Quiting is easy

Quiting is easy...  I've done it a thousand time...

Just too busy to do the State Park Challenge anymore.  I encourage anyone to try this... it was a good time while it lasted.

Mike

High Cliff SP w/ Daisy

This is a big park on the edge of Lake Winnebago.  Daisy and I took a run down to High Cliff on Sunday 3/28 and did a bit of rock climbing and picture taking.  I saved this park until I could go with her or her brother.

There is a viewing tower that looks over the bluff and down on Lake Winnebago.

We went hiking down in what looks like the remains of a 1920's version of a viewing area made out of the limestone that was all around us.

There was a fairy circle (fairy ring) down on the grass, so I told Daisy to go down and sit in it...

Fairy rings also occupy a prominent place in European folklore as the location of gateways into elfin kingdoms, or places where elves gather and dance. According to the folklore, a fairy ring appears when a fairy, pixie, or elf appear. (Wiki)  Daisy is definitely a little sprite!

Wildcat Mtn and Mill Bluff with a Roche a Cri drive thru

How would you like to wake up to this view every morning?  

Okay, I got a crazy idea on Saturday to drive across the state to visit an old friend or two from my time spent in LaCrosse.  My friend Sarah gratiously let me use the guest room at the Chateaus Parker.

Ever seen a Hemmingway cat?  They have multiple toes!  This is LillyPut

We took a run up to LaCrosse and had a few beers at the Bodega.  I re-met her friend Sanja. 

Sanja and Sarah

Sarah lives in Ontario, WI.  It is really the heart of Amish country in the state.  There is NO cell service at all in Ontario.  Crazy!!!!  But in the summer it is a great place to canoe the Kickapoo River and enjoy Wildcat Mtn SP.

Wildcat Mtn is a sprawling state park that offers hundreds of hiking opportunities.  We choose to check out the Ice Cave in the lower part of the park.  This is a massive ice formation that doesn't melt until July each year, due to the fact it is on the north side of a sheltering bluff.

Then on the trip home I stopped off at Mill Bluff SP.

This is a small SP that offers a few hiking trails up to a bluff and a small park for gatherings.

I am not going to count my stop at Roche a Cri SP because I really just pulled into the parking lot on this one.  I didn't feel up to another hike and it looked like it would be a great place to go climbing.

Thanks again to my friend Sarah for the room and the tour guide service!  We will have to do it again this summer!

Centennial State Park

I'm back in action!  This weekend I went to Madison to visit Gina and we jumped over to Centennial S.P. which was donated by the Dane County Park system to the state to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the State Park System.  Unfortunately the state budget has been in disarray since then, so the sign has not been changed and a beautiful building sits empty/near completion.  We took what was supposed to be a short walk just to see what there was to see, and that turned into a 3 mile boot-less walk through the snow.  This park is another cross-country skier's paradise.  In the summer it would be a great place to walk or jog.

Some geese were gathering near the open water.  (this was the "lucky" photo of the day)

Thanks for waiting for me to get some time back in my life!

When will I get back on track???

OK everyone... I have not been to a state park in 2 months.  That is a lot of time lost.  For those of you who know my life, I have been working waaaay too much on the CU's foreclosure property.  It must be done on by the 14th of Feb since it goes on the market on the 15th.  Therefore, I will be able to resume WI State Park visits in the second half of February... stay tuned.

Sorry for the lack of updates

OK... so I got off to a good start, then life happens!  The holidays, work (year end), and getting a chunk of skin cut off (by a doctor) have kept me from making SP visits for the last month.  I work this weekend, but after that I am going to be making some runs.  I promise to get back on track!  Stay tuned.

Gov Nelson SP 12/20/09

Sunday my friend Gina and I went on a winter hiking adventure at Governor Nelson State Park.  This park is virtually in the city of Madison, so it made for a very quick trip to check another one off the list.  If you are into cross country skiing, this is the Winter park for you.  If you are a boater then this is a good Park to launch your boat from on to Lake Mendota.

Gina's hair makes a surprise appearance in front of her face!

The little white dots on the edge of the ice are Snow Geese.  Lots of them!