This week started with a few more days in Durand, WI, first with a visit to the Eau Galle Cheese Factory, winning awards for their hard cheeses, such as Parmesan and Romano. Their other cheeses were great too. Being able to taste test several varieties, it helped us decide which ones to purchase. We cannot wait to enjoy them.
Right down the road from the cheese factory was Durand Brewery. Although it was just after noon on a Sunday, we stopped by. It was a small brewery, with the owner Roger, behind the bar. He had treats for Murphy and since we were the only ones there, Murphy was able to explore on his own. Roger, a local attorney, opened the brewery right before COVID hit. He graciously gave us a tour of the brewery system. I learned so much about barley, hops, and how the various quantities and processing times affect the taste of the beer. Dave and I really appreciated Roger taking so much time sharing his knowledge. He even retrieved bags of hops for us to smell the difference in various varieties. If you zoom in the picture below, you can see Roger’s brewery system in the back.
Next, we traveled to Sauk Centre, MN (west of the twin cities). The campground was right in the middle of 150 miles of paved cycling trails. Dave and I enjoyed a day of cycling and Murphy enjoyed swims in the lake which was right at our campsite door. Such is a dog’s life.
As the July 4th weekend was approaching, we headed northeast to Moose Lake, MN to hang out during the holiday weekend. Why Moose Lake? More excellent cycling trails, a lake for Murphy, and it is not too far from St. Paul, MN where our friends Greg & Helen live. We first met Greg & Helen on the Great Loop in Virginia and enjoyed catching up with them on several stops along the way. Learning that Greg & Helen are avid cyclists too, they joined Dave and I on the Erie Canal Cycling Tour last year along with friends from St. Petersburg. We also enjoyed the Slovenia Green Gourmet Cycling Tour with Greg & Helen in May (in case you missed it, links are included to both posts above).
Greg & Helen drove up from St. Paul on Saturday, July 1st and the four of us rode the Willard Munger trail. Did you know Minnesota has over 4,000 miles of paved cycling trails? That is awesome! Upon returning from our bike ride, we enjoyed a post-ride meal of local grilled brats with Greg serving as the grill master. We also sampled the various cheeses purchased at the Eau Galle Cheese Factory. Yum Yum.
More fun awaits over the holiday weekend…stay tuned for next week’s blog.
Everyone is so nice in the Midwest Brenda, “You Betcha” Dave, and Murphy.
I sure would like to have tried ghe cheeses. As I get older lots of things taste so good, I enjoy trying new things to eat. When younger, I feel like I have missed out for not trying more things to enjoy.
I sure would like to have tried the cheeses. As I get older lots of things taste so good, I enjoy trying new things to eat. When younger, I feel like I have missed out for not trying more things to enjoy.