Watch Bald Eagles Along The Mississippi River Near Westby Wisconsin

Watch Bald Eagles Along the Mississippi River with a short Drive from the Westby House Inn

Experience paradise on the Mississippi River! Just minutes from the Westby House Inn you can enjoy eagle watching at its best along the Mississippi River. There are many view areas between Stoddard and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The Great River Road, a Federal Scenic Byway, is your best travel route. 

Several events are planned along the route. Bald Eagle Appreciation Day is celebrated February 27 -28, 2015. This event offers live bald eagle and raptor programs, educational exhibits, and birding experts will provide lectures.  In Ferryville, Wisconsin they celebrate the bald eagle with Bald Eagle Day on March 7th.  The lock and dams along the River are also popular viewing sites. Visit five lock and dam locations between Winona, Minnesota and Lynxville, Wiscon

Apple Season in Southwest Wisconsin Brings Fall Leaves

Folks are thinking apples already! Reservations are coming in every day with visiting the apple orchards on the list of 'things to do' when they get to the Westby House Inn.   With the mild summer and cool temps it is hard to believe apples and fall leaf color are just around the corner.

Orchards are plotted across many acres within the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin and La Crescent Minnesota.Visiting these orchards gets a person in the mood for baking fresh pies, or canning applesauce to enjoy throughout the winter. I have personal experience growing up in both of those kitchen activities. It was fun once the many bushels of apples were peeled.

A leisure 35 minute drive from the Inn to Gays Mills Wisconsin will put you in the center of the largest and most concentrated apple orchard area in the Tri-States. The apple harvest starts with early apples in August, and continues through mid-October. Apple salesrooms are open every day and some until Christmas. The Annual Gays Mills Apple Festival is the last full weekend in September.  Enjoy the orchard experience from Highways 61 and 171 east of Gays Mills.

Another usual question we get asked  is "just when is the best time for fall color around here"?  I use to tell how soon it would be peak by a 75+ year old maple that stood so tall on property, but is no longer. Best guess would be any time in the first two weeks in October. You will see color, how much depends on the unpredictable wind and rain.

Think apples today as we may be thinking snow sooner than we care too!! The apple orchards and fall leaves await your exploring.

Christmas Greetings with Winter Events at Kickapoo Valley Reserve

Christmas is the time of year we reflect on the who,what and where.  Everyone has a Christmas story from years gone by like Ralphie in A Christmas Story.  Some of the things Ralphie reflected on when telling is story brought laughter to every face. Famous lines like "My little brother had not eaten voluntarily in over three years". "I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!"  Don't  forget, "Oh my god, I shot my eye out!" 
So what's your Christmas story? Is it family, the gift giving, volunteering at a charity event, awaiting Santa or sharing the true meaning of Christmas.  Whatever it is, celebrate the wonder of it all, the every joy of it, the fun of it all. Wishing all a wonderful Christmas worth telling!  Marie & Mike,                                                    A Christmas Story of 16 years of innkeeping at the Westby House Inn.

Check out these winter events at the  Kickapoo Valley Reserve during the winter.  

Cross-Country Skiing

The Kickapoo Valley Reserve maintains approximately ten miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, for both classic and skate skiing. The five miles of the Old Highway 131 Trail provide an excellent opportunity to experience the solitude and beauty of the Reserve.  Other groomed trails include the Dam Trail, Old Harris Road Trail and Star Valley Road.  Additional trails may be groomed as time permits. The more adventurous are welcomed to make their own tracks into the wild.  NOTE:  Skiers may not ski on the snowmobile trail.  Call the Reserve Visitor Center for a winter trail map and directions to ski trails, (608) 625-2960. Ski Trails are also available at Wildcat Mountain State Park.

Snowmobiling

A segment of Wisconsin's self-funded snowmobile trail system winds its way through the Reserve.  A local snowmobile club grooms and maintains the trail from December 15 through March 31, snow cover permitting.  Enjoy the Reserve's scenic ridges and valleys by snowmobile, the only motorized vehicle allowed to operate on Reserve lands.  Snowmobile enthusiasts are required to stay on the designated snowmobile trail. Map of Winter Trails in KVR (pdf)

Snowshoeing

Snowshoe enthusiasts are welcome to explore the hidden wonders of the Reserve. There are not designated nor groomed snowshoe trails. NOTE: Please avoid walking on the snowmobile trail or on the cross-country ski tracks.  Enjoy the unbeatable scenery - visit the ice caves, and get the work-out of a lifetime!

For all winter sports enthusiasts, a reminder that the Reserve does not provide any water or toilet facilities except at the Visitor Center. Trails are not maintained during the winter months, with the exception of the snowmobile trail and cross country ski trails. The Reserve Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for information and assistance. Visitors are asked to pay attention to changing weather conditions while enjoying the Reserve's wintry landscape.

All winter sports enthusiasts are required to purchase a trail use permit before venturing out. Snowmobile trail users are only required to purchase a $4/day vehicle parking permit or display of annual pass, if parking in the Reserve's signed 'parking permit required' areas. Snowmobiles simply passing through the Reserve are exempt from fees.

Purchase Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Gift Certificates

by Marie Cimino, Westby House Inn

Make it easy shopping this year by giving bed and breakfast gift certificates to your friends, family and, maybe yourself this Christmas season. The Westby House Inn in Westby, Wisconsin has certificates you can purchase online through there web site- www.westbyhouse.com. 

 Turn around time is seamless too! You can print it right away are have it emailed to the recipient.Certificates are valid for one year from date of purchase. 
So make it easy on Santa and check out our web site than click on the Check Availability where you can make your purchase.   

Norwegian Syttende Mai Events Center Around Westby B&B

 Westby House Bed and Breakfast Inn is Center Stage during Syttende Mai!  

Viking Ship

Car Show on Saturday

Sunday's Parade

Whenever you hear or read about Norwegian history, Syttende Mai is a topic most visited.  Ever wonder how to pronounce it...??? It's simple, just say  "Soot in my eye!!  Now that you can say it, here is some history on Westby's annual festival. The 2013 weekend dates are May 17,18,19, 2013.

Westby's Annual Syttende Mai Festival commemorates Norway's Independence Day. In December 1813, Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden. Therefore ending a 434 years of union between Norway and Denmark. The Norwegian Constitution was signed on May 16, 1814 and was ratified by Christian Frederik on May 17th.  To this day, May 17th is celebrated as the Norwegian national day. Thus Syttende Mai - 17th of May.  The day Norway achieved independence for Denmark. However, on July 27, 1814, the Swedes attacked and Norway was forced to surrender. The union was formally dissolved in June 7, 1905, when Norway declared itself independent of Sweden.

The Norwegian immigrants brought the tradition of celebrating Syttende Mai with them to America and the first Westby festival was officially organized and celebrated in1969. To this day the three-day celebration features Norwegian traditions, heritage and good old fashion ethic food. A bicycle tour, 5 k walk/run, arts & crafts, kiddie parades and children's games, are just part of the fun.  Arts, Crafts and Vintage Commercial Tents are ongoing Saturday and Sunday. Church meatball dinners, rommegrot, and lefsa are in abundance during the weekend; along with great local entertainment and Saturday's outstanding car and bike show and huge parade on Sunday! 

Visit the festival web site at www.westbysyttendemai.com for a complete list of activities and more information on events and the Saturday entertainment of  "Tina & Lena" Singers with Zingers! 

The Inn is the perfect location to overnight stays when you attend the festival. Arrive and park your car on Friday and don't need to get back in the car until you depart!    Dates of Festival - May 17 -18-19, 2013

"Mange takk min ven, ha en behagelig reise" - Many thanks my friend, have a pleasant journey!

Viist

Westby House Inn Can Cure Your Spring Fever

Victorianne Room

Atrium Room

Westby Room

Spring Fever got you going crazy?  Then come to the Westby House Inn for the cure! As one guest experienced, "the B&B is the unique blending of a tastefully decorated grand historic home, lovingly restored and maintained, with the comforting kindness of hosts who treat you like family and nourish you with delectable meals. It's a must-stay whether you happen to be in the beautiful southwest Wisconsin region, or make it a destination."  To help plan your time here the DriftlessWisconsin.com visitor's site has things to do and places to explore along with great dining ideas. If  fly-fishing is a way of relaxing we have over 200 miles of Class A trout streams just minutes from the inn. Hike Wildcat Mountain or the trails through the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Spring brings Farmers Markets in Viroqua and the Amish start to gear up for sales of the crafts they worked on over the winter.  For the foodie folks, check out the many artisan cheese shops, the organic food co-op and Driftless Organic Cafe.
With so many things to do and explore you better start planning a are return trip in the summer and fall!  You can always check for room availability on our web site with just a click on the Check Availability button. Think Spring and you maybe here before you know it!!