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Wisconsin Food and Drink Favorites

It’s very clear that I am not from Wisconsin. I don’t say “don’t you know?” and I don’t call a water fountain “the bubbler”. I had a hard time finding a time machine (Tyme, as in an ATM machine). I do however, believe in drinking a hot toddy elixir to relieve the common cold. Plus, I add cheese to everything, really everything. One of my favorite things about moving to Wisconsin almost a decade ago is the food. Wisconsinite’s really take their food seriously and take lots of great steps to make sure that your belly is happy and satisfied after a meal. Let me share with you some of the recipes that Wisconsin is known for.

A Wisconsin Beer Brat:

Most people in the country don’t even know what a brat is (sorry for those of you that think that this news is shocking). The fact that you let meat sit in beer to get its flavor might seem weird but not here in Wisconsin. It’s actually quite simple and no steps should be skipped when preparing this delicious recipe.

The Beer Mixture:

2 bottles of a German amber

Enough cheap beer to cover the brats when boiling.

2 roughly chopped onions

1 teaspoon of Worchestire sauce

brat
Bring to a boil and then add brats. Let them simmer in beer mixture while you prepare the charcoal grill.

When coals are red hot and a glowing bed, add the brats on medium heat for 6-7 minutes. Do not overcook!

When time is up, place them back in the beer mixture and simmer until they are ready to be served. For best results, no less than 20 minutes.

While simmering the brats, toast your buns to a golden brown. No brat is complete without stone ground mustard (Wisconsin is the home state of the Mustard Museum) and the cooked onions from the beer mixture. Enjoy!

Beer Battered Cheese Curds:

I didn’t know what cheese curds were either, and when someone gave me my first cheese curd the day I moved up to Wisconsin, I thought it was a miniature glorified mozzarella stick. I just didn’t have the right kind. After learning the best way to make a cheese curd, I will never again mistake it for a mozzarella stick again. Here’s the specs:

Beat together:

12 ounces of your favorite light beer

2 eggs

Mix together:

2 cups of flour

1 1-2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of pepper

3 cups finely ground bread crumbs (do not add to beer batter mix)

2 cups of room temperature cheese curds

beercheesecurds
Drop cheese curds into the beer batter and then lightly roll into a shallow dish of bread crumbs. Place cheese curds on a cookie sheet and freeze for 25 minutes. Meanwhile heat up peanut oil in fryer. Place cheese curds in basket and carefully lower into oil. Curds should not be in there more than a minute but pay attention to the golden brown color to take effect. Cool off cheese curds on paper towel. Let the cheesiness melt in your mouth!

Be mindful to let cheese curds cool down slightly.

Cheese curds are delicious on their own but can be accented with a variety of dressings. I prefer Ranch dressing.

Wisconsin Fish Boils:

Because of Wisconsin’s heavy Scandinavian influence, Fish Boils are very popular. If you haven’t experienced a Wisconsin “Friday Night Fish Fry” – get to it. Restaurants book fast and guests start to arrive about a half hour before to witness the fish boil production, chat with other locals, and tip a couple back. Now, unless you have a large firepit, a kettle large enough for 50 people and a huge iron bar to lift the kettle by its handles after boiling fish for so long, I would suggest keeping it on a lower scale and follow the recipe below. This recipe has been scaled for 5 servings. It’s roughly two pieces of fish and baby red per person.

You will need:

10 pieces of whitefish, salmon or lake trout

A large pot filled with boiling, salted water

10 baby red potatoes, not peeled but cut ends slightly

12 small onions

¾ c. of butter

Bring salted water to a boil and carefully lower the potatoes and boil for another 10 minutes. Add onions and return to a boil for another 3 minutes. Place fish in a wire basket (if you have one) and lower into the pot. Boil for 10 minutes and then drain into a strainer. After serving up portions on the plates for your guest, drizzle over the entire plate with butter and serve with a lemon wedge, traditional coleslaw and a roll. To view a video of a traditional Lake Michigan Fish Boil, click here.

Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet:

brandy
After all the work in the kitchen, a drink sounds pretty good right? Wisconsin has no shortage of brandy! That’s the official drink of Wisconsin and you can hear many ways to make it. When I bartended at a brewery a couple years ago, a wise man taught me to prepare a Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet this way:

3-4 cherries per glass

An orange slice

3 dashes of bitters

2 tablespoons of sugar (can be more or less depending on your preference)

And a splash of water

2 oz. of Brandy

Lemon Lime Soda

Place cherries, orange, bitters, sugar and a splash of water. Muddle (squish) ingredients in a short glass and add ice. Add brandy and lemon lime soda. Voila!

Hot Toddy:

Wisconsinites are pretty serious about their past times and after skiing mountains, sledding, snowmobiling, building ice castles or ice fishing, it’s time to warm up. Head back to your Wisconsin vacation cabin and a Hot Toddy will do just the trick. No one seems to know where the name came from but that isn’t exactly important. We firmly believe it has medicinal properties and can cure a sore throat, or that’s what we tell ourselves anyways. Try this concoction next time you’re chilled and tell us what you think!

2 oz. brandy

2 oz. honey or simple syrup

Cinnamon stick

Thin sliced lemon, feel free to pierce this with a clove for added flavor

3 oz. Hot water

Mix liquids together vigorously in a mug, garnish with the lemon and your set to go!

Enjoy these special foods and drinks on your next vacation! Visit www.RentWisconsinCabins.com and use our Narrow Your Search Tool and Google Interactive Map to find YOUR perfect cabin, cottage, lodge, or home!

toddy

Rebecca is a blogger, full time Wisconsinite, taste tester, and jokester. We can barely keep her in the office and it’s even harder for her to keep her shoes on the whole day. We let her stick to her blogging most times. Any questions, feel free to visit out contact tab for more information on who we are as a company!

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WI Deer Camp Means Memorable Traditions and Changes

Every fall, women get together in packs and joke about being a widow for the weekend …you know they are from Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a large deer population, in fact it is in the top 10 for North America for deer hunting. There is also bear, turkey, pheasant, grouse, quail, and waterfowl to hunt! Some things to know before you go:

whitetail deer

A new crossbow law is being tested. Previously, hunters that were above the age of 65 and/or had physical disabilities were able to crossbow hunt. This new law lets hunters opt for the crossbow — the law will be tested for three years to see what will come of it. Some say that the crossbow is too efficient and will lead to an overkill of the deer population and will shorten the length of deer season. Only time will tell to see if this will be a permanent law. In the meantime, we can expect more deer hunters to join in on the experience of DEER CAMP, and we know just the places to set up camp.

One of the highest deer population rates is in Shawano County. The county has reported a deer population of 52,700. Shawano is a small city of about 9,000 people and offers a lot in recreation and quality deer hunting. The forests, farmland and marshes make this area great for sizable whitetail deer. It is against the law to feed deer in this county but with the population the way it is, you should have no problem bagging one. Ten miles away sits public land over 14,500 acres called the Navarino Wildlife Area. This area is one of the most densely populated areas in the state. When thinking about staying here, check out Adventure’s Cabins. These cabins sit on Lulu Lake, which makes it perfect for fall fishing as well. After your full day of outdoor activities, your group can sit in front of the wood burning fire stove and ‘make a plan for tomorrow’. There’s even a washer and a dryer. This property comes with a fire pit, private dock, canoe and rowboat.

adventure

Next we head straight over to the other side of the state along the Mississippi river in Buffalo County where many areas are heavy with deer, turkey, waterfowl and pheasant populations. Buffalo County is home to roughly 32000 whitetail deer becoming the forefront of the nation in deer size, recording 309 “wall-hangers” in just 10 years! It’s safe to say that after the hunting season, you won’t be disappointed. On that note, we have cabins in Buffalo County that will fit your needs.

Fountain City, a small town right on the river and claims to be the “River Bluff Capital of the World”. There you will find HNL Farms: Heritage House. This home is a nice, peaceful and relaxing homestead where you can cook on the grill, or head to town for a good bite to eat. Use the fire pit at night and tip back a couple — it OK to dream about which wall you’re putting your next trophy buck on. If you have some young hunters; there’s even a clubhouse and game room not too far off!

hnl

There is also Cross Ridge Retreat in Fountain as well. This retreat boasts vista like panoramic views of wildlife and the Upper Mississippi River valley all seen by the three season porch. Relax and enjoy the heated clubhouse with a bar and game room. If there is an early snowfall, this retreat is right on the Buffalo County Snowmobile trail.

crossridge1 crossridge

If we head back to a more central location, Tomah, you will get a chance to see some of the state’s best deer hunting. This area has predicted 28,600 deer for this upcoming year. It’s absolutely beautiful and is a great low stress environment with plenty of marshy grounds. These Tomah cabins put you in Deer and Bear country.

If both deer and bear sound good, stay a few days in the Tomah area. The Bald Eagle Lodge in Warrens, WI can sleep over 20 people so bring the family and friends along! This is absolutely perfect! There are two kitchens, two private decks and a patio. This rental is perfect for a family get together where the fun can be shared AND separate at the same time. While the men hunt in the nearby Black River State Forest, the rest of the family can enjoy the Lodge amenities, head to town, or even do some horseback riding.

bald eagle baldeagle2

Hunters enjoy all that Wisconsin has to offer because it is truly paradise. To learn and get engaged with more Wisconsin  hunting or even to see what Wisconsin Outdoor Fun is all about, head over to WisconsinOutdoorFun.com! Grab your friends or family and make your hunting trip memorable. Stay at a great Wisconsin Vacation Rental! See our entire selection at RentWisconsinCabins.com – you’ll love the Narrow Your Search tool and the interactive Google Map. The best part is — you always connect, plan and book directly with rental owners or managers to get the best rate.

Did you hear? We recently launched 3 other state-specific vacation rental websites for Minnesota cabins, Michigan vacation rentals, and even New York cottages! Check them out.

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Let’s go for a ride in Wisconsin!

iron river

Wisconsin has roughly 10,000 miles of OHV trails throughout the rolling hills and majestic forests that cover much of the northern part of the state. While this sport is growing in popularity, Wisconsin has made a huge effort in maintaining trails to allow for users to travel them year round. Let’s explore some of these trails! Please be sure to check with local DNR to see what the new ATV/UTV laws require. RentWisconsinCabins.com has hundreds of cabins on atv trails!

Price County Trails is an easy trail that used to be part of a railway system, now converted to an ATV trail. The 62 miles open for ATVs is along 6 different towns that have plenty to offer for gas, food and lodging. These towns are ATV friendly and allow users to use the posted sign routes to access the town’s resources. Park Falls area has vacation rentals near the trail for added convenience. This season runs April 15 through November 15, allowing the fantastic views of the forest to mesmerize you while you ride your ATVs.

For more challenging rides, go to Hayward. Hayward has some of the best ATV loops and trails in Wisconsin and even some say in the tri state area. We recommend the Dead Horse Trail along with these Hayward cabins. This 55 mile trail is not as easy as others and are for more slightly experienced riders. These continuous loops roll the Chequamegon National Forest where the pines overwhelm the naturalist. This trail will take you through wetlands and prairie as well.

atv

Bayfield County has ton to offer when it comes to ATVs and UTVs and offers a plethora of scenery unmatched by many trails in the state. This trails struts alongside the largest body of water, Lake Superior. The Vallhalla trail system is an easy trail that goes right along the big lake through wooded areas and hilly terrain, connecting riders through other trails, some leading right though the national forest and a glacial pit, spitting riders back out at a very appealing landscape after climbing steep and long inclines. From there, you can take the Trail 40, also known as the Lenawee Trail as it connects to the Old Baldy Trail. This trail takes you through the pine forest and an overlook onto Lake Superior where Minnesota just barely makes an appearance across the deep vast waters.

As riders make their way on Battle Axe trail into Iron River on Trail 31, riders typically stop for lodging In Iron River. Iron River boasts over 500 miles of ATV trails. There is also great hiking, fishing, biking, and swimming in the area making it an ultimate adventure trip. Go along the waterfalls, rumbling rivers, prairies, lakes and streams with ATVs, and experience what most do not. This can be fun for the whole family or just a trip for the guys or gals.

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#LakeGeorge vacation homes! More than just a place …a whole lot more.

You can’t call it “a New York vacation” if you don’t visit Lake George! The majestic mountains and serene waters make this place luxurious and outstanding all in its own glorious ways. Let us tell you why the scenery can’t be unmatched and why all the extra cool factors make this your first vacation hot spot.

Lake George resides within Warren County with many spectacular options of activities to do as well. Enjoy what people over the last century have been doing while visiting this famous area. Sit on the beach and relax with a book, or take a boat and try your luck at first class fishing — it is one of New York’s finest fishing lakes.

Fishing and a stay of one of these Lake George vacation rentals won’t disappoint. Attention anglers: When lake temps hover around the 65 degree mark, the fish are biting! You will find fish close to 90 in. long in most waters.  Lake trout may be one of the most desired of all but there are many other opportunities for rainbow trout and salmon. Salmon and lake trout are best caught in shallow water during the colder waters but are limited to the deep waters in the heat of the summer. Pan fish and black fish are also common in this lake. Cold water fish can be found here as well.

While it’s not the actual Lake George, the area boasts some of the best attractions in the area. Let’s go tubing down the 17 mile long Hudson River! Nothing like getting a true experience like white water rafting as well.  Can you paddleboard? This is the rage these days! Learn your way on Lake George!

Whether it’s boating, fishing, or even just kicking back at the beach; the waters will mesmerize you.

Let’s look above the waters for a second and indulge in the beauty of the vast skies. Lake George has a stunning view of the sunrises and the sunsets don’t disappoint either. While enjoying the beauty, take in a little activity such as hot air balloon festivals in the area, even small airplane rides.

Go ahead, live like a queen, or king. These waters have been vacation hot spots for the rich and famous and there is no reason why you can’t enjoy them either.  Here is a list of the best vacation rentals ever:

The Estate Cottages on Lake George: These cottages sit right amongst the heated pool, Jacuzzi and beach of Lake George. This resort also supplies complimentary canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats. Each cottage has its own covered porch supplied with charcoal grills and best of all, its Monday Night Luau, Wednesday night S’mores Party, and Friday afternoon Farewell Pizza Party!

cottage

The Estate House on Lake George: Want to live like a millionaire? You can! On a limited budget that is. This House is terrific for your group of family members or friends and can provide you with a memory of a lifetime. This place was once called home by a Scottish duke. This place boasts fireplaces, balconies, Jacuzzis, luxury amenities, the whole nine yards.

estate

Cooper’s Point on Lake George: Sleeps 11 and resides on an island once reserved for the rich and famous but this vacation rental allows to live like one without the clink in your pocket. Wake up the Adirondacks in your view while sipping coffee on one of the grand balconies, taking it all in before the group gathering.

coop

We invite you to enjoy a little piece of heaven – because you deserve some fun and relaxation; that’s what we mean when we say enjoy Cabin-Time. Check out our other blog posts, then head over to www.RentNewYorkCabins.com to see our growing selection of NY vacation homes for rent!

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Let’s go for an off-road #ATV ride in #Minnesota

ATVing and Off highway vehicles, OHV for short, are growing in popularity and is quite possibly one of the most popular outdoor sports in Minnesota. We want to share with you some of the best places to ride.

ATVing in Minnesota

Before we get in to all the good trail information, let us give you a few facts before you hop on.

  • riders born after July 1st 1987 has to pass a required safety course for ATVs and OHMs ( off-road motorcycles)  if you’re under the age of 16.
  • nonresidents will also need to posses registration papers if the vehicle is not registered in Minnesota. This registration costs 21.00*. riders also don’t need it if they are related to the person’s property if the trail is owned by a relative or spouse.
  • also be sure to check for current conditions on trails as this year’s roads could have been washed out due to heavy rain.

Rates could change, check with local DNR to see current rates.

Minnesota has over 1,000 miles of off-road trails and range from easy to difficult with challenging courses. One of the areas known for OHV riding is Iron Range. This area has over 4,000 acres of land and 36 miles of various types of trails. This park has no entrance fee currently and is open almost all year round except for Minnesota’s firearm deer hunting season. This area has 3 gas stations.

The next recreational area you should know about is the Moose Lake/Deer River area; called the SOO Line North Trail. This could be one of the easiest areas for ATVs and OHMs so bring the beginner or the kids along and hit the trails with ease. You will find food, gas and lodging. We suggest renting a Deer River cabin on Moose Lake for less of a hassle and the ultimate experience that this lodging can offer.

This old abandoned railroad trail unwinds its 15 mile course along many little ponds and hardwood forest.

sno

Our favorite trail for MN snowmobiling (or the ski-doo or Arctic Cat) is the Paul Bunyan Trail that leads us through 15 different towns. Of course, we recommend you rent cabins in Brainerd and cabins in Walker. The Paul Bunyan trail is free to access and is well marked for recreation users throughout its 112 miles. This makes it the longest trail in Minnesota and 19 of those miles are paved! With so many lakes alongside the trail, this trail offers fantastic views of nature, wildlife, and various Minnesota towns. Walker sits on Leech Lake, the 3rd largest lake in Minnesota. Walker has magnificent Pine trees, a great beach, and panoramic views of bluffs. This trail also offers many activities, contest, games and local events — make sure your next vacation stay is right alongside this trail. Get a group together, bring the snowmobiles and enjoy all that our Leech Lake vacation rentals have to offer.

A quick reminder about our RentMinnesotaCabins.com website. Once you find a vacation rental(s) you like, you inquire and book directly with rental owners – booking direct is the only way to assure you are getting the best rental rate. Booking through other 3rd party websites likely means your paying more for the same rental because of the booking-commission. BOOKING DIRECT JUST MAKES SENSE.

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Fishing Hot Spots in Wisconsin

Wisconsin beats Minnesota as the land of 10,000 lakes and rivals it with it’s great fishing quality. Wisconsin has some of the best fishing spots right next to your favorite Wisconsin cabin rentals. Though there are thousands of great fishing lakes; we have gathered a list of our favorite 3 lakes and what you can expect from them.

“A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work” – Unknown.

chippewa

While the Chippewa Flowage did not make the top 3, we did still want to mention this one because of its documented world record Musky reaching 69 pounds! With Hayward being home to the “can’t miss it” Fresh Fishing museum in the shape of  4 1/2 story Musky, you know what this area is known for. It has become a popular vacation destination for all Midwestern anglers. Compare 45 Hayward Cabins at RentWisconsinCabins.com; Book directly with the owners/manager to get the best rental rate. The owners will likely have some Musky fishing tips too. With perch steadily growing in population, so is Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike however are predators and make it difficult for Walleye and Muskellunge to reproduce. Local guides advise in keeping your daily limit of the legal sized Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike to help dwindling populations.

green lakeComing in at #3 is Green Lake. These Green Lake Cabins are on, or near the lake. The lake is 2 miles wide and averages 100 feet in depth but maxes out at 237 feet in depth, making this lake the deepest in Wisconsin. With these facts, it creates some of the best quality fishing in Wisconsin. Green Lake also has some of biggest variety of fishing. Some of the fish include Blue Gill, Brown Trout, Lake Trout (minimum length is 17 inches), Northern Walleye, Perch, Small Bass mouth, Large  Bass Mouth and Muskellunge (minimum length is 40 inches).

castle rock lakeAnother favorite fishing spot coming in at #2 is Castle Rock Lake in Adams County, WI. The 4th largest lake in Wisconsin is known for its sandy bottom, maxing out at 36 feet down. This man-made drainage lake is also home to these popular rod-benders – Walleye, White Bass and Crappies, but you can also find Northern Pike and Perch. Check out our Castle Rock Lake Vacation Homes.

Bass fishingComing in at #1 is Geneva Lake, in the city of Lake Geneva, WI. Though these Lake Geneva vacation homes are not on the lake, they are in town, or near town. This lake is moderately clear but that’s not why thousands of people from the Midwest travel to greet these waters. This lake is fed by fresh water springs and is home to absolutely the most prized catch: The Walleye. In fact, it’s not unusual to catch Walleye around the 10 pound mark. We can thank the Cisco here for it’s abundant supply. You can also find Northern Pike around 30 pounds and trout at 15 pounds. You can also find White bass, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill and a heavy Smallmouth Bass population. We hear the best fishing magic happens by Williams Bay and Coleman’s Point around the 10-13 foot range. What’s your favorite fishing spot in Wisconsin?

Just in case you didn’t know:

The weather has more to do with the ability to fish more so than the affects of the moon. The barometric pressure, coverage of clouds, and wind can all lead to a great day of fishing. The moon CAN increase the chances of a great catch but it WILL NOT make it worse.

EXPLORE OUR INTERACTIVE MAP AT RENTWISCONSINCABINS.COM! ZOOM IN TO YOUR FAVORITE LAKE TO SEE THE VACATION RENTALS, OR USE THE NARROW YOUR SEARCH TOOL TO FIND RENTALS THAT MEET YOUR UNIQUE RENTAL NEEDS.

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#PetFriendly #NewYork #VacationRentals We Swear By!

Our first pet friendly vacation rental blog was quite successful and we still have 4 vacation rentals that we know you will also enjoy with your pet! Let’s face it, they are part of the family.

Seneca Lake CottageSeneca Lake Vacation Rentals in Watkins Glen, NY is a great rental if you are looking to relax with inspiring beauty or even to try a little adventure. This rental comes with hopes and dreams-that do come true! Right on a wine trail and complete with a tiki bar on the beach, this pet friendly vacation rental allows up to 2 small size dogs and even has extra sleeping areas on the enclosed porch! It sleeps up to 8 people too! You will never be bored here, there are plenty of hiking (complete with mini waterfalls), fishing, boating, and skiing.

Beachfront CottageBeachfront Vacation Cottages: The Deck House is a great pet friendly vacation rental. This rental is right on Olcott beach with boardwalk access to the Pier! Comes fully furnished. Our favorite part is the organized bonfire at night on the beach. This rental is walking distance to restaurants and shopping. WIFI access all over the property!

Lake Desolation Vacation RentalSky View Cottage, a Middle Grove Vacation Rental has great opportunities in it’s exceptional location just 3.5 hours from New York City. This cottage comes with a fully equipped kitchen, sleeps 6, has both a charcoal and gas grill. This newly renovated cabin sits at the foothills of the Adirondack mountains and close to everything considered cool. The Saratoga Springs is just 15 minutes away, 45 minutes away from the famous Lake George. Enjoy the natural beauty right in your own backyard – YOUR PET CERTAINLY WILL! Home to the Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival! This is also a superb ice fishing lake and one of the first to freeze. If a nice cold beer is calling your name after all the recreational activities, head to the only tavern on the lake.

Pet Friendly Lake Desolation RentalBring Fido and your good to go!