Serendipity in Wisconsin
I like Surprises
PugsleyTonks likes a well prepared blog mission itinerary. However, being surprised by a unplanned discoveries along the way is even more fun. On my last trip through Wisconsin, a Minor Public Official and I experienced some very high end serendipity in Wisconsin.
Muffler Man is the Best
My love for Muffler Men is well documented. Usually, I know exactly where they are and never miss an opportunity to add to my picture collection. However, I dropped the ball on this trip. I completely did not realize that a Muffler Man was on our path. I almost gave a Minor Public Official a heart attack with a quick U-turn to get back to the Cowboy…
In addition to the surprise Muffler Man, we also encountered a fiberglass mold graveyard. Basically, its exactly what it sounds like. Its a fiberglass company that uses their backyard as an old mold dumping ground. A Minor Public Official seemed irritatingly unimpressed with this graveyard. But, I liked it.
Dive Bars Galore!
Per capita, Wisconsin has the third most dive bars in the USA. But, number one and two states are North Dakota and Wyoming. Well, no one lives in those states. So, I declare Wisconsin as the best dive bar state in the nation. We traveled through many unincorporated towns with about 4 buildings. But, two of them were typically dive bars…as it should be…
Naturally, PBR was the dominant display for the majority of the bars. To be fair, Old Style got honorable mention. But, I only took pictures of the PBR dive bars.
The Cranberry Harvest
For reasons unknown to me, I have always been fascinated with cranberry bogs and the cranberry harvest. And, totally by chance, a Minor Public Official and I passed near Necedah, Wisconsin, which happened to be cranberry country…right at harvest time!
The oversimplified version of cranberry farming goes like this… Cranberries are grown in these rectangular, retention basins. When the cranberries are ready, the basins are flooded. Next, the farmers use these egg beater things to agitate the crops and break free all the cranberries. Then, the cranberries float to the surface allowing the farmer to pump the berries right out of the bog.
I would have enjoyed staying longer in this area to experience the harvest. However, the farmers did not seem all that welcoming. There were lots of private roads and “NO TRESPASSING” signs. So, we took some quick pictures and departed.
Wrap It Up
Following our cranberry experience, we had a great lunch experience at a remote Wisconsin restaurant, called Bucks and Berries. The restaurant theme was killing deer, eating cranberries, and staunchly respecting our Second Amendment rights. I had the Bog burger and a piece of cranapple pie.
There you have it. Between Muffler Men, dive bars, cranberry harvest and redneck restaurants, the serendipity in Wisconsin was outstanding. Have a wonderful day. PT
I hope you have enjoyed read “Serendipity in Wisconsin” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.
Here was another surprise blog encounter… https://travelingwithpt.com/not-all-construction-delays-are-bad/
If you want a cranberry tour where you are actually invited, check this… https://www.travelwisconsin.com/animals-agriculture/splash-of-red-cranberry-harvest-tours-361544
Buy a Ghost Tour…earn me a commission…
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