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We started at the Castlerock Museum which hosted the Fire in the Shire event held June 7, 2025. This museum started as a personal historical collection by Judge Gary Schlosstein. Unable to find someone to fund or let him display his collection of arms, armor and more, he opened his own business which is now a museum. During the Fire in the Shire event, we witnessed sword fights and displays of swords which was hosted by the Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association, who helps bring history to the future. Also present was the Midwest Renaissance Actors Guild. They were in period clothing as well as was most everyone who participated in the event. A great time was had by all...   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: Please see the article for links and much more...

La Crosse Riverfest!

Golden Sky on the 4th of July Cassville!

Fireworks Over Lake Pepin

Prairie du Chien Area

Celebrate Onalaska

Galesville 4th of July Celebration

July 4th Celebration at Buffalo City Park

5th Annual 4th of July 5k Buffalo City

La Crosse Center’s Independence Day Open House for Fireworks & Franks!

Stockholm 4th of July Parade

Red, Wine & Blue at Bluff Top Vineyard!

Kwik Trip Fireworks Spectacular (JULY 5th)

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Ken Notes: More at the link....

Prairie Du Chien

While Prairie du Chien compels many tourists to visit and explore its rich historical heritage, the town also lures paranormal enthusiasts with its ancient tradition of communicating with the departed. This unusual event plays out at the historic Villa Louis every October during what is called "Spiritualism in the Victorian Era." It explores the ancient practice of connecting with the dead among Victorians and exposes attendees to weird spiritualist paraphernalia.

Prairie du Chien`s military heritage comes to life at the Fort Crawford Museum. This 19th-century landmark features two buildings with museums full of artifacts. Finally, remember to stop by the Mississippi River Sculpture Park and admire the life-sized statues tributing prominent personalities from the region...

Learn More At PrairieDuChien.org

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A prominent national publication has named the Great River Road the best scenic drive in America.

The route curves alongside the Mississippi River for its entire 2,340-mile length, starting near Lake Itasca and finishing in the bayou at New Orleans. Along the way, travelers pass by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion.

In central Minnesota, just like the river, the route curls through Clearwater, St. Cloud, and Sartell. Compared to the slow-moving, muddy Mississippi seen further south, this area gives drivers a chance to see picturesque rapids and currents.

The Great River Road sits atop the USA Today 10Best list. It beat out some of the most iconic drives in the country, including California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Smoky Mountains, Route 66, and Door County, Wisconsin...

SEE ALSO...

Great River Road named Best Scenic Drive in America 

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See this vital waterway from the Great River Road

The Mississippi River is a mighty waterway. It carries hundreds of millions of tons of freight every year, is home to a diverse population of fish, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, functions as a guide for migratory birds, and provides drinking water to loads of people. While you can cruise down the river itself, imagine a more land-centric approach by driving across stretches of the Great River Road.

How does the Great River Road work?

Officially called the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, this series of state and local highways and roads follows the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles, through 10 states. If you drove the entire route without stopping, starting in northern Minnesota and ending in southern Louisiana, it would take 36 hours. This is not recommended, as you would "miss all its beauty," Travel and Leisure said. Instead, give yourself at least a week.

What to expect along the way...

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Ken Notes: Great Read....

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MAP		Discover Wisconsin Great River Road Video
Here`s to Being Here: Great River Road | Sights to See Along the Mississippi

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Key details:

    Project: Resurfacing, bridge, and culvert work. 

• Location: WIS 35 between County N and County E in Ferryville, WI. 
  
  
• Schedule: WIS 35 will be closed nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. 
  
  
• Daytime Operations: WIS 35 will be open with temporary lane closures under flagging operations during the day. 
  
  
• Detour Route: The detour will utilize WIS 27 and WIS 171. 

  Construction will be completed in stages...

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Ken Notes: The Detour is a very scenic drive and not too far out of your way day or night.

TREMPEALEAU, Wis. (WKBT) -- If you`re planning to hit the Great River State Trail, you`ll need to rethink your route. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the Tank Creek Bridge is now closed until further notice after being severely damaged by fire.

The historic bridge went up in flames on Thursday evening, May 15, 2025. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident, but the bridge couldn`t be saved. DNR officials report that the structure is a total loss, and they`re still investigating what caused the fire.

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Ken Notes: Sad news. We need a fix ASAP....

The 94-year-old bridge was also closed last year for emergency repairs.

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Wisconsin takes the cake in a national pie competition — with the winner of the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.  

Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest across a wide range of categories. Editors vet nominations, select final nominees and ask the public to decide in a four-week voting period. For the second consecutive year, Stockholm Pie and General Store has been voted America`s Best Pie Shop. Another Wisconsin favorite, Norske Nook, took fourth place this year...

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Ken Notes: Great stop on the River Road ...and they have "Ken" Bourbon Walnut Pie just for me!!!!

GENOA, Wis. (WKBT) -- There are seven fishing floats up and down the Mississippi River.

News 8 Now spent some time on the oldest one, because who doesn`t want to spend time on the river, for this week`s Eye Piece....

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Ken Notes: Great video at the link!

• The sun sets over the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers as viewed from Wyalusing State Park in 2017.
• The Great River Road winds around Maiden Rock Bluff along Lake Pepin, a lake on the Mississippi River.
• Campsites in the Wisconsin Ridge campground in Wyalusing State Park are perched on a bluff above the Wisconsin River.
• Trails at Wyalusing State Park provide views of the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers.
• A hiker enters a cave at Wyalusing State Park in August, 2013.
• The Mississippi River looking north along the Great River Road in Lynxville.
• Trails at Perrot State Park lead to the top of Brady`s Bluff, with views of the Mississippi River and Trempealeau Mountain in 2017....

These are 7 of the most treasured views in Wisconsin. Here`s how to find them -- Mississippi River at Wyalusing State Park

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Ken Notes:Great Pics from one of my favorite Parks!

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Advocacy day highlights importance of waterway, challenges facing river communities

A national effort hopes to bring together communities and other stakeholders to celebrate the Mississippi River in order to better protect it.

Wisconsin is one of three states, along with nearly a dozen local governments, celebrating June 2 as National Mississippi River Day. 

In his proclamation, Gov. Tony Evers cited both the river’s importance to Wisconsin communities and tribes, and the threats the waterway faces, including shoreline erosion, wetland degradation and flooding...

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Wisconsin`s natural landscape is set for an upgrade as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) kickstarts a waterflow improvement project at Sam Gordy`s Slough. Starting this June, the initiative aims to restore fish habitats and water quality by enhancing the connection with the Mississippi River`s current. While this marks good news for local ecosystems, recreational users should be prepared for some disruptions...   ...Full Story Here

Chef Shack

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Ken Notes: Nice to see a few on or near the Great River Road...

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All of our sponsors!
Comming Soon...

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...Stockholm occupies less than one square mile along the Mississippi River’s Lake Pepin but compresses an unusual number of cultural and geographic contrasts into its tiny footprint. Founded by Swedish immigrants in the mid-19th century, the village maintains a population under 250 yet supports a disproportionate number of working artists and independent food makers. Its single main street holds no chain businesses, and cell service is sporadic by design. The terrain surrounding the town forms part of the Driftless Area, unglaciated, sharply hilled, and strikingly different from the flattened Midwest most travelers expect. No traffic lights. No billboards. Just a tight cluster of buildings against a lake wide enough to look like the ocean.

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It had been years since I boarded a train in the U.S., but at St. Paul Union Depot, it all came back quickly. I stood in a short line, showed the digital ticket on my phone, and rolled my suitcase aboard. I grabbed a window seat, opened the water I packed—no TSA rules, no shoes off, no laptop removal. The train pulled out on time, Wi-Fi humming. I was onboard the Borealis—Amtrak’s newest route, launched in 2024. It runs daily between St. Paul and Chicago, with multiple Wisconsin stops in between.

I set out to explore three Wisconsin cities—La Crosse, Wisconsin Dells, and Milwaukee—without a car. Just trains, walkable towns, and time to experience summer in Wisconsin. For couples, friend groups, families, or solo travelers, this route keeps it simple: no driving, no parking, no gas. And yes—there’s a café car for sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.

This was a three-night trip, no car keys involved. Each train leg took under three hours. I packed a small bag, rolled it on board, and let the route do the rest. There’s no gas to buy. No highway exits to miss. No parking meters to feed. Whether you`re traveling as a couple, with friends, flying solo, or bringing the whole crew, just board the train, sit back, and let Wisconsin come to you....

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Ken Notes: One of the best ways to get to the "River" is on the new Amtrak Borealis. You can jump off in La Crosse and spend a great weekend. Coming from the north or south we are in the middle of everything.

A pictorial view of Wisconsin`s best destinations and we are happy to be on the list! Share your Great River Road adventure on Facebook, YouTube, or other outlets!    ...Full Story Here

....In late May, the railroad moved its first shuttle train loaded with corn from ALCIVIA`s newly constructed grain terminal in Hager City, Wisconsin. That came two months after the first inbound trains of fertilizer began to roll into Central Valley Ag’s (CVA) new grain shuttle facility and agronomy plant complex in Courtland, Kansas....

In addition to rail, Ken Notes:

Wisconsin plays a significant role in the Mississippi River`s grain trade, particularly for corn and soybeans. The river serves as a vital transportation artery, with barges carrying these commodities from Wisconsin and other Midwestern states to domestic and international markets. 

Barges move grain from Wisconsin and other states to ports for distribution within the US or for export overseas. The river`s role in grain transport is vital for farmers, local communities, and the broader economy. Locks and dams along the Wisconsin-Iowa border facilitate barge traffic, and infrastructure projects aim to improve river transportation...

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Grant County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Crawford County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Vernon County Events Calendar Visitor Guide
La Crosse County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Trempealeau County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Buffalo County Events Calendar
Pepin County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Pierce County Events Calendar Google Map

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Great River Road Resources

Wisconsin Great River Road Website

Wisconsin Great River Road 2025 Visitors Guide

All-American Great River Road National Scenic Byway

The Wisconsin Great River Road – Discover Wisconsin

Great River Road TripAdvisor

Explore La Crosse

Wisconsin Tourism Great River Road

National Website ExperienceMississippiRiver.com

MRPC Members Website National River Resources

Other Tourism Sites

Monroe County

Events Calendar

River Pool Maps

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