Beyond Lake Geneva: There is a lot.

Lake Geneva is a favorite weekend destination for North Shore folks for a day or two or even a week as they look for a totally relaxing place away from daily pressures.

Lake Geneva can also be a starting point for exploring the surrounding area. Here are some of the things to see and do within an hour's drive from Lake Geneva.

The point here is there is a lot more to do and to see out of town. I'll share my discoveries with you.

Just east of Lake Geneva along State Highway 50 are two of my favorite food places. Other favorites will follow later
The two are Lake Geneva Country Meats and the River Valley Store and Farmers; Market.

"We do things the old fashion way," says Kathy Vorpagel, owner of Lake Geneva Country Meats with her husband, Scott.

Monday through Saturday visitors can find a full line of meat products and local cheeses, wine and condiments. Specialteis include Swiss cheese bratwurst and cherry bratwurst made from a secret recipe of the maket's founding Leahy family (Kathy is a Leahy). There are also choices of carefully-labeled, certified organic meats. They have a German-stylle smokehouse for their gourmet sausages and jerky.

Just a few miles east in Slades Corners is River Valley Store and Farmers Market featuring an extraordinary selection of mushrooms and mushroom salsas, soups and  pizza sauces. Hot soup is always available. Fresh, locally-grown produce features seasonal items.

River Valley is open seven days a week.

There's a lot more to see, do and eat outside of Lake Geneva. Look for my blog.