Poppin' About

A Papermaps and Coffee destination highlight

It's a typical Friday night at our house, getting ready to settle down for some stovetop popcorn and a movie (a throwback to Cars as "research" for an upcoming summer adventure) when the last of the popcorn kernels tinker out of the tin. Any other household and that might mean adding kernels to the grocery list and a quick resolution. But not at our house.

The early Jeep gets the sunrise.

For us, that means a pre-dawn alarm, fill up the travel mugs with hot coffee and a trip to southwest Wisconsin; easily four hours from our home base in central Illinois. But, if you need quality popcorn you do what you have to do - hop in your Jeep Wrangler and set off.

About two hours into our adventure we find ourselves enjoying an approaching storm yet an outstanding Iowan sunrise.

What's for breakfast?

When you are traveling with kiddos, often times we would default our travel meals to establishments we recognized. These value-meal drive through diners allow for quick bathroom breaks, quick-to-order meal options (we'll take four number sevens, please) and the ability to hop back on the road in record time. However, sans children we've rediscovered the American diner, taking in the unknown and gambling time to destination estimates in return for excellent service, great stories, and local business support.

So about twenty minutes from Dubuque, IA we hit up the TripAdvisor app for breakfast options. Immediately off Hwy 61 heading north into Dubuque, you'll find Dottie's Cafe, a classic, all-American diner with excellent biscuits and gravy and a bottomless cup o' joe.

Pop up to Wisconsin

Let's keep heading north, take a right at Prairie du Chen, go about 45 minutes east and voila', you're at a crossroads of a town, Monfort, WI. Monfort has a population of a little over 700 people and home to a wonderful gift shop and popcorn store, Rural Route 1 Popcorn.

So, a box of 2 lb bags of white corn kernels, some amazing cheddar ranch popped popcorn and two new coffee mugs (of course) and we're heading back home along the Mississippi River Road.

Why do we do this when we could grab kernels just about anywhere in the Midwest? It's the road, the company we keep, the classic rock stations, the call of the open road and a break from the monotony of the week.

So we encourage you to find your own reason to hop in the car and daytrip to somewhere ridiculous and unnecessary. Maybe your thing isn't popcorn but it's donuts. Well we have a suggestion for that too. Head to Perryville, MO and stop by Hoeckele's Bakery. We just might see you there, too.