The southeast part of the county also offers easy access to the metro Milwaukee area and has seen healthy growth in population and housing because of that convenient location. Educational opportunities are excellent, because of UW-Washington County and Moraine Park Technical College, both located in West Bend.

But, let's get back to that natural beauty. Glacier Hills Audubon Nature Center in Hubertus, Homestead Hollow Park in Germantown, Lac Lawrann Nature Conservancy in West Bend, and Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg offer wonderful scenery and chances to explore the Kettle Moraine and surrounding country. The Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest near Hartford is especially glorious in autumn.

The Ice Age Trail provides for the enjoyment of wild flowers and wildlife appreciation and offers a variety of recreational opportunities - hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and others. The newly paved Eisenbahm State Trail along the Milwaukee River in West Bend provides a safe and beautiful facility to bike and walk.

Holy Hill is a great place to get an overview of the scenery. A wide expanse of the county lies spread out below the towers of the National Shrine of Mary -- Help of Christians, an impressive Romanesque cathedral built between 1879 and 1881. Holy Hill is the highest point in the county.

History can be found throughout Washington County. Lizard Mound County Park offers self-guided tours of one of the state's largest and most diverse groups of Native American effigy mounds.

Many buildings dating back to the 19th century have been preserved and serve as museums, antique stores, gift shops and other unique attractions. The Old Courthouse Square Museum on West Bend, the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, and the Dheinsville Settlement near Germantown are just three must-stops for history buffs. And in West Bend is the Museum of Wisconsin Art, which boasts the world's largest collection of Carl von Marr.

If I had that one day to spend in Washington County, I'd start it early with a hike in Riveredge in Newburg. After working up an appetite, I'd head to West Bend for breakfast, perhaps a museum stop or two and some shopping.

In the afternoon, I'd take a ride along many of the scenic roadways, drinking in the beauty and buying some apples at a roadside stand. Highway 83 in the western part of the county is always one of my favorites, but there are many. Later in the afternoon, I'd watch the sun start to set from Holy Hill.

Then, head east for a good meal in Germantown, or west into Hartford, or one of the other charming towns near the metro area. In Washington County, good food is a tradition, ranging from German and other ethnic restaurants, to fish fries on Fridays and fine dining.

One day is not really long enough. I'd have to make at least another trip to take in many of the other attractions. Washington County is not a place you want to rush through. If you do, you miss much of its charm.