January 27 - April 14, 2011 (updated 3/18/11)
Thursdays starting at 2:30 p.m.
Mukwonago area
We decided to alternate nature areas with interesting and/or historic buildings. We investigated buildings from the "Walking Tour of the Village of the Mukwonago" leaflet which you can get at the Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce at 801 Main St.
1/27 - Phantom Glen Park (#28) The parking lot is plowed and you have a good view of the lake with its ice fishing shanties and trees. Directions: From hwy I43, take 83N, Left at Front St., Right onto ES (Main St.), 1 block to Left on Andrew St. Follow to end. Park is on your left.
2/3 - Pius V church (#5) 400 Grand Ave and Kettle Moraine Community Church (#4) 509 Grand Ave. Directions: from hwy I43, take 83N, Right at Pearl Ave, Left at Division St/ Grand Ave.
2/10 - Vernon Marsh - off frog alley. From Hwy I43, take 83N past Pick N Save about one mile, Right onto Frog Alley (road is labeled Sudgan drive on the left). Park in higher parking lot overlooking marsh.
2/17 - Heaven City Restaurant, S91 W27850 National Ave. http://www.heavencity.com/ . Interesting architecture or you can paint the view from the top of the hill.
2/24 - Falcon View Estates Subdivision overlooking Vernon Marsh, directions: from hwy I43, turn right onto hwy 83 go one block, Turn right onto Holz Parkway onto Hwy ES, drive past the gas station on the right. Turn left at the 2nd street Hilllview (there is a big white farmhouse on your left.) Hillview road turns 4 times, and at that point you will see a very straight Hillview. At the next turn you will see a small road going up the hill (till going straight). Go to the top and find a place to park for your view.
3/3 - Horns Feeds Inc 728 Clarendon Ave, Brittingham & Hixton Lumber Company (#6) 616 Grand Ave & John Cloisy Family Home (#7) 414 Oakland Ave. Directions: From hwy I43, take 83N, turn right at Oakland Ave. Meet at intersection of Oakland Ave, Clarendon Ave & Grand Ave.
3/10 - Hidden Lakes Drive, Directions: from hwy I43, take 83N to Hwy NN, East on NN to Hwy ES, Left (east) on ES, past the river and up the hill. On your left just past Heaven City Restaurant is Hidden Lakes Drive. Turn left onto Hidden Lakes Drive to the lakes.
3/17 - Bissett House / Blarney Castle (#8) 212 Pearl Ave. There is a very old stone children's playhouse built in the 1900's that looks like a stone castle. According to Tour #3 "The castle, with its sturdy stone walls, was built in 1897 by the Porter family. A friendly rivalry among the neighbors led them to erect this replica of the Irish Blarney Castle so that they would have a better garden than their neighbors. The got the idea from the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. The castle provided a great place for the village children to play. When cars came along, gasoline was stored in it so that the townspeople could get gasoline when the gas station was closed." Directions: From Hwy I43, take 83N. Turn right (east) on Pearl street, then turn left (north) on Pleasant St.
3/18/11 Update. Here's where we are planning to go on Thursday at about 2:30ish in the next four weeks depending on the weather.
3/31/11 Scuppernong Springs. Directions: From Eagle at the junction of State Hwys 59 and 67, proceed north on Hwy 67 about 1 mile to CTH ZZW. Turn left on ZZW. Scuppernong Springs parking lot is on the left about ¼ mile. State Park Fee. Ruins from early marl processing factory, pond, springs, wetlands.
4/7 East Troy Electric Railroad Substation. Directions: From I43, take 120N to East Troy center. A band gazebo is in the center of the square. From the square continue straight north on Church Street two blocks to the tracks. The Substation, a large brick building, is on the right. Also railroad equipment is usually parked nearby.
4/14 Fox River County Park. Waukesha. Directions: From I43 exit Hwy 83N to ES. Right (East) on ES to XX. Left (North) on XX to I. Left (West) on I to H. Right on H to park entrance on right. Waukesha County Park Fee. Views of the Fox River, wetlands.
4/21 Eagle, WI Business District. Directions: At the junction of State Hwys 59 and 67. Quaint buildings are located all around.
Some future places we're thinking of going are:
- East Troy Center. Directions: From I43, take 120N to East Troy center. A band gazebo is in the center of the square. Interesting buildings are all around the square.
- Paradise Spring. Directions: From Eagle at the junction of State Hwys 59 and 67, proceed west on Hwy 59 about ½ mile. Turn right (north) on CTH N. Paradise Spring is about ½ mile on the right. State Park Fee. Picturesque pond, dam, and spring house.
- Old World Wisconsin. Directions: From Eagle at the junction of State Hwys 59 and 67, proceed south on Hwy 67 about 1 mile to entrance on the right. Wisconsin Historical Society Fee required. Historic buildings from around Wisconsin.
