Hidden Studio's Art Tour ~ Art Along The Ice Age Trail~ Celebrate Autumn in Wisconsin



Come & See the Autumn Beauty

Taking a trip to tour the autumn colors and attend the event, Hidden Studios ~ Art along the Ice Age Trail, is a great way to spend a weekend!  On October 5, 6, & 7, 2012, you can tour the working studios in Central Wisconsin and see some fabulous art and talk with the artists.  Blown glass, metal sculpture, ceramics, painting, jewelry, basketry, wearable art and so much more awaits your exploration. 

Exquisite Works of Art



Studios & Artists on The Tour

What makes this event so special, and what I like the best, is that these working studios are down back country roads, winding through quaint towns and gorgeous countryside.  The colors are usually nearing peak, this weekend of the year, so it is wonderful to drive and see the beauty of the area.

Oil Paintings & Pastels



In addition to touring the studios, plan on doing some antiquing, stop at some galleries, go to one-of-a-kind shops, and stop for a terrific lunch.  Part of the fun, is in the discovery.  Make a basic plan, using the Hidden Studios map, but see what you find along the way.  Take your cameras, for both the event, colors, and the wild life you will see along the way.

A Tour Of Working Studios in Central Wisconsin

At the end of the day, make sure you stop at The Millstone of Iola Mills, Circa 1853, for a gelato or espresso.  Then come back to the Apple Tree Lane Bed and Breakfast for a relaxing stay.  We will give you all the recommendations and maps you need to explore your Autumn Magic weekend! 



Chain O' Lakes Blues Festival ~ Waupaca, WI ~ September 28-29, 2012

Plan on coming to the historic dance hall of the Indian Crossing Casino, on the beautiful Chain O'Lakes in Waupaca, Wisconsin for the Chain O' Lakes Blues Festival, held September 28-29, 2012. Nearby, Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, www.appletreelanebb.com is offering a terrific special on lodging and also providing you two weekend passes to the festival, free! Regardless of which room you choose (regular room prices up to $175/nt), the cost for a 2-night stay is $240.  This includes full amenities and a full breakfast.

This memorable weekend of Blues starts at 6pm on Friday with the Dave Steffen Band followed by Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns at 8pm. Four terrific blues bands are lined up for Saturday, beginning with the Alex Wilson Band at 3pm.

Additionally, Waupaca has geared up for this event, with many area businesses offering additional entertainment throughout the weekend, so there will be plenty of fun things to do, if you choose.  You can tour the Chain 'O Lakes on the Chief Waupaca Sternwheeler, head to the Wheel House for a pig roast and entertainment beginning at noon on Saturday and finish at Clear Water Harbor at 3pm to hear the band Swing Crew.  There is also a lot of specialty shopping or just relaxing too.  Come and experience a wonderful Waupaca weekend!

The Original Carriage House at the Apple Tree Lane B&B

I can look, and easily imagine, the horse and buggy of Charles Churchill pulling up to his homestead's Porte Cochere in 1880, to drop off the family from their ride into the bustling town of Waupaca.  I can see the staff taking Old Maude (that really was the name of Charles Churchill's horse!) and putting her in the stable with fresh hay and water for the night. 



The horse drawn carriage and related tack was then put into the carriage house, however.


Side View of Carriage House



The Back View of the Original 1880 Carriage House

A carriage house, also know as a remise or coach house, is an outbuilding which was originally built to house horse-drawn carriages and related tack.  Tack is a piece of equipment or accessory worn by horses such as saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits and harnesses. 

Since this was once a large estate, the building is large enough to house many carriages, tack, and hay.  Additionally, it included basic living quarters for the staff who managed the horse and carriages.  It even has an attached 3-hole outhouse!
 

Although the horse stable in no longer on the property today, just the foundation next to the barn, this historic carriage house is still here.  It provides a wonderful backdrop to the home, a glimpse into the past, and helps many stories come alive of yesteryear.