Three Great Winter Road Trips

I remember the day my Uncle asked me in disbelief-

“You haven’t ever seen the stone cottages on Maiden Lake?”

Was this a thing!?!

Turns out, the casual conversation inspired a great winter road trip in which I discovered the stone cottages were a thing (and even cooler than I had imagined).

Now most of us picture a warm summer day with the windows rolled down for a good road trip but the truth is- some places are more stunning in the snow. In the spirit of inspired travel off the beaten path, I thought I would highlight 3 winter road trips that were surprisingly satisfying for the extra punch they got from our Wisconsin winter.

Maiden Lake / Goodman / McClintock Falls

Down a winding road north of Mountain and south of Lakewood in northern Wisconsin you will come upon a vintage resort area with whimsical stone buildings that look like they had been constructed for a fairy tale book. These are seen on the loop that goes around Maiden Lake.

Your continuous journey north will take you to one of my all time favorite areas- where both McClintock falls and Goodman State Park share a recently paved logging road.

I have probably visited these cabins in every season and I can say that the glorious tree trunks of the pines, surrounded by the starkness of snow make these some of my favorite pictures.

The way the red windows in the cabin lend a pop of color really add to that storybook charm this road trip began with.

Door Bluff Headlands County Park, WI

Door County really needs no introduction. Everyone knows there are so many amazing parks for hiking and taking in views of the Bay and Lake Michigan. But most people enjoy the summer season and gorgeous fall color, forgetting that when winter decorates the trees- the results of a quiet secluded hike in a dog friendly park outside of Ellison Bay look like this:

And don’t forget to make a stop at my favorite shopping spots- Maxwell’s House in Egg Harbor.

Galena, IL

I know we are not in Wisconsin anymore but this town is full of Midwest charm and falls just over the border so I feel like we can claim it. No one is thinking of snow top trees and frozen waterfalls when they think of Illinois anyway.

This road trip offered up some of the best views outside of Galena past the Irish Inn. The Irish Inn claimed that name for the resemblance the pasture and ravine outside the hotel bore to Ireland. Affirming this feeling that you have traveled much farther from home than the far reaches of southern Wisconsin when you explore this area.

I loved the way the limestone bluffs lined the rivers and the way the rivers cut through the patches of green land peeking out from beneath the new snow.

Every where the sun came out and touched the tree tops the snow was fading from the branches, but deep in these hollows were like the dark side of the mountain- they stayed preserved and crisp, dusted in winter.

We were the only ones wandering, as we have been in all of these road trip memories. I like it that way- finding the road less traveled. Having the places to ourselves to enjoy. But I still like to share the magic and encourage others to see the beauty in this time of the year.

If winter feels like it is dragging- try to get out there, enjoy a drive to an inspiring locale and look for the unexpected. Take advantage of the peace and privacy. Before you know it the next season will have arrived and then you will be sharing the roads and your view with all the other tourists.