOREB TOBLANCHARDVILLE608/523-4427dnr.wi.gov/topic/parksThe 18-miles on Hwy 78 between Mt.Horeb and Blanchardville form a tranquilpastoral drive through rolling farmfields ending at Yellowstone Lake StatePark <strong>of</strong>f Cty F for a hike and a spectacularlakeside picnic.DON ABRAMSSouthwest18. GREAT RIVER ROAD800/658-9424www.wigreatriverroad.orgThe grandeur and majesty <strong>of</strong> the mightyMississippi River can never be exaggerated!Follow Hwy 35 from La Crosse toPrescott (108 miles) for charming rivertowns, antique shops, delightful cafes,migrating birds, and stunning bluff-topviews.19. LOWER WISCONSIN RIVERdnr.wi.gov/org/land/facilities/lowerwisconsinHwy 60 from Sauk Prairie to Prairie duChien skirts a nearly unbroken series <strong>of</strong>wildlife areas along the river bottom. InSpring Green, you can tour the impressiveestate <strong>of</strong> Frank Lloyd Wright atTaliesin, visit the one-<strong>of</strong>-a-kind, worldfamous, House on the Rock, or enjoythe views from Tower Hill State Park. Forpanoramic views <strong>of</strong> the confluence <strong>of</strong>the Mississippi and <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Rivers,stop at Wyalusing State Park just south<strong>of</strong> Prairie du Chien.20. ROLLING HILLS OF HIGHWAY 14800/658-9424www.explorelacrosse.comBegin by taking in the breathtaking viewfrom the recently renovated visitor’s centeratop Grandad Bluff in La Crosse.Next, head east on Hwy 14 past thespectacular Shrine <strong>of</strong> Our Lady <strong>of</strong>Guadalupe, through the rolling hills <strong>of</strong>Amish farms, and the bucolic beauty <strong>of</strong>Coon Valley. For a longer drive, continueeast with a nostalgic stop at RumbleSeats Rock N’ Roll Drive-In all the wayto Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning estateat Taliesin in Spring Green.21. TOMAH TO OSSEO800/404-4008www.blackrivercountry.netIf you’re looking for a scenic drive thatmoves along a little quicker than most,try a look from the fast lane on I-94.Conical shaped mounds <strong>of</strong> glacial driftcalled glacial kames can be seen fromthe roadway; a rest stop near Millstonfeatures a trail map to a scenic kameoverlook. The Black River Falls StateForest is particularly pretty along hereand a series <strong>of</strong> elevation changesbetween Black River Falls and Osseoadds interest and artistry to the passinglandscape. As a reward, treat yourself toa piece <strong>of</strong> pie from the legendaryNorske Nook in Osseo.22. VERNON COUNTY608/625-2960http://kvr.state.wi.usCurving through the hills and valleys <strong>of</strong>Vernon County, Hwy 131 from Viola toOntario (21 miles) is a lovely stretch <strong>of</strong>highway. Just north <strong>of</strong> La Farge, stop atthe Kickapoo Valley Reserve VisitorCenter for maps to the 60 miles <strong>of</strong> hikingtrails and 19 miles <strong>of</strong> mountain bikingtrails in the 8,569-acre Reserve.Further north on Hwy 131, stop atopWildcat Mountain State Park for terrifichigh-ground views <strong>of</strong> the valley in its fallfinery. is roomRUSTIC ROADSSeems just about everyone could benefit from a refreshercourse in slowing down. Which makes the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> RusticRoads Program pure genius. These rural roads, all 111 <strong>of</strong>them, are lightly traveled with outstanding natural featuresalong their borders and, best <strong>of</strong> all, the max speed is 45 mph.Remember, it’s about slowing down and being wowed.It was the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Legislature that had the foresight toestablish the Rustic Roads program back in 1973 to preserve whatremained <strong>of</strong> the state’s most scenic country roads. These are agodsend for bikers, hikers and motorists looking to take a leisurelytour, with emphasis on “leisurely,” with the designated roads preservedin a natural and essentially undisturbed state.The roads start at two miles long and go from there; could bedirt, gravel or paved; and may be one-way or two-way. The onecommon denominatoris that theyare all underlocal control.Retro-lookingsigns in brownand yellow markthe routes, witheach identifiedby number.There iseven a RusticRoads awardprogram formotorcyclists – travel 10 <strong>of</strong>the roads and you’re eligiblefor a Rustic Roads MotorcycleTour patch, travel 25 or moreand earn a certificate. Just haveyour picture taken with yourmotorcycle in front <strong>of</strong> the RusticRoad numbered sign. If solo, justyour bike in the shot will do.Forward to the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Motorcycle Safety Program and you’re in.Now, as for a guide to all the roads, you’re in luck, as a newedition is hot <strong>of</strong>f the presses. You can order by visitingwww.travelwisconsin.com/maps_guides.aspx/<strong>Download</strong>Guides. Ifyou’re itching to hit the road today, download Rustic Road regionalmaps at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/scenic/maps.htm.Here’s a travel tip: Take a Rustic Roads excursion in the fall tobe doubly wowed by natural scenery that’s pretty anytime <strong>of</strong> theyear but is now over the top amazing with color. And get out <strong>of</strong> yourcar to really soak it all in.As the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Transportation suggests, let’scall this tourism <strong>of</strong>fering “a positive step backward.”RJ & LINDA MILLER10 Find more fun at travelwisconsin.com or call 1-800/432-8747.
Outdoor ArtLots <strong>of</strong> outdoor art is outsider art. Meaning it’s created byself-taught artists. That’s the kind <strong>of</strong> creativity, some mighteven call it quirkiness, that <strong>Wisconsin</strong>ites are known toembrace. Prepare to be inspired when you visit one <strong>of</strong> thesefolk art grottos, sculpture gardens or open-air exhibits. Don’toverlook modern murals and art installations either.Northwest11. ASHLANDAshland Mural WalkDowntown800/284-9484www.visitashland.comThe 8 block historic business district isthe background for a fascinating walkthrough Ashland's history. View 11murals, starting from the Corner <strong>of</strong> EllisAve and Main Street. Ashland has beendesignated the Historic Mural Capital <strong>of</strong>the State <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong>.2. PHILLIPS<strong>Wisconsin</strong> Concrete ParkN8236 State Highway 13800/269-4505www.friends<strong>of</strong>fredsmith.orgNestled in <strong>Wisconsin</strong>’s beautiful northwood’s, Fred Smith’s Concrete Park ishome to more than two-hundred concretesculptures depicting a wide array<strong>of</strong> characters from local and nationalhistory. Find statues <strong>of</strong> Abe Lincoln,Sacajawea, and even Paul Bunyan inthis stunning park.3. WILSONJames Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden5634 Evergreen Dr920/458-6144www.kohlerfoundation.org/tellen.htmlBack in 1942, factory worker JamesTellen began constructing this whimsicalwoodland escape on the grounds <strong>of</strong> hissummer cottage. Today you’ll find morethan 30 life-like statues nestled in thewoods <strong>of</strong> his property, portraying everythingfrom prairie settlers, to NativeAmericans to woodland creatures.East Central4. PLYMOUTHPlymouth Mural WalkDowntown920/893-0079www.plymouthwisconsin.comA group <strong>of</strong> 160+ painters from aroundthe world, created 21 murals on downtownbuildings. The murals depict businessesfrom Plymouth's historic past.Get the latest on great <strong>Wisconsin</strong>getaway ideas, activities, events,packages and more. Sign up for freee-mail updates and the FALL COLORREPORT at travelwisconsin.com.3121113256910Central4875. MARSHFIELDJurustic ParkM222 Sugarbush Ln715/387-1653www.jurustic.comThis quirky gem is home to more than250 folk art sculptures depicting creatureslarge and small. Wander aroundthe property and discover dogs, dragons,and dinosaurs, all with a signaturered rust patina. This sculpture park issure to be fun for the whole family.6. RUDOLPHRudolph Grotto Gardens and Wonder Cave6957 Grotto Ave715/435-3120www.mnmuseum<strong>of</strong>thems.org/Grotto/Wonder1.htmlWhile at the Grotto <strong>of</strong> Our Lady <strong>of</strong>Lourdes in France, Philip Wagnerprayed for his ailing health, promising tobuild a beautiful shrine if his prayerswere answered. Upon recuperation, heconstructed this beautiful tribute justnorth <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Rapids. Today it consists<strong>of</strong> acres <strong>of</strong> gardens, shrines, paths,and stunning sculptures. Be sure tomake a wish in the hand-made wishingwell.Southeast7. MILWAUKEELynden Sculpture Gardens2145 W. Brown Deer Rd414/446-8794www.lyndensculpturegarden.org/The Lynden Sculpture Garden <strong>of</strong>fers aunique experience <strong>of</strong> art in naturethrough its collection <strong>of</strong> more than 50monumental sculptures sited across 40acres <strong>of</strong> park, lake and woodland.Above: <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Concret Park, Phillips.8. WEST BENDWest Bend Sculpture WalkDowntown West Bendwww.dowtownwestbend.comAlong the Riverwalk, view over 25 outdoorexhibits <strong>of</strong> modern sculpture createdby local and national artists.South Central9. BARABOODr. Evermor’s Art ParkUS Highway 12608/219-7830Dr. Evermor’s Art Park contains out-<strong>of</strong>this-worldmachines built from salvagedfactory parts and other odds and ends.Home to the largest scrap metal sculpturein the world, the “Forevertron,”stands at 50 feet tall and weighs 300tons.10. HOLLANDALENick Engelbert’s Grandview7351 State Hwy 39608/967-2322www.nicksgrandview.com/Nick Engelbert began transforming thegrounds <strong>of</strong> his Hollandale home into acolorful sculpture garden in 1930.Named “Grandview” for its stunningvista, here you’ll find concrete birds,monkeys, a Viking warrior and even anelephant; most <strong>of</strong> which are covered incolorful stones. The house, also entirelyencased in vibrant stones, is now amuseum.Southwest11. CATARACTPaul and Matilda Wegner GrottoState Hwy 27 & 71608/269-8680www.monroecountyhistory.org/wegnergrotto.phpBuilt as a “retirement project” byPaul and Matilda Wegner, thisGrotto contains many concretesculptures adorned with colorfulshattered crockery, broken beerbottles, carnival glass, and even bulletcasings. You’ll even find a non-denominationalglass chapel on the property.BRIAN EBNER12. COCHRANEHerman Rusch’s Prairie Moon SculptureGarden and MuseumS2727 Prairie Moon Road608/687-8250www.kohlerfoundation.org/rusch.htmlJust one hour northwest <strong>of</strong> La Crosse,this amazing art environment featuresdozens <strong>of</strong> concrete statues and stunninglandscaping by <strong>Wisconsin</strong> farmerHerman Rusch. You’ll find everythingfrom dinosaurs, decorative fences, giantsnakes, a Hindu temple, and a castletower on this beautiful property.13. DICKEYVILLEDickeyville Grotto305 West Main Street608/568-3119www.dickeyvillegrotto.com/The beautiful Grotto and Shrines wereconstructed by Father MathiasWernerus from 1925 to 1930 on thegrounds <strong>of</strong> the Holy Ghost Parish. Built<strong>of</strong> stone, mortar and colorful objectsfrom all around the world, the worksshowcase Father Wernerus’ love for Godand his patriotism for his country.Above: Jurustic Park, Marshfield.JURUSTIC PARKFind more fun at travelwisconsin.com or call 1-800/432-8747. 11