Saturday Snowday with Christmas Wreaths

So last week Wisconsin received it's first real taste of winter and I was deciding whether to head out for pictures or to stay in my jammies.

The snow won.

Donned in my snowpants and every bit of skin snugly wrapped as what you are supposed to in Wisconsin if you are smart and not fashion conscious.  Imagine Ralphie and brother Randy from A Christmas Story.  

Attractive, I know.

Today's post is really just a follow up with my winter adventuring.  Because of the weather I had taken careful precautions to protect my camera, which had the unintended effect of poor focusing due to my autofocus being hampered by a hair band or the edges blurred by the edges of grocery bag.   The lens hood I thought was firmly attached flopped off into the snow not 50 feet from my front door.  Not the greatest start but I was determined to press on.

Today's scene is what I consider a whimsical composition to celebrate the contrasts of harsh snow and Christmas cheer.   In real life the streetlights were not lit and there are no lighted wreaths hanging joyfully.  This largely stark scene at Menominee Park has been dressed up as I carefully tread into the world of creative compositions using Photoshop Elements.  

If you look at my compositions you will see that I really am a minimalist at heart.   I love trees, silhouettes and simple sunrises. So I was happy that this scene turned out as I'd hoped; highlighting the blowing snow,  This area is the only stretch of parkway that is free from the wires and frames of the Celebration of Lights displays.  So really in order for me to get a Christmassy feeling it would have to be in post production.

A lot of really neat compositions can be made just by throwing together different scenes, adding textures, custom brush effects and with a lot of patience and perseverance they can be on par with original paintings.   On my Flickr account I follow the work of Cheryl Tarrant.  She seems to make it look so easy and after a handful of years I really haven't made a dent in my creative works.

Today's composition is just a beginning for me.  The next week or so I'll be staring at this from time to time to determine if any further tweaks are needed.  Maybe boosting some contrasts or remove the opacity levels of the wreaths so they stand out more.   All in all it was a fun exercise.   The lights added to the streetlight and wreaths were done by using the steps outlined by Bitesize Business School.  

Celebrating First Real Snow in 2016

I can see from my window that a proper Wisconsin winter has finally arrived.  It's easy for me to pick an appropriate photo which is from my Death Watch collection Winter Ledge Homestead.   The sound track for this post was from Skyrim.  As mentioned in my Facebook post, if God needed a soundtrack for creation I would have recommended this.   At the bottom of this post is the video for your listening pleasure.  You are most welcome.

Yesterday (Saturday) I passed a couple walking with their ski poles.  It was somewhat kooky looking but knew that it was all in preparation for today's treat of gliding on skis whether on a trail or just across town to get a coffee or cocoa.    I recall a glorious evening when I strolled through Main Street in West Bend one wintery evening with a friend. No cars in sight, just a ghostly ribbon of road only visible by the amber colored streetlights.   From the top of Barton Road one could have probably skied to downtown.  

As I am writing this I'm cognizant that this is probably the best chance I'll have to get some fresh winter photos and really I don't have to go far if I don't want to.  So Gentle Reader I'm weighing this decision as I'm still in my pajamas and resting quite comfortably in a warm home to watch the snow fall and consider baking Christmas cookies.   But some of my best photographic memories are ones where I'm surrounded in the worst weather. So you know my conundrum.

In fact, the snow fall is very much like what I encountered when taking Winter Ledge.  Usually I listen to classical when driving in snow but the Skyrim soundtrack is also perfect considering the game's environment includes snow covered mountainous regions. I could probably do a full essay on Skyrim's soundtrack but perhaps another time.


The snow is still falling and I have a decision to make.

Maribel Caves Hotel - Hotel Hell

This lovely stone building has since been demolished by a tornado that ripped through the area August 2013 though the photo was from 2009.   I came across this gem while working on some older photos and felt it needed it's own page here in WheretogoWisconsinland.    

Legend has it that this location was frequented by Al Capone and John Dillinger, though here are plenty of places that discuss/debate/debunk the history of this place but the sad truth today is that if you visit you will find a dangerous pile of rubble.  Before August 6th of 2013 it was a trespassing hazard.  Now it's a safety hazard.    So I am one of a few brave fellows who wandered the skeletal building before that fateful day.

©Dawn Braun

Places that have cataloged it's history is Unexplained Research - Motel Hell, Wisconsin Sickness - Hotel Hell, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter - Maribel Caves Hotel

Where to find:  North of Cherney Maribel Caves State Natural Area, 16612 County Road R, Maribel, east of Hwy 43.  From Maribel, take Hwy Z east past Hwy 43 overpass, then turn left on County Road R (or N.Packard Rd).

What to Expect:  A pile of stones, some part of the structure still stands but like I mentioned it looks really unstable.  It is next to a great hiking stop with lots of the same rock formations as from the Dells and Dodge County Ledge Park, locally known as Horicon Ledge 

Path to Asylum Point - Oshkosh Wisconsin

This small patch of oak trees is part of Asylum Point Park, leading the adventurer to what in 1871 became Northern Asylum for the Insane.   Today it is Winnebago County Mental Health Institute though the area continued to be recognized as Asylum Point/Asylum Bay which is also a county park.  I realized that I have not given this a proper Wheretogo post and am amending this today.  

Standing at this point, if you turn around to face the south there will be the restored Asylum Point Lighthouse, which I am sharing from my Fine Art America page.  This relatively small park has been a great source for many of my favorite photos.

Note:  This same path (facing north) will also lead you not just to the the rest of the park but to a LETTERBOX. Continuing from that cache will be several trails, some part of the mental heath property and if patient you will stumble upon the old Asylum Cemetery.


Where to find:   See the location link included in the post.  If you are in Oshkosh, this is E.Snell Rd, on the east side of Bowen Street (Cty Rd A south from Neenah on Commercial St).  If you follow E. Snell all the way East, turning right on Sherman Rd which is the entrance road to Asylum Point County Park.  Continue on to the patch of woods and on to Asylum Bay Lighthouse.

What to expect:   This is a popular fishing area at all times of the year and some visitors will bring their dogs.   It's not an overly impressive park but people are keen  on lighthouses and enjoy wandering the small island.   The mental health property has a few picnic tables and in all honesty may actually be part of the Asylum Point Park.  There was never a sign found so I just assumed I was trespassing and was happy to have found a secluded area to rest my bones. LETTERBOX LOCATION!

Jesuit Retreat Center - Fahrnwald Farm

Taken June 2013

One of my favorite compositions, the exposure, depth of field were just perfect which doesn't happen too often.

While working on this upload, I discovered that there is some history surrounding this unique barn originally part of a community known as Perryville which existed from the 1850's and was a ghost town by the Civil War after the passing of widow Ruth Swift The property was then passed around the local farmers until purchased by Homer and Ezra Fahrney who developed a tonic remedy Alpen Kraüter, who owned the land and planted thousands of trees. By 1910 it became known as Fahrney's Woods and would eventually become what we now call The Jesuit Retreat House.

By 1918 a 30 room brick mansion was build on the grounds north of this barn, now known as the Jesuit Retreat House.     I've been on the grounds of the retreat and cannot recall a brick mansion although a published history last updated in 2015 has it still standing.  Another excuse for a Road Trip I believe!

Pictured here is a prayer room. Unfortunately, the full sized RAW file is resting somewhere in a hard drive and the uploaded file was one that I took from my facebook page and has suffered some degradation as it is a smaller file size. Lightroom has really helped but will probably need some TLC through Photoshop.  This is sad, really, as it's one of my best work.


Where to find:
From Oshkosh travel south along the lake on Highway 45 about 15 minutes, approximately 7 miles.
There will actually be a sign for The Jesuit Retreat House on the corner of Hwy 45 and Fahrnwald Road where the historic Farnwald Barn can be seen.


What to Expect:

Probably a no trespassing sign.  I've driven the grounds when it was closed.  There is a winding asphalt drive that is lined with several religious pieces including the Stations of the Cross. There is also a small ornate bridge and several resting places.


To learn more about this property's history on the Jesuit Retreat House Historical Narrative,
and Legends of America.   Or learn more about the Jesuit Retreat House.

Ridge Run Fawn

Taken May 2016

©2016 Dawn Braun

Last weekend  I went hiking with my brother in law at Ridge Run Park and the Kettle Moraine Ice Age Trail that runs along the west side of the park.

Of course we trespassed through the Girl Scout Camp  In all honesty it's the only way to make the trip worthwhile.

Twenty years ago it was a well maintained county park with a ranger and his tastefully painted log cabin style home. Well groomed paths lead to private picnic areas with a fire ring. I recall one of the main shelters had a pay phone of all things.

Over the course of time the landscape has been drastically changed and in January 2016 Ridge Run was made into a city park, the only to accept dogs. Leashed of course.

In earlier days this was where I attempted to teach self reliance to my kids, from how to find the car, to peeing in the woods and avoiding poison ivy.   We leapt after frogs, caught tadpoles, skipped stones, and whistled through a grass reed.

You know, the stuff that country folk do to while the time.

Also at Ridge Run there is a good chance that you will see a deer and it's even more rare to come across a fawn.  This little guy was just off the ice age trail, very well tucked in between fallen tree limbs.  My brother in law, who was in front, completely missed him. It just so happens that vision between women and men are completely different and I'm sure I spotted the fawn by sheer biology.

Speaking of the Ice Age Trail, would you like to see the online map?  There is an effort to have a continuous trail throughout Wisconsin and so far they have done pretty good at keeping their promise as best as they can.

Wheretofind:

There are 2 entrances to Ridge Run (map): 

Back of Ridge Run:   Travel Hwy 41 to Hwy 33 East and turn right at the first set of lights which is N.Scenic Drive W until you get to a severe curve where Wheat Ridge Lane is and turn left down the single lane road (Wheat Ridge Road) and follow it to the parking lot.   Ahead of you is a newly constructed subdivision with retirement condos.  Just note that Wheat Ridge Lane Road ends at the parking lot - the connecting road through the park is a walking trail only.

Front of Ridge Run:     Travel Hwy 41 to Hwy 33 East through 2 lighted intersections.  Turn right onto University Drive where the Mobil Gas station is and the entrance to Ridge Run is just before UW-Washington County entrance is.  Driving ahead there is a playground - continue and the road will wind down to the main parking lot.

Ice Age Trail Parking:  From Hwy 45, exit on Paradise and head West through a pretty busy shopping district, even through the 4 way stop at 18th Avenue which is the corner of Aurora Clinic,
West Bend Mutual Insurance and the West Bend Cemetery.  Continue heading west on Paradise and just after you pass the cemetery grounds the parking lot is on your right

What to expect: A pretty busy park and lots of great trails.  This park is large enough where you can find a quiet trail.  There are modern bathrooms now on both sides of the park. LETTERBOXING LOCATION!