Lifestyle

Wisconsinites know that weather conditions rarely stop us from enjoying our favorite outdoor activities. We plunge into Lake Michigan on the coldest of January days, and we bike over hill and dale in the blazing sun or through wind and rain. But when summer brings optimal conditions, breathtaking scenery and some well-deserved R & R, we don’t want to waste a moment of it.

Silent sports enthusiasts are ambassadors for living healthy lifestyles, maintaining bodies that can transport them to any natural place they desire. Whether deep, forested trails or exposed coastlines, motorless activities are seeing increased popularity in cities like Madison and Hayward.

Once a niche sport, rock climbing has seen a Wisconsin boom over the last few years thanks to indoor facilities such as Adventure Rock, Turner Hall Gym, Bounce Milwaukee and Solow Bouldering Club.

The phrase, “yoga practice, not yoga perfect,” is said before class to remind yogis it’s not about perfecting your flow, but rather building a relationship with yourself. So, as a sport that’s meant to be practiced, a variety of Wisconsin organizations are hosting classes.

Starting with 27 cyclists conquering an unknown terrain at its inaugural race in 1983, the 36th annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, promoted by Life Time Athletic Events, now prepares to continue one of the nation’s best fat tire events in September.

Our favorites include:
Perrot Ridge – Wave to our Minnesota neighbors as you explore the advanced trails of this stunning path in Trempealeau County.

Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail stretches over 30 counties and 1,000 miles. Sculpted by ancient glacial movements over 12,000 years ago, the trail offers endless discoveries and has earned itself a spot on the list of America’s 11 National Scenic Trails.

Sentinel Ridge Trail
This trail, tracing the Mississippi Valley, will leave you breathless in more ways than one. Called the most challenging trail in Wyalusing State Park, Sentinel Ridge features a walk over 12,000-year-old burial mounds.

I have always considered myself an active, driven person. With encouragement from my girlfriend and family, I recently completed my first triathlon at the 14th Annual Sprint Triathlon in Pewaukee.

Crush your fitness goals while easing up on the environment.
Exercise outside – Get your endorphins and vitamin D in one workout. Walking to work doubles as exercise and treads lightly on the planet.

Paddling enthusiast Barry Kalpinski started MilesPaddled.com in 2008 as a blog to share trip details and tips with friends. Friend and fellow paddling enthusiast Timothy Bauer began contributing content in 2011, and today the site has grown into a comprehensive guide to paddling Wisconsin’s rivers and streams.

We’ve all heard that in order to reduce stress, we should “reconnect with nature.” However, science suggests that we may not be taking this advice literally enough.

Along with enjoying the outdoors during our summers in Wisconsin, the season is also busy in the world of home renovations, remodeling and working to cross tasks off the do-it-yourself project lists we all have.

Jerrica Zaric of Jerrica Zaric Interior Design recommends creating a realistic budget and timeline for your remodel, along with doing thorough research before starting your project.

Is space a premium in your place? Try these hacks.
Hanging wall storage and corner shelving.
Nail-in shelving units are perfect for saving space and displaying your décor. Put your paperbacks up high and dress them up with bookends. Plants, office supplies, you name it – shelves lift items out of living space.

Jerrica Zaric Interior Design has an aesthetic that is described as an imaginative blend of modern and classical influences, where elegant rooms are enlivened with a fresh mixture of pattern, color and texture.

Randy Pichler started doing work for homeowners as a teenager. Eventually, his side hustle turned into a business, now Pichler Painting. As an industry expert, Pichler shared insights on the latest trends in outdoor spaces.

“The kitchen is the heart of the home,” says influencer Meg Hemmelgarn. Hemmelgarn is the blogger behind Green With Decor, where she shares renovating, decorating and DIY ideas to help readers turn their house into a dream home.

Where is the best location to own a home in Wisconsin? Matt Stone, licensed Realtor and Door County resident, will tell you: northern Wisconsin. Where else can one find shopping strips, expansive woods, growing neighborhoods, clean beaches and cozy taverns all in the same roughly 10-mile radius?

Our favorite rooms include:

My master bathroom. It was recently remodeled. – Marlo

Nothing beats sipping morning coffee on my porch during the summertime. – Grace

While picking through heaps of geological wonders for a recent project, I came across a collection of petrified wood. From the Greek root meaning, literally, “wood turned into stone,” this is a plant that fossilizes in the Earth. Without oxygen, the wood is replaced by opal, calcite, pyrite and silica.

Don’t get us wrong: We love the four seasons in Wisconsin. But when summer comes around, there’s a feeling that we, as a state, live these fleeting months of hot, sunny days to their fullest. We know they won’t last forever.

Mobile, marketable, delicious. With its trademark yellow three-wheeled bicycle and bright pink freezer, Chillwaukee is Milwaukee’s premier popsicle vendor.

With more than 66 state parks, the thought of planning a camping trip can be overwhelming, so we’ve highlighted some of the best parks by activity.

Madison, La Crosse and Door County offer memorable tourist experiences to fit any schedule.

Holy Hill: The lush scenery and 178 steps to the top of the steeple have attracted visitors for decades. A spot for all seasons, Holy Hill’s 21 acres will leave you breathless and your Instagram enviable.

Crivitz is known for some of the best summer waterways, and the Peshtigo River is notable as one of the most riveting whitewater rafting sites in the state — an action-packed activity for a group of daring friends.

Surf in Sheboygan: Centrally located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, the “Malibu of the Midwest” is perfect for surfers of all levels. Rent a board at EOS Surf & Outdoor and spend the day hanging 10.

Any water in the Crivitz area equals summer, but Lake Noquebay is a great example. – Griffin

Biggest: Dane County Farmers Market – With an 18-year waiting list, it is Wisconsin’s largest producer-only farmers market.