outside bound

afloat and afoot

snow bound

shopper's shangri-la

urban convenience

lake country excursions

unique diversions

outside bound
Connect with Waukesha County's Water and Woods
by Anne Celano Frohna

Two massive sheets of ice seized everything in their powerful paths, pushed across the land and collided, forcing the landscape into small, rolling hills, or moraines. Great masses of ice broke from these glaciers and gradually melted, creating many cool and clear spring-fed lakes, the kettles.

When the last ice age began its slow retreat from Waukesha County nearly 15,000 years ago, it left in its vast wake many reminders of its might and intensity. Such a remarkable glacial past has not only made Waukesha a unique geographical region, but an extraordinary place for unbounded outdoor adventures-no matter what the season.

afloat and afoot
Summer Fun in Waukesha County

It's just a faint "kerplunk" of the canoe and a few strokes of your paddle. Your adventure on one of Waukesha's many spectacular spring-fed lakes has begun.

Some lakes buzz with activity-pontoon boaters laughing and languidly bobbing up and down upon the crystalline water, and young swimmers happily squealing in an intense splashing contest along the sandy beach. Others are dotted with distant fishermen looking for bass, bluegill and walleye ... and, of course, the "one that got away." Still other tiny lakes and lazy rivers reveal placid, inviting spots. The only sounds you hear might be the slap of your paddle against the water, the hum of a dragonfly overhead, the fluttering of a red-winged blackbird as it lands on cattail's velvety top or the almost inaudible burble of a fish breaking the water's surface.

A favorite of local paddlers is Lower Nemahbin Lake to Crooked Lake, which is very small, very quiet and very lovely. Eagle Spring Lake also welcomes canoeists. Paddle around this spring-fed lake and then steer a short course (round trip should take less than two hours) northeast, up a navigable waterway, to Lulu Lake, an undeveloped, 86-acre kettle lake considered one of the highest quality natural areas in the state.
Known as the "Little Fox," or "Illinois Fox," the Fox River can be accessed from several points in the county. Mukwonago to Big Bend is one of the most popular and most scenic routes. This leisurely trip east past abundant farm fields and unspoiled wetlands is about nine miles (no portages) and should take two to three hours. At Big Bend on County Highway L, canoeists will find Big Bend (Lions) Park with drinking water and picnic facilities. As you paddle the slow-moving current, notice the enchanting wetland vegetation painting the scenery. Look for the bulrush, with its broad bands of white and green leaves, and the striking flowers and shapely leaves of the water lily.

Such natural beauty and serenity can be found throughout Waukesha County. Simply steer clear of the larger, more heavily trafficked lakes and the fun and frolic of motorboats and jet skis. Instead, set your sights on the smaller, shallower, less populated lakes and the slow, meandering rivers that offer what excitement nature's bounty can command.

Waukesha County has plenty of adventures for landlubbers, as well. The area is a well-known golfing destination. You can enjoy some of the state's finest golf on any of 12 championship golf courses while savoring some stunning views of the glacial terrain. Hard-core hikers and casual amblers can take another step into the meditative beauty of the area on miles and miles of rambling trails.

Walk woodlands where the air smells sweet with pine and well-worn paths seem to lead on endlessly and enticingly. Explore grasslands that bend in a warm gentle breeze to tickle your knees and whisper in your ear.

Wetlands buzz with resident wildlife and bubble with curious aquatic plants. Butterflies dance in dewy meadows where heavenly colors weave a magnificent tapestry in the mellow light of dawn.

Begun in 1971, the 1,000-mile National Ice Age Trail (stretching over the state of Wisconsin) has nine segments for hikers to explore. Some of its most picturesque and challenging sections extend across Waukesha County, including a trail through the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit. One segment (geared more for the avid, ambitious hiker) winds about five miles through thick forests of evergreens and ferns, sumac and gnarly oaks, to a shelter atop Spy Glass Hill and a magnificent view of an extensive outwash plain. From here, the trail heads westward through a glacial lakebed and lovely lowland prairies to another shelter eight miles away. The Ice Age Trail extends another 20 miles south to Whitewater Lake Campground and further north through Delafield and Lapham Peak State Park.

Developed in 1986 along an abandoned railroad grade, the 47-mile Glacial Drumlin Trail stretches west from the city of Waukesha to Cottage Grove in Dane County. You can access the trail at three different points in Waukesha County-Waukesha, Wales and Dousman. The Glacial Drumlin Trail provides nearly 15 miles of fun afoot, eight miles paved with asphalt and the remainder surfaced with crushed, packed limestone. Joggers, roller skaters, hikers and bikers are welcome.

Sprawling across 443 acres, Nashotah Park offers nearly seven miles of hiking trails (ranging in difficulty) taking visitors through eight distinct ecological environments, including two natural lakes, an oak forest, a rare oak savanna, a cedar glade, several varieties of wetlands and a meadow. Such natural diversity permits hikers to see environmental preservation and restoration in action, and to enjoy vast recreational opportunities.

So, whether you're looking for a vigorous hike across the region's hilly glacial terrain or an easy walk around a quiet park, Waukesha County undoubtedly has it.

snow bound
Winter Fun in Waukesha County

Winter can have its harsher days, when the whole world seems to fall into a silent trance, and a moment's hesitation out-of-doors sends you running toward indoor recreation.

Then arrive those delightfully exhilarating winter days when you can hear geese her-alding overhead-their loud and constant honks as familiar and comforting as the hum of summer crickets-and the ice crunching below. A freshly fallen blanket of white glistens across the land and naked, twisted tree branches snap and sway against the ashen sky. The crisp air smells earthy and clean, and children's chubby cheeks glow rosy and red.

These are the days when Waukesha County comes alive with outdoor fun. In fact, some of the finest cross-country skiing and snow- shoeing in the region can be found right here. One place is Old World Wisconsin, America's largest outdoor rural history museum.
Spread across 576 acres of southern Kettle Moraine splendor, the museum gives visitors a chance to step back in time to Wisconsin's early history through its marvelous array of historic buildings and ethnically diverse homesteads. During the off-season Old World Wisconsin offers over eight miles of unique ski touring trails which take skiers past each of these homesteads and through the charming 19th century scenery authentically and pain-stakingly recreated by the museum.

Lapham Peak State Park contains nearly 17 miles of cross-country ski trails groomed for both skate and classical stride skiing. Ranging from easy to challenging, the trails take skiers across nearly 800 acres of undulating terrain, woods and prairies, kettles and kames. Two and one-half miles of trails are lighted for night skiing. Snow shoeing trails are available on the west side of County Highway C, as well as along the Ice Age Trail that winds through the entire park. Lapham Peak also offers dogsledding and lighted ice skating areas.

Located two miles southeast of Waukesha on the corner of Racine Avenue and Sunset Drive, Minooka Park has six miles of well-groomed cross-country ski trails, which cross the 580-acre park. From beginner to advanced, these trails provide all levels of skiers a great winter spot for quiet repose and good exercise. And, believe it or not, this is just an ink-ling of what awaits outdoor explorers in Waukesha County.
No matter what the season, what your passion-whether you're a snow bunny or sun-worshipper, a nature-lover or diehard athlete-the great recreational opportunities available throughout the county are as limitless as your sense of adventure.

So... get up and get going. There's great fun to be had.

Anne Celano Frohna is a freelance writer who bases her outdoor explorations from her home in Eagle, Wisconsin.

Shopper's Shangri-La
main streets and malls suit all
by Anne Celano Frohna

Many different kinds of shoppers roam this world: there are treasure hunters and bargain hunters, fashion aficionados and devoted patrons of polyester; there are cookie jar collectors and fine-art enthusiasts, mall rats and small-town explorers, window shoppers, impulse buyers and cautious consumers. Fortunately for all Waukesha County offers many different shops for any type of shopper.

So, come and have a look around...

urban convenience

If you're looking for a little bit of everything, then Brookfield might be your best starting point. Here, shoppers can choose from hundreds of different places-major department stores to specialty boutiques selling everything from trendy fashions to Amish furnishings, gourmet foods to frozen custard, distinctive gifts to farm supplies.

Many of these stores are conveniently concentrated along Bluemound Road and Capitol Drive. Outdoor venues, such as Stonewood Village and Galleria West, and enclosed malls, like Brookfield Square Shopping Center (to name only a few), offer all the customer comforts for a day-or weekend-shopping spree.

But that's just the beginning.

As you explore more of Waukesha County, you'll not only discover a diverse and convenient retail experience, but you'll also enjoy a shopping adventure as unique as the towns and villages, cities and suburbs you'll en-counter along the way.

In the city of Waukesha, shoppers can stand beneath a rippling replica of the 1870's Silurian Springhouse (erected to commemorate the city's luxurious spa-and-resort past) and decide which way in the city's Historic Five Point District to go first. Down each street, among the area's many architectural treasures, are art galleries and antique shops, thrift shops and flower shops, toy stores and chic boutiques, as well as cozy places where you can rest your feet and watch the world pass by.

In the community of Menomonee Falls, where the sleepy Menomonee River gently pours forth, a visitor has a world of choices. You can get comfy and lose yourself in a book in the local bookstore, take in the irresistible aromas of an Italian bakery, or browse through one of Menomonee's many shopping centers.

Scattered along the shore and hidden across from the cozy lakeside community of Pewaukee, visitors will encounter an amusing variety of shops-in turn-of-the-century barns, homey farmsteads, and pleasant old churches. Visitors exploring this community will find home accessories and antiques, gourmet foods and folk art, arts and crafts boutiques and even the fun-filled variety store of yesteryear.

lake country excursions

Near the sparkling waters of Waukesha's Lake Country lie several other communities where shoppers will come across a marvelous variety of businesses in an equally wonderful array of settings.

In the sleepy village of Merton, for example, Wisconsin's 150-year history resounds in the creaking floorboards and timbers of buildings along Main Street. You will discover items like Northwoods home decor and gourmet coffees, cuckoo clocks and Black Forest barometers.

The livelier city of Oconomowoc boasts an historic downtown district with enclosed malls, as well as modern shopping plazas located on the outskirts.

In Oconomowoc you will find both national chains and unique boutiques featuring everything from arts-and-crafts items to curious antiques, handcrafted American Indian jewelry to colorful kites. This engaging shopping excursion is set within an irresistible lakeside community where free band shell concerts are still held in the summer and small-town values are still held in the heart.

unique diversions

As you head from one Waukesha community to another, don't overlook the innumerable shopping adventures available by steering a course off the busy main roads. Here often hidden in the beautiful rural landscape and in peaceful hamlets like Dousman and Stone Bank, Mukwonago and Muskego, shoppers will run across all kinds of interesting browsing and buying opportunities.

Vast barns become dusty, musty repositories for an elderly farmer with a penchant for antiques; a graceful, old carriage house be-comes a showplace for country primitives and garden sculptures. High atop a hill, an unusual collectibles shop overlooks the picturesque countryside, while deep in the forest an en-chanting nursery nurtures its spectacular array of plants and flowers.

Just beyond the state highway, a bygone dairy farm is a treasure trove for trinkets, antiques and collectibles, while just off a county road, a century-old general store still offers bottled sodas and bins of candy, automotive belts and black hair nets.

Discovering these unique places reminds us how far we've come and, occasionally, how much we've lost.

Meanwhile, back amid the hustle and bustle of flourishing communities like Delafield, history is elegantly rejuvenated alongside modern amenities and visitors take pleasure in a variety of specialty stores selling everything from high-end antiques to handmade paper.

In fact, the best thing about shopping in Waukesha County is that you never know what lies around the next corner: quirky, little shop or splendid boutique, popular department store or emporium full of fun...

It truly is a shopper's Shangri-la!