Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area - Baraboo

(Sauk Cty) see also Devil's Lake State Park

Anyone else misspelling the name of this park? It took me a while to realize that it's Parfrey not Palfrey. Not to mention that it is frustrating when the Baraboo area's websites take you to dead links. I'd rather be rickrolled. At any rate, since it is a State Natural Area, a sticker is required. If you plan to make the trip, make a day of it and get as much use out of that $18 that you had to spend (unless you have a spare $5 for a daily pass).

If being surrounded by rocks makes you a bit squeamish this place is not for you. When I was climbing around Horicon Ledge (Dodge Cty Ledge), the thought occurred to me that the forces of nature will eventually make these rocks unstable and today could be that day.

My curiosity of course won out, and I lived to see another day.



Flickr seems to be the only place online to find the best photos of the places I love to visit, and until I get a decent camera (or learn how to take good pictures, that might help) I will pay my due diligence by paying homage to the author of these wonderful images.


Wheretofind: Travel time is about 1 hour, 50 minutes from Oshkosh, only a 1/2 hour from Wisconsin Dells and 15 minutes from Devils Lake State Park.

What to expect: Rocks, slippery moss, jutting rocks, and boulders that kids will have a tough time staying away from. * Park Permit required (day passes can be purchased). 

If you are a parent and are worried that you kids may hurt themselves, let me just say that they can get hurt here, but unlike Horicon Ledge, there is no Ledge because they hiking at the bottom of the ravine as opposed to having free access to the top of the ledge. If I am wrong, please let me know.

High Cliff State Park - Sherwood

Sherwood,(Calumet Cty)

On the northeast shore of Lake Winnebago, this beautiful hunk of rock was once a working limestone quarry where Hungarian immigrants were housed during the excavations from 1895 to 1956. At the base of the hill (can't miss it) is the only standing building from that operation and tells the story of the miner and laborers and how they fared during this time period.

Apparently there is a 12 foot statue of Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird. Right now I am racking my brain as to where it is located. I am thinking it is on the upper section by the ranger tower (it's not). On the DNR site, the statue has the power to give us pause to consider the past....(wait for it)... and the future. Was the statue Wisconsin's gift to the Ho-Chunks for allowing their Chief to die a common prisoner? History is strangely mute on the subject.

Wheretofind: Travel time from Oshkosh area is about 40-45 minutes from Hwy 41 North to Cty Hwy 10/114.  From Fond du Lac it's almost an hour from Hwy 55 North to Cty Hwy 114.  Entrance is at Pigeon Road.

What to expect: * Park Permit required (day passes can be purchased). Upper/Lower sections that have natural and paved trails (see map), ranger tower, camping and picnic areas, ruins of limestone kiln, Indian effigy mounds and letterboxing locations!. And there's cliffs.  On the lower section there is a General Store/museum that sell candy and ice cream. I seem to recall also an independently owned shop that sells concession type foods like hot dogs, burgers, ice cream and soda.  This is also on the lower area, nearby a small cemetery.  

Before I forget, there is non-profit organization called Friends of High Cliff whose members help support the park by fundraising events in order to pay for a year round naturalist to provide educational workshops and are responsible for the efforts in preserving it's history.

State Parks

I have a major blindspot for state parks, probably because I hate shelling out money for a park sticker that I may use maybe 1-2 times a year. That being said, there are state parks here that deserve acknowledgment and I would be remiss if I avoided posting those places.

Wisconsin Dells

(Adams Cty)

Who doesn't know about the Dells? Like State Parks, I avoid this place because of the traffic and the tourists... natural enemies of the hiker.

Many moons ago, when my kids were smaller I trekked there for an air balloon show. We left at 4 in the morning and when we arrived there found that it was canceled due to strong winds. We spent the day roaming the dells, splashing on the shores of a public playground, wandering the state park there ogling the does that approached cars expectantly, and picking up ticks along the way. I spent a total of $40 including gas and even went to a waterpark for a few hours.

It was a good day, despite the ticks.

US Nationals - Snow Sculpting Competition

Winterfest 2008, Lake Geneva (Walworth Cty)

This is last years winner. Don't have time to delve into this post...just wanted to share an interesting event in a place I really want to spend time visiting.

Wisconsin hosts a lot of World/National events...that makes us a pretty popular place..last year the World Disc Golf Tournament was at Whitecap. If you visit donniepick.com the photo was taken during this event. And of course Oshkosh has the EAA every year.

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. 

Lake Geneva - Geneva Lake

The lake of Geneva is Geneva Lake.

This is where my wanderlust was awakened, and I would be remiss if I didn't note it somewhere. The 70's was the best time to be a kid. Early summer mornings would start when the front screen door slams and I was gone til suppertime, barefoot and pine sap in my hair. We lived in this summer home year round for four years. Rent back then was $150/mo. There was no basement and I know there was no furnace but a large unit that sat in our living room and a wood burning stove we put in ourselves. I really don't know how we didn't freeze to death in that home as a few of the chickens we raised had.

Heading down Linn Rd there is a small boat ramp, pier and grassy spots and one of the entrances to the Lake Path, such as the one I mentioned in cemeteries. Several years ago I took my kids down to show them where I used to live, and made it down to the lake path entrance and my oldest,then 14 would not go. He was worried about trespassing, and at the time I knew the lake path was well worn from use but did not know that the city owns a sidewalk-size strip around the lake until I looked it up after coming home. To be honest, trespassing is a moral grey area for me. I'd like to think that God and I have struck a bargain, but I really won't know until we meet I suppose.

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.

Screenshot

Here is a screenshot of my new character, currently a lvl 13 Warlock, looking somewhat transparent at the moment. This is her typical state, though usually not posing for a camera, but looking forlornly at her dead body, which she is standing next to.

I chose her name as Theodora, and once I almost named one of my kids after her. She really was a remarkable woman, at least that's how the wiki has written about her. When I was quite young, I think I was a tween, but my uncle gave me a book on powerful women in history. The link is not what I had gotten, but it was similar enough. Speaking of books and tweens here is another book I received from my other uncle, I Am Not A Short Adult. I have to wonder if that book was more a hint to my parents than it was for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am pleased it is still available. Maybe I should get it before their uncle gift's it to one of my kids.

Personally Speaking

I am trying to come up with a clever title and after several tries am giving up. Every one looked tired and vapid (or vapid and tired).

I hereby designate this tiny corner of my blog to mention things nonwheretogoish, where I confess my more-than-just-minor interest in World of Warcraft, and to discuss the social ills of the day.

This morning, like I did yesterday, I sit in front of this glass teat and switch between leveling my new character and obsessing over my blog, and getting frustrated at my inability to decide on how my husband's band's new website is supposed to look. I think a blog site is fine for the band, but he wants full hosting so there is enough room to put their tracks and videos on, which I agree is a good thing, but people are commenting on the blog so I have to find a way to marry the two ideas.

I thought Moveable Type was a possibility, but somehow there is less spam security on that format, but that was years ago, and perhaps they have improved their mods to better combat this problem.

Then I am back on the design problem. All my creative juices seem to fizzle when it comes to design, because I seem to be more of a left brained creative. So I will play WoW, continue to obsess over generating interest in this blog.

Holy Hill - Hubertus

Photo credit: scillagrace.com

Official name:   Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill  Hubertus, (Washington Cty)

A LOT of people come here as part of their Religious Pilgrimage. See how many different state plates are crammed into this area. A LOT of tourists are there as well, just to see what the hubub is all about. If visiting, please respect the services that take place.

This is also part of the Ice Age Trail,though finding a decent trail map was IMPOSSIBLE until interactive maps became available but the map to Holy Hill's access to the Ice Age Trail is easier.

On the bright side, one of the main attractions to Holy Hill is the enclosed tower. I have gone there a few times, and the view is quite majestic on the right days, the stairway is quite narrow and normally it is packed with people who are on the verge of passing out from either the heights or from claustrophobia.  NOTE:  The Scenic Tower is open daily May 1 to October 31
Hours: Sunday: 1:30 pm -- 6:30 pm Monday - Saturday: 9am - 6:30 pm

This area is nearby RUSTIC ROAD 33. While in this area, take a moment to check out:

Glacier Hills County Park (Washington Cty). This map is a brochure, but it seems to be the only place that shows a decent view of the park itself and the available trails. HERE IS A TRAIL  MAP

Hogsback Road (Washington Cty). This is not a place to travel in winter, and as a passenger you will see cars at the bottom of ravines on both sides of the road. All 3 locations (Glacier Hills, Hogsback Road, Holy Hill are pretty close to each other and the link should show the path to each location).

Wheretofind: 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033

What to expect:  Grottos, twisty roads shrouded in trees. One ginormous Church.

Ice Age Trail

(Washington Cty)
There used to be a map (black & white) that showed where the Ice Age Trail meanders through West Bend. Perhaps it was in the phone book. In searching for map links I was dismayed at what I found: the Washington County Parks board managed to completely avoid the other county park that has the Ice Age Trail on it: Glacier Blue Hills in West Bend. They don't even mention it on their County Parks Site. Maybe it's because there's no shelters to rent,no bathrooms, just a wild expanse of woods and prarie with a spring fed pond to boot. It's where everyone takes their dogs (and kids).

As a matter of fact, you can actually pickup the trail behind Pick-n-Save, corner of Hwy 33 and B and hike north, crossing roads Park Ave and Beaver Dam Rd (Jefferson turns into Beaver Dam Rd), which is where the parking lot for Glacier Blue Hills Park is.
** UPDATE **

After some serious hunting, I found the West Bend Chamber's site, which had THE best map of the park system.

This all illustrates why I created this site. I want others to actually find that places that I enjoy going to and to learn from others as well.

Cemeteries

I belong to a minority of people who see cemeteries as parks for the living as well as the dead. Funny, my criteria for cemeteries and parks share one condition: a marked lack of people. Most of my excursions are indeed solo, and the less people I come across, the better.

My interest in cemeteries started during a exploring mission on the shores of Lake Geneva when I was knee high to a grasshopper (some contend I still am, but they have been made sorry for saying so). Circling the lake is a public path, unmarked other than where the grass has worn from use. At my young age I did not know this but followed the path as others had before me. Some of the homes on the lake are huge, looming and old, and I had just crossed onto the yard of one when I saw a small collection of gravestones nearby. Nothing sinister, just something that you don't see every day. Even in my young mind I understood that families sometimes buried their own, and that is what creeped me out.

Wisconsin Death Trip

Book by Michael Lesy
A rare glimpse into Wisconsin's early history from the Black River Fall's newspaper editor. Beyond creepy, it is probably the most accurate view on how our early settlers were managing psychologically. Surviving on Life's Terms takes on a whole new meaning after reading the daily wierdness that happened during the late 1800s.

Apparently I am not the only one who has a fascination with this book. There is a movie, a record album,as well as some sort of gaming network that pays tribute to a cultural phenomenon that is purely Wisconsin.

Who else can stand up and say, we have Ed Gein, and Jeffrey Dahmer!

Geocaching

Geocaching is the modern scavenger hunt using GPS coordinates to find and log items buried by members. I have always wanted a GPS unit and I love digging around for treasure.

I first heard of it while watching an episode of CSI:Las Vegas. It was surprising how much geocache activity was happening right around my home. I am hoping to save money to get a unit and get my kids involved. They are not expensive, I know, but enough money where you have to choose between gassing up the car or pickup a GPS unit. And go figure, gas always seem to win.

Yooper - Really Should be 'Wooper'

In reading up on the history of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, it is interesting to see how this area was basically discarded as unwanted space during the early-mid 1800s,which in earth years is not really that long ago.

Traveling to the UP is seamless from Wisconsin,so I am probably not the only one who considers the UP more a part of our state than of Michigan (taxes aside). No offense of Michiganites (Michigonians..?) Exactly what is the plural term used here?

County Parks - Hidden Gems

County Parks tend to be either a wonderful surprise or a huge disappointment.

Anyone can open a phone book to find where all the county/city parks are within the area, and this is one of the main reasons I wanted this community site to be used.

Most towns have a variety of playground areas, but for us adventurous folk, we tend to arrive with some expectation. When the county park description says 'hiking trail' I am not looking for a biking trail that sends me along open meadows or anything streetside. Pah! There must be some visual appeal, a trail that says 'come hither', and we have no choice but to follow.

Spirit of Christmas Past at Heritage Hill State Park

I ran across this event and decided to post it.

Spirit of Christmas Past at Heritage Hill State Park,Green Bay
When: December 1, 8 and 15 • 12noon-4pm
Admission: $8/person, $7/senior, $6/child, children under 4 free
920-448-5150 on weekdays from 8am-4:30pm

Caves and the Art of Caving

Caves are cool. Caving is dirty.

I am going to relist Lake View Nature Center in Chilton again for their caving tours. I swear they used to have their own site, but after searching high and low I am at a loss. The county site does provide all of the information on dates and costs on caving tours, but it lacks personality.

Nature Centers/Wildlife Preserves

I'm torn as to whether to make this two separate posts. Ah, I'll edit it later if I need to.

I have a few of my own:

Ledge View Nature Center, Chilton (Calumet Cty).There are a lot of ways of getting there,so you are best googling this from your location. Excellent interactive activities. I really enjoyed the indoor bat room, and the bee hive exhibit. One special draw to this place are the caving tours.

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.

Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, Appleton (Outagamie Cty). Relatively large site. Hiking trails, interactive nature center.

What to expect: Pleasant walking experience for suburbanites looking for a quick getaway, boring for those who are looking for a challenge.