What Is It About A Porch?!

What is it about a porch that can that can both invite lively celebration and encourage reflection and afford the rare opportunity to be still?

Architecturally, a porch is simply a roofed exterior that shares a common wall with a house, with vast differences in styles. Porches remained a prominent fixture of American architecture for centuries, at least until WWII, when they were on the edge of obsolescence.

The blame likely rested with the advent of TV, A/C and ranch home design, which demoted porches to mere covered entryways. But during the past several decades, porches have entered a modern renaissance.

Thank goodness as a
a porch seems to bring you back to warm childhood memories of checkers, lemonade, swinging and story-telling.

We all need time to relax and reconnect--Welcome to the Porch!

Canoe and Kayak in Waupaca, Wisconsin ~ Terrific!

Lakes or rivers--Waupaca, Wisconsin has it all for wonderful canoe and kayak experiences. Waupaca is home to 22 spring fed chain 'o lakes. Although canoe & kayaking can be enjoyed in all the lakes, my favorite is the upper chain 'o lakes. Exploring Marl & Pope lakes are particularly picturesque, as is Knight, Lake Orlando, Youngs Lake, Bass Lake and Beasley Lake.

Pack a picnic and even stop and for some mini-golf at Tom Thumbs Miniature Golf--a tradition spanning generations! Located off of Whispering Pines Road and Bass Lake.


These smaller lakes are connected by shallow channels, so not having to compete with motor boats makes it ideal and relaxing.

The Waupaca and Crystal Rivers offer many adventures. Drop your boat in several launch areas--Riverside Park off of Hwy 54 will take you down the Waupaca River, approximately 13 miles into Weyauwega.

Don't have your own boat? We have several fine area marinas that rent by the hour, half day or day at reasonable rates.

You can also take a trip to the Famous Crystal River Canoe Trips from Ding's Dock, http://www.dingsdock.com/. A three-hour adventure, launched from the mouth of the Crystal River from Long Lake. Get ready to dodge obstacles, get a bit wet and buy a tee-shirt that reads, "I survived the Ding's Dock Crystal River Canoe Trip" (or something like that!).

Let the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/ assist you with your boating plans and itineraries.

Spring in Waupaca Wisconsin~Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast is Springing Up

If there is such a thing as the "peak" of spring, it arrived this week at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast in Waupaca, WI! Stepping out on our historic covered porch, the scent of spring and the beauty of the season was in full bloom.
This historic barn and coach house each make a great backdrop to the pear trees shown here in full bloom! Two variety of pear trees grace the property. Looking at the delicate white pedals full on the tree, made my mouth water in anticipation of the harvest. Rum raisin and fresh pear crepes are served for breakfast and guests are encouraged to pick a small bag to take home.

I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee on the swing for an early morning break this week and taking in the "springing up" of the apple, pear, crab apple and many flowering bushes & flowers. I am picking some of the lilacs and placing small bouquets in each of the 5 guest rooms! The peonies should be blooming soon! The Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/, is situated on 7.5 acres of a historic apple orchard and fruit farm. Spring is a beautiful time at the Inn!

Golfing in Central Wisconsin~ Waupaca County~ A Stroke of Genius

"Golf is so popular simply because it is the best game in the world at which to be bad." ~A.A. Milne

Some people are actually good at golf. I am not one of those people. I played my first game of golf in Bend, Oregon in the summer of 1984. I was invited to play in a "best ball" golf tournament, 18-holes, beer cart... How hard could that be?! It was my first job out of college and we were playing with customers. I soon learned that I was going to require lessons and practice before I dared to play with others again!



"The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing."~ Phyllis Diller







Over the years, I have taken lessons, joined a woman's golf league (no, it wasn't all Par 3 courses), attended the Hawaiian Open (now called the Sony Open) when I lived in Hawaii for three years, attended the Greater Milwaukee Open (now called the U.S. Bank Championship) for many years and generally just enjoyed playing a few times a year. I am a duffer, and yet, a wanna-be.





"Golf is a fascinating game. It has taken me nearly forty years to discover that I can't play it."~Ted Ray, Golf-My Slice on Life-1972



Whether you are a pro at golf or a wanna-be or anything in between, our Waupaca area really is a terrific and varied place to play golf with many course options.

Less than five minutes away from the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, is the Foxfire Golf Course. This championship 18-hole course opened in 1986 and is rated 4 stars by The Golf Digest. http://www.playfoxfiregolf.com/. Royal Oaks and Hidden Waters Golf Courses are also fun to play and close by.

Glacier Woods, http://www.glacierwoodiola.com/ in nearby Iola was voted Best Muny 2009/10 by Golf Digest and given a 4.5 star rating with its broad elevation changes, breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife.

If you still want more, Sentry World in Stevens Point, http://www.sentryworld.com/, is only 30 minutes away and this Par 72, 6,951 yard public course is ranked #9 among all WI golf courses. Truly a golfers dream with 5 different tees to choose from on each hole, playing can be as wild or tame as you want. It is beautiful to play also, as dominating the landscape are 35 acres of spring fed lakes and 5 acres of flower beds!


"I have a tip that can take five strokes off any one's game. It's called an eraser."~Arnold Palmer


Come play golf in our wonderful area---the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, Waupaca, Wisconsin, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/ will make your tee times and provide you the eraser!!!

Quaint Waupaca Restaurant~~Delicious Creations at the Freckled Frogg~~ Garden Cafe & Bistro

My girlfriend from college came to visit this past Easter weekend. It is always wonderful to spend time with her (a power visit) and show her around our wonderful Waupaca area.




I was happy to hear that after being closed for a few months over the winter, that the Freckled Frogg ~Garden Cafe and Bistro had its opening weekend for the season. She said, "What's a Freckled Frogg"?!

This quaint, adorable restaurant is fun to see, as the interior and gardens always have new collections of eclectic frogs (& much more!). It also boasts wonderful food~~~better termed creations! Sandi, the personable owner and "chef-artist" uses the freshest ingredients, much of which is organic, locally grown, or from her own garden. Ample portions come to you in an artful creation that is almost to beautiful to eat! I always get the salads, however, quiche, sandwiches and soups are also available.

My final suggestion: Make sure you order the "Frog Cake", pictured here--gooey & delicious! http://www.thefreckledfrogg.com/

Waupaca's New Recreation Adventure~ Try Segway!

Just over a year ago, Segway came into town and did a demonstration at the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce parking lot for their directors and staff. So after quick instructions, I hopped on and went for a spin. What a blast--and ok, I was just in the parking lot!? The real tour takes you literally over the river and through the woods~~through downtown, onto the beautiful River Ridge Trail and then to Brainard Bridge and Swan Parks. Other tour locations are also available.

Segway's are incredibly fun, safe and easy! They require no athletic ability. If you can stand, you can ride. You will learn how in 2 minutes and feel confident in 5 minutes. Then you will embark on a 2 hour scenic tour. Tours are May-October. It's not too early to plan your trip to Waupaca!

When you are on vacation, it is fun to try and do something different. Segway is different. It will be a memory you won't soon forget. The Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast is always happy to assist you with your vacation arrangements and reservations. There is so much to see and do in Waupaca! http://www.appletreelanebb.com/ Let us help you discover our wonderful Inn and area!

Enjoy a unique and sophisticated guided tour experience while riding on the self-balancing, high-tech Segway, http://www.segwaywaupaca.com/, personal Human Transporter. With zero emissions and a nearly non-existent environmental footprint, the next generation Segway is the ultimate transportation green machine, designed to be relevant to today's style of recreation.

Waupaca Spring Birding & Wildlife Watching

About 18 years ago, we purchased a small cabin in a serene country location on a beautiful small lake in Waushara county. My husband and his family had vacationed in the Waushara/Waupaca area for years, so it was wonderful to find a place where childhood memories came alive. The cabin came furnished complete with a pair of binoculars and two Wisconsin birding books. We had never really been into birding before.

It didn't take long for us to see and hear the many birds that made our "house in the trees", home, and we wanted to know more about them. That is where and why our appreciation for birding began--although we are still novices.

I know it is only March and spring has just begun. These pictures are taken from our Crystal River land here at the Inn. I have spring fever as the temperatures have been warm, the ice and snow is now gone, and I awake to the birds singing already. I love an early spring!

When we opened the Bed & Breakfast only four years ago, we were amazed at the many birds not only at our historic homestead, but in Waupaca county overall.

When you are done birding on our 7 1/2 acres at the Inn, nearby Hartman Creek State Park & Emmons Creek Fishery Area has over 2800 acres for hikers and birders to enjoy, including the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The mix of habitats including pine and hardwood forests, oak savannas, marshes, lakes and upland meadows. This variety attracts lots of birds; the bird list has an impressive 253 species. Some of the signature species include, Scarlet Tanager, Least Flycatcher, Redtailed Hawk, American Kestrel. Rare species include Grasshopper Sparrow & the Henslow's Sparrow. http://www.dnr.wi.gov/ and http://www.wiparks.net/

Last spring, we had an entire weekend of just bird enthusiasts. One of the most memorable "events" is when 3 eagles landed on our barn. Or so we thought---no, turkey vultures--although we do see eagles too! Still interesting to watch them fly and capture their breakfast.

I love the red cardinal sitting in our flowering crab apple tree, eating the last of the red berries left on the tree.It seems that there is a nest in every one of our hanging baskets, covered porches, ledges and birdhouses--note the baby blue eggs--fun to see!
Several other Waupaca county birding and nature trails include Keller Whitcomb Creek Woods State Natural Area, Mukwa State Wildlife Area, Myklebust Lake State Natural Area and the Waupaca County Sturgeon Trail all a short drive from the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/.