My time in Shenandoah National Park was cut short because of rain, so I headed to Tennessee with hopes I’d be able to do some hiking when I got there. I was able to get out one day for a short hike, but rain turned out to be a problem in Tennessee too. Before I knew it, my time in Tennessee came to an end and I headed north, back to Wisconsin where this trip began.
I was only planning on being in town for two days, and my schedule was pretty full both days. The night I got into town, I stopped by Kickapoo Creekside, one of my favorite restaurants in Southwest Wisconsin. I was in the mood for a beer and salad bar.
One thing I have noticed traveling around the country is that very few restaurants still offer a salad bar. Not so in Wisconsin. In fact, salad bars are a staple of Wisconsin supper clubs. “What is a supper club?” you might ask. Good question. I’ve always had a difficult time defining what makes a restaurant a supper club, so I asked Google. Here’s the answer I got:
“A Wisconsin supper club is a unique type of restaurant, often family-owned and deeply rooted in the state’s culture, characterized by a cozy atmosphere, classic American fare, and a strong sense of community. They are known for their Friday fish fries, Saturday prime rib, relish trays, and brandy old fashioneds.”
Goggle went on to say supper club tradition includes:
- Pre-dinner drinks at the bar: It’s common to grab a drink at the bar before being seated for dinner.
- Reservations are recommended: Due to their popularity and focus on a relaxed dining experience, reservations are often encouraged.
- A sense of community: Supper clubs foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among patrons.
In essence, a Wisconsin supper club is more than just a restaurant; it’s a social institution, a place to connect with friends and family over delicious food and drinks in a welcoming and nostalgic setting.”
In case I haven’t made it clear in previous posts, I love Wisconsin. During most of the year, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. I love the people (most of them, anyway), the geography, and the traditions. True, I hate the winters, but the summers and falls are the best. And the supper club tradition is one of the things I like most about life in Wisconsin.
Day one of my time in Viroqua was spent in my office, catching up on paperwork and meeting with my employees. It was a productive day.
Day two began at the office and ended with me giving a presentation about my books at our local library. I was contacted by the library over the winter about doing a talk, but since I try to be in warmer climes during the winter months, I wasn’t available. We kicked around a few possible dates I could give a presentation, and we landed on late July.
By the way, Viroqua is a town of only 4500 people, but we are blessed to have a beautiful library. It was built new just a few years ago, and if you’re ever in the area, you should stop by to see it. The library plays host to a wonderful book fair each April (Ridges and Rivers Book Festival), and serves as an important institution in our area’s cultural life.
My talk at the library attracted a small crowd, which made for an intimate setting and discussion. I talked about how I got started writing, a little about the books I’ve written, and a little more about my most recent book, The Walls Come Tumbling Down. I read from the book, and then we had a very enjoyable question and answer period. It turned out to be a good night.
After the presentation, I went to dinner with two of my employees—one current and one former—so we could catch up on each other’s lives. During our visit, it dawned on me how important this kind of fellowship is, especially as we get older. In my younger years, I was often full speed ahead, not taking time to relax and talk to the people in my life. Recently, I’ve noticed a real desire to slow down and enjoy time with family and friends. Maybe it’s an age thing or maybe I’m just evolving. Either way, I’m enjoying spending time with others more now than I have in a long time.
Originally, my travel plans called for me to leave Wisconsin and head out west; first to Deadwood, SD and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, then to Cody, WY and Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen. There are issues with the house I am building in Tennessee, and I feel I need to be in the area to handle them. So, back to Tennessee I go.
Next time, we’ll talk about the issues I’ve run into and how those issues get resolved. Until then…
