Wisconsin Farm Adventures

Day 1 – We arrive at the Dopp farm (owned by Dopps since 1894) early in the morning and within the hour are hunting wild asparagus in the ditches. Soon thereafter, we jump into Uncle John's truck and head to the backwoods to hunt for wild Morel mushrooms. Steve is very successful. We learn from cousin Jim the best way to cook the mushrooms although he will not give up his secret spice mix (we think it's Lawry's).













Day 2 – Build rope swing in barn. Three kids swinging and falling on bales of hay, ah, priceless. Listen to stories of Opah getting in trouble with his brothers when they were younger – shooting birds, skunks, climbing windmills, catching turtles. Build fort out of hay bales in barn.



Day 3 – Visit Uncle Harlan's farm and play on his soap box derby car. Visit in his 150 year old log cabin home he is currently remodeling with Nelda, his girlfriend. We eat platters of summer sausage and cheese. That evening have a campfire with cousins and friends. Cousin Matthew plays some Dead on his guitar and everyone sings together, three generations living together on this farm.

















Day 4 – Visit Uncle Donnie and Boots farm, aka Marlene's family farm. Learn all about a very successful dairy and “embryo” farm. Uncle Donnie takes us for a ride on his manure spreader down to the creek Marlene and siblings used to play in as kids. Visit with family and eat summer sausage and cheese. See Marlene's one room school house across the street and listen while she tells stories of sledding home from school in the wintertime. Beautiful farm.












Day 5 – Everyone sick, everyone. Drive Matthew's go kart – REALLY FAST through farm. Head to cousin Nick's birthday party. Distant cousins play legos and with the newly found pet turtle. We take photos of Wisconsin toe heads. Return to Dopp farm for a dinner of Dopp farm beef on BBQ and morel mushrooms. Uncle John introduces me to honey flavored Wild Turkey – for medicinal purposes only. Once again, three generations hanging together and having fun.


Day 6 – Day off from visiting and summer sausage. Lunch time I serve platter of salami and gouda - when in Rome? Go hiking around farm, work on bus, recover from really bad colds, eat too much, visit local town and cemetaries with family names everywhere! Kids help Jim prepare field for soybeans. Steve and I go on date to LaCrosse for Mexican food, Wild Turkey and birthday shopping.













Day 7 – Hike with Papa to find Indian relics like rusty screwdrivers and feathers on the farm. Have huge corn cob fight in barn. Have family birthday party for Phelan and Casey with homemade ice cream and Phelan's favorite rice and beans. End the day with dinner at friend's farm (no summer sausage :( and go on ride on 4 wheelers around the pond to watch hawks, owls, guinea fowl, cardinals and grosebeaks.











Day 8 – Find Red Ryder BB gun in garage and have to shoot cans before we leave. Cousin Kathy shows us dead raccoon they shot the night before. Tells kids only to shoot the swallows with the BB gun, not the Robins because they are the state bird. I picture my kids with BB gun in Portland, laugh out loud! Time to Go! Everyone cries as we load up and leave.

Check out more photos at www.rmdopp.blogspot.com


EPIC ADVENTURE TO NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. Thanks to all of the Thills, Dopps and Schmidts for their hospitality! We'll be back for that turkey Jim, I guarantee it!