When we landed at Rocky Arbor State park just to the north of the Wisconsin Dells, we were quickly taken with it’s dense forest and set back winding road. The water turned out to be really good, and we were feeling like we should stay a few… and sometimes it works out you can be adaptable!

Quick review showed that if we skipped the last day of our reservation at Mill Bluff and cancelled our stay at a local winery, we could have 2 nights and 3 days at the park.. so we toured the campground and picked a spot with a 30 amp electrical hookup.

The day was perfect with cool breeze and warm sun.. we were feeling invigorated after our morning hike. We gorged on a lunch of grilled bacon cheeseburgers and this amazing sweet potato salad that I LOVE. Gotta love the retro awesomeness with my grandma’s dishes and flatware from my in-laws. (seriously.. this salad is good warm or cold and is an awesome blend of sweet, tart, savory, and smoky… it’s a must try)

Sweet Potato Salad
INGREDIENTS
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 2 lb.)
1 small red onion, thinly sliced into half moons
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. crumbled feta
1/4 c. freshly chopped parsley

FOR THE DRESSING
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground paprika
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes and
red onion in oil then season with salt and pepper.
1
Distribute them evenly on sheet in a single layer. Bake until tender, about 20
minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes then transfer to a large bowl.
2
Meanwhile, make dressing: In a small bowl or in a medium liquid measuring
cup, whisk together vinegar, mustard, honey, and spices. Gradually pour in oil,
whisking constantly until emulsied. Season with salt and pepper.
3
Toss sweet potatoes with dressing, cranberries, feta, and parsley. Serve warm or
at room temperature.

by LAUREN MIYASHIRO

When we went to bed we knew that there would be some drizzle rain in the morning, but we had a hike scoped out and were all set to use our rain gear.

But, when morning came, it wasn’t 40 plus degrees like we thought.. there was a real feel closer to 30f.. that’s like -1 if you are from a place using real measurements. 🙂 It was COLD…. and drippy.

We looked at the forecast and planned to hike during the gap in the rain, but it kept moving later and later in the day until it finally disappeared. The sun never appeared, it never warmed up, it never stopped raining, and we were thinking it was sheer genius we’d paid the extra for power for our stay.

We came here for water, but this got totally ridiculous. Add slippers to the list of must have items.

What do you do when you’re trapped in the motorhome freezing all day? You make soup. Creamy chicken wild rice soup only gets better when you add sautéed baby bella mushrooms and bacon.

Rocky Arbor is a great park despite it’s never-ending highway sounds. We’d go there again just to do this hike.

Also… I met a bee. He was cold and wanted to come stay with us. I didn’t even know his name and I miss him.

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We loved this little change of plans and are sure to visit here again. Oddly enough, it’s just minutes and a few miles down the road from where we had the motorhome parked all last summer. We set out to really SEE the Midwest and this was one of those stops that accomplished that.

Our next stop was a brewery and our first venture into the “public” since leaving home. Down the Road to Baraboo!