Seek the Unique September 2014
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Gen X and Gen Y have definitely embraced the "share economy." Which is great for Wisconsin B&Bs because they practically invented the concept! Innkeepers open their homes (which are inspected, licensed and insured, just sayin') to overnight guests, offering a great guest-to-concierge ratio and lots of goodies included in the stay. So, to all you 18-33 year olds (Gen Y, also known as Millennials) and 34-54 year olds (Gen X), here are some B&Bs that have X&Y written all over them.
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Fantastic for Foodies 
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Gen Xers are foodies, they like to be immersed in the local culture, and they favor traveling off the beaten path. How nice that the Westby House Inn in Westby delivers on all three. The innkeepers are quick to recommend local creameries, wineries, apple orchards and their favorite restaurant, the Driftless Café. That's, of course, when guests aren't eating lunch or partaking of afternoon tea at the inn's own restaurant. Another foodie favorite, and quite unexpected, is the Valley Springs Farm B&B in Reedsburg. The innkeepers there have hosted Gen X and Gen Y urban escapees from New York City, Austin, Indy and parts in between and they all loved being able to experience a real working dairy farm and raved about the breakfasts.
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No Rules
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Boutique hotels are big with Gen X and Gen Y, which is why the Brayton B&B in Oshkosh is popular with these travelers too - because it's more of a boutique inn with architectural features and décor that appeal to both men and women and a "no rules" stance (i.e., keyless entry code and choices for breakfast times and entrées, plus inquire about early check-in and late check-out too). At The Tritsch House in Alma, the innkeeper is 30-something and has outfitted the historic inn with a pool table in the parlor and a big screen for game days.
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Health & Fitness
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Millennials make it a point to work out and stay fit. So here are inns where being active is practically on the agenda: At the contemporary Inn at Wawanissee Point in Baraboo, there are miles of hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails on the property and at the adjacent state park, plus birding on the Baraboo Range where you can see endangered and at-risk species. There are 120 private acres of woodlands and miles of mowed hiking trails that surround Cameo Rose Victorian Inn in Belleville; the Badger State Bike Trail is within walking or biking distance from the inn and links to 3 other major trails. At Lake Ripley Lodge B&B in Cambridge, innkeeper Janice serves locally grown and lodge garden grown produce for breakfast; lawn games, paddling the kayak or canoes will burn those calories.
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Technology and Sustainability
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While there are merits to going off the grid from time to time, staying connected and social (Instagramming your experience to friends anyone!) is a happy pursuit for lots of travelers. At the Arts and Crafts-style Token Creek Eco-Inn near Madison, every night stand and desk has USB ports and easily accessible plugs for all your tech gadgets. That's balanced with their commitment to sustainability - thus Eco as their middle name - with 80% of their food sourced locally. Oh, and the inn is run by Gen Xers!
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Granola to Go
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Not one but two recipes this week, one a paleo (grain-free) version from Token Creek Eco-Inn and the other recipe, with an abundance of grain from the foodie-centric Port Washington Inn. Happy munching!
Token Creek Eco Inn Paleo Granola
This recipe appeals to both the Paleo diets and vegan eaters alike. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your tastes.
- 3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes (if your grocery doesn't have them, order on Amazon)
- 2 cups roughly chopped organic nuts (your choice of combos, pecans and hickory nuts are my favorite, other options: cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
Preheat oven to 250°F and line baking tray with parchment paper. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and spread in a single layer on the tray (use 2 trays if needed). Bake for 15-20 minutes turning granola once part way thru. Its up to you how browned you like the granola - darker is crispier. Let it cool then immediately put into an air-proof container like a large mason jar. Don't make this on humid days - it keeps the granola from staying as crispy!
Click here to view a printer-friendly .pdf version of this recipe.
Port Washington Inn Granola
Combine the following grains:
3 cups oats (we use thick rolled organic oats)
1½ cups wheat flakes
1½ cups rye flakes
½ cup wheat germ
1 cup millet (optional)
Stir together the following:
¾ Tablespoon cinnamon
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
⅝ cup apple juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup canola oil
Add the wet mixture to the grains and mix thoroughly. Spread out on baking sheets and bake at 325°F for 14 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Remove and cool thoroughly then add:
½ cup almonds, chopped
½ cup pecans, chopped
½ cup raisins
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup dried apricots, chopped
Place in sealed container. Freezes well.
Click here to view a printer-friendly .pdf version of this recipe.
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You're Unique. Stay that way.
Hospitably,
Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association
Email: info@wbba.org
Phone: 715-539-9222
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