BIRTHDAY WEEKEND INFO
SATURDAY PARTY THINGS ~~~
Timing: We’ll plan to gather at the land 3ish to 7ish. See driving directions below!
Mode: This is going to be very chill and picnic-style. Think: Ravinia without the live music. Or throngs of strangers. Or electricity and running water. If you can, please bring a lawn blanket, chairs, etc. We will have a rented port-a-potty, and some canopies for shade. There’s also a good amount of shade (and privacy) from our friends the trees.
Food and drink: We will have heavy charcuterie, a build-your-own sandwich/salad spread, snacks, and sweets table that should accommodate most dietary restrictions. We’ll also have water, sparkling water, and some other kinds of tasty beverages, but please bring whatever you’d most like to drink and share. If bringing a cooler with ice is easy, that would be cool. We’ll have some on hand but the more the better I say when it comes to coolers in June.
Misc.: Being past midday and before dusk should put us out of maximum bug time frame but… we are outdoors. We’re doing tiki torches and setting up a zapper but bringing bug spray is a very good idea. We’ll have a bags game and tunes and a fascinating range of humans to keep everyone amused. If there’s something else you need, bring it or ask for it!
It’s not super buggy (drought sucks but does cut down on mosquitos) but the gnats are a nuisance. Good news is that natural bug sprays that feature lemongrass, eucalyptus, etc. are excellent at keeping them at bay. We’ll have some on hand but feel free to bring as well.
Parking: Please please please carpool. Please. Carpool.
Recap of things to bring: lawn blanket(s), chairs, bug spray, drinks, party spirit.
~~~ DRIVING DIRECTIONS ~~~
Enter this address into Google maps: 58002 Mississippi Ridge Lane, Lynxville, WI 54626. The machine should bring you right to us.
Basically you’re taking 35 along the river from either direction to Hobbs Hollow Road, turning onto it (there’s only one way to go from 35, the other way is the river) and taking Hobbs Hollow to Mississippi Ridge Lane.
You’ll turn left on Mississippi Ridge Lane (there is no right turn option) by the mailboxes and take that private road until you hit the party. If you’re arriving early to set up camp, look for the property with the gravel pad and canopy set up — we’re past the tiny organic farm and just before the property with the camper/trailer and grey pole barn house.
Construction has been happening sporadically on Route 27 which is the main road between Viroqua and the land. We’ll send more info later in the week, but there’s always a way around, it just may take a bit longer and involve a gravel road. Give yourself a little extra time and don’t stress out, we’re on Kickapoo time here so all starts and ends are flexible.
A note on travel to the Driftless region: coming from the east, the prettier route from Madison onward is to go through Spring Green on Route 14 rather than through Dodgeville on Route 18.
~~~ NON-SATURDAY THINGS ~~~
There are sooooo many things to do in the Driftless! CLICK HERE for info on a bunch of them. Explore! Fall in love! Buy an old church and start a ceramics studio!
Optional but delightful group activities follow.
Friday night: We’re going to meet up at the Sittin Pretty Farm Pizza Barn around 6 p.m. They have both gluten-full and gluten-free pizza options plus drinks and live music, all raising money for a local nonprofit. Because they’re a small operation and we’re a large group, sometime between Monday the 19th and Friday the 23rd, pop over to their web site and put in your pizza order.
Note that it will automatically assign you to 5 p.m., our plan is to get there around 6 so best to order it for then. So when you get to the check-out page, click where it says “Friday at 5:00 p.m.” and change it to later. If you have any trouble, you can also call Steve (608)632-6325 or email Steve@merrygreenmarvel.org to place your order.
ALSO – according to local experts, the pizzas are likely to come out slowly so feel free to bring appetizers, salads, snacks, etc. for pre-pizza consumption.
Sunday picnic: Because one can simply never have enough picnics, we’ll meet up around 1 p.m. to picnic at the gorgeous Sidie Hollow Park. Will we get there in time to claim one of the picnic shelters with tables? Perhaps. Just in case, plan on bringing those blankets and chairs. Text me or Lindsey for location in the park, or just park and look for us. BYO everything, we’ll bring any leftovers from the party. It’s super close to Viroqua, where good options for takeout are Wonderstate Coffee, Maybe Lately’s, and the Viroqua Co-Op. NOTE – navigate to Sidie Hollow PARK, not campground.
Monday: There’s apparently a sweet swimming hole in the area so this is a definite Monday possibility. Lindsey and I have our place through Wednesday so anyone who doesn’t need to hustle back to the city can leave their stuff at our place after check out and dry off/change/whatever there that day.
LODGING NOTES:
This is high Driftless season, so I recommend booking a space ASAP.
Here is a starter list of AirBnBs in the vicinity — this is by no means comprehensive, since folks are coming in differently-sized groups and staying for different date ranges. I suggest going on AirBnB and/or VRBO and doing a search that way.
Viroqua is a great starting point for a lodging search — Saturday’s party will be in Seneca which is about halfway between Viroqua and Prairie du Chien, and other festivities are likely to be in/around adorable Viroqua.
Local hotels/motels/B&Bs:
Viroqua Heritage Inn
Tobacco Warehouse Inn
Hotel Fortney
AppleHouse Hotel
Grandview Motel
Hickory Hill Motel
Old Oak Bed & Breakfast
Latarnia Guest House
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Love!
Marty
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