Falls of the Big Sioux River

Falls Park - View of falls from atop the observation tower

I’ve been through Sioux Falls only one other time back in 2016, and that was only to sleep and pass on down the road. Before leaving this time I thought “there must be a waterfall here somewhere, else the city wouldn’t be named like that.” A quick online search later and oh boy did I … Read more

Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit #optoutside

Kettle Moraine Pike Lake Unit - Panorama From Powder Hill Observation Tower

Black Friday shopping madness?  Nope!  Once again I decided to #optoutside and burn off the turkey and pie.  This year’s hike was part of an event hosted by the Ice Age Trail Alliance at the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit. Part of this hike was a segment of the Ice Age Trail.  … Read more

Copper Falls State Park – Part One

Copper Falls State Park - Copper Falls

8 hours, 400 miles, and 2 waterfall detours later I finally reached my first home-away-from-home at Copper Falls State Park.  Located in Mellen, Wisconsin, this park is especially intriguing for it’s remote location and multiple large waterfalls which some can argue are the best in the state.  After setting up camp at the hike-in site … Read more

Belmont Mound State Park

Belmont Mound State Park - Observation tower views

Had some free time on Memorial Day weekend for a short day trip.  Decided to head southwest and start at Belmont Mound State Park.  This is a small park & State Natural Area operated by the local Lions Club. Main feature is an observation tower that still stands but has been permanently closed by the DNR … Read more

Rib Mountain State Park

Rib Mountain State Park - Blue/green hiking trail

Rain continued all night and into today with no sign of stopping.  Thanks to a friend’s advice from Idaho to “be here now”, there was no way I could let it stop me.  To begin my trip home, the next stop was Rib Mountain State Park.  This is a popular ski destination and is heavily … Read more

Timms Hill

Timms Hill - View from top of tower

Last winter I started dreaming up “side quests” for future journeys – mostly to help discover new places to visit, but also as a pseudo bucket-list to keep me moving.  One dark and cold night, I was using my Google-fu and came across the concept of highpointing which is to visit all the highest points … Read more

High Cliff State Park

High Cliff State Park - Lime Kiln Trail

Woke up Saturday morning and decided to take a drive.  My main goal was to scout land for the upcoming deer season in the Appleton/Green Bay area.  High Cliff State Park was near enough for my overnight base camp allowing me to also check off another WI state park.  I hastily threw together a backpack and … Read more

Blue Mound State Park

Flint Rock Nature Trail

For the long Memorial Weekend, I set out to explore some local state parks, natural areas, and monuments.  I originally intended to leave Friday after work, but heavy rains changed my plans.  Instead, I woke early and started driving with no idea on the first destination other than a general direction of southwest Wisconsin.  I checked … Read more