Elmers Auto & Toy Museum

Eagles Bluff

Elmer and Bernadette have been busy for the past 25 years displaying their restored, rescued and refurbished collection of cars.

At their museum in Fountain City, atop the highest point along the Mississippi, you'll see their amazing private collection. Lovingly cared for by a crew of volunteers from the area. Many who have caught the passion of preserving everything for pedal cars to antiques and classic muscle mobiles.




Just a few items you could buy

There's 5 large buildings packed full of chrome and rubber, carefully dusted and rearranged to accommodate the newest find.

Sorry no photos were allowed in this museum, so you'll have to go see it for yourself.

Special Tractor Show

They have a schedule of events when they are open. We happened to come when  a display of vintage Tractors were set up. Entrance of $10 per person was well worth at least one visit to see what it was all about.

Elmers Salvage

This is the place where Mike and Frank from the American Pickers show come to drool.

Great River State Trail-Trempealeau to the Wildlife Refuge

The last 6 miles of the Great River State Trail are full of stops. From the Village of Trempealeau, Perrot State Park, ending in the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge.

A detour at the Hwy 35 trail head and you can swing into Trempealeau for everything from breakfast at the River Café, a cocktail on the deck at the Trempealeau Hotel or dining at the 50 year old supper club Sullivan's. Plus there's a great view at the Lock and Dam, or stretch your legs on the Little Bluff Trail. This weekend also happens to be Catfish Day's, the biggest celebration in this little river town.





Another detour is Perrot State Park, a short connecting trail takes you right into the campground, check out some of the sites right along the Bay and then head over to the Nature Center and a visit to the restored prairie. Or you can do a little paddling with a rental from the Headquarters.

At the end of the trail is the refuge, with lots more ground to cover. You can explore the roads and dikes by bikes. Here we could almost make it to Trempealeau Mountain.


























Be sure to make it to the overlook.
























A must have on the trail, since they can get a bit buggy.

Very dorky screen hats that easily fitted over our helmets. The 99 cent purchases from Amazon saved us from the knats and deer flies.

Great River State Trail-Lytle's to Trempealeau

The 6 mile stretch from Lytle's Landing to Trempealeau, WI covers the bottoms of the Black River. Lots more bridges as there is lots of waterways and opportunities to see wildlife.

About a mile before reaching the end is a historical stop at the 2000 year old Nicholls Mound. A Hopewell Burial Mound rising 12 feet above the tomb. Just one of many that once existed in the Trempealeau Lakes Mound Group.
The area was excavated in the early 1900's by the Milwaukee Public Museum, Wisconsin law now protects all burial sites for the future. 






After a nice ride it's always time for an ice cream stop.

Trempealeau's Driftless Bike 'n' Bean was a nice respite from the trail. Offering rich ice cream and aromatic coffees, they are open early to start your ride with a little go juice or reward yourself at the end of the trail.












They also rent and repair bikes plus they are adding on to their array of services with Caboose Café.

Just another reason to stop in Trempealeau.