Did you know it’s the 80^th anniversary of The Great River Road, that ribbon of highway that hugs the Mississippi River? Now that you do, do make plans for a road trip to end all road trips. The GRR, for short, has loads of B&Bs along the way. The Great River Road may be turning 80 this year, but its ability to deliver an awesome scenic tour along the Mighty Mississippi never gets old. If you’re looking for an epic road trip, this is it. First, a little background. The route was formally established in 1938 by stringing together existing roads, auto tours and state trunks. It is Wisconsin’s only National Scenic Byway. There are 33 historic river towns along the 250-mile Wisconsin stretch, with some of those communities dating back to the 1600s. [caption id="attachment_2523" align="aligncenter" width="202"] Mississippi River Bluffs along The Great River Road[/caption] O.K., now on to a couple of recommendations on what to see and where to stay: Tritsch House B&B in Alma, WI is in an area that hugs the beautiful river banks of the Mississippi. The B&B itself is nestled into the river bluffs with wonderful views of the river. Nearby, you will find walking paths, rivers activities such as boating, fishing, canoe or kayaks, art galleries and wonderful shopping. Just imagine sitting out with a glass of wine while you watch the beautiful Alma sunset with that someone special. Another B&B you will find nearby to The Great River Road is Rainbow Ridge Farms located in Onalaska, WI, where you can relax in their turn-of-the-century farmhouse and 35 acre working hobby farm. As their guest, you are invited to feed animals, milk a goat, bottle feed a "kid", or collect eggs. In this area, you can enjoy antiquing, visiting Amish farmsteads, or participate in one of the area's many festivals like Oktoberfest, the Great River Folk Fest, Jazz Fest, Art Fair on the Green, and Riverfest. Some of the tallest bluffs along the Great River Road are located around La Crosse. La Crosse is the largest city you’ll pass through on your Great River Road journey. Castle La Crosse B&B and Four Gables B&B are the places to be if you're stopping to enjoy the variety of great restaurants, stores, museums and historic attractions that the city has to offer!  

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So, you want to get away, but you don't want to abandon your discipline and regimen of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Somehow a getaway is associated with leaving all your cares behind, throwing caution to the wind, and several days of decadence.  We're here to tell you that doesn't have to be the case.  Wisconsin is home to a number of B&B's that promote healthy living in one aspect or another.  If the point of a getaway is to renew your spirit and rejuvenate your body, then a stay at one of these WBBA member B&B's will be just what you are looking for. The benefits of Yoga have been known for years, whether practiced in the privacy of your bedroom, or in a class at the local gym, yoga provides a means of escape from the demands of everyday life.  Reducing stress and promoting overall health by strengthening muscles, muscle tone and flexibility, also reducing blood pressure.  If yoga is part of your wellness routine, or maybe you'd like to see what it's all about, there are a couple of WBBA B&B's that offer yoga for their guests.   Rainbow Ridge Farms in Onalaska, WI offers goat yoga.  Yes, you heard me right, goat yoga.  What started as a birthday party on a summer day in 2016 on Lainey Morse's farm in western Oregon.  It quickly grew into a global sensation with classes springing up worldwide. Cindy Hoehne & Donna Murphy are the owner's of Rainbow Ridge Farms in Onalaska.  Since their B&B is also a working hobby farm, goat yoga is a great fit, offering guests an opportunity to connect with nature and animals while promoting their own health.  Goat yoga was quite a sensation throughout the country in 2017, and Cindy & Donna had much the same experience.  Once they offered the classes, they had so many folks wanting to participate they had a waiting list.  The goat yoga classes are offered seasonally, May through October, at Rainbow Ridge Farms since they are held outdoors with the goats. Artha Sustainable Living Center is located in Amherst on a lush 55 acre plot with rolling hills of wooded land and open fields.  Marguerite & Bob Ramlow strive to provide a place that exists in harmony with the environment. This harmony includes living within the boundaries of the ecosystem as well as being in tune with our inner selves.  They offer yoga classes several times per week. Yoga retreats are offered three different weekends throughout the year.  Sessions of guided meditation are interspersed with workshops on chakras, breathing techniques and restorative and vinyasa flow yoga. Brayton Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Oshkosh also offers seasonal yoga outdoors under the pergola during the summer months.  Another service provided by innkeeper Nicole Brayton is one-on-one meditation.  Meditation is also an excellent way to reduce stress and promote wellness for yourself.  While there are different forms of meditation, they have one thing in common, to find a quiet space where you can concentrate on one thing and put the chaos from the outside world away.  This is easy to do when you getaway to one of Wisconsin's B&B's.  Whether the B&B is located in the heart of the city or in a remote area, you're sure to find a quiet, peaceful place for you to focus and recharge.  Take for example the views from Inn at Wawanisee Point in Baraboo, WI.  Overlooking the Baraboo Bluffs, the Inn is a luxury villa secluded on 42 wooded acres with an extraordinary, 36-mile vista of the Lake Wisconsin valley and beyond.  What a spectacular place to leave your cares behind. [caption id="attachment_2484" align="alignright" width="450"] The views at Inn on Wawanisee Point offer plenty of motivation for meditating and reveling in the splendor and awe mother nature has to provide.[/caption] Or maybe you prefer to stay where the action is, the Washington House Inn in the heart of Cedarburg has elegant lodging within walking distance of historic Cedarburg’s festivals. If you haven't been to Cedarburg, it's a quaint town that offers unique shops, restaurants, galleries, a local winery and brew pub, performing arts, historic sites, bike trails and a large selection of outdoor activities for any season.  Their luxurious rooms will offer plenty of peace and relaxation. Healthy eating is important to many of us, if you want to make sure you don't completely abandon your healthy eating habits, have a conversation with your innkeeper several days before you arrive.  Chances are a healthy breakfast will be happily provided. Remember to Seek the Unique while exploring all the beauty Wisconsin has to offer!              

  [caption id="attachment_1941" align="aligncenter" width="413"] Lake Orchard Farm Retreat in Sheboygan, WI ~ greenhouse[/caption] Farmers’ markets in Wisconsin are legendary, so much so that even visitors make a point to include them on their fall itineraries. To further the farm connection, stay at a working farm B&B. [caption id="attachment_1338" align="alignright" width="164"] Astor House B&B in Green Bay, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1903" align="alignleft" width="156"] Otter Creek Inn in Eau Claire, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_357" align="aligncenter" width="147"] Hotel Ruby Marie in Madison, WI[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1945" align="alignleft" width="198"] Farmers' Market in Dane County[/caption] Perhaps the most famous farmers’ market not just in Wisconsin but in the country is the Dane County Farmers’ Market, the nation’s largest producer-only market. Walk to this market on the capital square when you stay at Hotel Ruby Marie. In Oshkosh, vendors line the main street, with shoppers loading up on fruits and veggies, flowers and egg rolls, even a loaded Bloody Mary morning cocktail before doing a little shopping at the downtown boutiques. The Brayton B&B is conveniently located right downtown as well. In Appleton, stroll among 150 vendors and treat yourself to some baked goods too. Stay at the Franklin Street Inn, where an elegant breakfast can be delivered right to your suite. A bit farther north is Green Bay, where the Saturday farmers’ market dates back 100 years this year. Enjoy music while you shop before heading to your room at the Astor House B&B. If you’re staying at the 1810 Emerson House B&B in Beloit, then be sure to visit their farmers’ market in the heart of their historic downtown district. Make the connection to country life at the Eau Claire farmers’ market, then spend the night at the spacious Otter Creek Inn. [caption id="attachment_1137" align="alignleft" width="229"] Rainbow Ridge Farms in Onalaska, WI is very kid-friendly![/caption] [caption id="attachment_1735" align="alignright" width="229"] Valley Springs Farm B&B in Reedsburg, WI[/caption]                 We’re proud to have a number of farmstead inns among our membership too. There’s Lake Orchard Farm Retreat, a 6^th generation farm with on-site golf course in Sheboygan; Rainbow Ridge Farms in Onalaska, with turn-of-the-century farmhouse and 35-acre working hobby farm; and Valley Springs Farm B&B in Reedsburg, a 4^th generation dairy farm and one of the stops on this year’s “Hill and Valley Exploration Tour” in Sauk County being held the first two full weekends in October. The tour includes more than 60 activities along the way, from learning how to shear sheep to grooming a show calf to harvesting honey. Fill your cooler with fresh veggies, jellies and preserves purchased directly from the 14 participating farms.  

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