My growing anticipation for this year’s slow arrival of spring hit me as I rode along on the way to the airport yesterday. As staycationers, we found it weird to drive to the airport and not have a destination in mind, other than to simply turn around and go right back home.
It was a whirlwind of a trip. We were our friends’ ticket to ride a jet airplane to a warmer climate for spring break. Since we happened to not have any vacation plans, we were excited about the opportunity for a day trip.
To Trader Joe’s, of course.
We had to find a pit stop to say we went somewhere fun, bragging rights don’t ya know? We sped through the store and picked up some snacks. Every road trip needs munchies to nibble on as we cruise down the road to admire the beauty of the season. That was painful to type. Beauty, in Wisconsin, in early spring is a challenge to find, to say the least.
Sure, there was the bison, the pampas grass, and the red barns to grab my attention as we whizzed by. But it was still gloomy.
As the passenger, I was able to gawk out the window while I held my camera at the ready hoping to other capture intriguing things along the way. Many an object the Mr. said was coming near went by in a blur. He knows how to cheer me up. I had plenty of time to click happily away.
It took patience just to keep myself interested. The dreary drab of the grayish snow, the browns of the dormant grass, and the blacks of the tree branches sprinkled occasionally with the green of evergreens wasn’t enough to keep the extra gloominess of the cloudy sky from reminding me we were traveling back home instead of somewhere warm, sunny, and tropical.
The highways road signs and power lines sped by as I looked for objects of interest.
The bright orange construction barrels didn’t quite cut my memories of how pretty these trees are in the fall. They are so full of rich colors at that time of year. The irrigation lines at the ready when the crops will need them in the summer. A stairway to nowhere seemed fitting at this time of the year?
The occasional bird on a branch up high, a couple of geese flying south, and an eagle claiming a branch with a view.
Planted cars in the field, advertising billboards, and construction machinery reminded me of how hard-working we are here in Wisconsin. Strategic reminders to find time to stop off to visit the lambs or grab a tour and a beer.
We take time to go fishing throughout the winter, but once the water breaks through the ice, most are wise to move their shacks to solid ground. A few stragglers were still brave enough way across this lake to drive their cars out there and fish.
As we got closer to home, the sun broke through the gray clouds to reveal hints of my favorite color – sky blue. The splash of blue added some excitement for the pictures, and the warmth of the sun helped melt more of the snow away.
The Chippewa River free of ice, and the road to our favorite winery clear and ready for traffic when they open up for the season later this month. I shall find a moment to blush when we head there for a glass of wine and sit on the patio to soak up some sun with their Summer Red release.
I continued to click away as our exit neared. I admired the beauty of rolling hills with the snow melting on top.
Soon the greens of spring will pop, the buds on the trees will form, and the whites and browns of early spring will give way to the colors of the season we’ve been patiently waiting for.
Our own yard’s snow melted more while we were gone. Oh, my, spring is beginning to appear…there are green blades popping up through the water! Yippee!!
Is the snow melting around you? What kind of fun do you find on a staycation day trip?
Summer Red, released on my birthday ….. checked the link but ….. aaarrrghhhh ….. what’s the grape??? Come on🍷🍷🍷😂👫
Oh, my, I’ll have to post a reminder to myself to remember to wish you a happy birthday on that day! They grow a couple of different grapes onsite and then they buy different ones from other vineyards so they don’t list what is in each batch each year. When you visit the tasting room, they do share though. The Summer Red is a sweet red. So what do you think they make it from??
I find it very strange that their website doesn’t even state the grapes used in each of their advertised wines. Very strange. How can I decide what to buy, because individuals have preferences based on a grape variety and NOT based on someone else’s view of tasting “lemon and gooseberry with a hint of nectarine, moderate acidity and little or no tannins, a long finish but needs drinking soon”! 😂 We always have a good laugh at this sort of thing in Burgundy with several wine producers, where by law, they must name the region/district where grown plus as necessary the grape. I just don’t get it! Would you buy a “fruit pie” without knowing the fruit, or a “sausage” without knowing the meat? Bizarre.
Your travels no doubt take you to regions where a wide variety of grapes can/do grow. Here in Wisconsin, our growing season requires the grapes to be cold-hardy, like the Frontenac or Concord grapes, and then they are combined with purchased grapes from other regions or apples which grow well here, too. I personally don’t dig apple wines (way too sweet for me). This vineyard has chosen to purchase grapes instead of using apples. So, (I’m only speculating), what’s available from other regions is used in the wines they make here. Last year, they had a wonderful harvest of the Frontenac grapes which they use for their Magenta wine, their most popular wine. Their River Bend Blend is a wine that combines a variety of grapes, it is slightly different each year depending on the grapes used. I find it exciting to try it each year to see how it turns out. They always tell you what it is made of when you taste it in their tasting room.
Well, you asked me what grape for their sweet red ….. no idea, because it could be a late harvested Frontenac, a late harvested Semillon, a Muscat, a Moscatel ……. or anything they have chosen to buy.
I enjoy reading your words of wine wisdom! Thank you for challenging me to consider a world beyond our local vineyard.
Here’s a challenge then, it’s how we began as postgrad students 40 years ago and metaphorically toured the world via wines. So, pick an international grape, any you like, maybe one from the list of Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. Then start to try out your chosen grape from different countries then different regions. It’s great fun to do it with local neighbours, we used to have a single grape party last Saturday of each month when we were students!
That sounds like a great challenge. I may have to just read about other regions and buy bottles at the local grocery store. But, I’m up for learning more so I appreciate your tips!
Oh, and, I’m sometimes slow to respond, so your attempts to reply were working! 😉
I don’t think it was your fault, usually a “reply sent” message pops up and I’ve been getting WordPress crashes since I posted about Magna Carta and Russia, maybe I’ve been cyber attacked 😂😂
Yikes!!
Just been browsing through my World Wine Atlas in the USA section, Wisconsin had 70 wineries in 2012, probably more now. Another challenge …. almost forgot this one …. Jefferson as a wine tourist, I think he loved Pinot Noir from Burgundy as I do, check out his travels and love of wine. Historical! 🍷
You’re awesome, thank you for the tips! I do have a nice little booklet of the wineries in the state. I’ll have to check the date on it. There’s a winery in Jefferson, WI that I’ve seen as well. Love the historical sites, too! THANK YOU for the challenges!
I forgot that I wrote this article with links about Thomas Jefferson and wine a while back, it might be of interest https://wp.me/p3R1tV-100
Thank you, that’s a great article. I’m feeling compelled to try a burgundy and to learn more about Jefferson’s love of wine.