Wings, Wonders, and Wisconsin: Your Passport to the Extraordinary

You’ve got the plane and the passport—now discover the stories that make each stop unforgettable. Join EAA Chapter 509 for a journey across Wisconsin with the authors of Secret Wisconsin: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and Historic Wisconsin Roadsides: Towns Off the Beaten Path in the Badger State. Learn how to turn a simple airport passport stamp into a richer travel experience—one filled with quirky finds, local history, and unforgettable roadside discoveries.

Freelance travel writers Tom Manus and Kristi Flick Manus are members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and the Midwest Travel Network. A Madison-area native, Kristi pairs local insight with Tom’s adopted love of the state.

Together, they specialize in uncovering the stories found along backroads, small towns, and overlooked destinations. Whether exploring internationally or traveling closer to home, their passion lies in connecting people to places through pop culture, history, and curiosity. Having visited 48 states (with only Hawaii and the elusive Rhode Island left on their list), they bring a lifetime of exploration—and storytelling—to every presentation.

6:00 Pre-Flight Social: Eat, Chat, Connect
7:00 Presentation