Lapham Peak & Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive

Over the holiday weekend we tried to get out for a bit and so we headed to near by Lapham Peak State Park, hiked up the fire tower and enjoyed the view (though it was VERY windy!) I know I am looking forward to heading back to this near by spot to take the pup for a hike and Matt is excited to try out their bike trail, especially once the weather gets nicer! Here are a few picts from our time there, we'll have to get pictures too again when the weather improves and everything doesn't look so dead.

After Lapham Peak we weren't quite ready to head home yet so we continued on and took in some Wisconsin Rustic Roads and the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. It was really relaxing and not too far from home so we didn't have to spend to much in gas considering it's over $4 a gallon here now~ UGH! Enjoy a few of the quick shots we snapped on the drive!

Airstream Dreaming

So the weather here in good old Wisconsin has been pretty lame and all Matt & I can do is dream of well, not being here right now! One of our big goals in life is to own an Airstream and travel the country, particularly the West and Route 66. We've always been into retro type of things like Airstreams, Route 66, old cars and Tiki ANYTHING- I mean we got engaged at Hala Kahiki and Matt even has a Tiki God tattoo :-) but the real inspiration came from a great piece written in Sunset Magazine with an amazing shot of an Airstream overlooking the Pacific so thus my research has kicked into high gear. I've been reading many great and inspirational blogs about Airstream owners, lovers and full-timers, my favorite being Mali Mish- its just so light hearted and fun!

Photo Credit: Thomas J Story

Our dream Aistream is the new Eddie Bauer addition, NOT because it's Eddie Bauer but because the layout is perfect for us as well as the garage style door that opens at the one end.

Besides a sweet spot along the beautiful Pacific Coast Hwy we are also very fascinated with visiting cool spots that bring back the retro vibe we like and a place we have read about many of times is The Shady Dell in Bisbee Arizona, we just can't wait to go here one day- plus I think the weather would be MUCH better this time of year! Even if we don't own an Airstream like we hope, we can still visit and stay here in one of their on site rigs like the Tiki Bus!

Here's to hoping for better weather & future adventures!

Spring Hike :: Kettle Moraine State Forest

So after a Sunday of working for the last of my three "Easter" events (don't ask) Matt, the pup and I took a drive about 40min South to the Kettle Moraine State Forest where Matt has been hitting up the mountain biking trails for about 6 months but this time we took the Nordic route. It turned out to be the perfect day for a hike (and stress reliever) about 50 out with little wind, no bugs and not much mud. We were pretty much the only people there which was a huge plus too. I can't wait to see it once summer is in full swing as I am sure it will be a place we will be hitting up time & again!

Giada leading the way!

Matt, our tour guide tracking our progress with his new app!

Our navigator Giada, girl knew exactly which trail we needed to follow- so smart!

Waterfalls :: UP style

If you are in Northern Wisconsin and are looking for a fun and beautiful day trip, I highly recommend making a trip to Michigan's U.P. and checking out one of their many waterfalls, our favorite is Bond Falls near Paulding/Bruce's Crossing Michigan. Here are some awesome shots the husband took while we were there!

Photos by my awesome husband Matt, check out more Fornear Photos here!

Summer Camping Trip :: Amnicon Falls & Madeline Island

We headed up to Minneapolis for a fun time shooting and attending our friends Jim & Heather's wedding and were even able to slip in some fun times with cousin Jess out in the city. After that we headed north bound to camp on Madeline Island, one of Wisconsin's Apostle Islands off the shore of Bayfield (where we got married at).

Below are a few pictures from our stop at Amnicon Falls State Park as well as from the Madeline Island shoreline that Matt took! Check out his other Fornear Photo pictures!

Enjoy!

Pittsburgh :: Final Look

This is a little small for on here but this is a great panoramic picture taken by Fornear Photo of the whole city, for this and other Pittsburgh pictures please check out Fornear Photo!!!

Pittsburgh :: Church Brew Works

The Church Brew Works was a our second brewery stop in Pittsburgh and all I can say is WOW! This place is amazing in terms of both ambiance as well as beer! For $15 you get a 5oz sample of all 8 beers they have on draft at the moment~ I deal you can't beat! Plus the beer was pretty amazing! Great variety and really unique flavors, if you are a beer lover in Pittsburgh you need to check this place out!!! Sadly the only regret is that we didn't get to try their food as they had quite a large menu (we were still stuffed from Primanti Bros) but other than that, what a place!

Pittsburgh :: Penn Brewery

Penn Brewery was the first of two breweries we planned on visiting while in Pittsburgh. Everything was very pleasant at this German-esk brewery but was pretty run of the mill.

Sadly the beer was quite a disappointment (not very flavorful in our opinions) however there were two beers that stood out as they reminded me a great deal of two beers I am quite familiar with from a certain other German-esk brewery in Wisconsin that I happen to work for... hummm. Maybe it was the brewing style but the resemblance was very eerie to me! Any who, below are the photos from Penn Brewery!

Pittsburgh :: Primanti Bros

After seeing Primanti Bros on the Travel Channel many years ago this was the only place (in terms of a restaurant) that I made a special request for us to visit NO MATTER WHAT while in Steel City and it didn't disappoint!

After a day in Pittsburgh I quickly realized that Primanti Bros is sort of like the Pittsburgh version of Portillos in Chicago. Thankfully we were able to go to the original in the Strip District, I had a cheese combo and Matt had a pastrami and swiss and we washed them down with one of the local PA beers from Yuengling.... so good!

Pittsburgh :: Peace, Love & Little Donuts

If you come to Pittsburgh you need to go to this place in the Strip District! People were so nice and gave us free donuts just for being from out of town!

WI Day Trip :: Mt.Hore & Cave of the Mounds

Not the best picture but for the Memoridal Day weekend since we did not go out of town we took a small day trip to Mt Horeb and Blue Mounds WI. While there we went to the Grump Troll Brewery (good beer but a bit on the expensive side for the food) and then went to The Cave of the Mounds. This place is really cool! Great place to visit but it was a touch crowded but we really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it! For much better pictures check out the Fornear Photo Facebook page!

Klondike Days :: Eagle River Wisconsin

I know this happened like 2 week ago, but I finally getting around to making a post about it (again, I'm trying to catch up) but hearing that Klondike Days was on Animal Planet last night made me want to get this finally done! Much thanks to my awesome husband the photographer! Remember if you need a wedding or event photographer and live in Wisconsin give us a shout ;-)