When we visited Wisconsin Dells, it was time for me to relax and wind down. Hoping to be a “mother of the year” nominee (smile!), I also managed to provide my children with the action-packed trip they desired. (See previous post: Winding Up in Wisconsin Dells)
The Spa Kalahari (http://www.kalahariresorts.com/wi/amenities/spa/) was happy to oblige my need to relax. I signed up for the Signature Massage. It’s 80 minutes of sheer bliss, accentuated with soothing music, a few hot stones, and a lot of tension relief. Although I’m a long-time devotee of massage, I’d never tried the hot stones before. They were great. As someone who’s always cold (my toes start freezing in November and don’t thaw until April), it was nice to feel something warm against my skin.
There is a reason the word “spa” rhymes with “ahhh.” During a trip to Boston, I also discovered that the word “spa” rhymes with “car.” In the Midwest, we pronounce the “r” in car. But, those folks in Boston say it differently. Anyway, I was at the spa in Wisconsin Dells, so I focused on the “ahhh.”
After the massage, I managed to maneuver my noodle legs and limp doll body down the hall to the Pedicure Room. There, I indulged in 90 minutes of foot fantasia.
To add to my relaxing experience, I was able to enjoy this spa indulgence guilt-free. My children (Ethan and Autumn ) were having a blast at the Kalahari Waterpark, being “supervised” by my husband, Ross. (See previous post)
I left the spa with a serene mind and body. My state of tranquility allowed me to ignore a few strange looks from the hotel guests as I padded through the lobby in my disposable flip flops – courtesy of the Spa Kalahari. I didn’t care how silly it looked. There was no way I’d don socks and shoes and run the risk of ruining the expertly-applied pinkish plum polish on my toes.
All that relaxing built up an appetite. After one bite of ribs covered in barbecue sauce with the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, I understood why House of Embers (www.HouseOfEmbers.com) restaurant has been in business since 1959.
I had heard about the Omar Sharif room, so I had to see it for myself. It was an elegant, but intimate room, just large enough to accommodate a table for two, with a curtain over the doorway to provide privacy. According to Mike Obois, hundreds of wedding proposals and anniversary celebrations have occurred in this cozy room. They also have a Rudolph Valentino room that seats six to eight … and is perfect for slightly-larger, but still intimate, gatherings. (I suppose you could use this room if you plan to propose to several women at once. If so, I’d also recommend you locate the nearest hospital in advance.)
At House of Embers, dessert didn’t arrive on some dinky little dessert plate. It arrived on a large white plate, beautifully presented with fresh flowers and fruit. It was almost too pretty to eat. Almost ….
The next relaxing event was also entertaining – Jeremy Allen’s Grand Illusions. (www.JeremyAllensGrandIllusions.com) I’ve attended shows in big theaters where you needed binoculars to see the stage. Jeremy’s theater was small. At first, it appeared a bit shabby and the chairs were worn. But, when the lights went down, I understood the wisdom of a small venue. I truly felt a part of the show.
And, it was a complete show. To our surprise, Jeremy Allen’s Grand Illusions was much more than just an illusionist doing tricks. At times, the music was a bit loud, but the singing and dancing nicely complemented the program. There was also a lot of audience participation. Finally, and best of all, there were world-class illusions. They were amazing!
It was even more fantastic that Jeremy could perform his illusions so close to the audience, and we still couldn’t figure out most of them – although Ross and Ethan spent the entire evening trying. Me? I focused purely on being entertained, and I left happy.
It’s not a trip to the Dells, if you don’t visit its namesake. We took a two-hour ride with Dells Boat Tours (www.DellsBoats.com) on the Wisconsin River, so we could see the Dells. The cliffs are 65-feet tall in certain places. They are made up of some of the oldest bedrock in the country (650 million years old – give or take a few centuries).
Many of the sandstone rock cliffs have unique formations. Our expert guide told us the name and story behind many of them. He even provided some humor when he pointed out “twin” formations, saying their names were either Kate and Duplicate or Pete and Repeat. (If that doesn’t make sense, try saying them aloud.)
The highlight of the boat trip was landing at world-famous Stand Rock. We disembarked and walked a few hundred yards. There was a free-standing column of sandstone about 45 feet tall. It was separated from the main cliff by about five feet. As we watched with awe, a beautiful German Shepherd dog leapt from the cliff to the column and back.
Not only were we impressed with this feat, but we were enamored with the dog. We have a German Shepherd of our own at home, named Xena. Ethan immediately wanted to know if we could train her to jump like that. I immediately envisioned trips to the vet.
During our ride on the Dells Boat Tours, we were also able to disembark at Witches Gulch. It is several hundred yards of narrow passageway – surrounded by sandstone cliffs on both sides. There was barely room for the four-foot wide boardwalk. I loved the chance to be so near the cliffs and to see up close the beauty of nature.
Whether it was the power of nature, the power of an illusionist, or the power of a massage therapist – I was in awe of the benefits of winding down in Wisconsin Dells.
Kelly’s Comments (If you go …)
Spa Kalahari. They offer spa and hair salon services. The spa is conveniently located inside the Kalahari Resort – the best place to stay in the Dells. http://www.kalahariresorts.com/wi/amenities/spa/ 608.254.3200
House of Embers Restaurant. They take reservations. Make yours now! www.HouseOfEmbers.com (608) 253-6411
Dells Boat Tours. Be sure to ask where the boat dock is located. It’s easy to find, but only if you know where to look. www.DellsBoats.com 608.254.8555
Jeremy Allen’s Grand Illusions. Ask about VIP tickets – where you can see the white tiger up close. www.JeremyAllensGrandIllusions.com 608.254.4999