New Glarus {Beer, Bacon, & Cheese}

We were very excited to see our good friends Jackson and Amanda and to spend the first camping trip of the season with Nate & Casey. But let's be honest, this weekend was all about the tent.

We had been meaning to have a practice run in the backyard before leaving, but with me being back in school and closing the center on the other nights, there's just no time for daylight activities lately and when I get home, I. Am. Beat.

Happy to report that the tent was amazing. Not the easiest set up ever, though we realized why as we were putting it away. And I might point out that someone (Nate) was so excited about this new tent that he wouldn't let me help set it up which made it seem even more difficult. Though I did enjoy not having to set it up ;)

The screen porch!

We had the totes ready and waiting. I have become totally OCD with our packing for camping. Everything goes into a tote and gets restocked when we get home so it's ready to go the next time we head out. So much easier than trying to pull it all together with each trip. We also brought some games, just in case the weather didn't cooperate and we got stuck in the tent for an extended period of time.

Friday night we celebrated the opening of camping season with some intense Beirut competitions. And did you know: Keystone and Coors Light are the SAME BEER?! Us either, until Casey pointed it out.

I am not so skilled with Beirut.
But I think we all remember that from college.

Saturday, we were feeling like $10 and headed to the grocery store for more supplies and grabbed lunch at Culver's (cheese curds!) before meeting up with Jackson & Amanda to explore the Beer, Bacon, and Cheese festival in the area. For $30 we got free samples of lots of good beers, food with bacon, and lots of cheese. Porch tried Limburger for the first time and HATED it. I think I liked the Maple Bacon custard that Culvers presented; I'm not sure though. The bacon had a weird texture.

My favorite moment had to be the 6 of us watching an older man nail blue carpet to a beam and then walk away. "Doesn't that look like the school picture background?" I asked. And then proceeded to snap school pictures of everyone. Because why not, that's why.

Seriously? I have the BEST friends ever.

Here are a few other shots from our time at the festival:

Yes. We put these two in a bouncy house.
They got some serious air!

We also did the self-guided tour of the New Glarus brewery. We had been to the original brewery when we started dating and were anxious to get back to see the new brewery. Pretty impressive how much their operations have grown since 2007! Lots of pictures but these are the best (from what I can tell):