Petrifying Springs County Park - Kenosha

Petrifying Springs County Park
Originally uploaded by WheretogoWisconsin

Kenosha (Kenosha County)

Spent part of my weekend in Racine/Milw for a reunion, and in all the years I have been coming to visit in Racine, I've never had a chance to stop here. Due to a lack of mosquito spray and time constraints, I did not spend much time there. I will have to return in fall for a more thorough exploration.

*ahem*
There are a few restored buildings that were of some historical note for the area and also includes an Old Indian Trail at Hawthorn Hollow, which traverses just to the east of where the historical buildings are now located, is on the map of a government survey made in 1835 by engineers Mullet, Brink, Hathaway, Lyons, and Silby (cited from Hawthorne History page)

This is no camping at this park (some county parks do, only Horicon/Dodge CountyLedge comes to mind at this moment) But there is a county run 18-hole golf course, which I believe is accessed from Cty Hwy A (or 7th Street). It is also home of Hawthorn Hollow Nature Center, 880 Green Bay Road (Hwy 31) in Kenosha. NOTE: Google nabbed the hawthornhallow.org as an origin of malware and blocked my access to it. since then I've removed the link.


Because I do not know of any incidents that happened in the past with lone hikers, I insist that you travel with someone. I mention this only because of the parks proximity to the university, and they seem to attract wierdos.

What I really enjoyed was a high 'come hither' quality created by bridges, stairs, shelters and quaint buildings.

Where to find: Petrifying Springs Park is located between the cities of Kenosha and Racine, just East of Highway 31 (Green Bay Road) with park entrances on either County Road A or County Road JR. There are signs at the entrances.

What to expect: Plenty of available parking, trails of varying difficulty, bathrooms!, very well cared for grounds, unique bridges and rentable shelters and plenty of picnic areas. As mentioned on Kenosha County Park's website, this park, along with Fox River, Silver Lake, Old Settlers and Brighton Dale Parks are open from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m; and is locked up by the sheriff's dept. The golf courses are open from about March through November, weather permitting. To contact call (262) 857-1869.

Cedar Valley Retreat Center - West Bend

West Bend (Washington Cty) ** UPDATED POST **

photo credit: cedarcommunity.org/retreat-center-cedar-valley

I was always curious about this place, and found that it was part of a HUGE retirement community that also included Ye Olde School House right on the main campus grounds (The main campus located on Hwy Z). Note: To clarify, this retreat center is not located in the same area. I used to live in Kohlsville, and when traveling to town would have to pass here and always assumed it was a church. Eventually my curiosity bested me and I began to plot my trespassing strategy. If the parking lot is empty, I would roam freely. If there is a car, I will go in and ask to wander the grounds . Once I was told that a $5 donation was appreciated for a such a visit. At times I have discovered other trespassers and we respectfully kept our distances while eyeing each other warily and relaxing as only trespassers can. I suspect that with this post I am breaking some trespassing code of secrecy.

Where to Find: 5349 County Road D, West Bend. From Hwy 41 - take Cty Hwy D exit and head east through Kohlsville (towards West Bend), and watch for the entrance on the right (exact distance is not known, feels like it's about a mile). At the entrance is also a hobby farm - which may or may not be open to the Cedar Valley public. I know it was at one time, that was many moons ago. Note that it is missing from the amenities list on the retreat centers website. For those who use Hwy 45 - take the Hwy D exit and head west, this road will go up a hill and then snake around (slow down, the turn is surprisingly sharp), and it will be on the left in about a mile. To call in advance: 262-629-9202, or email: cvcinfo@cedarcommunity.org

What to expect: Both paved and unpaved trails, with interesting sculptures along the way, bridge, gazebo, pond w/paddle and rowboat. From the main parking lot there is a paved trail that heads up a hill, it will lead you to a cement teepee structure that is a tiny church used for paying respects.

Hobbs Woods County Park - Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac Cty)

A large patch of woods surrounded by farm fields. Don't be fooled by the vague description. It is worth the 1/2 hour trip from Oshkosh. I like this park because I can let my kids roam without a huge concern that they will get lost. On that note, before letting your kids roam, run the trail a few times with them. We have had the 'how to find the car' discussion and thankfully that is one conversation that stuck with them.

This trip was especially buggy, so we did not spend a whole lot of time there. My next trip will be when it is cooler. We did cross a creek, ate some black rasperries, and snapped a few pics.

The jewel of Hobbs Woods is actually Parson's Creek that winds it way around the 3 acre area and in any season lends itself to tons of subjects to photograph.  The photo to the upper right is my daughter taken in 2008.

Wheretofind: Hwy 41 to Hickory Road Exit, head west (away from Fondy) and you will be going through an industrial park. Continue following this road until you reach the stop sign which is the corner of Hickory and Larsen. Ahead of you is a farm to the right, and right across from that is the entrance to Hobbs Woods.

What to expect: Shallow creeks, natural trails, steep hills with some rest benches, cross country ski trail. No bathroom unless you count the privacy provided by trees and shrubbery.

Ridge Run County Park - West Bend

West Bend (Washington Cty)

This has to be my most favorist park to go a-wondering (misspelling intentional). These days it is an hour drive, but it's worth every mile I traverse to get there. It is the first park that reawakened the explorer in me and every time I return it is a fond reunion.

There are a few warts; mainly the big ugly drainage tubes in one section. Some sections have pondscum and sludginess, traffic noises from the highway, but that really is the worst of it. The minute you hit the trail, all is forgiven. Trust me.

Wheretofind:
There are two entrances to this park, the most common is to take Hwy 45 to Hwy 33 west, then turn left onto University (Mobil Station on corner), park entrance is on the right before UW extension campus. Second entrance is on Scenic Dr. The Google map shows a connecting road through the park -- it is only for pedestrians and county park workers.

West Bend is also very near to Sunburst, which technically is in Kewaskum, which is really where you start when trekking the Kettle Moraine (note County Hwy S on your map). From here you can get to Parnell Tower, Long Lake, Mauthe Lake, Dundee, and some of the most beautiful scenic roadways in the area. Trying to find a map of scenic drives? Good Luck. DNR Page is utter crap. What I call crap is a 2-pg pdf scenic drive breakdown. For Pete's sake, someone had to write all that down. I feel sorry for that poor chap.

For you Gentle Reader, I have found a map from a Milw Journal (JSOnline) article written by Cliff Christl that shows a route from Milwaukee around the Northern Unit and also a route around the Southern unit.

What to expect: Popular for fishing, natural trails with rest benches, cross country ski trails and also for its sledding hill. West Bend actually has lots of sledding hills, being on the edge of the Kettle Moraine area. Nice shelters for large picnics, one with a fire pit, modern playgrounds, heated bathrooms. **Trail leads to Girl Scout Camp Ground and/or the Ice Age Trail, depending on which entrance you take. GS Camp is flagged with 'no trespassing signs' which is often ignored if you notice how worn the trail is.

O'Hauser Park - Menasha

Neenah-Menasha (Winnebago Cty)

O'Hauser Park
Originally uploaded by WheretogoWisconsin

This is where I eat my lunch when the day is fair.

Just looking at this brings me peace. Some days it's pretty tough to see the beauty in anything, and when I arrive I know it will be a quiet place to reflect.

Today it was pretty buggy. Imagine a small swarm of bloodthirsty mosquitoes following me in their haphazard way. I left my sweater on for the added protection, but my face and neck didn't fare so well.

There seems to be some misunderstanding as to whose park this belongs to, and the winner is the Town of Menasha (not the city, and not the county as I've experienced).

You may or may not have read other posts of mine, but to reiterate: my main resource to the parks I have gone is by thumbing through the city's phone book. I used to live in West Bend, so I have gotten to know that area quite well, and now in the past decade it's been the Fox Valley that I have been exploring.

Just a light warning, this is not the kind of park to visit if you live more than 15 minutes away. If you are willing to do some park-hopping, then I would indeed have suggestions to plan an afternoon.

The reason I like this park has to do with the 'come hither' quality in so many areas. I fell in love with the bench swings, I have followed the wooded trails and have found little hidden alcoves and traversed a small brook. It somehow has stuck a balance between a public park and a private escape.

Wheretogo: O'Hauser is on 1987 O'Leary Rd, which is located off of Irish Rd and is between Winchester (Cty Hwy II) and Jacobsen Rd (map). Note: Entrance to park is found when travelling down Irish, go over the tracks and the first left is O'Leary and you will follow that to the stop sign. Go left and you will find the start of their 18-hole Disc Gold Course, go straight and the entrance to either North and South is right past it.

What to expect: There is a South and a North O'Hauser Park. South is the cool park, and the North is where the big fancy playground is. Not to worry, they are right across the street from each other.