Delavan, Wisconsin - Quilt Barns & Country Roads
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Charles Kurwalt, an American journalist that worked for CBS said, "You can't travel the backroads very long without discovering a multitude of gentle people doing good for others with no expectation of gain or recognition. The everyday kindness of the backroads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines. Some people out there spend their whole lives selflessly."
Kurwalt's quote pinpoints why traveling the backroads revitalizes my soul and reestablishes my hope in humanity. If all I do is listen to the daily news, I am prone to become anxious and cynical. Intentionally getting off the tollways, interstates, and highways and taking the slower, scenic path breathes new life into me and becomes a source of inspiration. This is where I find real people, doing good with their lives, for the mere purpose of blessing others and making our world a better place.
Delavan, Wisconsin has some of the loveliest, most refreshing backroads in Walworth County. In this post, I plan to take you on the "road less traveled," and show you the creatively crafted quilt barns and satisfying scenery you can discover if you make that choice to take a leisurely drive along the backroads of Delavan.
My first stop is Doug Amon's farmstead located at: N5088 County Highway O in Delavan, WI. His quilt is titled, "Rose Path." The reason why I am starting here is that you may just want to make this farm your only destination if you are visiting in the summertime, and don't have time for the whole tour I have laid out. As featured on "Around the Corner with John McGivern," Doug invites all guests to literally, "Stop and Smell the Roses." I first met Doug at the Walworth County Fair where he was handing out free calendars with photographs of his beautiful roses that he cultivates. He also had roses on display for visitors to smell. I remember well that he was having us smell a bunch of roses and had us specifically trying to detect the one that smelled like licorice.
I was so intrigued and spent a while talking with him. I learned that Doug started growing roses on his property after his wife passed away. He wanted to do something in her honor to help him regularly think of her. So, he bought about 25 rose bushes, planted them and by the next year, most of them had not survived the winter. Instead of giving up, he purchased some more and educated himself on how to keep roses alive and how to properly care for them. Now he has 400 rose bushes on his property that he meticulously cares for and he invites you, free of charge, to pull over and stop and smell his roses. In the past, he has hosted lamb and pig roasts for visitors to his property. Currently, every visitor gets a free calendar with photos he personally takes of his roses each year.
If you want to personally meet and be inspired by someone who has the most wonderful character qualities, you must meet Doug. He has grit, determination, creativity, curiosity, loyalty, generosity, love, a great sense of humor, and you can experience all of this for free. He is someone who "blooms where he is planted," but doesn't keep it all to himself. He wants you to slow down and share in his labor of love by being one of the thousands of visitors that stop to smell the roses each year. You won't regret adding his farm to your road trip.
One of the times I went on this back-roads tour, I brought my friend along. Here is what she had to say afterward.
"When I went with my friend Hannah for a morning to explore our area I was pleasantly surprised at how much beauty and exciting places there are right in our back roads. I honestly didn’t think there was anything of interest to explore close to our home. Taking the time to explore our local areas was such a blessing. It encouraged me in many ways. “To stop and smell the roses”. History and creativity abound in our back yards, we just have to take the time to go out and see it. You don’t need to travel far to enjoy “traveling”. And doing it with a dear friend made it even better. We shared in laughter, pointed out what we saw beautiful or unique to each other and just made it more fun" - Alicia H.
There is an old song by Mac Davis called, "Stop and Smell the Roses." It says:
"Hey Mister
Where you going in such a hurry
Don't you think it's time you realized
There's a whole lot more to life than work and worry
The sweetest things in life are free
And there right before your eyes
You got to stop and smell the roses
You've got to count your many blessings every day
You're gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road
If you don't Stop and Smell the Roses along the way."
If you miss Doug's farm and go a little further on County Highway O - you will see this quilt barn. I am not sure of the exact address of it as it was a bonus find for me. In the afternoon, the sun shines so beautifully on it. Follow these directions to get you to our next destination.
A solar energy farm can be seen on the way to the next quilt barn.
While I absolutely love quilt barns and enjoy searching for them, I admire country life even more. The farm animals, scenic landscapes, nature, antique farm equipment, patriotism, cornfields, wineries, vineyards, curvy roads, etc. just makes my heart leap with joy. I am that person that you see parked on the side of the road with her flashers on taking pictures of it all. I can't help it. There is so much beauty on those backroads. Besides the quilt barns, I will have pictures of some of the other beautiful things you will experience along the way to each barn. Things look different every season, so it is a trip you can plan to do multiple times.
Unique and rustic barns dot the landscape along these quiet back roads. On this particular day, I was struck with how the wind was whipping that American Flag just right above the doorway. The character in the wood, along with the wagon wheels almost tells its own story of old-time Americana living.
"The world is far too dizzy these days.
Too many sounds.
Tomorrow, I'd like to stand in a cornfield and stare at the sky."
- Atticus
"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience."
Along the way, you will pass the Turtle Valley Wildlife Area which is a beautiful location to stop and take some photos or simply observe nature.
The next stop is the Bellman Farm located at N6084 Johnson Road in Delavan, WI.- "Farmer's Daughter" is the name of the quilt pattern. This one is seen best in the wintertime when the leaves are off the trees. Follow these directions to get to the next location.
Our next destination is the beautiful "Tall Grass Farms." This goat and sheep farmstead is located at N6623 Lake Lorraine Road in Delavan, WI. "Circling Swallows" is the name of the quilt pattern on this lovely, large, white barn. According to its Facebook page, Tall Grass Farms has sold homespun things to wear like scarves, hats, and socks along with throws, yarn, and fibers, natural homemade soaps and body lotions. They sometimes host a Jubilee in Spring and Fall.
From Tall Grass Farm, follow these directions to get to the Staller Estate Winery.
Staller Estate Winery is a family-owned vineyard and winery that is open daily from 11:00am - 6:00pm, but check their website for current hours of operation. All of their wines are made right there on their property. You can attend a wine tasting, winery and vineyard tour and they have lovely banquet facilities for your next big event. They also sell Wisconsin cheeses, sausages, fresh-baked bread and sweets, making this an excellent place to stop and get out of the car for a while and enjoy.
Just a little down the road, you will find the Marquart Barn at W9034 County Road A in Delavan, WI. The name of their quilt is called "Logs in Logs." Right behind this barn is another great stopping place, especially if you love to crochet or knit.
Needles 'n Pins Yarn Shoppe is a colorful store that sells the finest quality yarns to knitters and crocheters. I don't knit or crochet anymore, but I loved walking through this unique store. The colors are just amazing. They also sell patterns, books, needles and more. They also have a big room for people to come to work on their projects. If you like creating things with yarn or are looking for a gift for that crafty person in your life, I recommend that you stop and take a peek inside this lovely shop nestled behind an adorable quilt barn.
After you are done browsing the varied selection of yarns, continue down County Road A for about another minute following these directions.
You will arrive at the Versweyveld Farm located at 9217 County Road A in Delavan, WI. A very small, tucked away, little barn with a "Welcome Wheel" quilt design that is best seen in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees. From here, follow these directions.
Along the way, if you see this church, pull into their driveway. You will find the cutest, old-fashioned, outhouse by some pine trees. A little bit of nostalgia.
The Wheelock Farm, located at N4692 State Road 89 in Delavan, WI, has a "North Star" quilt pattern that is easily missed when there are leaves on the trees. An absolutely beautiful view is to be had in winter though, as you see it approaching through the bare trees. From here, you will follow these directions to get to our next destination.
Keep your eyes open for Wisconsin's dairy cows feasting or roaming the countryside as you drive along.
It is rare to see a green barn, but you may just pass this beauty if you stay on course.
Or if you're like me and decide to go down a random road that the GPS didn't say to go on, you may find this road. I'm not even sure the name of this beauty, just that I found it by accident.
You will pass by this Green Bay Packer sports fan quilt barn.
Then you will arrive at the Murphy Farm, 2881 Elm Ridge Road in Delavan, Wisconsin. This is the most original quilt on this tour and is called, "Original Rosemaling." There is also a sign above the quilt that says, "Murphy 1890." I would love to know more about the history of this place.
From the Murphy farm, follow these directions.
You will cross over the railroad tracks, which are beautiful in every season.
You will arrive at the Schmaling Farm located at N4534 County Road P in Delavan, WI. The quilt pattern is called, "Corn and Beans" and they also have farm decorations on their barn doors. For some reason, this is an easy barn to pass right on by. I have missed it just about every time I look for it. Continue on down the road for about one minute to get to the next location.
Welcome to the Duesterback Farm, located at N4197 County Road P in Delavan, WI. - "Carpenter's Wheel" is the name of their quilt pattern, but this barn is filled with the best of Wisconsin's sports teams. The silo is cheering for the Green Bay Packers and the side of the barn cheers for the Wisconsin Badgers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Panthers, and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with Willie Warhawk as their mascot. There is also a small shout out to North Carolina on the fence. It is really a unique, fun barn that has some good old Wisconsin spirit and charm.
Lastly, if you're not tired yet, follow these directions, which will take you through the town of Delavan, along their famous brick road, with lots of shops and restaurants and go just out of town into Williams Bay to find the last stop on this tour.
Our last stop of this tour is the Weber Barn, located at 2789 Theatre Road, Delavan, WI. Some GPS devices still consider this Delavan and others consider it Williams Bay, WI. The quilt is called Lone Star. It is a beautiful, hidden away quilt barn that shines in the fall and winter. There is some gorgeous, antique farm equipment in the yard that makes this a quaint spot to end the tour.
If you are just driving through without stopping at all, the tour will only take about an hour. However, if you stop and "Smell the Roses," taste the wine and cheese, linger through the yarn shop, this can turn into an all-day affair that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. If you happen to take this wonderful road trip, leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite part was. Maybe you will discover something new that I haven't found yet.
Until next time, always choose the scenic life!
Hannah Babiak is a stock photographer and travel blogger. For writing assignments or ideas for future posts, please contact her at alwayschoosethesceniclife@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
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