2/17/2023

Hello Blog Readers,

My second day here in Eau Claire started off cold – about negative two degrees. Also, my insomnia still seems to be going hard right now, so I was groggy this morning. But the sky was bright and sunny, and once again the walkable bridges and trails were begging to be explored. So I bundled up and got outside. All in all, I think I walked about 5 miles today.

Before heading out to explore I went to a local diner and got some food. I will say, all of my meals here so far have been so heavy. Everything here in Wisconsin seems to be coated in eggs, bacon, and/or cheese. I guess that’s kind of what the place is known for? When in Rome I suppose, but I’m looking forward to getting back home and finding healthier meals.

Following breakfast, I drove around town a bit and headed out to the countryside. As I was driving, it dawned on me that this place was eerily similar to Omaha with its sprawling suburbs, Hy-Vee’s all over the place, rolling hills, and snow covered farmlands. But then there are the truly Wisconsin and UP elements with the pine-forested bluffs, dairy farms, and local cultural differences. Eau Claire is basically a small town version of Omaha, but set in Wisconsin.

My reason for heading out to the countryside was to see the historic Dells Mill in Augusta, Wisconsin. Originally built in 1864, this mill is one of the most iconic and photographed locations in Wisconsin. Most photographers capture the spot in summer or fall when the leaves are at their best. A winter shot is far rarer, but equally beautiful in my opinion. As for the spot itself, I was the only one there – it was serene and peaceful, the water cascading from the frozen reservoir above into the slow-moving icy waters below. It was a great spot to check off of the worldwide list of ‘places to see.’

On returning to town, the temperature warmed up a bit – to a balmy 10 degrees – and I decided that it was time to get walking and keep ‘er movin’ (Charlie Berens reference). If I didn’t make it clear yesterday, this city really is a city of bridges. Crossing several, I trekked my way around town, found a park, a whole bunch of snow and ice, and…Paul Bunyan?

Paul Bunyan, let’s gooooo!

After all of the walking and heavy food, I think that I’m just ready for a nap and then maybe a cocktail or two at the hotel bar (it’s going to be a day-or-so before I need any more food). Eau Claire is a really cool place though. It’s accommodating, in the way that Omaha is accommodating, but also feels more off the beaten path. I can see why a grammy winning indie rock band of international fame would want to make this place their home, because much as the often ironic and contradictory nature of hipsters and indie rock and roll, this place offers many contradictions – it’s humble but cosmopolitan; a city, but with a compact, small town feel; a quiet piece of Americana, but also a place that fills its streets and crosswalks with rock music. It’s a place where you can escape the world, while never feeling detached from it. I enjoyed my time here – a fun place to visit and get away for a few days, but if I’m being honest it’s not a place that feels like home. I will likely come back sometime in the summer or fall months though, just to see it in live music mode. Maybe I’ll even take in a Bon Iver show, or (God forbid) a Taylor Swift show. 🙂

Cheers,

Rob