1000 Islands Environmental Center - Kaukauna

1000 Islands
Originally uploaded by WheretogoWisconsin

Kaukauna (Outagamie Cty)

The title of this really should be 'Looking for those #@$%! Pelicans' and my search has taken me to KAK-Kawna. I have to laugh when I say that town's name; sounds like someone's choking. Who knows what the town's real name was.

Anyhoo....the Fox River has overrun her banks as you can clearly see at the 1000 Islands Environmental Center due to last weeks storm, the very same storm that days before ripped through a boy scout camp in Iowa. The riverbank trails are the wooded plank type (seen in other pics), and several of those trails were blocked off.

Unfortunately, that barricade didn't stop me, though I have no real desire to gamble my life I couldn't help but try see why the trail was closed. If it didn't stop me imagine a couple of kids or drunken college students.

My review of this park was somewhat handicapped due to the amount of mud I had to navigate when hiking the upper woods portion of the park, which lie across the highway. However, there was much more activity on the main section, experiences which have imprinted itself upon my memory of this place. Like this fawn, for instance. He/she scampered towards me, bleating. I could go on, explaining every detail, but I grieve that it will not be able to convey the wonder I felt. It was a rare occurrance and I believed I was honored by its grace.

HOW TO FIND: The nature center is found on Dodge Street, tucked between the baseball and football park. The easiest way to take Hwy 41 North all the way round Appleton, Little Chute, to Cty J exit. You are coming into Kaukauna from the north on Hwy 55 and this will turn into Lawe, which you will follow into town, over the bridge and when you see Dodge, turn Left and watch for the sports park. You can also come up from Hwy 57, taking Cty Hwy Z west, which turns into Dodge in Kaukauna. Easy Peazy.

What to expect: A better review. Frankly I did not stay long enough to go into the nature center itself. This park has some nice winding trails along the Fox River. There are connecting trails from the main section to the upper wooded one. There is an eagle's nest there somewhere.

Oh, and there's Pelicans.

circumhorizon arc @ 58 degrees

How about some geeky science facts.

First, I learn about sundogs which appear @ 22 degrees above the horizon, which I do see from to time, though for all the years that I have been aiming my face towards the sky it's only been the last 4 or 5 years that I have seen these appear.

Circumhorizon arc, as reported on SpaceWeather.com, are also called summer arc's and fire rainbows, "appear only when the sun is more than 58-degrees above the horizon--in short, during the hottest part of long summer days." My photo was taken June 28th and I think we hit 75-80 that day in Appleton.

Not to be confused with Circumzenithal arcs which appear @32 degrees above the horizon. From what I can see the zenithal is an an actual arc, but the horizon is more smudgy. Check out the different photos from spaceweather site; simply gorgeous.

This source shows what the difference is between the two types, plus what is and is not a rainbow.

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.

Weather Anomaly

Menasha (Outagamie Cty)

Perhaps someone out there has seen this before. I will show a few pictures that I took Wednesday afternoon. This is NOT a rainbow, and it did not dissipate like smoke, so my assumption was cloud/vapors of some sort, but not of
a natural sort.



I am hoping that maybe someone will see this and understand.


*** UPDATE: see Circumhorizon arc post. ***

Rocky Arbor State Park - Wisconsin Dells

Rock and Wood
Originally uploaded by jw_creations

West of Wisconsin Dells (Sauk Cty)

I didn't expect to blog about this park until I had a chance to check it out. Since my introduction to Flickr I have come to appreciate the talents of others to reveal the beauty of Wisconsin in a way that I never could. What I liked most about this picture was the timeless quality - one could just as easily expect to see a wooly mammoth as a couple of American hikers.

This park is only open for camping starting Memorial Day (May) to Labor Day (Sept) with day use available year round. There is a short nature trail and wild raspberries are free for the taking. What information I was able to find on the internet, the description reminds me of what Roche-a-Cri State Park is like. Heavy on the camping, and not much of anything else.

My own trips to the Dells usually entails finding the least expensive way to wile the day without bringing home unwanted visitors. Specifically, ticks. When I make my way to Sauk County my purpose would be to review Rocky Arbor and hopefully find some county parks.

Wheretofind: Located 5 minutes northwest from Wisconsin Dells, travel time from Oshkosh 1 hour, 45 minutes (from Fond du Lac you can follow Hwy 23 west,southwest to Wis Dells).

Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sheboygan

Sheboygan (Sheboygan Cty)

Used to be called Terry Andrae State Park.   I have mixed feelings about this park. It is right on the lake which is great for those who want to avoid the crowd at any other beach and you don't have to go far to get a snack or go to the bathroom. It has a very nice Interactive Nature Center; however you wouldn't know that as I could not find any mention of it anywhere except for the Wildernet.com site I stumbled onto, which I now have bookmarked. It is called The Sanderling Nature Center,

You know, one shouldn't have to work so hard to get information....which confirms yet again why I should continue putting this blog together. Well, enough about me for now.

On a humorous note, the DNR page boasts it being ' naturally air conditioned'.

Typically there is about a 10-degree difference lakeside (don't quote me on this, I'm using my 'feels-like' barometer, though I will accept the credit if I am correct). On most days that means, bring a jacket, just in case.

Where to find: From I-43 take Cty Rd OK/V (exit 120) east, turning right onto Cty Rd V about 2 miles. Cty Rd V will curve left (north) to the northern trail head and P1 Parking, but you to reach the nature center,continue straight on Beach Park Ln. It will fork in a few places but you want to be going south and P3 Parking is the nature center. (map)

What to expect:   * Park Permit required (day passes can be purchased).  Sand, and lots of it everywhere. Lots of camping available, though in reading the reviews on the WILDERNET site, there is a mention about ANTS. Also, there is Looping and Non-Looping, specifically: Creeping Juniper Nature Trail, and Woodland Dunes Nature Trail (ADA segment) -- I don't know if this trail is linked with WOODLAND DUNES NATURE CENTER (Manitowoc-Two Rivers area), that part I am still researching and will update accordingly (at this point I'm thinking there's no connection).

One final note: I am totally thrilled to have found the Wildernet.com site. To be honest, it is exactly what I envisioned this blog to be, but even more technical than what I have the patience for. When surfing, you will have to scroll down to find more information and the Trip Reports which is the the area for reading the reviews, just like my site. And you have to be registered, just like my site.

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.

Lakeview Cemetery - Stockbridge

Stockbridge, Calumet Cty

Only a few will catalog their visit to a cemetery, for good reasons I suppose. Not every one will understand the allure of walking amongst those whose bones have been resting as long, if not longer than Wisconsin's statehood was declared.

A coworker mentioned this small plot and on my first try I didn't find it. As a matter of fact, I completely missed a HUGE county park on a road I swore I drove on. Oy vey, what does it matter anyhow.

A ginormous tree guards the entrance to the cemetery. We don't see too many trees that last this long 'fore weather or disease lays it to waste. Incidentially, this tree is a DNR registered Champion Tree and can be found by searching their database by county name (Calumet).

During my investigation, there are a number of headstones that are broken, felled, and in one corner appears to be several that collided in a great upheaval of sorts, by natural forces or otherwise. If you follow the image link you will see a better image of how many stones there are. It's disturbing to see this in a cemetery. I have always taken for granted that someone is acting a caretaker, and at Rienzi Cemetery, there is actually an effort within the community to volunteer their time and materials to maintain the site.

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.

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.