Wednesday Weekly August 15: Wisconsin Dells for a Bachelor Party

This week I'm in Wisconsin. My buddy has his bachelor party last weekend and this weekend is his wedding. As you read this, I should be on my way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to do some exploring up there.

If you want to read ahead, here are all the new places I visited this week:

Otherwise, the story continues when I left Austin and it was partly cloudy and humid.

Dramatic sunset sky with pink and golden clouds over apartment buildings and parking area at dusk

I stopped by 7-11 to gas up and get some breakfast. Thankfully, the bank wasn't getting robbed next door like last time.

7-Eleven convenience store at sunrise or sunset with dramatic lighting breaking through clouds Ozarka water bottle in car cupholder next to brown paper bag Two wrapped breakfast items from 7-Eleven: a croissant with egg, ham and cheese, and a knotted pretzel roll with bacon, sausage, egg and cheese

My GPS had me take I-35E to Dallas and then US75 up instead of I-35W to Fort Worth. The weather was clear until slightly north of Dallas. From there, the heavens came down. Honestly, I wish this rain would have went further south to Austin, where it is also needed.

Open highway stretching into distance under blue sky with scattered white clouds Dallas skyline view from highway showing modern office towers and construction cranes Highway driving scene with dark storm clouds gathering overhead Weather radar map on phone showing storm system with green and red precipitation areas across Oklahoma and North Texas near Dallas Interstate highway under threatening gray storm clouds Rain-covered windshield view of wet highway with streetlights illuminated in stormy conditions

In Oklahoma, things cleared up. Before I knew it, I was in Northern Missouri chomping down on pizza from Casey's.

Highway shoulder view under overcast sky with vehicle ahead on roadway Highway scene approaching Missouri state welcome sign with dark clouds overhead Two-lane highway through flat rural landscape under partly cloudy blue sky Dairy Queen restaurant building exterior with vehicles in parking lot Two wrapped fast food items in plastic bags on car seat - pizza slices and breadsticks Large Dairy Queen vanilla milkshake in white cup with red straw in car cupholder

The sun started to set and somehow I made it all the way to Wisconsin. I decided to sleep at the rest stop and continue my drive in the morning.

Sunset view from highway with sun setting on horizon over flat agricultural fields Empty parking area at dusk with highway visible in background Tree-lined highway at twilight with silhouetted evergreens on both sides

Jordy went nuts the second I opened the door.

Black and white French Bulldog looking up at camera on speckled tile floor Manicured backyard lawn with white decorative railing structure and rock garden border surrounded by mature trees

I got a good night's sleep and then went into town. I took the cover off the Cougar and then visited with my grandma.

Covered classic car under tarp on wooden platform in garage with plywood walls White classic Mercury Cougar stored in garage with plywood walls and concrete floor

The next day, I went to Wausau to pick up my tux for the wedding. My dad rode along. We then went back and took the Cougar out for a ride.

Rural two-lane highway stretching through farmland with barn visible in distance under hazy morning sky Men's Wearhouse retail storefront with large signage and glass entrance doors Classic car dashboard and steering wheel view with plywood garage wall in background White classic Mercury Cougar with tan vinyl top parked in driveway under dappled tree shade White classic Mercury Cougar front three-quarter view on gravel surface with wooded background

Saturday morning, I had coffee on the porch with my parents. It was actually nice to sit outside for a change. Summer mornings in Wisconsin are much cooler than Texas.

Hand holding black coffee mug overlooking backyard with white railing and landscaped lawn

After coffee, I was on the way to Wisconsin Dells for the bachelor party.

Empty rural highway stretching to horizon under hazy sky with trees lining both sides Small town main street with yellow pickup truck, pedestrians, and businesses under sunny sky

Our first stop was MACS Macaroni and Cheese Shop. I was completely stuffed with my Taco Mac.

Mac's Macaroni and Cheese Shop hanging sign with wooden lettering and cheese icon

The next stop was River Inn to drop our cars off. We weren't able to check in, but they let us park all our cars in one place.

Multi-story apartment or hotel building across busy street with parking lot and white clouds overhead

This was nice because we then packed into a few cars and went to play some laser tag at Fort Dells Laser OPS Compound.

Fort Dells Laser Ops Compound sign advertising laser tag facility

I was one of the people driving so I really didn't hit the cooler of beer. I was so full anyway.

Open cooler filled with ice and bottled beverages on wooden deck at dusk

The running around in the hot sun definitely wore me out and told me how out of shape I am. I did have a great time. A great and sweaty time. We made it back to the hotel and had a few beers in the room. From there we took a Lyft to Port Huron Brewing Company.

Interior car view of passengers from back seat during daytime drive Port Huron Brewing Company vintage-style sign with flowers planted at base

We had a few beers there and waited for the same Lyft driver to pick us up. In the meantime a trolly came by. I wonder what it would take to rent this as a party bus.

Red trolley-style tour bus on parking lot with cloudy evening sky

Our Lyft took us back to the hotel. Not driving, I got to snap a few pictures of Wisconsin Dells along the way.

Interior car view of two passengers from back seat Coachman Inn motel sign at dusk with white SUV passing on road Evening traffic on Wisconsin Dells main street with lime green compact car and historic downtown buildings at dusk Downtown Wisconsin Dells historic storefronts at sunset including cafe and retail buildings

We walked from the hotel to downtown, which was only a couple blocks away. The sun was starting to set on the Wisconsin River.

Pedestrian bridge walkway at dusk with people strolling and metal railings overlooking water River view from bridge at sunset with wooded hills and calm water reflecting evening light Bridge perspective of river at dusk with distant bridge visible and tree-lined shores Tranquil river view at sunset with forested shorelines and pink-tinted clouds

Since our group was big enough, we required two vehicles and got split up. We met up at Monk's Bar & Grill.

Busy Wisconsin Dells main street intersection at dusk with traffic, Tudor-style buildings, and illuminated storefronts Monk's Bar & Grill red awning and signage with cartoon monk mascot characters

After Monk's things got a little fuzzy. We were in and out of each crowded bar after a drink or two. Drinking in Wisconsin Dells during tourist season is like drinking in Madison during school.

was our next stop, followed by Showboat.

Crowded downtown street at night with Distillery restaurant, pedestrians, and illuminated streetlights Tig's Bar storefront entrance at night with pedestrians passing by Nighttime downtown street corner with Broadway Gifts shop and pedestrians crossing intersection Crowded evening street scene with vertical Karaoke theater marquee lit up Illuminated vertical Karaoke marquee sign with bulb lights at night with crowd below

We then headed to some beach themed outdoor bar that I can't remember the name of.

Outdoor entertainment venue at night with illuminated stage, string lights, and crowd watching performance Live band performing on covered outdoor stage with Swing Crazy banner and colorful stage lighting Interactive illuminated sand installation with pink and blue lighting and people playing

Once again, we were back at THE BAR for a drink and were quickly back out walking towards the hotel.

Nighttime street scene with Manon's Market Supermarket sign and pedestrians

Along the way, we found a place called Bud Hut. This bar was a much needed bread of the hustle and bustle of downtown. It was quiet enough we could actually carry a conversation out without yelling. There were even seats available for all of us to sit.

Pizza Hut outdoor seating area at night with stone facade and string lights

After Bud Hut, it was a short walk back to the hotel. I can definitely tell we're getting old since we were back and ready to go to bed by 12:30am. We definitely didn't close the bars down this time! This was good because the next morning, the hangover wasn't too bad as we got breakfast at The Keg & Patio.

Dark walkway at night with distant streetlights and minimal illumination Gray industrial-style building exterior with Molo signage and person walking toward entrance

Breakfast was good and I was back to Marshfield, where I currently am writing this. The bachelor party was fun and I'm sure the wedding is going to be just as much fun. Hopefully I'll have a few more cool things to report back next week from my visit to the UP.

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