Why I Love Winter

With the extreme temperatures this week in the upper midwest I remember why I love winter.  This "feels like" 100+ degrees in Milwaukee, WI is crazy.  Today (Thursday, July 21, 2011) is day 4 and will still be cranking out the heat.

Reasons to love winter:

• Comfortability -  not feeling miserable in the heat
• Layering - add layers of clothing to warm up
• Hot chocolate
• Sleep - it's much easier to sleep in the winter than in the extreme heat
• Snow - big fluffy snow
• Icicles - and the reflections from the sun
• Fleece
• Going outside without sweating

Just a few of the reasons - but right now I'm wishing it was winter and not a hot / sweaty 84 degrees at 6:30 am.  That only means it's going to get worse as the day goes on.

Heat - go away, let winter come this way!

Unglaciated Wisconsin - The Driftless Area

This year I've been doing a lot of exploring and hiking around the southern half of Wisconsin.  I've become most facinated with the SW corner of the state and the landscape.  This area, known as The Driftless area, has lots of rolling hills and streams thanks to being missed by the glacier's that rolled through this area thousands of years ago. 

The more I explore and drive around the back roads in this section of Wisconsin, the more I don't feel like I'm really in Wisconsin. 

This weekend I did some hiking at Bluemound State Park, Governor Dodge State Park and the Ferry Bluff State Natural Area.  All great hikes with great views and surprisingly - not a lot of people. 

With the rain that came in Friday night, the trails at Bluemound State Park were peopleless on Saturday morning.  This left the beauty of an overnight rainfall right where it was when I hiked the trails.  Upon entering the bottom of Pleasant Valley, I followed the stream and saw the mist still lingering.  It was beautiful because just at that time, the sun also started to peep through the clouds and the trees.

Stream at the bottom of Pleasure Valley

Later that day I took my dogs and drove over to Governor Dodge State Park so we could hike the full 3 mile loop of the Lost Canyon Trail.  We had done part of this a few weeks back when we walked down to view Stephen's Falls.  Because it was afternoon and the sun had already come out, there were a few people on this trail, but still for the beauty of this trail, it remained mostly peopleless.  At the bottom of the canyon there were many stream crossings.  The walls of the canyon are full of rock and trees.  Sitting down here you feel no pressure to move fast and can take the time to find artwork in the rocks.

Rock wall - almost looks like the profile of a face

Sunday after doing a little more hiking at Bluemounds State Park - I ventured off to find Ferry Bluff State Natural Area near Sauk City, WI.  I had heard that this area lead to great views overlooking the Wisconsin River and the Driftless Area.  It sure did - even with the oppressive heat (mid-90's & humid), the hike up to the top was worth it. 

Wisconsin River from atop Ferry Bluff

All in all, not a bad weekend visiting the Driftless Area of Wisconsin.  Now to plan to visit some of the unglaciated areas of Wisconsin and see what else I can find. 

Beauty in the City - Milwaukee River Trails (West Bluff)

One of the greatest things about where I live in Milwaukee is we have the Milwaukee River running one block from my house.  And the fact that the urban sprawl of condos that started in downtown Milwaukee will not be allowed to continue its northward movement up the river.  Thus, leaving my area of the river fully natural and forested. 

Milwaukee River's West Bluff Trails

It's great because I can always find peace and tranquility when I need it right behind my house.  And with all the natural surroundings, on some days you may even catch a glimpse of a deer in the early morning hours.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."  This is one of the places I can go and adopt the pace of nature even within the city. 

Natural Tree Arch

I am so glad I found this little pocket of Riverwest to live in and how people have worked hard to keep this area natural.  I think we all need to find places like this - so go find your place of beauty, peace and tranquility and enjoy it.

An Uneventful 4th of July

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  As I imagined, it was quiet hiking the Ice Age Trail.  But as usual, hiking with two dogs in the woods is always interesting. 

Jasmine and Wailea exploring the Ice Age Trail

Jasmine decided Saturday was a good day to go squirrel hunting since the squirrels were relatively active and noisy as we walked along the trail. 

Not only did they find many squirrels, but also the biggest mud puddle on the trail.  Wailea must have thought it was pretty cool so she decided to lay down in it.  Of course it was the one time Saturday we saw another human on the trail and I had to grab them out of the mud puddle.  Next thing I knew I was coated in the mud.  Yuck.

Sunday saw a few more people on the trail, but still no one til we had done almost 6 miles of trail. 

Hiked IAT:

Saturday - from Butler Lake north

Sunday - from Mauthe Lake north

Up next - not sure yet.  But I'm sure it will be interesting with two dogs. 

2011's Half Over

Hard to believe 2011 is now officially half over.  Where did the time go? 

Since the year is half over, it's only fitting that I take the dogs hiking for the weekend.  Jasmine and Wailea love the freedom of the woods and open trails.  It's great to be able to give them the freedom to roam and explore when and where I can.  I know it makes them happy and makes me feel good at night to know I've done something for my dogs that not a lot of other dogs get to do.  They are spoiled, but well worth spoiling.

Jasmine and Wailea hiking at Newport State Park, Door County, WI

This weekend they'll be lucky enough to be able to hike on the Ice Age Trail again.  One of my favorite places to hike.  Even though this will be a busy weekend at the lakes and parks - the Ice Age Trail will remain fairly quiet and uneventful as the crowds of people will be elsewhere.  I'll still be able to hear the birds chirp, see the squirrels run and who knows maybe catch a glimpse of a deer drinking at one of the streams. 

Thankfully we live in a country where we have the freedom to do all this.

Happy 4th of July everyone.