Ready for Road Trip? Like Waterfalls?

It’s that time of the year.  Fall is here.  The mornings have that nice little nip in the air, which means the trees will start turning colors soon.  This is the best time to take a ride and check out our great north woods.  Wisconsin is the perfect place to see magnificent, cascading, bubbling, beautiful waterfalls.

Did you know that Marinette County is considered the Waterfalls Capital of Wisconsin?  My husband and I took a ride up there this past weekend and checked out a couple of these wonderful waterfalls. 

Marinette County is such a short drive that you can make a day or a weekend out of it.  If you want to venture further north or west, you can make a week out of it.  Make sure to bring your walking shoes,  a picnic lunch and a camera.   There a terrific photo opportunities at every turn.  Through the years the kids and us have checked out most of the waterfalls that are in Wisconsin, the UP, the upper Minnesota area and into Canada.  

If you want to start closer to home, check out the 30 foot Fonferek Falls.  This is just a short drive south on Highway 43 to County Rd MM.   After that head up north and check out Dave’s Falls, right off of Highway 141 and further up are Smalley Falls and Long Slide Falls.  If you head west on Highway 8, look for the signs for Four Foot, Eight Foot, Twelve Foot and Eighteen Foot Falls and a few more along the way.  Check out the Travel Wisconsin web-site,  www.travelwisconsin.com and  you can find links to maps and other information. 

So get yourself out there and visit Wisconsin’s waterfalls.  Be prepared to do some hiking and be safe.  Some places are pretty scary.  For me anyways, my husband will venture out on any rocks he can.  Have fun exploring Wisconsin.  

Written by: Karen S. 

Preparing for Your Holiday Road Trip

As the holidays approach, so does the time for road trips. Whether you’re only traveling an hour or two up north, or across state lines, it is important to be prepared for your winter road trip. I will be traveling across Wisconsin and visiting family in three different cities, all about 50 +/- miles from each other. I do this every year, and each year I prepare so that the only thing that I have to worry about is whether or not I’ll be able to eat all the lovely holiday food! Each person will have different priorities when it comes to their road trips, but here are a few suggestions from me.

                                     

First, you won’t get to your destination without a working vehicle of some sort. I highly suggest that, prior to any road trips, that you take your car to a trusted mechanic. It is important that your tires, brakes, and fluids are in good shape for the long trek ahead. Your vehicle is about to run a marathon and your mechanic’s check and fixes are its training. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training, right?

                                      

It is also important to have a safety kit in your trunk, including a first aid kit and basic tools for repair. Be sure to include winter items like blankets and shovel, as well as some cat litter, which will provide traction in case you are stuck. There is a link at the bottom of this post to an article by Consumer Reports that lists suggested safety kit items. Lastly, make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving. Please, please do not use it while driving—wait until you are stopped somewhere or are in an emergency situation.

                                      

Even if you know where you are headed, it is important to map your drive. Be sure to check the weather for the locations you will drive to and through, and be sure to check where there might be construction projects on your drive. There is a link at the bottom of this post to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website, where you can find the work zones in various regions of the state.

                                     

Now that you have taken care of your car and your safety in it, it’s time to take care of you. As with any trip, make a packing list and double checking that you have packed everything that you need. In order to check that I have all I need, I often visualize a full day and what I use, pointing at the items in my suitcase as I go. It might sound a little silly, but that’s often how I remember to pack my toothbrush or some extra socks! Now that you have your clothes and other items packed, be sure to pack snacks and entertainment, these are especially important for those extended trips.

                                      

These are just a few suggestions, and I hope they help. Being prepared can take some take away some of that holiday stress and allow you to enjoy spending time with family and friends. From every employee at Horizon Community Credit Union, we wish you the happiest and safest of holidays!

Safety Kit Suggestions:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/roadside-emergency-kit-what-to-carry-with-you/index.htm

WI DOT Work

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/workzones.htm

Posted by: Breanna B.