Two Wheels Are Better Than Four

    The open road, a kaleidoscope of colors, mild temperatures, and an escape from the real world. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Bikes and B&Bs pair so nicely this time of year. Oh, and by bikes, we mean both bicycles and motorcycles. We have lots of fall getaway ideas for fans of two wheels. Wisconsin’s Harley-Davidson just celebrated its 115th anniversary with a huge bash in Milwaukee over Labor Day weekend, and it was a “wow” for motorcycle fans. Wisconsin is also a peddler’s dream and here’s the evidence: Trek Bicycles is tops with tons of cyclists – the company is headquartered in Waterloo. Wyatt Bicycles in La Crosse manufactures high-end aluminum adventure bikes – think mountain bikes and fat bikes. Based in Madison, one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, Pacific Cycle is the parent company of Schwinn and Mongoose. Waterford Precision Cycles and Gunnar Cycles are both in Waterford. And there’s Sotherland Custom Bicycles in Whitewater. So with that biking tutorial out of the way, here are free-wheeling ideas for those of you with fall wanderlust. Best Inns to Ride a Motorcycle To: For those that love the city, Hotel Ruby Marie in Madison is located across from the majestic Lake Monona, where the cool lake breeze will greet you on a ride. Hotel Ruby Marie is also within a short distance from Capitol Square, where you can sight-see around the beautiful Wisconsin State Capitol building. For those that love to trek outside of the city limits, Sheer Memories B&B in Muscoda sits on the rolling hills that overlook the beautiful valley of the Lower Wisconsin River. Perfect for fall color peeping! [caption id="attachment_1983" align="alignleft" width="282"] Justin Trails Resort in Sparta[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2620" align="alignright" width="287"] Pedal'rs Inn in Wales[/caption]                 B&Bs with Covered Spots to Store Your Motorcycle: Nestled in a quiet, peaceful coulee, Justin Trails Resort in Sparta, WI offers guests a relaxed country getaway in the heart of the Wisconsin Driftless Region. They also offer their garage space for bicycles and motorcycles as part of their services. Sparta is often dubbed as the "Bicycling Capital of America" and is nearby to the famous Elroy-Sparta State Trail. Inns with Best Proximity to Top State Bike Trails: Located just outside of Elkhorn, WI and across the road from sparkling Lauderdale Lakes, you'll find Ye Old Manor House and the nearby 19 mile White River State Trail. This scenic trail follows a former rail corridor and passes by numerous bridges, scenic vistas, quaint towns, farmlands and wetlands. Then there are the guests at Pedal'rs Inn in Wales, WI, who have access to the miles of connecting paved trails throughout the surrounding areas. Nearby to Pedal'rs Inn, the 52 mile Glacial Drumlin State Trail offers easy connections to Madison and Milwaukee. [caption id="attachment_2606" align="alignleft" width="294"] Motorcycling in Kettle Moraine State Forest[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2648" align="alignright" width="271"] Greenway House B&B in Green Lake[/caption]               B&Bs to Pair for Inn-to-Inn Bike Trips: Green Lake, WI is an area with numerous and wonderfully scenic trails for all levels of bicycle riders, so why not take a ride to stop & stay at Green Lake's beautiful inns? Angel Inn offers a breathtaking lake front view, so rent Tri-cycles, Cruisers, or a Tandem from them for a leisurely cruise. You can also follow the new bike path nearby to the Green Lake Conference Center. Miller's Daughter Bed & Breakfast has several trails located near the inn, including the 12 mile Mascoutin Valley State Trail which runs along the old Milwaukee railroad bed. Greenway House is a historic retreat in the heart of Green Lake and ideal for some downtown biking while McConnell Inn offers their knowledge of the many scenic back-country roads and nearby trails that are perfect for biking or motorcycling. [caption id="attachment_1280" align="aligncenter" width="370"] Owner of Eagle Centre House B&B & his Harley[/caption] Inns Where the Owners are Big Bicyclists Themselves: Eagle Centre House B&B in Eagle WI, where the owners and family love to ride the hills and rural roads of the Southern Kettle Moraine. The inn is located 3 miles from the forest headquarters. At Eagle Centre House, you are welcome to walk their 20 acres of kettles and moraines crested with towering oaks and lush with an abundance of native prairie plants and wildlife.

Take A Ride!

  WBBA Seek the Unique

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

Oh My, Morel Mushrooms!

Pretty? Maybe not, but morel mushrooms sure are delicious and should be incorporated into your breakfast recipes.

Morel mushroom hunting in Wisconsin in the spring is like a secret society, with mushroom aficionados reluctant to share their hunting spots. However, our innkeepers are always happy to share their recipes, and so we reached out to our members for their favorite morel mushroom recipes. If you’ve never tasted a morel mushroom, you’re in for a treat with this recipe for Eggs Benedict with Morel Mushrooms and Asparagus from Sweet Autumn Inn in Lake Mills. Ingredients: 1 T. Olive oil 1 Large shallot, finely diced 1 Clove garlic, finely diced 1/2 t. fresh thyme, chopped 1 T butter 8 oz. morel mushrooms, halved or quartered depending on size 1/4 C white wine or broth 1/2 C heavy cream Salt & pepper to taste 12 spears asparagus, lightly sauteed or blanched 4 poached eggs 4 slices of multi grain bread, lightly toasted Directions: Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, add the shallot and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the butter and let it melt. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture, about 3-5 minutes. Add the wind or broth, deglaze the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes and reduce the heat to low. Poach the eggs in your favorite method. To Plate: Place piece of toast on the plate, top with the asparagus, poached eggs and creamy mushroom sauce. This recipe will make enough to serve four. Not a morel mushroom hunter? You could also try this recipe for Oven Baked Mushrooms from Pedal'rs Inn in Wales.

An open faced breakfast sandwich on a grilled ciabatta roll with roasted bacon, poached egg topped with chocolate bacon gravy and a side of oven roasted mushrooms from Pedal'rs Inn.

Ingredients: 2 T of unsalted butter 16 oz of sliced porcini mushrooms 2 tsp Of Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp Fresh ground black pepper 1 T of flour 1/4 cup sour cream Shredded Swiss cheese Directions: Preheat oven 325. In a sauté pan, melt butter on medium high heat. When butter begins to sizzle place mushrooms in pan. Sauté mushrooms until edges start to brown. Do not let them go until all the juice rendered. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Remove from heat and sprinkle with flour. Stir mushrooms covering with flour. Return to medium heat and add in sour cream being sure to pull in pan scrapings. Pour into individual tart pans or 8x8 oven safe serving dish. Top with Swiss cheese and place in oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve warm. Serves 4. Added Tip: When traveling to Wisconsin B&Bs in the spring, ask the innkeeper about local farmers’ markets, where you may be able to snag some morels, plus other spring favorites like asparagus and rhubarb. You’ll never leave empty-handed at the state’s largest farmers’ market which happens every Saturday on the Capitol Square in Madison. Who knows, you might even run into innkeepers from The Buckingham Inn, The Livingston Inn,  and Hotel Ruby Marie when you’re there!

  WBBA Seek the Unique

 Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

12 Great B&B's Along the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail

Inns Near the New FLW Trail It was 150 years ago this year that Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Wisconsin. People are often surprised to know that Wisconsin has more FLW-designed buildings – 41 in all - than any other state. A new FLW Trail showcases nine buildings open for tours. Plan your motor route with stays at B&Bs along the way. [caption id="attachment_1770" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Milwaukee Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Milwaukee[/caption]

Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin in 1867. To mark the occasion, the state has just christened a new Frank Lloyd Wright Trail with stops at nine buildings in the southern part of the state, all open to the public. Here are the iconic buildings on the trail, with B&Bs nearby to make this motor route an architectural adventure from start to finish. Start in Racine and tour the SC Johnson Administration Building and Research Tower as well as Wingspread in nearby Wind Point. Stay: The Christmas House B&B is on the National Register of Historic Places and within walking distance to Lake Michigan and the Racine downtown. Head to Milwaukee to see the Burnham American System Built Homes. Stay: There are three nearby B&Bs, each with their own architectural pedigree. Washington House Inn [caption id="attachment_1771" align="alignleft" width="212"]Washington House Inn Guest Room Washington House Inn Guest Room[/caption] in Cedarburg is set in a gem of an 1886 Victorian cream city brick building. Pedal’rs Inn in Wales is a grand Queen Ann Victorian with modern, luxuries amenities within. And the Westphal Mansion Inn in Hartford is an English Tudor that retains all its original architectural features. Then it’s off to Madison, for a stroll of the Monona Terrace and the First Unitarian Society Meeting House. Stay: The mix of B&Bs here is as eclectic as the city itself. The Livingston Inn features stunning architectural details inside and out, including nine fireplaces, 11-foot ceilings, and a glass atrium. Hotel Ruby Marie first received its lodging license in 1873, primarily used as a railroad hotel back then. The Buckingham Inn is a classic 1911 Prairie-style residence influenced by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright but with a University of Wisconsin campus vibe. If you’d prefer to spend the night outside the city, then Victorian Dreams in Lodi and Altemus Corners in Stoughton are excellent choices for a relaxing night’s sleep. Next is Spring Green, home to Taliesin and the FLW Visitor Center as well as the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center. Stay: Silver Star B&B is a secluded country-style log lodge set on a bucolic 340-acre estate. [caption id="attachment_734" align="alignright" width="300"] A 'long and winding road' leads you to the Cream Pitcher B&B, in Blue River.[/caption]   The route fittingly finished up in Wright’s birthplace, Richland Center, where you can tour the AD German Warehouse. Stay: There are two inns within a quick drive. Sheer Memories B&B in Muscoda overlooks the Wisconsin River Valley, while Cream Pitcher B&B in Blue River is built on a historic 1854 farm.       Frank Lloyd Wright was a visionary, a man ahead of his time, who believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment. All of his projects were unique. just like theB&B's in the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association.  WBBA Seek the UniqueWBBA Innkeepers are passionate about creating a space that will help you reconnect with the environment around you.  Another important item to point out, WBBA members are licensed, inspected and insured.  So rest assured, you will get a good night's sleep when you stay at a WBBA B&B, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning.  Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

Warm up with us – Week 5 B&B Getaway Giveaway

It just gets better: this week, 3 B&B's are awarding 2-night stays in our facebook contest.  The 3 inns serve up generous amounts of hospitality and history, balanced with modern amenities and cultural venues. The Lamppost Inn of Fort Atkinson, where you can dress the part in vintage clothes, is a few blocks from the Fireside Theatre.  Eagle Centre House B&B (Eagle), an authentic replica of an 1846 Greek Revival stagecoach inn, pairs the warmth of wood-burning stoves & fireplaces with the comfort of air-conditioning…it’s near Old World Wisconsin Outdoor Living History Museum.  Pedal’rs Inn (Wales) is where innkeeper Dee’s award-winning breakfast (yes – in our Innkeeper Cook-off!) starts your day of biking or visiting Lunt & Fontaine’s Ten Chimneys estate.   Lamppost Inn dress-upEagle Centre House exterior  Pedal'rs Inn bed chamber 4
Receive our Newsletter for B&B travel, seasonal packages, Wisconsin fun, and tasty recipes, all delivered to you in our quarterly e-newsletter.