Julia's Key West at Red Pines

Key West Salad at Red Pines 

The Quarry Lane's living motto 'Everyday's an Adventure,' might lead to any number of good eating places in our river town and environs.  Hook up the bikes, hop in the car, park somewhere and the bike tires will hopefully lead to somewhere not far from the trail.  One of the great 'trail to table' trips that I can remember doing

frequently in the past was the great Lake Onalaska to Trempealeau Hotel bike cruise. The 15-miler each way is quite an investment in time and energy, but the Great River State Trail, through Midway,  New Amsterdam, Holmen, and then on into Trempealeau, gives the rider a full view of Wisconsin history and nature like no other as it snakes through small rural town, thick farm field, and eventually a National Wildlife Refuge, which literally teems with untouched wildlife and backwater scenery.

The description of the Hotel says it well, "Founded in 1851, Trempealeau is a place where history is close at hand.  Wooded bluffs, where French explorers established camp, overlook the Mississippi River, and sacred Indian mounds at Perrot State Park remind us of our nation's inception.  The beauty of the natural world and the pleasure of seeking a

quiet respite from the fast-paced world are values held dear in Trempealeau.  Our peaceful river town is a well-kept secret that we welcome you to discover."

Although the Hotel trip is the epitome of 'trail to table,' it has lost the battle to time itself, and we have found an abbreviated bike ride just off the trail in Onalaska at Red Pines.  We park directly on cty. Z leading into Brice Prairie, and only a short bike ride into the township, Red Pines stands at the crest of a short bluff overlooking the backwaters of the Black River.

Northwoods cedar by design, the bar and grill captures the sunfish bait and tackle spirit of the

Lake Onalaska fishing scene.  After a short ride into Midway, Julia and I redirected to Red Pines and sat out on the open air patio watching the sunshine skim off the lush green island barriers and the pontoons bobbing lazily along the shoreline below.