View the digital WI Lodging Directory online

By Michelle Eigenberger
The digital issue of the 2010 Wisconsin Lodging Directory is now ready to view online! Flip through the pages like a regular magazine! Click the ads to be taken directly to advertisers’ Web sites! We’re very excited about this digital upgrade to this year’s publication.

Visit the wisconsinlodging.info homepage and click the image of the Lodging Directory cover to be taken right to the digital edition. Click around and let us know what you like! Feel free to report any bugs or broken links as well. Have you used the Wisconsin Lodging Directory to plan a trip, weekend getaway or stay-cation? Let us know, we’d love to hear about it!

The pdf version of the directory can still be downloaded, just click the link below the image of the cover.

Kress Inn receives 2010 Platinum Award

Congratulations go out to manager Pat Olejniczak and staff at the Kress Inn Hotel, DePere who recently received the 2010 Platinum Award from Choice Hotels International!

According to Steve Joyce, president & CEO for Choice Hotels, “The Kress Inn hotel’s commitment to excellence and outstanding guest service has earned this well-deserved recognition as one of the best hotels among the Ascend Collection brand. We here at Choice Hotels are very proud to award this distinguished honor to the Kress Inn hotel.”

Located next to St. Norbert College, the Kress Inn is only minutes from downtown Green Bay. Catering to both leisure and business travelers, the Kress Inn has 46 suites with complimentary wired/ wireless internet, microwave, refrigerator, fabulous workspace, complimentary continental breakfast and welcome reception Monday-Thursday evenings with wine and cheese.  Don’t miss the complimentary fresh-baked cookies at the front desk as well!

For more information on the Kress Inn Hotel in DePere , click on over to WisconsinLodging.info or check out (the staff celebrating their win at) their Twitter feed here.  Congratulations again to Pat and the staff of the Kress Inn!

Lisa from Apple Valley wins free night at the Aloft Milwaukee

Congratulations to Lisa K. from Apple Valley, MN!  Lisa is the winner of the February WisconsINN Getaways free night give-away at the Aloft Hotel Downtown Milwaukee.

If you’re interested in being entered to win a different free night each month, simply sign up for the WisconsINN Getaways monthly e-newsletter. Every month, you’ll receive an email with up to 10 special deals or packages for amazing places to stay in Wisconsin & each month you’ll be entered for a chance to win a free stay.

Upcoming giveaways include:
*   Eagle Harbor Inn, Door County

Click over to the WisconsINN Getaways newsletter to sign up today and again, Congratulations to Lisa!

Ice Fishing Wisconsin

As I’ve shared in a previous post, I don’t fish. However, in the spirit of remaining open-minded, I’d like to once again ramble a bit about fishing – or to be more exact, Ice Fishing.

Here’s what I know:

1. First, you need to make sure the ice is thick enough to support you (at least 4″ thick if it’s just you, 12″ thick for your ice shanty or snowmobile)
2. Then, you start dressing in layers – LOTS of layers!
3. Next, add warm, waterproof footwear (you’ll be standing on ICE, remember!)
4. Finally, you’ll need something to cut through the ice & fishing equipment

That’s all I know.

However, there are experts across the web who speak fluent ice fishing, including those at the Wisconsin DNR. There’s also WisconsinSportsmanMag.com with a full line-up of articles including Secrets of the Pros and the National Ice Fishing Association’s web site.
Had to share this as well, ‘cuz it made me laugh!

Now, get out your calendars because there are a host of fun “Fisherees”, “Derbies” and “Jamborees” across Wisconsin in the coming days:
January 30th
Hancock Lions Club Fisheree, Fish Lake
5th Annual Justin Donner Memorial Fisheree, Mercer

January 31st
Phillips Winter Fest features an ice fishing contest on Lake Duroy
Lake Montesian Fisharee/ Chickaree, Monticello

February 6th
Ice Fishing Jamboree, Mosinee
Sno Gypsies Winterfest Fisheree, Park Falls
6th Annual Ice Fishing Rumble, Phillips
Plum Lake EMT’s Holes for Life, St. Germain
50th Annual BPCA Winter Fishing Derby, Lake Onalaska

As always, don’t forget to head on over to WisconsinLodging.info to plan your ice fishing getaways!

January by Moonlight & Candlelight

We’re a third of the way into winter and, for some, it’s getting long! Break up the season & fight those couch-potato tendancies with a view of Mother Nature’s winter at nighttime…

January 22-23
Candlelight Snowshoe Hike, Shiocton
Navarino Wildlife Area. Ski or snowshoe the one mile loop. Other dates available, please see their web site.

January 23rd
Candlelight Ski & Hike, Eagle
Kettle Moraine State Forest. Almost a mile and half of trail lit by over 400 candles. Bonfire & hot drinks available, but it’s BYOM (bring your own marshmallows)!

January 29th
Snowshoeing by Moonlight, New Auburn
Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail. 1-2 hour long snowshoe hikes led by naturalists. Snowshoes available for no charge, donations appreciated.

Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe, Menomonie
Red Cedar State Trail & Stokke Trail. Begins at the Menomonie Depot, bonfire & hot cocoa to warm you up at the end.

January 30th
Candlelight Ski and Hike, Waupaca
Hartman Creek State Park. Free cookies, cider and hot cocoa provided.

Cross Country Candlelight Ski, Mercer
MECCA Nordic Ski & Hiking Trails. Begins at Little Turtle Flowage Trailhead at 6 pm.

Candlelight Ski/ Snowshoe, Chippewa Falls
Lake Wissota State Park. Snowshoe, ski and walking trails will be lit and snowshoes are available for rent.

Candlelight Ski, Sturgeon Bay
Whitefish Dunes State Park. Cookies and hot drinks available at the picnic shelter along with a warming fire.

Guided Moonlight Snowshoe, Manitowish Waters
North Lakeland Discovery Center. Leisurely walk in the light of a full moon, snowshoes available for rent.