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Best Hotel in Lake Geneva, Maxwell Mansion

You might have noticed a common theme while scrolling our Instagram page recently, which is the stunning backdrop they all share. We are excited to share the best hotel in Lake Geneva, Maxwell Mansion. Honestly we cannot recommend it enough. Lake Geneva, while south of Milwaukee is considered “up north” for Illinois vacationers. Home to some seriously extravagant mansions, it has both small town charm, while being chic enough for those whose version of roughing it involves eating at a four star restaurant. 

Located a few short blocks off of the lakefront, lies the best place to stay in Lake Geneva: Maxwell Mansion. Maxwell Mansion manages to fit into the surroundings perfectly, while remaining an idyllic getaway spot. 2020 has been a year of stress, change, and cancellations. Getting away to Maxwell for the night with another girlfriend was just what we all needed to recharge our batteries.

As you pull into their driveway, you may notice the beautifully restored white brick mansion with black wrought iron details including their lush garden you can wander through and find a semi private bench to relax on. Provided on your confirmation email is a phone number you can text with your arrival time. Touches like these already make our visit feel elevated. 

General Grant Suite

Once inside, it’s as if you’ve stepped back to a bygone era; 1856 to be exact. The astounding details everywhere you turn will keep you wandering the grounds your stay. While built in 1855 it wasn’t until 2012 that this incredible property became the hotel grounds you see today. We were lucky enough to stay in the General US Grant Suite which is aptly named as the General himself made a visit when it was a private residence. 

The Grant Suite is magnificent, with 20 foot ceilings and a fireplace as well as a soaking tub. Especially perfect for taller people (just saying) as there can be no possible feelings of cramped accommodations. Plus, how many other places could you stay that General Grant has also slept? We curled up on the sofa and armchairs to relax. Our only regret was that it was far too warm to envision the fireplace being used.

The Stables and Carriage House

When Maxwell Mansion was turned into the hotel you see today, not only did they painstakingly update the house, they also added two additional buildings to the rear of the mansion called the Stables and the Carriage House respectively. Caitlin’s room was in the Stables. We were utterly charmed by the entrance to the room actually boasting a stable door. If you’re concerned that means less luxury, you’d be far from the mark. As you enter, you feel the rustic chic vibes of the spacious room. 

The rooms in the Stable and Carriage houses have either a steam shower or a jacuzzi tub. You are in for the ultimate relaxing experience. Caitlin’s room even had a little window you could slide the door to peek into the shower from the room. We had to test out the steam shower and found it very easy to use and effective.

Exploring Maxwell Grounds

Aside from the superbly well thought out rooms Maxwell has thought of the complete guest experience to keep you enjoying the grounds. A lot of hotels you show up knowing that you will just rest your head there at the end of the night. No need to even go elsewhere when you visit Maxwell if you so choose! They provide many delivery options for meals at the moment, if the thought of dining out is unappealing. All Summer long you can use beautiful pool to relax in a cabana or take refreshing dip. 

As the sun sets, you can easily grab a drink at the Apothecary bar and carry it outside to their many cozy seating areas. Another option would be to gather around one of their fire pit areas. They have the set up for either croquet or bocce ball for your amusement. Maxwell also provided a bags set which we had to take advantage of! If you want to curl up in your room, they have plush bathrobes and free Hulu accounts for you to catch your favorite shows!

If you’re in the mood for live music, on select nights they bring musicians in to their Speakeasy located in the basement. Make sure you follow them on Facebook or Instagram to find out the password for entry that evening. 

Maxwell Mansion is so much more than your average hotel. They have personalized the guest experience for your ultimate enjoyment. Whether you’re having a girls getaway or a romantic trip, you will leave rejuvenated and completely satisfied. They are taking all precautions necessary for your safety with COVID, so rest assured your trip will be safe. If you haven’t visited Lake Geneva yet it is only 45 minutes from the Milwaukee area and not much further from Chicago. Now is the perfect time to get away as the leaves change. If you’re visiting, stay at the best hotel in Lake Geneva, Maxwell Mansion! Click here to book your room.

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Reconnecting with Nature with Lake Effect Co.

I know we don’t have to say it because everyone is feeling the effects. But man 2020 has been a hard year. It feels like the world continues to divide more sharply and it hurts our hearts. Probably has a lot to do with it being an election year but it has gotten to a point where I don’t want to hear another word of “truth” from anyone. Honestly the saving grace this year has been the amount of time we’ve been up north at the lake. 

We haven’t written about Lake Effect Co. in months now, but don’t worry they are still our favorite. If you’re on Instagram you’ve seen them continue to pop up on our feed. Unfortunately, they too have felt the negative aspects of 2020 and will be closing their shop in Pewaukee at the end of this month. I’m sure it’s next to impossible to maintain a brick and mortar shop, let alone when you’re more of a niche business. 

Our values haven’t changed this year, regardless of what is going on. We still rest in knowing God will bring us through all of this when the anxiety and fear threaten to get the best of us. But it sure is easier when you’re disconnected from social media and connected to nature instead. 

That’s why we think the Lake Effect Co. is still so important. Katherine has been a champion of lake life and Blue Mind, which is that people need to be around water to survive. Now more than ever, when everyone is limited in what they can do this year should we all be prioritizing outdoor time. Whether it means getting to a lake or even just finding a local green space or a park to attune to nature. 

Take off your shoes and stand in the grass if it’s an option. Go for a dip in a body of water. There is nothing like the refreshing and maybe even startling temperature of fresh or saltwater to awaken your spirit and keep you in the moment instead of fretting about the future. 

Many people think back to school and the start of September or Labor Day as the unofficial end to summer. Our slightly cooler temperatures certainly haven’t helped with the mindset shift. We will always hold out on shifting to Fall until we truly have to, and want to encourage you to do the same. 

There are weeks, if not longer to enjoy some seriously gorgeous days outside. As of right now, we’re staring a dark socially distanced fall and winter in the face, where it might not be as easy to bundle up and spend time in nature. This isn’t to scare you, it’s to make sure you make the most of the days you do have!

I went camping last weekend, which is another perfect way to socially distance while communing with nature. I wore my Chase More Sunsets tank top from Lake Effect Co and enjoyed two spectacular sunsets on the bluffs overlooking the delta of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers. 

We can all use this weird time how we want to. I’m choosing to reconnect with things that prior to COVID I might not have made as much time for. It’s an opportunity to slow down and reflect on your priorities and values.

Lastly, small businesses still need our help. If you’ve been eyeing up any of the Lake Effect Co. merchandise, now is a great time to support! You can still use our code THEREALTALL15 for 15% off your purchase!

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Oh Canada: Part Two

Day 3 started out pretty much the same with an early departure to Moraine Lake to hike Sentinel Pass. This hike was just pleasant. The snow-covered pines, the breathtaking views, and the slightly slower incline. We made it to the pass and quickly realized that part of the hike wasn’t going to be safe for us without more expertise and more equipment. Instead, we watched a few brave souls try to make the hike and also noticed a few avalanches. We hiked back down and again being me and being so altitude sensitive, sat out the second hike of the day. It was hard sitting them out, but sometimes you just have to listen to your body. I knew what I needed to do. We headed back to our Airbnb after they finished and showered up for our last evening in Banff.

We went to the Iron Goat first to catch the Packer Game and enjoy some beers. After we had a couple, we departed for dinner at Blake. Ironically our waiter was a Canadian Packer Fan as well, which was amazing. We shared some Bao, Crack Fries, and Pot Stickers and some delicious drinks for the duration of the game. It was another great night, that we ended with some games and hitting the hay. 

The next day we started by catching an amazing sunrise followed by a semi-early shorter hike called Upper Grassi Lake. It was definitely the easiest one we did, but it took us to a beautiful lake and we got to see a fox. That was neat until it got a little too close for my liking which led me to promptly blow my emergency whistle. After our short hike down we headed back to shower and pack up. Back to the airport, we went. We stopped at a Tim Hortons which was unfortunately extremely disappointing. 

If by now you’re wondering if I only wore one outfit this entire trip, the answer is yes. Our Airbnb had a washer and dryer, which was AMAZING and helped make packing in a carryon doable. This was my uniform every day (I shed some and added some all day):

Packing List

Pants: Wool 200 weight base layer, ColdGear

Top: 200 Weight Wool Top, Patagonia Mid Layer Quarter Zip, Vest, Nano Puff (could not recommend this jacket more for hiking and every day wear!!)

Head: Lake Effect Co. Hat(comes in gray and black-use code THEREALTALL15 for 15% off) , Headband

Hands: Light Gloves

Feet: Wool Socks

Shoes: Men’s Hiking Boots

Misc: Gaiters, scarf, backpack, bladder, fanny pack, Buff

I also packed this raincoat and these rain pants but luckily didn’t need them at all! 

We have gotten a handful of messages regarding tall hiking clothing and after doing an extremely in-depth search I can now report: there aren’t many. My smart wool pants went to my mid-shin at best which was a joke but luckily my cold gear was the right inseam. I got men’s rain pants for the length. Leggings are my comfort preference for hiking so I didn’t even look into try hiking pants but wowee do they make it tough on us. I am super pleased with my men’s hiking books and no shame in that game, just size down! 

Hiking gear aside, I am a huge fan of my Away luggage. I have the bigger carry on and the Large one. We used the large one as a group to transport our hiking boots and items that aren’t carry on friendly.

I also used my Ellis James toiletry bag and LOVED it. I have been using this all summer now and I love how travel-friendly it is. It opens on the top and sits flat so you can easily see everything. All of the dividers are moveable so you can fit any size item inside. I especially love the plastic liner on the top part because it prevents any makeup brushes from dirtying the fabric. It’s a super high-quality item and works amazingly for me! We came across the brand on Amazon and have linked to them on our Amazon shop page but you can also check it out here or on their website, here.

All in all, Canada is amazing. Absolutely breathtaking and surreal. I cannot wait to get back sometime when the weather is a bit nicer! If you ever need any other tips or recommendations or have questions I am happy to answer any of these. Until next time; your Wanderlusting lady will be over here looking for my next trip.

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Oh Canada: Part One

Just another travel post, in other words, one of my favorite types of blogs. Traveling is something that has always been exciting, refreshing, and necessary in my life. Our parents always did such an amazing job taking us on trips even if it was camping in Wisconsin or somewhere nearby. We were blessed to see many beaches and woods-growing up. Now that I am on my own, I try to travel as often as possible. If I don’t have a trip booked, I get pretty angsty. This trip came together quickly and I couldn’t be happier with how it fell into place. 

Originally we were supposed to be heading to Nashville with a larger group, but when it came time to plan the group dwindled from 12 to 4 and we decided on Canada instead. You know we ball on a budget over here, so I used credit card points to book my flight. We found a reasonable Airbnb in Dead Man’s Flats that was perfect for us. For transportation, we rented a sick minivan through Costco. We had all the big details locked in ahead of time. Then we spent a little bit of time researching some food, breweries, and hikes so that when the time came we could just choose from a researched “master list”. (Type A planner-Type B traveler over here)

We all worked a half-day on the Friday we left and caught our first flight to MSP which connected us to Calgary. We got into Calgary LATE and by the time we got our minivan and drove to Dead Man’s Flats, it was nearly 2 am. It was really interesting making that drive in the pitch black and not really having a clue where we were. 

Day 1 we took off around 7 for our first hike: Ha Ling Peak. This almost 5-mile hike was rated Hard on “All Trails” (Which is a great resource for any trip like this) and they definitely didn’t lie about it. I felt like I had never worked out a day in my life on this hike. I felt a little bit off from the start and I am not sure why, but it was a struggle to the top. I forgot my crampons on this hike and it was extremely icy, slippery and hard to find solid footing. My lungs were on fire and by the time we got to the scramble at the top my mental game was weak. But boy was this hike worth it. The views were unreal and satisfaction was high. We enjoyed some snacks and snagged some pictures before the long slippery trek down. I discovered a new fear of heights as we descended and kind of tried to scoot along. So much so, that I ripped a brand new pair of pants. 

On our way back to our AirBnb we stopped at the grocery store to grab some basics for breakfast, lunch, and a few local beers to sample. Back at our place we cleaned up and headed out for some beers at Grizzly Paw, followed by dinner at Tavern 1883 which was delicious! We all kind of sampled each other’s meals which included a bison burger, pesto gnocchi, and some homemade meatloaf. Seriously everything was incredibly delicious and reasonably priced. We beelined it back to the Airbnb so we could maximize our sleep for the impending early morning. 

Day 2 we headed out at 6 am for Lake Louise. We were warned by every website that parking is tricky at Lake Louise, and we weren’t going to risk not getting a spot so another pitch-black drive it was. I still felt pretty off to begin this day but figured I could shake it. I had a second cup of coffee and it pretty much went downhill from there. We hopped on the Little Beehive trail via Lake Agnes and stopped at the Tea House on the way. About halfway up the mountain, I realized I needed a quick stop to throw up (TMI -sorry!). I blasted Come and Get your Love by Redbone so my friends wouldn’t have to hear me and now that song will always have a funny place in my heart.

The rest of the hike ended up being great and the view at the top was amazing again. It snowed for a bit while we enjoyed our PBJ sandwiches and beer. They all decided on a second hike but I figured I should listen to my body and know my limits for the day. So while they hiked I meandered the streets of Banff and stopped in some vintage stores, tourist shops, and any other places that caught my eye. There is something exhilarating about exploring the streets of a bustling city alone. 

We stopped at Banff Ave Brewing after they got done and had a few jugs of beer, some poutine, and soft pretzels. We had a little buzz going and headed to Park Distillery where there was a wait, so we got to put our name on a list and headed to a bar down the road. We split our meals again and tried the tagliatelle and a rotisserie chicken sandwich. I was the driver that night, so I opted for water and my friends got some Canadian Maple Rye Whiskey and it was delicious. I am not a big whiskey person, but we ended up buying a bottle to bring home and share when we camp in a few weeks. I HIGHLY recommend Park Distillery if you’re looking for some delicious eats and an awesome atmosphere. 

Stay tuned for part two, I’ll be sharing my packing list then!

Enjoy the Real Reel on this one!

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Never Feeling Giltee about this Company

Another weekend of Summer down, and we certainly feel the end rapidly approaching. All the more reason to soak up as much as we can while it lasts. We had a fun full weekend of outdoor activities (what’s new, right?!). Friday night we met up in the park for some pick-up volleyball games. It’s always a relaxing time to hang with friends and be active. Saturday we celebrated our Mom’s birthday by having some family pool time and then doing some brewery hopping later in the day. Definitely, something our family can rally behind! 

We’re back today talking a local company we love: Giltee. As much as we like to dress up and be super girly and feminine, we are also nature-loving, casual wearing aficionados. We will never be all fancy all the time. The best part, are companies like Giltee who are making sure that just because we like to be comfortable and run wild, we don’t have to look like scrubs doing it.

Plus, you know we have some serious local pride. It rivals that of Giltee’s founders who create all of their pieces based off of community Inspiration. Take one of the original t-shirts we received from them, “Have a Happy Milwaukee WI.” While we loved the slogan, we didn’t realize the significance until recently. Her Papa owned Finney’s West, a tavern in Kenosha Wisconsin. “Have a Happy…” was written right below the name. You might still be wondering, why?!  It’s applicable to whatever you do! Just be positive, get out there and live it up. What better slogan than that to encourage people towards spreading light in their lives. Plus, we always love us a family saying that spreads throughout a larger community.

Wisconsin means a number of things to us, chiefly that we’re a state that knows how to make the best of things. We get through Winters and still are crazy enough to do some outdoor activities (some of us more begrudgingly than others). Wisconsinites are always willing to be a good neighbor and lend a helping hand. In the Summer, you can find us celebrating the season at any outdoor event, usually with a beer and some fried food in hand. If you need to squeeze past us, just give us an “ope” and we’ll let you by no problem.

Plus, it gives the opportunity to take advantage of the many beautiful natural areas within our glorious state. Whether that means at the lake or a state park, or even just driving on the back highways or gazing at the sky; a beautiful scene isn’t hard to find. That’s where a ton of inspiration comes from in their t-shirt and hat designs. They’re easy to grab because they’re high-quality t-shirts and the slogans/designs are well thought out as well as meaningful. 

Once we’re out of high school and wear out the plethora of t-shirts we’ve accumulated, we’re left with free t-shirt giveaways at events that typically wear out after a couple of washes. Plus then we no longer have t-shirts proclaiming our pride in our school, but instead acting as an advertisement for whichever event you got it from. Giltee brings back the hometown pride, with a grown-up spin. It’s a t-shirt that still makes you look put together. The best part? Everything is completely reasonable. 

What are you waiting for? Go check out Giltee’s goodies, you won’t regret it!
You can head straight to the Aurora Women’s Blue Sky Tank here!

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