Big Springs Nature Park

Big Springs Nature Park - Guttenberg, Iowa

My final destination for the day was at Big Springs Nature Park in Guttenberg, Iowa. From Hazel Green, Wisconsin I followed IA-3 and US-52 along what they call the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. The drive itself is pretty fun and shows the Iowa side along the Mississippi but often times goes inland. Either … Read more

Big Spring Creek (2022)

Big Spring Creek - Spring water cascading down the rocks

My turkey hunt was going nowhere fast today. After striking out at Governor Dodge State Park I fueled up, took a short midday nap, and drove around in search of new public lands with favorable terrain. Along the way I ended up at a familiar destination at Big Springs Fishery Area in Highland, Wisconsin. Here’s … Read more

Governor Dodge – 2022 Spring Turkey Hunt Fail

Governor Dodge State Park - Sunset over Cox Hollow Lake

For this year’s Wisconsin spring turkey hunting season I drew a tag for period C in the southwest zone 1 region. I was behind in preparation and only had the weekend so I figured to go where I already have some knowledge. Headed to Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville, Wisconsin which also allowed me … Read more

2021 WI Turkey Hunting (Governor Dodge State Park)

Sun behind clouds while hunting/hiking near Old Orchard Pass trail area

After getting shutout at Yellowstone Wildlife Area I decided to try my luck at Governor Dodge State Park which is only about a 30 minute drive away. I saved a screenshot to show how the temperatures were screwing with me – weather was unseasonably warm except for this weekend. Low temps on Sunday morning were downright … Read more

2021 WI Turkey Hunting (Yellowstone Wildlife Area)

Turkeys on a private farm area while road scouting

After a long winter lockdown courtesy of COVID-19, I was able to awake from hibernation, get fully vaccinated, and go hunting for turkey in late April. Based on last year I headed right back to Yellowstone Lake State Park / Yellowstone Wildlife Area in the southwestern region of the state known as the Driftless Area. … Read more

Eagle Eye Rapids

Eagle Eye State Natural Area - Views over the North Fork Bad Axe River

Took a big detour from the area I was camping in order to visit Eagle Eye Rapids, named so because they are within Eagle Eye State Natural Area. This one is far off the normal routes but it’s always interesting driving through remote areas of southwestern Wisconsin. This one is a bit hard to find … Read more

Devils Lake State Park – December Falls

Devil's Lake State Park - December Falls

Ironically the terrible rainy weather created perfect conditions to visit an ephemeral waterfall called December Falls (sometimes referred to as Roznos Falls). I visited on both Saturday & Sunday and as you can see 1 inch of rain makes a big difference. To find the falls, hike north on the Ice Age Trail / East … Read more

Durward’s Glen Waterfall

Durward's Glen - Primary view of the falls from downstream

Took a weekend trip up around Baraboo in mid May in search of some new falls within Durward’s Glen, a privately owned spiritual retreat and conference center that is open to the public. It’s definitely quite remote but has some nice hiking trails and is located in a very quiet spot tucked into the Driftless … Read more

Wisconsin Spring Turkey Hunt 2020

Wisconsin Spring Turkey Hunt 2020

Spring turkey season was finally here and I was able to take off an extra day for some fun in the woods! Since I have never hunted turkey before I was going in partially blind, but I did some road scouting at the start of April and decided to focus my attention around Yellowstone Lake … Read more

Natural Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge State Park - Rock Arch

Winter has been far too long but finally I escaped on Memorial Day weekend for the first trip of 2019.  This time I was joined by my sister Emma for a seat-of-the-pants adventure starting at Natural Bridge State Park.  Just a quick stop at the arch today – stay tuned for more unique destinations to … Read more