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Happy 50th Anniversary Elroy-Sparta State Trail

March 30th, 2015 by David Reeck

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail which is North America’s first Rails to Trails project. This project began a ‘rails to trails’ movement across the state of Wisconsin as well as the United States. Currently Wisconsin has 40 state trails of which 36 are rails to trails which total more than 2,000 miles of trails. Nationwide per the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, there are more than 1,900 rails to trails covering more than 22,000 miles.

Many organizations throughout Wisconsin are planning events to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the rails to trails project in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR has declared the weekend of June 6^th as National Trails Day. On this weekend all fees for trail passes, park and forest admission stickers, fishing licenses and out-of-state ATV passes are waived for the weekend.

Many events are currently being planned in towns along the Elroy-Sparta Trail on that day as well. Also a celebration will take place at the Elroy-Sparta State Trail headquarters in Kendall, Wisconsin on June 6^th. The climax of the day will begin at 2:00 pm which will include a ribbon cutting and re-dedication of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, along with keynote speaker former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson who was instrumental in the formation of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

This would be a great weekend to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and spend a relaxing weekend at Amil’s Inn which is located in the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

To keep abreast of the activities being planned for the 50^th anniversary celebration in Kendall visit www.elroy-sparta-trail.com and the Wisconsin DNR website and search for ‘trail news”.

Biking enthusiasts getting ready to enjoy one of the tunnels of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, Rails to Trails
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Organic Fuel for Apple Dumpling Day Racers

November 30th, 2014 by David Reeck

Apple Dumpling Day Racers enjoying some Organic Fuel.

The Apple Dumpling Days is an annual festival, held the first Saturday after Labor Day, sponsored by the city of Elroy, Wisconsin. As part of the festivities, the Elroy Lions Club hosts the Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Races. The first races were held in 2007 with a 5K “Apple Dumpling Dash” and a single kid’s race. In 2008 a half marathon “Sliced Apple” was added and in 2013 a full marathon “Big Apple” was added. The 5K, half marathon and full marathon are all USATF certified.

Elroy is the center of three abandoned railroad beds that have been converted into bike trails—Juneau County Omaha Trail, the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail and the 400 State Trail. These trails are ideal for the Apple Dumpling Day Races.

The 2014 Apple Dumpling Day Races were held Saturday, September 6. Amil’s Inn was privileged to have two guests that were Big Apple participants and two guests that were Sliced Apple participants. Also the Innkeeper and his son were Sliced Apple participants. For more information, visit the Apple Dumpling Day Races at www.appledumplingdayraces which was the source of this information.

Amil’s Inn also had some special treats for the participants. Organic Valley of La Farge, Wisconsin donated some of their Organic Fuel for the racers. Organic Fuel is a nutritionally balanced, organic milk protein recovery shake. The shake is designed to benefit both endurance and strength athletes. Organic Fuel has an optimal mix of protein, carbohydrates and fats which help an athlete’s body restore glycogen levels while building and repairing muscle. All which help one’s body recover faster and feel less sore the next day. For more information about Organic Fuel and other Organic Valley products visit www.organicvalley.coop which was the source for the information about Organic Fuel.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Apple Dumpling Day Races, Organic Valley
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Elroy-Sparta State Trail is Calling You

August 1st, 2014 by David Reeck

Nan and Bill of El Paso, Illinois getting ready to experience the beauty of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

In spite of a few showers from time to time, the weather has been some of the best for bikers who want to experience the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

The trail spans 32 miles between the towns of Elroy and Sparta on the abandoned Chicago & North Western Railroad bed. Traveling from Elroy to Sparta will bring you through the towns of Kendall, which is the trail headquarters of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail; Wilton, which is the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and Norwalk. Along the way you will observe wetlands, prairies, farms and un-glaciated areas since the trail is located in the northern Driftless Area of Wisconsin.

The highlights of the trail are the three rock tunnels. Two of the tunnels are approximately ¼ mile long. These two tunnels are located between Kendall/Wilton and Wilton/Norwalk. The tunnel located between Norwalk and Sparta is ¾ of a mile long.

For those biking enthusiasts that want to experience more of the area, there is an additional 68 miles of connected trails to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. The “400” State Trail is a 22 mile trail located between the cities of Elroy and Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The La Crosse River State Trail is a 22 mile trail between the cities of Onalaska and Sparta, Wisconsin. The Great River State Trial is a 24 mile trail between Marshland and Onalaska, Wisconsin.

For more information about the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and maps of all 4 connected trails, visit www.bike4trails.com; www.elroy-sparta-trail.com; and http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks.

Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and would be honored to have you as our guest as you enjoy the 4 trails of western Wisconsin.

Tags: "400"State Trail, Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Bike 4 Trails, Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, Great River State Trail, La Crosse River State Trail
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Thumbs Up for Amil’s Inn

June 30th, 2014 by David Reeck

Thumbs up from 5 special guests for Amil’s Inn.

This past weekend Amil’s Inn was blessed to have 5 ladies from Crystal Lake, Illinois spend an evening. They came to the Wilton area to experience the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail and experience the beauty this part of Wisconsin has to offer. With the abundance of moisture and warm temperatures they were not disappointed.

The 5 ladies are neighbors and co-workers. Their friendship and delightful attitude is contagious! The friendship began 5 years ago when they participated in and completed a triathlon. Since that time they have become best of friends and plan numerous ‘girls away’ weekends to nurture their friendship.

Amil’ Inn is always honored when groups choose us for their ‘get away’ weekends and Anita and Dave take extra measures to make sure these groups are pampered for the weekend. It is not too late to plan that ‘get away’ weekend for 2014. We still have several available dates and we would love to have you stay with us!

Biking the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail is always a highlight for our guests. But there is also much more to offer in the area such as canoeing the Kickapoo, visiting Amish bakeries, nurseries and furniture shops, antiquing and seeing some the most beautiful scenery that one can experience.

Hope to see you soon.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Amish, Antiques, Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail
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Ladies Venture Out To Amish Greenhouses

June 1st, 2014 by David Reeck

Ladies enjoying a great stay at Amil’s Inn!

Summer weather is finally here and it should be safe to plant all those vegetables and flowers. This past week eight ladies from the Wisconsin/Minnesota made their annual trip to Amil’s Inn to greenhouse (hop) at 21 possible Amish greenhouses. It is so much fun to greenhouse (hop) when there are 5 greenhouses on one road! Each Amish greenhouse has their specialty with many plants, vegetables, herbs, seeds, perennials, planters, hanging baskets, trees and so much more.

Amil’s Inn favorite greenhouse is M & M Greenhouse located at 27920 Newport Road, Cashton, WI 54619. The eight ladies favorite was Green Acres Greenhouse located at S1899 Sandhill Road, La Farge, WI 54639.

Stay at Amil’s Inn and take a day trip to find all those vegetable plants and beautiful flowers that your home needs. It is so much fun. Remember to pack light so you have room for all the plants that you will be taking back to your home.

We have the 2014 Amish Greenhouse map ready for you to plan your day’s travel. It is still not too late to plan your 2014 visit to an Amish greenhouse since they will have plants until they are all sold out. Selection may be limited but you will still get quality bedding plants at a good price. Remember they are always closed on Sunday.

Hope to see you soon.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Amish, Flower Gardens, Vegetable Gardens
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Amish Greenhouses Have Flowers Ready for Purchase

March 30th, 2014 by David Reeck

It’s time to start planning the design of your flower gardens this year and getting the list together of the flowers you need to purchase for the planting of those gardens. After a long (what seemed forever) winter, the warmer temperatures are so welcome and help get those design juices flowing. As we walk the grounds of Amil’s Inn we are putting together our list of flowers to purchase this year. Also we are planning the possible addition of another flower garden.

We are blessed to have several groups of guests that have a “girl’s weekend” to be pampered by Innkeeper Anita and to visit and shop at several Amish greenhouses to purchase the flowers that they need for their summer flower gardens.

A selection of flowers soon to be ready at M & M Greenhouse.

One of the Amish greenhouses is M & M Greenhouse located just a few short miles from Amil’s Inn. The majority of the flower plantings at Amil’s Inn are purchased from M & M Greenhouse. Their greenhouse is filled to capacity of hanging plants, annuals, perennials as well as vegetable garden plants as well. Right now the plants are only seedlings but by May 1 and maybe a bit sooner the greenhouse will be lush with the plants just ready for your purchase and planting.

Enjoy the warmer days of spring and we hope to see you at Amil’s Inn to be pampered and to do some flower shopping.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Amish Greenhouses, Flower Gardens
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6th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon

November 28th, 2013 by David Reeck

Our marathon and half marathon guests–Roy, Randi, Charlene, Chrissy, and Rebecca

As I look out my window and observe the lawn turning white, I can’t help let my mind wonder back several weeks to the 6^th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon.

The 6^th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon took place on Sunday, November 3, 2013. The day was a beautiful fall day, perfect for the miles that the runners would put on that day. The Rails to Trails Marathon is not only a Boston Qualifier marathon but also a half marathon, 5K and 1 mile fun run. The course takes runners and walkers on tour of the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail, a former railroad that’s been converted into a 32 mile recreational trail that winds through the small towns and countryside areas of southwestern Wisconsin between the towns of Elroy and Sparta.

The 6^th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon had 227 marathon finishers of which 143 were male and 84 were female, 319 half marathon finishers of which 103 were male and 216 were female and 106 5K finishers of which 48 were male and 58 were female. (Results taken from www.itsracetime.com).

Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast was honored to have as guests 2 of the marathon finishers—Roy who qualified for the Boston Marathon and Charlene as well as 3 half marathon finishers—Randi, Chrissy and Rebecca. Also your Outkeeper/Innkeeper Dave and our son Paul completed the half marathon. It was such a joy to have Roy, Charlene, Randi, Chrissy, and Rebecca return to Amil’s Inn after the race to shower and have some ‘serious’ runners talk.

For those running enthusiasts that enjoy running on a converted railroad bed, another marathon and half marathon to consider is the Elroy Apple Dumpling Races held the 1st Saturday after Labor Day each year in the city of Elroy, Wisconsin. The marathon is a Boston Qualifier as well. (www.appledumplingdayraces.com)

To keep abreast of dates and information for the 2014 races, here are the websites to follow: www.railstotrailsraces.com; www.appledumplingdayraces.com; www.elroy-sparta-trail.com or contact us at Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Elroy Apple Dumpling Races, Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, Half Marathon, Marathon, Rails to Trails
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Cranberries Make Special Friendships

September 30th, 2013 by David Reeck

Cranberry vines supplied by Wetherby Cranberry Company for table and room decorations.

Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast has been blessed over the years with many friendships. Many of these friendships began around Wisconsin’s state fruit the cranberry. As the 41^st Warrens Cranberry Festival becomes past history, we are reminded of one of those special friendships with Nodji and Jim Van Wychen of the Wetherby Cranberry Company of Warrens, Wisconsin.

They not only supply the fresh cranberries that Anita uses in her scones, muffins and many other special treats that are made fresh from scratch for our guests but they also supply some extra special cranberry touches such as vines that are used for table and room decorations. We are so grateful for their friendship.

For those who would like to learn more about cranberries, the cranberry industry and be able to purchase some fresh cranberries, the Wetherby Cranberry Company of Warrens, Wisconsin host a Public Harvest Day the first Saturday in October each year from 9:00-11:00 AM. This year the date is Saturday, October 5, 2013. The Public Harvest Day is free to all who attend and no reservations are needed. For more information and directions to the marsh or to order fresh cranberries if you are unable to attend the Public Harvest day visit www.freshcranberries.com.

Also it is never too early to start planning for the 42^nd Annual Warrens Cranberry Festival which is scheduled for September 26- 28, 2014. Visit www.cranfest.com for more information.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Warrens Cranberry Festival, Wetherby Cranberry Company
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Bike the 4 Trails of Western Wisconsin

July 31st, 2013 by David Reeck

Biking enthusiasts, Paul and Rachel, deciding which biking trail to take!

After a much cooler and wetter spring than normal, the weather has turned to be great biking weather. For biking enthusiasts, Western Wisconsin has 101 miles of connected biking magnificence! The 101 miles consists of the Great River State Trail, La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail, and the “400 State Trail.

The Great River State Trail is a 24 mile trail between Marshland and Onalaska, Wisconsin. This trail takes you through prairies and backwaters of the upper Mississippi River valley and will take you along 18 different waterways, cross over the Black River on a 287 foot former railroad trestle, follow along Lake Onalaska on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line.

The La Crosse River State Trail is a 22 mile trail between Onalaska and Sparta, Wisconsin. The trail lies in the La Crosse River valley and parallels an active rail line to the north of the trail. The trail was developed on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line. You will pass over crystal clear trout streams and pass picturesque farms as you pass through the communities of La Crosse, West Salem, Bangor, Rockland and Sparta.

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32 mile trail between Sparta and Elroy, Wisconsin. It is the first ‘Rails-to-Trails’ bicycle trail in the United States and is one of the most popular trails in the country due to its 3 rock tunnels. The tunnel between Sparta and Norwalk is ¾ of a mile long. The tunnels between Norwalk and Wilton and Wilton and Kendall are ¼ mile long each. The trail passes through the communities of Norwalk, Wilton, Kendall, and Elroy. Along the way you will observe wetland, prairies, farms and unglaciated areas since this is located in the northern Driftless Area of Wisconsin. It also follows an abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line.

The “400” State Trail is a 22 mile trail between the cities of Elroy and Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The trail name was derived from the Chicago-Northwestern passenger train that traveled the 400 miles between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul in 400 minutes. The trail crisscrosses the Baraboo River and one will be able to observe wetlands, wildlife, sandstone bluffs, rolling cropland and pasture.

For more information on the 4 trails that make up the 101 miles of connected trails visit www.bike4trails.com and http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/.

Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and would be honored to have you as our guest as you enjoy the 4 trails of western Wisconsin.

Canoe and Kayak the Kickapoo River

June 29th, 2013 by David Reeck

Our canoeing and kayaking guests, (left to right) Cindy, Douglas, Tish, Dave, Gene, Richard, Sue, and Pat.

The time has never been better to canoe and kayak the beautiful Kickapoo River of southwestern Wisconsin which has been a favorite of canoeists for many years.

Many of our guests have never experienced the Kickapoo River and are always excited to find out about the canoeing and kayaking that is only minutes away from Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast. This past weekend we were blessed with return guests for canoeing and kayaking who brought friends of theirs who had not been on the Kickapoo before.

The Kickapoo River is the Wisconsin River’s longest tributary. The Kickapoo River meanders for about 130 miles from Wilton to Wauzeka, where it empties into the Wisconsin River. “As the crow flies”, this distance is about 60 miles. The word “Kickapoo” is from the Native American Algonquian language meaning “he who goes here, then there” which very accurately describes the Kickapoo River, which flows in all directions of the compass for portions of its length.

The Kickapoo River’s shallow, gently flowing is tame enough for the beginner canoeist but scenic enough for the advanced peddler. The upper stretch of the River between Ontario and LaFarge is the most beautiful and the most accessible for the public to enjoy. The river will take you through the Wildcat Mountain State Park and the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Along the way you will see many forms of wildlife. There are over 100 species of breeding birds that call the upper Kickapoo home. You will also encounter muskrats, beaver, white-tailed deer, raccoons, woodchucks, mink and otters. The best wildlife viewing opportunities are early morning and on weekdays when canoe and kayak traffic is the lightest. For plant lovers you will also encounter over 300 species of plants that provide a constant display of color from early spring through late fall.

For those who don’t have their own canoes or kayak’s, Ontario has several canoe rental businesses. Visit www.amilsinn.com and check out the “Area” tab to find a complete listing with contact information.

Special Thank You to the Wisconsin DNR and Kickapoo Valley Reserve websites for information used for this blog. Please visit http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/wildcat/todo.html and http://kvr.state.wi.us/category.asp?linkcatid=1971&linkid=949&locid=115 for more information on canoeing and the Kickapoo River.

Tags: Amil's Inn Bed and Breakfast, Canoe and Kayak, Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Wildcat State Park
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Amil's Inn is a Premier Wilton, Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast in the Kickapoo Valley