Travels With Snuffles

New Glarus is a small community a little more than an hour away from Madison, Wisconsin. Green rolling hills, lots of dairy and farmland here. Surnames are Nordic and Swiss, their heritage in the architecture and town names. New Glarus is named after the Swiss Canon, Glarus. There is a Wilhelm Tell Festival the end of August, celebrating all things Swiss. Then there is New Glarus Brewing Company, founded in 1993 in an abandoned warehouse, the popularity of their brews allowed them to grow and expand to their present location. It's rare to find New Glarus outside of Wisconsin and if you do, it was probably bootlegged. That being said, it is worth the trip for any beer aficionados. Load your trunk up and take it home. They'll even help you load it! You can find New Glarus at 2400 State Hwy 69, on the outskirts of the town of New Glarus. They have huge tasting rooms as well as non-beer merchandise for sale. Snuffles Approved,  for sure!  The views aren't half bad, either! PS.....

A few years back, Snuffles began accompanying us on road trips and international travel. He can be a bit of a lush, never far from a glass of wine or a pint of good cider. That being said, he's also a sucker for a good mug of hot cocoa on a chilly night or a cold Dr Pepper on a hot day.  While Snuffles hates to write bad reviews because one time doesn't necessarily make a bad place, when you're in a hurry, look for the "Snuffles Approved " label and you won't go wrong. Cheers!

Nicola's Wine and Fare, located at 521 S. 13th St., is not to be missed. Open Tuesday-Saturday for dinner, and you can get carry-out. Snuffles wholeheartedly approves of the Portobello Ravioli, topped with a hearty ragu sauce and a generous meatball. A side salad and bruschetta accompany all pasta dishes. You won't leave hungry. Definitely a favorite of Regulars, we noticed several have standing reservations and tables. It's always wise to eat where the Locals eat,  and this is probably the best Italian I've had outside of Italy. And if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the fairytale carriage(or reserve a ride)

Downtown Omaha has really upped its game since I was last here about twenty years ago. The RiverFront Park has all kinds of places to sit, open air small concert venues, and a skating rink. There are restaurants and bars, motels and apartments, and Ubers are moments away most times. Saro Cider, located at 1012 S. 10th St., offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders along with wine and local beer. They also have a limited menu of shareable plates, and if they are short staffed those might take a few minutes to get. The cider shines, and is definitely Snuffles Approved!  They have some bottled for takeout, but their small batch seasonals are meant to be savored in-house.  

My hubby had a lunch meeting in Niwot, so we decided to spend the night. Niwot is west of Denver and north of Boulder. It's a small community, with a number of shops and restaurants.  Niwot is named after Chief Niwot, a Southern Arapaho chief who negotiated peace between white settlers and Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.  Niwot Inn and Spa is located in the heart of downtown Niwot, and is Snuffles Approved! There is ample parking for guests. There are 14 well appointed and comfortable guestrooms and a 2 bedroom apartment. Breakfast is included, they have a 24/7 coffee, tea, and hot chocolate stations as well as an evening wine and charcuterie offering. January and February are their slow times, so if you want a quiet place to relax and enjoy a spa session along with comfy indoor sitting areas perfect for enjoying a book or catching up on work(they have great internet), this is the place to stay! The Niwot Tavern is a cozy neighborhood restaurant and bar, opening at 11 for lunch. ...