New Glarus Woods State Park

New Glarus Woods State Park - Havenridge Nature Trail

Starting to head back towards home but had enough time to visit New Glarus Woods State Park in New Glarus, Wisconsin for a quick hike. The park is on the smaller side with only one main parking lot (camping is available here too but is small & crowded for my likings).  I started on the … Read more

Yellowstone Lake State Park

Yellowstone Lake State Park - Lake View

For this weekend’s trip I decided to stay at Yellowstone Lake State Park in Blanchardville, Wisconsin.  The park seems popular for fishing & boating but not so much for the hiking trails – time for me to figure out why. The 455-acre lake is a man-made reservoir created by damming the Yellowstone River.  I’m finding … Read more

Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area

Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area - Zander Lake Nature Trail

Next stop is Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area, another smaller state park in the Driftless Area located near Browntown, Wisconsin. The park is known for it’s two lakes – Beckman and Zander – which are man-made reservoirs created by damming up Zander Creek.  A large plaque stands at Beckman Lake detailing the efforts by the … Read more

Fenley State Recreation Area

Fenley State Recreation Area

In my quest to visit all Wisconsin State Parks I visited the relatively unknown Fenley State Recreation Area near Kieler, Wisconsin. Unfortunately there was nothing to see on this day as the Sinnipee Creek has overflowed & flooded the small dirt parking area.  Might be good for whitetail hunting due to the seclusion but doesn’t appear … Read more

Charles Mound

Charles Mound, IL - Highpoint Sign

Took a quick weekend trip at the start of June specifically to cross another highpoint off my list at Charles Mound, Illinois.  This “peak” stands at 1,235 feet above sea level and is located on private property that the owners graciously open only a few weekends a year. (IMPORTANT: If you visit please read this … Read more

House On The Rock

House On The Rock - Heritage Of The Sea Monster

Final stop for this weekend’s journey and we are going out in unique fashion at The House on the Rock.  What exactly is this place?  In a nutshell, an entire estate built by a creative madman named Alex Jordan, Jr. that is a living breathing LSD trip (and I mean all of that in a … Read more

Governor Dodge State Park – Stephens Falls

Governor Dodge State Park - Stephens Falls

Not far away from Cox Hollow Lake Falls and still within Governor Dodge State Park is the easily accessible Stephens Falls. Another small flow can be seen running down the cliff side directly next to the main falls. Unfortunately we didn’t spend much time here as some other park guests were picking flowers, destroying sensitive … Read more

Governor Dodge State Park – Cox Hollow Lake Falls

Cox Hollow Lake - Cox Hollow Lake Falls

Memorial Day morning was threatening rain but that didn’t stop us from getting in a few short hikes.  First one of the day was Cox Hollow Lake Falls at Governor Dodge State Park.  From the trail we first saw the lake spillway but that isn’t why we are here. Clouds above Cox Hollow Lake are … Read more

Cave Of The Mounds

Cave Of The Mounds - Endless Tunnel

Thanks to Devils Lake being jam packed with people coming in for Memorial Day we were in search for alternative things to do.  It was a beautiful day for a drive though so we went a bit out of the way to visit Cave Of The Mounds. After a short video presentation (vintage 1990 VHS … Read more

Gibraltar Rock

Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area

Our short ferry ride across Lake Wisconsin was specifically because it’s the fastest way to reach Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area from the north.  This is also a section along the Ice Age Trail. The trail is mainly pine and cedar but has a wide variation depending on where you are.  Trails today were quite … Read more