I had been looking forward for a chance to go to Wisconsin Dells for several years. It finally happened, and in a big way because four motor coaches were on this trip! There were 131 people.

DAY 1: This was a long travel day. Our lunch stop was in LaFayette, Indiana, at a Cracker Barrel. I have a relative that lives in the area and she and her two-year old was able to join me for lunch. Check out the photo of the baby waving goodbye at our bus. Precious. Our dinner stop was at Culvers. Not only did Culvers originate in Wisconsin, but their fast service for groups is fantastic and the food is good. We were the last of the four buses to arrive at Ho Chunk Casino Hotel in Baraboo, Wisconsin, at 7:00 pm.

DAY 2: Our first adventure was to Lost Canyon, where we enjoyed a horse and wagon ride through the Dells. The wagons held about 15 people and were pulled by two horses. Our guide/wagon driver was so entertaining that our group laughed the entire time. The view was magnificent. We squeezed through cliff-walled gorges that first appeared too small to fit through. We were inches from the sides. It was amazing that those horses knew exactly how to maneuver this area. The Dells are glacier-carved sandstone formations with layers of flat rock. Very enjoyable, unique and impressive.

Next, we were taken to downtown Wisconsin Dells where we had time to explore shops and have lunch. After lunch, we were taken to the boat landing and enjoyed a one-hour tour of the Lower Dells of the Wisconsin River. All four coaches were here and we completely filled that river boat. The scenery was fascinating. The trip was narrated with interesting facts about the Dells and connections with native Indians. The Ho Chunk Nation (notice this is the name of the hotel/casino) was formerly known as the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe.

This evening’s event was dinner and a show at the Wisconsin Opry, including a tractor-pulled hay ride before dinner. Our Croswell groups have visited this establishment for many years. The building resembled a barn. One half was set up for dining and the other half was set up for entertainment. Lots of collectable antique signs and photos were hanging on the walls. We had a delicious buffet meal, including a cupcake cake decorated for “Croswell’s 100th Anniversary.” We enjoyed a classic live country music show from the Dickinson Family. Our driver was asked to go on stage and be part of one number. She caught on quickly and squeezed a horn when the singer said “Beep, Beep.” This song “Beep, Beep” begins at a slow pace and gets faster and faster until the end. She did well and it was just one of their fun songs. One member of the band played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” with a handsaw blade and a violin bow – fascinating!

DAY 3: Today, we drove to Spring Green, WI, for a visit to the House on the Rock. I had visited here in the 1990s with family. I cannot express enough what a uniquely fascinating place this is. This is a world famous attraction built by Alex Jordan. It was his life-long dream, and his amazing creativity and gigantic collections kept the expansion going until his death. He began building his dream house in 1945 atop a chimney of rock with an awe-inspiring view. I told everyone to be sure to see the world’s largest carousel and the Infinity Room. There were displays of collections of butterflies, dolls, dollhouses, circus tents, orchestras, musical instruments, carousels, organ room, knives, a giant sea creature, etc. There were other displays that caused a person to pause, ponder, get confused, wonder why, and in the end never figure out the rhyme or reason for this configuration of stuff! As noted in our itinerary, each exhibit is filled with the exotic, the majestic, and the unexpected.

We had a short drive to the Doubletree Inn in Madison, WI. Our evening event was at The Fireside Dinner Theater in Atkinson, WI. What a delicious dinner buffet in an elegant restaurant! I would rate this buffet meal the second best I’ve ever had, behind the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. After finishing our dinner, we were directed into the connecting theater to enjoy “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Wow! Great music and costumes, and a couple surprises. I heard people say, “I don’t remember an Elvis in other productions!”

DAY 4: Travel day home. At the end of our day as we were dropping off passengers, one person took the time to say that “this was a superb trip!” Yes, indeed!

From the escort seat of Maxine Harris

Croswell's Wisconsin Dells