Road To Fall Fun
There’s no place like Wisconsin in the fall. To celebrate the season, we’re hiding a different fall-themed prize package in one of five Wisconsin county parks or forests each week. Check back every Thursday for a clue to the prize’s secret location. Look for the picnic basket at the end of a “yellow brick road” containing instructions to claim the prize. If the prize isn’t found right away, a second clue will be given on Saturday and a final one on Sunday. Share your scavenger hunt adventures using #roadtofallfun.
Road to Fall Fun Prize Packages
- Week One – Sept. 17-20: Found The Wisconsin Wanderer
- Week Two – Sept. 24-27: Found The Wisconsin Trailblazer
- Week Three – Oct. 1-4: Found The Wisconsin Paddler
- Week Four – Oct. 8-11: Found The Wisconsin Angler
- Week Five – Oct. 15-18: Found The Wisconsin Fanatic
- Contest Terms and Conditions & Contest FAQs
Week 5: The Wisconsin Fanatic Winner
My mom and I have been keeping tabs on the Fall Color Report and this morning I received an email from her about Travel Wisconsin's last scavenger hunt in Ozaukee County. The best part was that the prize was a Packer's package! Since I live in Cedarburg and work from home, I quickly threw on a sweatshirt (which was a Packers sweatshirt - my good luck charm apparently) over my pajamas, and sped on down to the Lion's Den. I knew that basket containing such a great prize wouldn't last long. I was right. I arrived there around 11 and there were a lot of people there donning Packer's gear. I made my way up and down the trails and off the path too, pausing from time to time to take in that view of Lake Michigan...GORGEOUS! Soon my boots were filling up with leaves and twigs and burs, but that didn't stop me. Finally, I headed down a path towards the bluff, with another great view, and searched around to no avail. I turned around to head back towards the main path when out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of yellow. I plowed through a bush (I didn't see the path right next to it at first...) and lo and behold there were yellow bricks and a basket! As I sent a snapchat to my mom of the basket, I was congratulated by an excited Travel Wisconsin member! I was shaking with excitement as I took the prizes out. I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to go to a Packer game at Lambeau this year AND MEET JORDY NELSON!! Thank you SO MUCH Travel Wisconsin!
Week 4: The Wisconsin Angler Winner
Our story begins with last week's scavenger hunt at Cave Point County Park. We were just up in Door County the weekend before and knew exactly where the prize was located but we live 4+ hours away. My wife Terri was convinced that the next prize would be closer to where we live in Southwest Wisconsin. When the clue was posted this morning, we were convinced that it was at Sidie Hollow Lake County Park although we had never been there before, we talked about visiting it soon but didn't think it would be this soon. My wife and I decided to split up and hike around the lake. About halfway around, I heard her yell, I found it. 15 minutes later, I found her nestled underneath a beautiful white pine tree next to the yellow brick road grasping the picnic basket with a beaming smile. What she didn't know was she had poison ivy all around her. :) I am pretty sure that most of the oils have left the ivy as they had started to turn red. All - in - all quite the amazing day. Treasure hunts bring out the best in us.
Week 3: The Wisconsin Paddler Winner
We (Barb and myself) feel very fortunate to have won the Kayak. On Thursday, we had been in Madison, and our daughter texted about the contest. We went on line, and the clues of Open the Door and the road less traveled fit Door County, and the road less traveled (Hwy 57) fit well with the picture that looked like Cave Point. We live a few miles away, and visit Cave Point often, along with the Whitefish Dunes State Park next door. Barb and I took our black lab for a walk to the park, and after looking around the area by the water some, we ventured onto the back path-looking for the yellow brick road. My thought was that the yellow brick path might be poplar leaves on the ground. A ways in, I saw the yellow bricks behind a stump, and there was the basket. You can imagine the excitement we had with the find. Very special. Our family kayak’s, and canoes. This will allow us to use less of our “heavy” aluminum canoe.
Week 2: The Wisconsin Trailblazer Winner
I checked facebook after I biked home from work Thursday evening. My sister-in-law, who lives in Madison, posted your contest link. I looked at the clue and photo posted on travelwisconsin.com and knew exactly where the picture was taken. I thought being so late in the day, someone would have already found it but the weather was nice and I was up for a walk so I hopped in the car and took a ride to Nine Mile. It was busy with everyone taking advantage of the beautiful weather and great bike trails. I walked past the chalet and down the wide trail to the left. I took my time walking up and down the trail but no luck. The sun was starting to set so I only had a little time left. I walked a little further to continue my search. First one trail and still no luck. Then I went to the right and walked to the first single-track bike crossing. After about an hour of searching, I looked into the woods and there it was. My heart was racing. I couldn’t believe it until I opened the basket and the prize was still inside! This will be a great upgrade and will use my new outfitted bike for commuting to work and exploring trails.
Week 1: The Wisconsin Wanderer Winner
Matthew and I have been together for 8 years this October, engaged since May 2014, and we're looking to set a wedding date soon! This was our one and only camping trip for the year, he's an eagle scout and I'm an illustrator with a strong background in natural science, so we both feel at home in the woods and wanted to make sure we at least got out there once before winter set in. I was really interested in seeing waterfalls, so we went up to the Potato River Falls campsites for a long weekend, and before we set up camp we decided to check out the area. We clambered down to the base of the upper falls despite the rain and a very steep, slippery trek. It was definitely worth it- not only were the falls stunning, but Matthew went exploring and told me that he had found the "picnic basket of Oz" and I had to come over and see it for myself. Sure enough, there was a picnic basket sitting on a tiny yellow brick road! He was reluctant to open a strange ownerless picnic basket, but I couldn't help myself, and we ended up both being incredibly glad that I did. We're looking forward to spending a lot more time at state parks next year, sleeping in a tent that's designed for more than one person with sleeping bags that can handle colder weather, and inviting our friends along on our adventures!