The MoBiles: Wisconsin Dells, WI (State #11)-Arrowhead RV Resort Campground

The past two weeks were spent at Arrowhead RV Resort in Wisconsin Dells. We chose this campground because it is part of our Thousand Trails membership. As always, we aren't immediately thrilled by these parks but they begin to grow on us. The parks in Wisconsin fall under different rules in our membership and as a result some of the amenities we enjoyed for free at prior TT parks were for a charge here, like miniature golf. And I was certainly miffed when I got to the showers and saw that I had to pay!

But as I said, we enjoyed the park the longer we were there and came to realize that we had a pretty good spot and the location of the park was close to the local attractions.

There were many water parks in the area but after all of the fun we had in Minnesota, it was time for some down time. And I am not sure that I am ready to take both kids to a water park by myself. So we spent time at the pool often.

Swimming has been very different for us this year. When we have been at places where swimming is an option, the water has been so cold. Even now, at the end of August the kids are shivering! They have even turned on the pool heater!! Not quite what we are used to in Texas.

We started our school year this week

and took a field trip to Country Bumpkins Farm. It's a small farm and farmer's market that has added a petting zoo and kids play area. It is so cute and the kids had a fantastic time. We paid $4 per person and played there at least a couple hours until it began to sprinkle.

They fed the sheep and goats (which is their all time favorite)

and checked out the other animals like this funny-looking alpaca.

I got to chat with the owner couple while the kids did some field trip work. The husband built all the cute little playhouses and other structures. He didn't even use any plans.

He added some fun details in them (like this creepy guy in the outhouse) and Jacob and Jordan had a blast.

Their favorite was a little jail house that had a secret escape hatch to the outside of the jail cell.

We raced pedal cars,

rode tractors

and ran the obstacle course followed by the zip line.

And as we were leaving, he offered us a short FREE train ride as he went to park his 1943 tractor out of the rain.

The kids loved it so much that we went again during our second week in the Dells. We did all the same but also went through the corn maze

and picked raspberries. I would have never guessed that the kids or I would have enjoyed that as much as we did.

For a fun eating out experience, we decided to try Buffalo Phils. It got some bad food reviews on line but we knew it would fun since your food and drinks are delivered by train! The kids really enjoyed watching the train move through the dining area delivering its' load. And sometimes when there would be cars or stuffed animals on it.

And we were pleasantly surprised because our food was really good! Good enough that I would definitely go back if we were in the area.

Another place to visit if you are in the area is Devil's Lake State Park. It is gorgeous and it was PACKED! It was Labor Day weekend and I think the entire state of Wisconsin was there. Of course the majority of the visitors were at the beach and picnic areas so we were able to head off on a trail with less of a crowd.

The trail up the side of the bluff is not long but is pretty much stair steps all the way up. It is the Balanced Rock Trail which is part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The view was great.

I wish I could show you a picture of balanced rock but somehow even we missed it :(

So how about Devil's Doorway instead?

And of course there were a lot of steps to get back down! My calves were trembling by the time I go to the bottom

For our last day, we took the Upper Dells Boat Tour. The day started out a little cool but turned into a gorgeous sunny day.

We boarded the boat on the Wisconsin River and while it was not as gorgeous as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, it was still quite beautiful.

Below is Chimney Rock

and Black Hawks Profile (do you see the face?)

The boat stopped at two areas so that we could get off and explore. The first stop was at Witches Gulch. The water was as green as peas!

Then we strolled through Spooky Lane

At the next landing we visited Stand Rock where H. H. Bennett took the first picture ever taken with a stop action shutter that he invented. This allowed him to catch his son in mid-air while jumping from one side to the other. Nowadays, they have a German Shepard make the jump with a safety net below :)