I'm pro Minnesota, but I'm also not blind... (Madison, Wausau: new home, buying)

[Tyryztoll]

We've been in Minnesota going on 3 years.....originally from Michigan and have also lived in other parts of the country.

I've come to brag on Minnesota. We love it here and think it's so beautiful. We really get into the whole Wisconsin/Minnesota rivalry thing and are quick to take our new home state's side on pretty much everything......except for the obvious stuff.

First, the beer. Wisconsin wins. Sorry, not even close. No sense in even trying to elaborate.

The food, too. It goes without saying that people who know beer will know food as well. Again, it's good in Minnesota, but it's great in Wisconsin.

And most of all, the scenery........and not to say that Minnesota isn't beautiful, because it is, but Wisconsin is the crown jewel of the Midwest in this category. The x factor here is western Wisconsin's driftless area, which I'm convinced most people outside of the state aren't even aware exists. Wisconsin, Minnesota and even Michigan all boast beautiful farmland, inland lakes, Great Lakes shoreline and vast forests.....and Minnesota has a small driftless area of its own, but the Wisconsin driftless is so much bigger and stunningly gorgeous. It literally reminds us of the Ozarks down in Missouri and Arkansas because the topography is so incredibly similar. We spent a ton of time in the Ozarks when we lived in that region and were so happy to find areas that resembled them up here. Totally unexpected!

I've been in the closet about other areas of Wisconsin, too. I love Wausau. Beautiful area. Shawano, too......their downtown area is really cool and I love the big lake on the edge of town. To me that sort of place is a postcard for small town, USA. I always try to travel through there whenever going to visit family in Michigan. I also love the Marinette area that borders the UP of Michigan. That is a really pretty area. I actually worked in Lake Geneva, WI while we lived across the border in Illinois for a year, so I know how beautiful it is is the SE part of the state as well. We used to take day trips to Madison and just loved it there. What a cool city setup between those 2 huge lakes. And get this - we haven't even been to Ashland or any of the northern Lake Superior Wisconsin shoreline yet!

Not sure why I even made this post. I think I subliminally needed to get this off my chest in association with the silly guilt I've been feeling in correlation with my Minnesota pride. How embarrassing! .......but also invigorating!

My wife and I get one getaway weekend a year whenever the MIL comes to stay. This year its the Wisconsin driftless in autumn. Hands down. Can't wait. Just don't tell anyone over here......

[TRlaura]

Not sure I understand the beer argument, but you forgot to mention our 15,000+ lakes despite very few in the driftless area.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by TRlaura

Not sure I understand the beer argument, but you forgot to mention our 15,000+ lakes despite very few in the driftless area.

Wow.... you don't know how to take a compliment, do you? The 15,000 lakes thing was conjured. Wisconsin does not have more lakes than Minnesota. They counted everything from ponds to puddles in an effort to bolster the numbers. Sorry, not buying that one.

[EllieKay56]

I agree the Driftless area is gorgeous. But your MN northwoods is also lovely. Spent a lot of time up there and it has been years. We have been talking about going back for a visit in the next year or two.
For a year my husband lived in Grand Forks and I was in central WI. I drove up there a lot and really enjoyed the area around Detroit Lakes.

[TRlaura]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

Wow.... you don't know how to take a compliment, do you? The 15,000 lakes thing was conjured. Wisconsin does not have more lakes than Minnesota.They counted everything from ponds to puddles in an effort to bolster the numbers. Sorry, not buying that one.

Who said anything about Wisconsin having more lakes? You need to try to comprehend what you are reading.

If Minnesota used the same criteria for defining a lake as Wisconsin, Minnesota could claim to have way more than 20,000 lakes. If Wisconsin used Minnesota’s criteria, Wisconsin would have only about 6,000 lakes.

Either way you swing it, they are both beautiful states.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by TRlaura

Who said anything about Wisconsin having more lakes? You need to try to comprehend what you are reading.

If Minnesota used the same criteria for defining a lake as Wisconsin, Minnesota could claim to have way more than 20,000 lakes. If Wisconsin used Minnesota’s criteria, Wisconsin would have only about 6,000 lakes.

Either way you swing it, they are both beautiful states.

Ok, agreed.

[Nicci6Squirrels]

What a nice compliment! My husband and I own land in Marinette County and agree with you about how beautiful it is.
And the Driftless Region... so incredibly pretty. I am always awestruck every time I visit.

[GraniteStater]

I'm on vacation next weekend, going to rural northern Vilas County by the UP of Michigan. I dislike the touristy areas such as Woodruff and Eagle River. Minnesota has a better overall economy, but Wisconsin has better overall scenery IMO.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Minnesota has a better overall economy, but Wisconsin has better overall scenery IMO.

That pretty much sums it up from my angle also.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by TRlaura

Not sure I understand the beer argument, but you forgot to mention our 15,000+ lakes despite very few in the driftless area.

There is the Mississippi river in the driftless area.