Wyalusing State Park – Wisconsin Ridge Campground

Wyalusing Wisconsin Ridge Campground - View across the Wisconsin River valley

Went on a weekend trip with my friends from the Tacoma World forums. Home base was the Wisconsin Ridge Campground at Wyalusing State Park in Bagley, Wisconsin. We had most of the sites in the 140-150 range looking down along the Wisconsin River valley. Here’s my site – I parked all the way behind the … Read more

Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail – BRF to Picnic Point

My Tacoma on the ice & snow covered trail between large log piles (photo courtesy of my friend Jonathan)

I’m not sure how or why it came to be reality, but for some reason our Tacoma crew decided it would be smart to try a winter outing. In February. In Wisconsin. And it was a good idea! Well mostly aside from the frozen camping. Read on for more details! Day 1: Main Trail Drive … Read more

WI Pipeline Off-Roading (June ’22)

Tacoma Off-roading - Overhead drone shot of the group (photo credit Camerasandcoffee of Tacoma World)

Back in summer of 2020 I bought a Toyota Tacoma with the intention of being able to explore deeper into places that my other cars & small SUVs wouldn’t allow. After over a year of maintenance, planning, and building it up I was able to join a group from the Tacoma World forums on a … Read more

Frontier Bar & Campground

Frontier Bar & Campground - Fish Fry and a Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

I stayed at Potato River Falls nearly until dark and hadn’t planned a campsite – not an oversight, just didn’t expect to take that long (but it was worth it). Although I could have just camped there at a primitive site, I badly needed a shower from the hot temperatures. Lucky for me there were … Read more

2021 Wisconsin Fall Trip Start: Stung Upper Lip

An example of the yellowjacket that got me. Nest of them on my campsite.

Welcome to the start of my 2021 Wisconsin road trip. The past few years this has been my go-to choice for longer trips, and frankly there is no place I’d rather be than in the big woods in fall when the colors are changing. This year started off poorly but by the end became quite … Read more

2020 Elk Hunt @ New Mexico Gila Wilderness

Looking north across Snow Lake from the Continental Divide Trail

Finally I had arrived in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness! It was a long drive and I completely underestimated how long the final stretch would take but I made it in one piece. Had to take a few glamour shots of the new-to-me Toyota Tacoma that handled the terrain like a champ. These photos were at … Read more

Big Bay State Park – Boardwalk Trail

Big Bay State Park - Boardwalk Trail

Shifting gears during the midpoint of this road trip and floating my car & camping gear to Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island.  I was getting cranky from all the driving so my first action item was to stretch out my legs and hike the Boardwalk Trail.  Originally I was going to make a … Read more

Joshua Tree – Belle Sunrise

Joshua Tree - Sunrise from Belle Campground

No star photos last night (overcast skies) but I did catch an awesome sunrise from camp this morning.  Not much else to say – this is what makes my trips worth the effort. After my nutritious breakfast of coffee and Pop Tarts I broke down camp and headed out for some final hiking.  Stay tuned, … Read more

Joshua Tree – Belle Campground Astrophotography

Joshua Tree - Belle Campground Astrophotography

Skies were looking a little “iffy” tonight so I just chilled at the campgrounds lazily trying for astro photos.  Early on skies were mostly clear.  No galactic core this time of year but it never gets old sitting under dark skies. (Don’t forget to click photos for detailed full-screen views!) Wispy clouds started rolling in from … Read more

Governor Thompson State Park

Governor Thompson State Park – Woods Lake

Northern Wisconsin fall colors were calling my name.  It has been too long since my last camping trip and I aimed to remedy that.  Aided by a long 3-day weekend I packed the car and headed for the forests.  Quick pitstop on the way at Titletown Brewing Company in Green Bay for an elk burger … Read more