For 35 years, Discover,
Wisconsin has traveled
this beautiful state.
In 1987,
my grandpa Dick Rose filmed
the first ever episode
in Eagle
River, the community
the Rose family calls home.
Today,
we take you to a
very special place,
a place with
endless activities
enveloped by
boundless beauty
during all seasons
and for all to enjoy.
Some things never change.
And so we return
once again to Eagle River.
So in
the words of my grandpa,
hello and welcome to
Discover Wisconsin.
Eagle River
has been a home away
from home
for so many families
who longed for the
ultimate freedom
the Northwoods brings from
enjoying the chain of 28
freshwater lakes to camping
under the Northwood pines.
Hiking the backwoods
to biking the 80 miles
of winding forests
and roadways.
Exploring parks
teeming with wildlife
to enjoying the variety
of dining options.
It doesn't get much
better
than a summer vacation
in Eagle
River with the family
this year.
All head up
with Ann and Jackson
and our friend Lynn
and her kids
to recall that magic
of the great outdoors.
Today, we'll explore
the chain
of lakes by pirate ship.
Alas me harties,
Pirate's Hideaway.
Having built this craft
19 years ago
out of a pontoon boat,
Captain Steve knows
how to provide a
pretty entertaining journey
along the chain of lakes.
You could say
we even learned a little
something along the ride.
Are we ready to go?
Yeah.
We're on the Eagle River,
three lakes, chain of lakes.
It's a chain of 28 lakes.
It's the largest inland
freshwater chain
lakes in the world.
That water flows
into the Eagle River, then
into the Wisconsin River,
and it continues
all the way south.
What we've been doing on
these boat rides is we're
checking out the Eagles.
We've got one
active eagle's nest
that we've been watching
and we've got a big baby
hanging out, waiting to fly
for the first time.
You know, I came
up here as a kid.
We started coming up here
in the early sixties.
And
being a family person
myself with four kids,
we wanted to do something
for the families.
And this is 19 years.
We have watched kids
go from two years old
to 20 years old.
And that is the
most amazing thing.
And some kids will bring
their kids back here.
We've been part
of their families.
They've been part of
our family.
Officially pirates.
The crew and I were ready
to plunder some summer grub.
Although there are
a number of options
for dining in Eagle River,
including those along
the chain not too far away.
The rustic smell of charcoal
meat was sizzling
on the grill
in the heart of downtown
and the newly turfed
rotary square.
The crowds gather
for an all-American meal.
One of the many events
put on by Eagle River
Chamber of Commerce.
The Burger Bash hosts
a craft beer.
Backyard games.
Face painting,
a climbing rock wall.
And more importantly,
a lot of juicy burgers.
The event also features
a grilling competition.
It's here.
We met one of the grill
masters, Chris Westfall.
Satisfied down
to the last bite.
The gang had some fun
while I escaped from
the morning madness
to chat
with Chris at his resort.
Peaceful pines
nestled up against
Eagle Lake.
The Burger
Bash is a neat thing.
That's one thing
I had as a kid going up
north.
I came up here
every single weekend was
we loaded into a small
little car
and we fished, we ski,
we went to the sandbar.
We had absolute fun
in the north
woods on the water,
and it was play all day.
We carried that on
with my own children.
So I have a 21
and an 18 year old now,
but I think that's why
I have so much heart
for the North Woods now.
Well, after a
handful of burgers
diving into some lake
geography and sailing
the chain of lakes by ship,
it sure is
nice to experience
the Northwoods again.
Being up here
with these kiddos
definitely reminds me
of the endless activities
Eagle River has to offer.
Immersed in all this nature.
I will say one thing.
It always feels good
to be back.
Coming up
for fun in Eagle River.
Welcome back to Discover
Wisconsin.
Although known for
its playful and exciting
summers, Eagle River's
autumn trees are a canvas
of reds and golds.
And I promise the fall
here is done right
at being under an
umbrella of rich colors.
Getting the last
catch of the season
and an open lake
turkey and deer hunting
and hitting the green
one more time on the
Eagle River golf course.
A trek to Eagle River
for a glimpse of fall
should be on
everyone's bucket list.
I was looking forward
to a solo weekend up north
to enjoy the fall colors.
Fortunately, the Eagle River
chamber is back in action
and I've arrived
just in time to enjoy
Cranberry Fest.
First, however, I
get out on Eagle Lake
for a little
fishing adventure
with Jared, animal vet,
one of the top anglers
in the area known by locals
as the Muskie Hunter.
How long you been fishing?
My first book as a kid
was a fish
identification book.
My parents told me and born
and raised here
and love it here.
I found a new love
for the sport of fishing.
Through guiding
my new adrenaline rush
came from guiding
and watching people
get the rush
that I used
to have by hooking
a muskie or a big fish.
Well, you're on the world's
largest chain
of interconnected
freshwater lakes,
so you have a lot of options
when you're in this part
of the Northwest.
I will guide
on 20-25 different
lakes in the summer.
Muskie, walleye, crappie.
I mean, the fishing
has been phenomenal.
I have made so many friends
through guiding these.
I get clients back year
after year
that I look forward
to getting in the boat.
I know their families.
I've watched kids
grow up from little squirts
to catching their
first muskies with me
and now they're driving.
And
so being kind of
a center of fishing
here in Eagle River,
there's a lot
of events around
fishing throughout the year.
Yeah,
there are
a lot of tournaments
going on up here.
The locals put on
fishing has no boundaries
for people
with special needs.
There's so many volunteers
in our community to make
everything a
complete circle.
The scenery around here, the
Eagles
and all the different birds
and wildlife and the
deer in the water.
This is my home.
This is my place.
These are the waters
that I love, the woods
that I love,
and the people that I love.
I soon found
my water adventures
had only just begun.
I met up with a local
cranberry farmer and guide
for a little lesson
on Wisconsin's
official state fruit.
So, Dave, what's your title
as we stand amidst
all of these cranberries?
Well, I guess I'm the boss.
I came here and was hired
on as a farm manager in 74.
I was 18 years old.
Wow.
I've been doing it
ever since.
Supplying cranberries
to, like, local places and.
And cranberries get shipped
all over the world.
Oh, yeah.
Most of them get
made into Craisins.
So cranberries in Wisconsin
supplies a huge percentage
of the nation's cranberries.
Yes.
63% of the cranberries
in the United States
come from Wisconsin.
And I think 60% of worldwide
comes from Wisconsin.
The cranberry industry
puts over $1,000,000,000
into the economy.
Wisconsin, of course,
we celebrate with
Cranberry Festival
and Eagle River.
What does it mean to you
as a cranberry grower?
It's our harvest time.
You, us, what?
We work for all year.
The chamber,
bringing the people
tours out here.
It kind of gives us a
chance to to show it off.
After my personal bog tour
and a little wine tasting,
I made my way over
to the Violence
County Fairgrounds
to meet Kim Emmerson,
the executive director
at the Eagle River Area
Chamber of Commerce,
to find out what
the Cranberry Fest
hype was all about.
This is the 42nd
annual Cranberry Fest.
We get over 40,000 people
to the event each year here.
We celebrate the cranberry
and the harvest,
which is Wisconsin's
number one fruit,
the state fruit that is.
We have about 200
arts and craft vendors,
cranberries, of course,
and fresh craisins
of eight different flavors.
And then, of course,
cranberry food.
Cranberry brats.
Cranberry beer.
Yes, indeed. Very wines.
It's a great place
to come and enjoy
a fall day.
So what makes Eagle River
such a special place?
Not only to visit,
but also to live?
Well, we're up north.
We're down to earth.
It's a great outdoor
atmosphere.
It's a great place
to work, play and live.
You know, they often say
the best place to live is
where everybody
wants to go vacation.
This would be one of those
places, God's country.
Right. Very cool.
And I'm sensing music.
Well, I got the beer.
Might as well do
the dancing. Let's go.
All right.
Providing an abundance
of fall entertainment
from fishing muskie
to celebrating cranberries.
Eagle River knows
how to capture the season.
Let's just say it's easy
to get hooked on this place.
Coming up, we experience
a northwoods winter.
Don't miss it.
And we're back with
Discover, Wisconsin.
With over 500 miles
of groomed, pristine
snowmobile trails,
Eagle River
is not one to miss out
on a winter action,
and it's a great time
for a guys and gals trip.
So Eric
and I head up to Eagle River
for a little winter fun.
As the snowmobile
capital of the world.
This city hosts the World
Championship
Snowmobile Derby,
also known as the ice hockey
capital of Wisconsin.
Eagle River is home
to the Hockey Hall of Fame
and hosts an annual
national championship
of pond hockey tournament.
Not to mention its numerous
cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing and fat
tire biking trails.
And yes, of course,
there's ice fishing.
Cold after all that fun.
Cozy up and enjoy the cabin.
Life next to the fireplace
with family and friends.
And don't forget to grab
a warm meal
from one of Eagle
River's many restaurants,
including Leafs Cafe,
where I met up
with some locals
for a hearty breakfast
before hitting
the winter trails
for some fat tire biking.
I'm not going to sugarcoat
it.
Winters are cold up here.
Yes, you got a lot of snow.
Our group rides are
just fantastic.
We're going to hit
the Shannon Lake trail,
an old ski trail
system on the state
forest just west of
Eagle River here.
And so the
rubber hits the snow
with over
100 miles of trails
for fat tire biking.
This sport is the new
Northwoods craze.
Who said you can't crank out
a good winter workout?
Obviously Eagle River
is known for snowmobile.
Wait till you see
all the sleds that are
going to be out there today.
Eagle River's pristine
network of snowmobile
trails is a winter wonder
ranked the best overall
snowmobile and
vacation destination.
Eagle River ranks number
one in trail
signing and snowmobile
service facilities
and the best area
to catering for families.
Lastly, it's in Wisconsin.
Northwoods
restaurants are rated best
in the nation's snow belts.
All you need is to bring
an appetite for fun
and good Northwoods food.
I wasn't quite sure
what to expect, but wow was
gorgeous out here.
And of course, after
burning all those calories,
we had to put him back
on to the brewery.
So what kind of events
bring people
in during the wintertime?
I mean, obviously, the derby
the derby brings people in.
There's also vintage weekend
over at the Derby track,
Eagle River host the World
Championship
Snowmobile Derby with its
first race held in 1964,
the USA Pond Hockey
National Championships
also draws in quite
the crowd and 2500
lakes in a two county area.
Still,
there's a lot of water
to fish.
That's a nugget
I didn't know.
Let's not forget
the ice castle.
It's kind of the crown
jewel of downtown
wall to a glistening
town in the winter.
Got a good
guys to that, right?
From ice castles to fat tire
biking to snowmobiling
and ice hockey,
this community
will surely capture
your inner adventure.
And although it's chilly,
you can always hit up
Eagle River's local dining
joints and indulge yourself
in a cozy cup of coffee,
a hot breakfast,
a juicy wine,
or a tasty brew.
We promise
you'll warm up in no time.
Up next,
we spring into spring
in Eagle River.
Welcome back to Eagle River
on Discover, Wisconsin.
Spring fever is in
the air and Eagle River
visitors and locals are
getting out
their fishing rods, grabbing
some fresh produce
at the farmers markets
and exploring the trails
for some biking and birding.
After all, Eagle
River does get its name
from the plethora of eagles
nesting along the river.
This time I'll share the
Eagle River excitement
with my fiancee. And.
And the flowers aren't
the only thing
growing around here.
Over the last two
years, Eagle River
has seen over two
dozen new businesses.
The downtown is now
a popular attraction
and local hotspot for some
springtime shopping.
So he grabbed our shopping
lists and joined in
on some spending
with the locals.
The downtown storefronts
were just the beginning.
This weekend,
Eagle River hosts
one of the many events
that brings
the community together.
The Memorial Day
Arts and Crafts show
put on by the Chamber
of Commerce.
Vendors from the Northwoods
and the greater area
sell their handcrafted goods
and things like music,
food and drink stands
and an abundance
of smiling faces.
On the corner of Eagle
River is downtown rests
the warehouse Eagle River
Community Arts Center,
a nonprofit center
that aims to provide
creative opportunities
for all.
While the kids make
messy masterpieces,
the adults enjoy a full bar
when it comes to art.
These guys mean business.
The center
doesn't miss a beat.
Literally.
Let me tell you,
if you've never seen
the Northwoods Yuccas,
you'd better rethink
your priorities.
Check this out.
The warehouse activities
don't stop there.
And I joined John
Langner, a nearby potter
and instructor
at the warehouse
for a
throwing demonstration.
So pottery from a
cultural standpoint.
Rudi relates us to the past,
just having an appreciation
for what our ancestors
actually went through.
I got associated
with the warehouse
because I was looking
for a place to teach.
I really made the commitment
because I think it's
a really good resource
in the community.
I watched an 11 year
old girl come here
on open mic night
and do a wonderful
rendition of Leonard
Cohen's Hallelujah.
I don't know
if there was a dry
eye in the house,
and that was the first time
that she ever sang
in public.
I love seeing that the
community has that to offer.
The warehouse isn't
the only
place that
discovered the generosity
of the Eagle
River community.
From one
hidden gem to another.
We experienced Mary
Kate's wine bar.
This wine
bar really lives up
to the phrase hidden gem,
as it was based off
an old speakeasy.
Mysterious spots
developed along Prohibition
as a way of serving people
alcohol in secret.
They were
typically tucked
away
in the backroom of
a business
or even underground.
Katie Hayes, intrigued
by these secret hideaways,
was determined to
develop one of her own
with an entrance
to her family owned
gift shop in downtown
Little River.
Although not a secret,
Mary Kate's wine bar boasts
a rustic esthetic
that invites guests to enjoy
flights of keg, wine
and cheese board.
One cake of wine,
by the way,
is equivalent to 26 puddles.
That's less shipping,
less parmesan in landfills
and less waste of pork.
So you could say
I feel pretty good
about drinking wine
and was even fewer corks.
I was ready to
uncork and unwind.
So tell me, how did
this place come to be?
We wanted to create
like a speakeasy type
feel in a in a wine bar
where people can
come and just sit
and talk, relax,
enjoy a good glass
of wine, reconnect.
What have you discovered
owning this place?
I think I discovered
how many people
in the community
support us right away.
They want us to succeed.
And I thought that
was fascinating.
You feel a huge part
of the community
when you own a business
that you're invested.
You support
the nonprofit organizations
in town.
You support the school.
We're not claiming
to be experts at all.
We learn with our customers
as well.
We'll taste with them
and see what they get,
what we get.
Everybody gets
something different
and it's just it's fun.
Well, let's cheers to that.
Cheers.
With spring approaching,
we've come to an end.
However, this season's here.
Don't.
After 35
years, the nostalgia
for the Northwoods
magic grows strong.
There's only one place
in Wisconsin that
offers the world's largest
chain of connected
freshwater lakes, miles
of biking trails,
500 miles of
snowmobile trails,
and a Northwoods magic
filled with hiking, fishing,
kayaking, boating,
camping,
dining and shopping.
During any season
for anyone.
It's no wonder Dick
Rose had a deep
love for this city.
And so when will you
start your legacy
in Eagle River to
experience the up north
and the down to earth?
Thank you for being a part
of Discover Wisconsin.