Roadtrip Western

About a 20-minute drive outside of Eau Claire, visitors will find the twin domes of Hobbs Observatory in the Beaver Creek Reserve. On most clear Saturday evenings from May through October, visitors can join Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society members to peer through telescopes at the observatory. The free observing sessions generally start about 30 minutes after sunset and go for two hours or until 11 p.m., whichever comes first. They also have special programming starting at 8 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month.

Owned and operated by a former librarian, part of Dragon Tale Books’ mission is to serve lifelong readers. The store hosts regular author events and a monthly Partners in Crime book club.

The Blue Caps are an old-time baseball club that takes the name from a team that played in Wisconsin from 1882 to 1941. All players wear the same uniforms that the team used at that time, and they play by rules from 1860. The pitcher throws underhanded and a foul ball doesn’t count as a strike. The team plays against similar teams across the Midwest. Check their website for more information on how to catch a game.

Wisconsin’s oldest state park straddles two states, bridging the St. Croix River at Polk County. Fishing and paddling are available, and hiking offers stunning views from the bluffs — which are often also peopled with rock climbers.