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I can't admit to Wisconsin being on my Wanderlust of places to visit. All I really knew about Wisconsin is cheese and the Packers football team. You just really don't come across many reviews of this state in travel magazine's to get the blood pumping with excitement to visit. I only came to visit this area by chance due to the 2015 location of the Tough Mudder Competition right across the state line of Illinois. Having to travel from Indiana and take lodging for my hubby to compete early the next day led us to the Grand Geneva Resort.
The hubby and his brother both innocently signed up for a competition on Mothers Day out of all days. To save themselves from chaos that could erupt from me and my sister in-law they thought a nice hotel would smooth over their innocent mistake. Smart thinking boys...very smart thinking! Now, rumor has it the Grand Geneva resort was once a Playboy Mansion for Hugh Heffner. It is not a small resort but is not totally grand either. The rooms we had were lovely with gas fireplaces, balconies and a deceit kitchen. The pillows were very awesome, I do enjoy good quality
pillows and a good thread count set of sheets in a hotel or resort. The main lobby has everything from dinning to a inside pool with a hot tub, Starbucks serving coffee shop, bar with piano, stables with horses, trollies and for additional fee a waterpark. As much as the resort offered we still opted to go walk about town to do a bit of sight seeing of the town and lake.
The weather wasn't ideal during our quick visit but there was no rain which means walking around and exploring could still be done with a bit of enjoyment. I never pass up an opportunity to explore a new location due to weather anyways but still the same, I appreciate no rain as well.
We didn't have to worry about parking as everything was within walking distance around the lake. Cute little shops with trinkets are all about along the sidewalks, along with ice cream parlors and places to buy fresh popcorn. Prom must have been happening as we very much enjoyed looking at all the beautiful dresses and the awkwardness of teenage behaviors from dressing up for the occasion. The Rivera would be the main location
to catch a ride on the boats that go around the waters of Lake Geneva, it provides an easy walk around the lake along with a small park on the side for children to play and plenty of benches for gazing out onto the water.
After a bite to eat and walking around the Lake, my sister in-law insisted we didn't miss out on cheese tasting as we were in the cheese state! We followed them to a small little cheese shop with a large selection of cheeses. The people were very friendly and readily explained the differences of aged cheddar and also told us that serving cheese at room temperature is best for the flavor. Chocolate cheese was the biggest surprise to see among the selection. It tasted just like fudge with walnuts but the owner insisted it was made and treated just like other cheeses, therefore is a true cheese! Of course a bag of cheese curds was purchased to enjoy back at the resort with a bottle of wine...after all it was Mothers Day weekend!
A dip in the warm temperature pool and hut tub was the perfect topper for the day and we went
back to our rooms to rest and eat before the hubby's participated in the Tough Mudder competition. Reviewing the quick and short amount of time we spent among this town, my thoughts are that Wisconsin deserves a lot more attention from the travel forums but of course it make be a beautiful thing to preserve these lake towns by not over publicizing such places.
Did you think I'd forget to give a quick review of the Tough Mudder event? Of course I wouldn't deny the chance of writing a review from my own perspective to be added to this blog entry. The Tough Mudder competition as a spectator was grueling the next day as it did rain earlier and was windy with low temperatures. How these athletes pushed themselves through body challenging events covered in mud is something to be seen! You definitely get the sense that any participate in these events must have an appreciation to experience life at its fullest by enjoying any and every demand of life. The vibe amongst everyone was friendly, supportive and all around fun! Our two Tough Mudders made us very proud as we laughed and giggled from the madness of such
obstacles through the course. Definitely a different take on a Mothers day weekend but a very fun one to be had!
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