Cedar Rapids, IA to Gays Mills, WI best route

I don't know the Iowa portion very good but the Wisconsin portion is my backyard. I would get to Prairie du Chien whatever way you want and then go east on Highway 60 to Wauzeka. From there take Highway 131 to Gays Mills. this road goes along the Kickapoo River which is known as being the crookedest river in the country. the scenery is great. Most of the apple orchards are on Highway 171 within 10 miles on the east side of Gays Mills. Don't forget to buy a caramel apple in a dish. Sliced up apple with caramel sauce dumped on it, easier to eat than an apple on a stick. If you are there for the apple festival, make sure to stop at the flea market. The entire fairgrounds is packed with sellers with everything from 150 year of cast iron pans to the latest chinese ****.

Don't get in a hurry on any of the local roads, they are crooked and hilly. People get killed trying to hurry.

If you are in the area on a Sunday at noon, call ahead and reserve a couple of chicken dinners at the Rockton Bar (Rockton, WI) This is about 30 miles from Gays Mills but the experience is "unusual" Groups of motorcyclists from all over the midwest come to the bar for lunch. Yes, you have to reserve your meal or you leave hungry. It is common to have groups of 20 to 50 motorcyclist come in from Chicago or Minneapolis for lunch.