Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Side Trips
Eight miles north of Wisconsin Rapids along WI 34 is the
Rudolph Grotto Gardens and
Wonder Cave
(WI34,715/435-3120).InspiredbythegrottoatLourdes,thefounder,Fath-
er Philip Wagner, vowed to construct one if he recovered from an illness. Evidently, Our
Lady responded; Father Wagner worked diligently for 40 years—until his death—to create
his dream. The gardens are a hodgepodge of flora and assorted rocks, including a boulder
the size of a barn the priest moved here somehow; the Wonder Cave is a representation-
al collection of kitschy shrines and statues. The attractive gardens are free and open to the
public; the Wonder Cave is open 10am-5pm daily in summer and costs $2.50 adults.
To the west near Babcock, believe it or not, is the National Guard's
Hardwood Bomb-
ing Range
(608/427-1509).Makelikethelocalsandpackapicniclunchtowatchtheplanes
practice their runs; call for the schedule.
cranberry harvest near Wisconsin Rapids
During cranberry season, some decent packages are available. Lots of chain options exist,
all what you'd expect.
