Letterboxing

I have never heard of this before, but in reading up on it I realized that something of this nature had to exist before geocaching. The history of letterboxing begins in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England approx 150 years ago, and it's only been since 1998 that America has been involved. The main supplies you need is a compass, logbook, pencil, and your own personal stamp and inkpad.

Abandoned Homes - Death Watch

Taken  Oct 2011

Have you ever walked/driven past a home that is abandoned that you cannot get out of your head? I have reserved this post for when I snap a photo of this place that is in Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac Cty). This home is on Cty Hwy K off of Hwy 23 east out of Fondy (abbrv.), which incidentally is on the way to Rienzi Cemetery.

Sadly, the town/city has been developing the land around it and it stands defiantly, daring to even think about touching the property.

This home has been abandoned for at least 25+ years. I will contact the local historical/geneology group and see what I can find out. It may take awhile as they are moving their offices, so worst case I will head down and research it myself when/if I have time. I am guessing that the owners are not local members of the community.

Photo taken in 2001

I am absolutely entranced by this house, and I can't say that I really want to know why it was left to rot. Standing next to an abandoned home there is a sense of waiting, a substantive lack of spirit and.....something else that I cannot put my finger on at the moment. You know you are trespassing on someone's property and in normal circumstances it would be an act of voyeurism, but at an abandoned home there is no such confrontation. You are just peeping into a shell of a home. It is the oddest sensation.

**Update**
Sally from the Fond du Lac Historical Society sent me a letter with an article regarding this house, and she was willing to dig this out for me even in the midst of a huge move to a new location. The 1910 article was about the Ledge Homestead regarding the restoration of the old farmhouse and newspapers dated 1885 were found under a rug. This is actually a long standing carpetlaying tradition, my husband informed me. Always the front page, left under one of the corners. How else can these craftsmen stamp their mark in history? I found the practice fascinating and am curious to know if it is still being used and if this is purely an American trait or was this passed from our English settlers.

***Update***

The photo above was taken the last Saturday of March,2008 and from that trip I created my own Flickr account and placed those photos in a set called Death Watch. When I first saw this home I believed there was still hope for this house, and that was eight years already. Now when I visit this home I grieve that it is still standing while the city of Fond du Lac grows around it. At some point this old homestead will be taken down, and I am interested to know if the city has held off from taking it due to it's historical value (which is what I suspect), or if the current owners are still paying the taxes on the property. Sadly I probably won't know until I pass by one afternoon to find it gone. Will the elders of Fond du Lac swoop down to take the eaves and pick through the carcass for historical souvenirs?

The final chapter of this home is not quite ready to be told.

***Update***

Photo taken 2010!

As of 04/08/2015, this house still stands.  Here is a more recent picture. As I have time, I'll be updating the photos with newer versions. This house has provided me with the most satisfying experience in photography. With each picture I hope to show a different perspective.

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 

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.

Letterboxing the Day Away - Lake Geneva - Williams Bay

 photo credit: thecasualperfectionist.com

Gentle Reader, I'm certain that you have experienced a place that seems to be stamped upon your very soul, even after years has passed. Lake Geneva has that kind of hold on me.  I'm sure it is part of a psychological imprint due to the fact that I lived here for four years during a very impressionable time of my life.  Psychology and Insanity aside, I am grateful that I possess this feeling.

So the hubby and I went on holiday this past weekend, staying at the Holiday Inn located at the Grand Geneva Resort.  If you have not gone to this fine establishment, I beg of you to try it.  Even during the "off season" the place was quite busy, but the city traffic was manageable.  If you have never gone to Lake Geneva, always visit during the off season ( anytime before Memorial Day and after Labor Day).  When staying at the Holiday Inn, you have the same access to dining/activities at the Grand Geneva. Their on site Starbucks cafe opens at 6 am and is located inside the main resort building. Try to get in early. Seriously, I lack the patience to be the 4th+ person waiting in line behind people and their travel mates while trying to actively ignore the people jibber-jabbering about their personal nonsense.

So what is a swanky couple to do to wile the time?  Letterboxing of course, but you probably guessed from the title, right?  Letterboxing and eating,  more eating than letterboxing to be honest.

The Geneva Resort has it's own letterbox, that I found easily enough on my own.  Right after reinstalling this lovely cache, my husband texted me to meet up for breakfast. We ate heartily before getting ready to start our next letterboxing search together, called How to Find A Dragon, located at Big Foot Beach State Park (day pass or season permit required) which should have had 3 boxes total.  Unfortunately, due to the passage of time and a recent brush cleanup, the last 2 boxes could not be found. The owner has since been notified and after lunch, we decided to try to find the Sail Away letterbox at Williams Bay (also found here at Altas Quest Entry).  With a hiking weary husband, we located this cache and by then it was time to head back and plan the rest of our evening.

I must report that from our travels at Big Foot Beach State Park we brought home two hitchhikers.

Ticks, that is.   Next to finding those caches, the ticks were the most excitement we've encountered in a long time and I'm still checking my head.

Wheretogo:  To reiterate, there are 2 American Letterboxing sites, the original Letterboxing.org site and AtlasQuest.com.  Both sites contain searchable locations based on city/state.  The letterboxing.org site ALSO includes MYSTERY Boxes, which are varying levels of difficulty. The Atlas Quest site allows you to leave comments. Sometimes the boxes are registered in both sites, sometimes not.  If you decide to start letterboxing, you'll need the following: 
1) A medium-small size stamp. You CAN make your own, but I paid $3 for a butterfly one at Hobby Lobby. The size will be important, most of the logbooks I find are pretty small, about 2 x 3" max.
2) Stamp Pad - again small-medium size.  Because I'm a beginner I chose one that can be washed out if the ink gets on your skin/clothing.
3) Logbook.   I'd make it a medium size - 5 x 7" or smaller.  
4) Compass.
5) Plan A, and a Plan B.  
4) Appropriate clothing/footwear.  Be ready to walk through brush and over difficult terrain  During the spring you will want to protect yourself against ticks; in the summer you'll need sunscreen and mosquito spray.   Should you be letterboxing in the winter, you'll need boots/gloves/hats.

Whattoexpect:   A pleasant scavenger hunt. The clues are varying degrees of difficulty, many requiring calculations in order to know what heading is needed. In fact, I learned that a math teacher used Letterboxing as extra credit for his/her Algebra/Calculus students.   How cool is that!?  If you think about it, you can probably find a way to use this with any subject matter. LETTERBOXING LOCATIONS!

Cliff Mine Cemetary - Allouez

 (Keweenaw Cty,MI).
Rarely will I include a non-Wisconsin location but I feel it's selfish to disinclude this wonderful cemetery.

Many years ago, back in the late 1980s, I was traveling in the UP looking for waterfalls when we came across the Cliff Cemetery. When we were there it was completely overgrown, and the aire it lent was one of loneliness;of history discarded, abandoned. This was on the heels of traveling through some of the poorest country I have ever seen and that is what shaped my perspective.

Funny, it was in 1999 where Patrica Hamp worked on cataloging the headstones.  Now that I am updating this in 2015 and technology has solved a minor mystery:

On the first stone listed it's written as: 
His labors securely laid in this his last retreat, unl???ded our his silent dust we ????? Of friendship ????

The complete phrase, found in the

Bibliotheca Sacra - Volume 6 - Page 222 

His labors done, securely laid in this his last retreat,
Unheeded o'er his silent dust the storms of life shall beat

It is also used in

Christopher Columbus - Page 249 

Life's labors done, securely laid
In this his last retreat,
Unheeded o'er his silent dust 
The storms of life shall beat

04/08/2015: While cleaning up this blog I found a few other sites regarding this history of this cemetery.  Read up on the history in the Cliff Mine Archaeology Project Blog.

I was happy to see that others have been here, but truthfully I had hoped it remained a hidden secret, patiently waiting for my return.

Ledge View Nature Center - Chilton

 (Calumet Cty).

There are a lot of ways of getting to the Ledge View Nature Center, and you are best googling this from your location. Excellent interactive activities. I really enjoyed the indoor bat room, and the bee hive exhibit.  It is exactly what our little family needed and the only downside is the travel time.  For me it's a serious Road Trip.

Chilton is such a cute little town. I had serious considerations of moving there.


One special draw to this place are the caves: Cave tours start in April and end in November. These are underground caves and a change of (warm) clothes is recommended as well. A guided public tour is offered most weekends and some weekdays through the summer.  The only access to the caves is on a naturalist-guided tour during a scheduled visit. Because the public tour size is limited, reservations are recommended. 


Wheretofind: Travel time from Oshkosh is about an hour.  Take Hwy 41 North to Hwy 10/114 east through Menasha to Hwy 57 South in Hilbert to Chilton. Take Cty G South just over a mile, entrance is on Short Rd.  Travel time from Fond du Lac is about a 1/2 hour, basically take Hwy 151 North to HHH in Calumetville to Hwy G North to Short Road in Chilton, full street address is W2348 Short Rd, Chilton, WI 53014 ph:  920-849-7094
Hours:8-4:30 weekdays, 10-4:30 weekends


What to expect: Good hiking maps, variable terrain, sightseeing tower (same as Parnell), route to water filled quarry. Across from the parking lot there is a pasture and depending on the time of day you can expect to see cows grazing (fence is electrified,I think) and will approach you for some pulled grass.

Cherney Maribel Caves County Park - Two Rivers

a.k.a Maribel Caves (Manitowoc Cty)

*Sidebar: I duly promise to post my adventures while the memories are buzzing fresh in my mind. I began this post a few days week ago, and honestly it's a struggle to recall the experiences.

My first visit to this park was in March 2009. That day I was scanning the gazetteer looking for my next destination. If living in Oshkosh has done anything for me, it's driven the desire to go elsewhere. It's a fine town and it suits our purposes but does nothing to satisfy my need to explore. Maribel Caves had interested me for a time and finally made that my plan on that March morning. The snow was cold, the colors crisp, the shadows sharp. Hastily my freezing feet retreated and a resolution to return was born.

Fast forward to May, a fine spring day for a Road Trip. From Oshkosh, the Town of Maribel is 1 hour 12 minutes of rural highway driving, 2 full hours when slowing down to look at cows. Seriously, I saw one Brown Swiss Cow whose udders was painfully weighed down by milk that she could not walk normally. I remember those days, and shudder from the mammary (ha-ha, I could not resist).

Before my arrival at Maribel, I saw a sign on the corner of Park Rd and Blake and took a quick detour. "Southern Brown Wildlife Refuge" This park does not appear on any Google Map or Brown County Website, so therefore it must've been a fantastic hallucination. Following the sign for about 1/2 mile (little over that I believe), I found the entrance to the park. It has your typical nature trail with your typical flora and fauna. Nice place to take your dog (note: dogs must be leased at Maribel Caves). Sadly, only a small number of pictures turned out.

My jaunt into this newly developed park was a successful venture if only to publish it's existence before the new maps come out. The coolest find - a bees nest in a live tree.

The Park

The Cherney Maribel Caves County Park was open this time, and the park was relatively busy. I found a quiet trail and commenced my exploration. To be honest, Devoted Reader, I had no idea on the size of this park. It's larger than I expected. According to the park website, it occupies 75 acres, though the DNR sites 13.5 acres. I know nothing of calculating land sizes, but 13.5 seems to make logical sense.

This park is very much like Horicon Ledge (Dodge County Ledge), with the large glacial rock formations, the mossy boulders, the slippery crags, the spiders, the bats - need I go on? Alright, I was a bit overboard on the bats, but the environment is very similar (The main differences are that Horicon Ledge has Ledges, and not Caves).

The Caves

Of the caves: there are several: Tartarus, Coopers, Pancake, Spring, and New Hope. On this day the was working in the New Hope Cave. The entrance to this cave is closed to the public unless one of the volunteer groups are on working on site and will give tours. I did not explore the entire cave, as you move deeper in there is water present and my shoes were open heeled clogs, so I stayed and listened to one of the Spelunkers (to be named Savvy Spelunker) who talked about the excavations of the caves. It was really quite interesting, but I'm afraid that I don't remember all of it, other than when he discussed the Tartarus, he believed there was more another part of the cave yet to be revealed. The cave on this day was reletively dry.Wisconsin Speleological Society


One of the characteristics in New Hope Cave is called Moon Milk - a white creamy deposit that is created by the water seepage from the cracks (life lines) in the cave ceiling. There is some question whether it is a chemical or bacterial reaction. Either way, it doesn't drip on your head, if you are worried about that kind of thing. The formation of caves themselves is fascinating, and it all has to do with the way water wears away rock, leaving crevasses for moss and other lifeforms to exist. This is over millions of years


Wheretofind:  Travel time approximately one hour from Oshkosh, 20 minutes from either Ashwaubenon or from Two Rivers:  From the junction of I-43 and State Highway 147 one mile east of Maribel, go east on 147 0.3 mile, then north on County Highway R 0.6 mile to the entrance of Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, proceed 0.25 mile to the parking area.


What to Expect: Please call ahead to see if there are cave tours: 920-682-0356. Dogs are allowed (leashed). Trails are mild-medium difficulty. Wear appropriate shoes, especially if you plan to investigate New Hope Cave. Cave season is open from April 1st - October 31st.  Check maribelcaves.org for dates when New Hope Cave is open to the public. Park is open daily from 6am-8pm.

One Last Reason To Visit ** Trespasser Alert **

Maribel Caves Hotel, "Hotel Hell"

You'll just have to visit. Trust me, plenty of others have been there before you. Check your principles at the door, because you are trespassing and you might get a ticket for your troubles. UPDATE 04/05/2015 - read that a portion of this structure was brought down from a storm with high winds back in August 2013.

Maribel Caves County Park was worth the Road Trip, and I will place this as my #2 Wheretogo Winner. A declaration was made when I arrived home, travel worn and sunburned.

Ridge Run County Park - West Bend

Ridge Run County Park
Originally uploaded by WheretogoWisconsin

West Bend (Washington Cty)

for directions and what to see the original post.


Yet another excursion to my little piece of heaven, my slice of serenity, my haven of happiness....*sigh*


It turned out that there was a special event happening this day at the Girl Scout Camp which meant no worries of trespassing and my flickr companion got a free lunch and my undying gratitude for coming with this crazy lady.


A 65 acre easement purchase made by the Ice Age Trail Foundation provided a protected pass through the Girl Scout Camp (ie, Camp Silverbrook) which traditionally was a No Trespassing Zone, which is also traditionally ignored. Reading a bit about the milestones of this hard fought project made this Oshkosh transplant proud


Today, our walk consisted of me trying to photograph the falling leaves, mossy rocks, light rays passing through leaves, and the various flora (alas, no fauna to be seen today) with some limited success. I wore out my hiking partner and returned to Oshkosh energized, and wanting more.


This trip reaffirmed my belief that I need to find those of my ilk who can return multiple times to a place and find different enchantments. My desire to guide is just as strong as the need to be guided and shown new places to explore.

Maybe they are out there, and maybe they are not. I will continue to journal my experiences and report my findings.

Shore Walkers - Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva, Fontana, Williams Bay (Walworth Cty)

Back to relive some very old childhood memories. In 1970-s, there were no posted signs marking the lake path. Shore walkers did not exist as a class of tourists. This post isn't really to advertise that the shore path exists. There are plenty of ways of learning that. But for the sake of being consistent to the Wheretogo viewers I promise to provide such details. This post is a purely selfish move so that I can relive my most recent excursion into reliving this particular time in my life. I am returning again, hopefully later after the Chicagoans have all gone home. While the shore hike was pleasant and relatively bug free (if you don't count the humans, of course), it was too humid and it the clinging haze really effected some of the shots.

This leg of the shore path starts from Linn Rd, heading east towards the Country Club. This headstone is the last remaining piece of a family plot that existed long ago, now gone. To see more details I would recommend reading my Shore Walker Photostream. It doesn't make sense to use up my precious blogger space with photos that also exist on my Flickr page, plus they don't really move the story along.

The Shore Path (or lake path as I always called it) was originally an Indian Footpath and in order for this path to remain for public use a county ordinance was set. For lakefront owners who fought the right of way, the city had historical relevance to rest upon. The shore path is unique to Geneva Lake. I know of no other place that allows unfettered access onto private property. My last visit, about 10 years ago, those cute shore path signs didn't exist. I know that because my oldest, who was 14 at the time would not follow his mother onto the lake.


WheretoFind:The lake path can be picked up at several points around the lake: Big Foot Beach State Park (Park Sticker Req'd) also Big Foot Beach Park same area,different parking lot), Lake Geneva's Library Park, Williams Bay Beach, Fontana Beach, Chapin Road, Linn Pier Road. A list of distances between hiking points on the shore path as provided by silentsports.net:
Fontana to Williams Bay 3.2 miles
Williams Bay to Chapin Road 3.3 miles
Chapin Road to Library Park, town of Lake Geneva 3.3 miles
Library Park to Linn Pier Road 5.3 miles
Linn Pier Road to Fontana 5.2 miles



What to expect: 
If you decide you want to hike the entire tour around the lake, plan about 14 hours, and to choose a starting point beside Lake Geneva's downtown area. I suggest the Linn Rd location, but there are probably better points but that is my preference.  It is isolated from the madness that is part of Lake Geneva every summer.  This location is also a popular boat launch, so arrive early.


Update 04/03/2015:  For the shore walkers that are still in town, there are little boat taxi's called Mouettes that run 4 routes.  These are not the same as the water taxi.

Newspaper articles discussing the history of the City's Name
It is Geneva Lake
Old records tell story of the discovery and naming of beautiful Lake Geneva

Road Trip - Washington Cty

Lucas Lake
Originally uploaded by WheretogoWisconsin

Ridge Run Cty Park, West Bend

See that building off in the distance? That is the lodge for the Girl Scout Camp, which is a no trespassing zone, as noted by the plethora of signs posted above a heavily traveled path right into it.

A gorgeous day, and I dragged my kids with me. Didn't see or experience anything out of the ordinary. Skipped stones, caught frogs, and made them pose for me.

We also stopped at Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg, which was closed, so we did not spend that much time there. Then the kids were complaining of being bored. They were sick of being around nature and wanted to head home. So after a short battle with pinecones, we nursed our scratches and scrapes and headed to Canton House to get a quick meal to take back home in Oshkosh.

to be continued...

Riggs County Park - Ripon

Ripon (Fond du Lac Cty)

First stop in my Road Trip from Saturday. Fond du Lac County's largest park in the system, it spans 300 acres. I wish I could say I traversed the entire park but it was more like 2/3rds.

This is a great park for birding. Well, I suppose any open prairie land is. My favorite picture was taken within the first half hour. On a grassy path, I approached a bend when a hawk (Northern Harrier according to my Flickr query) was startled into flight. What I didn't expect was to see it come back. It took three passes at me and was at times within 4 feet of tagging me, as I was frantically snapping away. Only three pics were passable. It was probably incredibly stupid of me to be standing there, but I seem to have the tenacity of the paparazzi when all that matters is getting the shot. Side note: based on the description on this site, the hawk has to be a harrier and I was too close to its nest. Originally I thought perhaps a cooper's hawk.

Aside from a number of birds, frogs, garter snakes, curious gophers, and monarch butterflies, there were zero humans. Pondering this I often ask whether I should be out by myself. This is a bit of a problem for me. Hiking is somewhat of a spiritual pilgrimage. I try to access all of my senses and I find it difficult to to really enjoy the moment when others are with me, mainly because my concern is for their experience. This probably isn't a fair assessment, since my hiking partners tend to be one of my kids, and are not always a willing participant.

At one point, I realized that I was probably dehydrated and sunburnt when I took a short break under a shady copse and took stock of my situation. My car was a short hike away, but the shortest route was through marshland, which would've been hell on my shoes. No, I stuck to the grassy trails until I could find some drier prairie land and made my way across. Needless to say, once I arrived at the car, I was more than ready to head to my next destination: Ledge Homestead and Rienzi Cemetery.

Wheretofind: For a map, go to Fond du Lac Cty's website and print off the map page. Forget about Googling it, it's not there. Just west of Ripon on Hwy 23. At Douglas turn north and the park entrance to the right is the bridge with the Historic (yet empty)Tenant House. Second entrance is on Hwy 23, right across from that little beige motel. I came from that direction and completely missed it. The park entrance sign was placed at the trail head, not at the park entrance. Jeeeeez. UPDATE 04/15/2015 - Park has since been loaded onto Google Maps

Incidentally, the man made trail spans between the two entrances, and the rest of the trails are hastily mowed, one having white markers that lead to the observation desk, which is where I found this funny looking set of four hollow markers, which doesn't seem to lead anywhere. The plant growth are really sticking out of the top. If these are trees, they weren't doing very well.

What to expect: Wide Open Spaces. Creature and vermin. Grasses and weeds. This is typical of the new conservation parks that have been cropping up as of late.

Road Trip

Took another road trip yesterday, this time to explore some of Fond du Lac County Parks.

It did not go as planned.

My first stop was at Riggs County Park in Ripon, and I only planned to stay there a short time, not three hours. But rarely am I ever on a real schedule, and the experience is always better when I take my time. Most things are.

The hardest part was keeping my eyes on the road. My eyes were constantly scanning for Rural Decay and because of the cirrus clouds drifting above us I was hoping to get a glimpse of the rare circumhorizon arcs.

Then I traveled to Rienzi Cemetery and my old Death Watch Ledge Homestead. Rienzi was a busy place, and I witnessed at least one person wandering the grounds with camera in hand, just like I was. When I left for my Road Trip it was around 11 in the morning, and when I left Rienzi it was 5-ish. The Ledge Homestead had a surprise in store for me. Someone is mowing the lawn there. As I wandered the grounds I found the riding mower inside a decrepit barn.

Whether it is out of cowardice or presence of mind I won't explore an empty building alone. Maybe it's from watching Lassie or Little House on the Prairie, or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Either way, a part of me is convinced that someone is watching from inside and is just waiting for me to turn my back. I felt this BIG TIME at this barn (pictured here).

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.

Quarry Lake in Redgranite

Quarry Lake in Red Granite
Originally uploaded by WheretogoWisconsin

Red Granite (Waushara Cty)

Photo Credit: www.redgranitewisconsin.com

On a recent Road Trip I stopped at this popular quarry park. This park is right off of Hwy 21 and I  didn't see ANY signs that identified it as a park - just a tiny GREEN sign (no bigger than a No Parking sign) announcing 'QUARRY'.

This is a pretty popular place, people were fishing and I watched a few people walking with scuba gear (reading later that they have lessons here).

When I take these Road Trips I leave with the hope of finding a nice trail. That didn't really happen, and I will continue my hunt online until the price of gas drops.

What I did experience was a battle between 2 crows and a hawk in pretty close proximity to where I was standing, that I almost stepped on two eggs that were on the ground. Judging from the bird sites I visited, these were hawks' eggs.


Now it may be early enough for baby hawks to hatch, but because of the way the hawk was screeching and refusing to leave the area I believed I was witnessing a hostile attack versus the typical harassing to drive a unwanted bird from claimed territory.

This is the closest I have ever gotten to such a battle, and I was mesmerized.


As I was driving out of Red Granite on Hwy 21 (west) I saw a MT MORRIS COUNTY PARK sign and followed it on Cty S. There is a entrance to a State Fishery, but no Mt Morris County Park. Even Googling it took me nowhere. So I concluded that what they considered to be Mt Morris County Park is NORDIC MOUNTAIN.

Here is the 2nd most interesting thing I saw on my Road Trip, I call it a gaggle of cattle.

Wheretogo:  Travel time is approximately 30-40 minutes west of Oshkosh or 15 minutes east of Wautoma on Hwy 21.

What to expect:  A quarry lake. A tiny trail system.

Pinecrest Historical Village - Manitowoc

Manitowoc (Manitowoc Cty)

Just a short blurb about this quaint village.

When we arrived, it was during their German Fest celebration in September and we enjoyed live demonstrations, wagon rides, live music, food, festivities, I cannot say for certain what you will see any other time that is not a scheduled event. I will try to contact someone to find more information.

The road to this village is also on the way to Lower Cato Falls County Park.

Manitowoc has made it possible for others to find where their great parks are located, so I was well pleased with their efforts.

Manitowoc/Two Rivers Visitor's Guide
Manitowoc's Historical Society
Wheretofind:  Travel time is approximately 15 minutes west of Manitowoc off of Hwy JJ, a bit over an hour from Oshkosh.

What to expect: Open daily May 1st - October 24th, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm $6 per person, $4 for children, $15 for families, MCHS members receive free daily admission. Located  924 Pinecrest Ln Manitowoc, WI 54220. ph:920-684-5110 or em: mchistsoc@lakefield.net

Self-guided tour around the 60 acre outdoor museum to explore and learn about Wisconsin folk and how they lived during the 1850-early 1900s. Buildings such as Blacksmith, General Store (Gift Shop), Church, dance hall, railroad passenger car, the Cheese shop (sample cheese curds and making butter), seamstress shop (free homemade necklaces), schoolhouse, and also furnished homesteads.

**Update**
It did not take long at all to hear back from the Manitowoc Historical Society. Mike Maher was kind enough to say that on non-event days they provide a cassette player that will walk the observer through the site describing the buildings and events as they might've happened on a typical day. I imagine that the buildings are locked up, so access is obviously limited, though having the place to oneself could be wonderfully creepy.

Lower Cato Falls County Park - Clark Mills

Clarke Mills (Manitowoc Cty)

Here is another example of places I discover while on my way to 'elsewhere' during a Road Trip. I whizzed past the sign and drove in to just check things out. Click here for the gloogled map. What I was attempting to show on the lovely photo wasn't just the size of the rapid but the huge limestone shelf on the other side that appears to be unclimbable for regular folk - great fun for those with no fear. I can try to get another shot of it but with my current camera status I know it will be utter crap.

Wheretofind: This Road Trip started at Kohler-Andre State Park (Sheboygan Cty), ended at Pinecrest Historical Village (Manitowoc Cty), and I was heading west on JJ and a bit before you reach the Clark Mills intersections is where this park can be found on the right.

This park is listed on the American Whitewater site, and the link I've provides a great deal of information for kayakers as far as starting/finishing point, length, rapid classification and a fair warning on the quality of the water should you fall in.

What to expect: Upper/Lower section with stairs leading to the rivers edge at each end (Manitowoc River, that is). Picnic and playground areas and short trails as seen on this map. Actually this link says there are 4 stairways and I only found 2, which means I still haven't fully explored this park yet.

Sidenote: I left off the hiking label on this post -- the trails did not seem long enough to warrant hiking status in my book. Meaning, that I would not make a Road Trip solely for the purpose of hiking, which is what I use to classify the label.

Road Trip

Saturday's weather shore was beautiful. The rumble of a motorcycle lifts my spirits. Last weekend I was inspired to go on a road trip to the Quiet Side of the Lake and drove around Calumet County with a short stop at Rienzi Cemetery in Fondy before snapping a few photos of an abandoned home I now title Death Watch.

On Friday (04/04/08) I had business to take care of in West Bend and stopped at Lac Lawrann Conservancy, a 136 acre preserve that in all the years I have lived in this town have never been to. I snapped a few photos and when I looked at them at home realized that my camera was unable to pick up the color contrasts (due to the lighting perhaps,or my camera is utter crap) The pine to the right is tipped with yellow-green and to my eyes should have stood out from the winter washed kettle below.

While I drove around my old town, I discovered a new piece of land named Fellenz Woods, purchased by the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT) in 1999. This is found on County I, east of West Bend High School -- Decorah Ave turns into Cty I incidentally. I am immensely proud of the town I came from and continue to applaud its caretakers for having the vision to preserve the land that will only improve the value of its lands and also the quality of life for its residents, something that Oshkosh is currently struggling with. If there is a bright spot for Oshkosh it was the development of Menominee Park, and Little Oshkosh where I took my daughter yesterday.

I wrap up my blog entry before 8 am with the intention of taking a road trip back to the Quiet Side of the Lake, to snap some photos and expand my knowledge of the area.

It promises to be in the 50s today,the sun is trying to be seen between the breaks in the clouds, and that is enough for me.

Horicon Ledge County Park - Horicon

Horicon/Mayville (Dodge Cty)

Photo credit: Horicon Chamber.

Also goes by Dodge Cty Ledge Park. Not a place for small kids. Wear good,sturdy shoes. The main link to trail map page) that run the edge where the Overlook is and winds around wooded camp area. The main attraction to this park are the trails that take you around and through the rocky outcroppings.

Wheretofind: Off of Highway 33 to Cty Rd TW North Travel time is a 1/2 hour east from Beaver Dam or west from West Bend.  N7403 Park Road, Horicon. There is an upper and lower section. Ranger station is located in the upper, which is also where the firewood can be purchased.

What to expect: Cliffs, ledges, mossy crags,slippery hills and rocks. This park is a popular campground, but one of the bennies to this park are the public picnic areas on the upper and lower levels that has its own firepit, one large, and 2-3 smaller sites and split wood for sale.  NOTE FIREWOOD BAN NOTICE.  This park is gated, ranger controlled and visitors not camping have to leave at closing (7pm?). I recommend calling first: (920) 387-5450.

Other Horicon related activities, here is the link for the Horicon Chamber of Commerce, showing Marsh Boat Tours/Canoe Rentals, their Aquatic Center, The HORICON WILDLIFE REFUGE, and the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center.

Dodge County does offer some great parks that also has public firepits.  In fact, Dodge County has one of the best managed county park systems. 

Old Red Mill - Waupaca

Waupaca (Waupaca Cty)

I literally wandered into this place at 6 am in the morning many,many years ago while looking for a place to pee and directions to Twin Lakes Camp Ground for my son's Cub Scouts day camp.

Along the front you will find the entrance to the back and this is what I found, the most beautiful secret garden I had ever accidentally trespassed onto. It had led me to search for other secret gardens in Wisconsin but really have not found anything that had captured my fancy as The Old Red Mill.  In my opinion it is THE most romantic place, and typically it is not in my nature to find places romantic. Really.  Seriously.


Wheretofind:  Since the date of this original

post, the reconstruction of Highway 10 has been completed. Travel time from Oshkosh is about 45 minutes. It's almost the midway point between Oshkosh and Stevens Point, where my daughter is currently going to college.  FROM Highway 10, take the Cty K/Hwy 22 South Exit for approx 2 miles to the first set of lights. Turn left onto Cty K and follow the winding road just over a mile.  Just over a small bridge, the road will and the shop is at the curve, to your left.


What to expect: Covered bridge, Crystal River, occasional canoers (there is canoe launch right before the shop) gift shop with cafe, house cat, tiny chapel with pet cemetery. Beauty, splendor. 
Phone: 715-258-7385 
Hours: M-Sat 7a-pm, Sun 8a-5p.
For more information, visit their facebook page.