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. 



Summer of Mini Vacations

Summer has finally started in WI, but the summer of mini vacations started before summer.  This year I have decided to take full advantage of the weekends and make them mini vacations.  Wisconsin has a lot of State Parks and Forests and I've decided to take advantage of them.  I'm attempting to visit as many as I can for the weekend and try not to hit the same one twice. 

So far this year I've hit up for camping, backpacking and/or hiking:

• Newport State Park (backpacking and hiking)
• Northern Kettle Moraine (camping and hiking)
• Southern Kettle Moraine (camping and hiking)
• Bluemound State Park (hiking only)
• Governor Dodge State Park (camping and hiking)
• Tower Hill State Park (hiking only)

and a trip to Northern Wisconsin to visit the parents.  That was exciting since there was a bear family that kept visiting their yard. 

For the remainder of the summer / fall so far planned are visits to Black River and Devils Lake State Parks.  The rest are still under consideration and planning. 

And then this fall may make a second trip down to the Moab, UT region if time and vacation permits and this time take the dogs (November - it will be cooler).

So what are you doing this summer?  I'm looking forward to my summer of mini vacations.

Newport State Park



Stephen's Falls, Governor Dodge State Park

Bear family visiting my parents place in Northern WI. (Mom and 3 cubs in the background)

So whatever you do this summer - make sure you have fun and enjoy it.  While winter may be my favorite season of the year - I also like to make the most of the cooler summer days.

Living in Wisconsin is an Adventure

I'm starting to think the next ice age is coming.  Now that I've got my mind set to spring and warmer weather and getting out with the dogs to go camping, hiking and climbing - winter seems to have made a return to Wisconsin.  In the last couple of days we've seen snow, rain, sleet, and as a coworker put it "slush" falling from the sky. 

My poor little rogue daffodil that I saw poking through the ground back at the beginning of March, never amounted to anything but green leaves.  I'm pretty convinced that the ice cold weather and the snow we've had since then froze the poor little thing this year.  Now most of the summer plants are partially above ground and getting a dusting of snow and rain that will probably freeze over night.  Hopefully they'll all survive so eventually I'll have a colorful array of flowers.

I guess the one good thing about this crazy Wisconsin weather - the Fox Valley (Appleton / Green Bay area) is forecasted to get 8 - 10 inches of snow.  If nothing else, I may be able to pull my new snowshoes I bought at the end of the season out and head north to try them out. 

Yes, living in Wisconsin is an adventure and right now Mother Nature is playing a practical joke on us.  I say Bring on the Ice Age.

Renewal

Spring is always a time when we feel a sense of renewal.  After a long winter and little daylight or sun - longer days and the fresh look of spring plants making their way above ground makes us feel refreshed and new again. 

Longer days and more sunlight start to make us feel warm even when the thermometer still says it's in the upper 30's.  We break out the garden tools and start to ponder what to plant in our gardens this summer.  Visiting family and friends, taking vacations and having barbeques sound like a good excuse to break away from cleaning and/or working.   Soon a sense of excitement, the sound of laughter and music will fill the streets. 

After a few months of hibernating, working on my house, I know I'm looking forward to this.  How about you?  What are you looking forward to this summer?  Share your thoughts.

Spring Already?

Time for spring?  Maybe? 

Today I saw my first signs of spring in Milwaukee.  I found some plants peeking through the ground along the side of my house (on March 7) - seems a little early for that, but guess not.

It seems really weird since over the weekend I took the dogs hiking in Northern Kettle Moraine in the snow.  And then two days later there are spring plants.  I really have to wonder if the poor daffodil popped through the ground early.  It does sit under my dryer vent and along the side of the house that receives all the sun. 

But since I saw my first sign of spring - my thoughts are now changing from snow to what I can do in spring.  Time to bring back out the tent, sleeping bag, hiking boots, etc (although they never really were put away for the winter).  I'm ready to take the dogs on weekend getaways to the great outdoors.  Take a trip back to Utah and Colorado to visit some national parks, do some rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking.  And plan a trip out to the Northwest to do some backpacking in the mountains.  Ok, let spring come but as I already know, this is Wisconsin and winter will not give up easily.  I'm sure we'll see more snow yet. 

Yes, it's time for renewal and rejuvenation as we see all things new again.  Let spring come, turn the world green and enjoy the sunshine.

More Snow, More Snow, More Snow

Just when you think spring is on the way, well - guess again.  After the great blizzard of 2011 back on Groundhog's Day (which by the way was cancelled in Milwaukee) I think a lot of people thought we were done.  The weather warmed up and within two weeks we had temps in the 50's and could again see the grass in our yards. 

With only snow drifts and piles left - here we are again.  Starting last Sunday we had about 6 inches of snow in my neighborhood (nice, heavy wet snow).  Late that afternoon the sleet hit, then the rain, then the sleet and overnight another 4 inches or so of snow.  Now we have a day off (of snow that is) and tomorrow we'll get hit with more sleet and then snow with more snow on the way for the weekend.

I know I hear many people who wish this would go away and that spring would be on its way, but not me.  I love the snow - give me more, more and more snow.  What that really means is the hot, dog days of summer are still a ways off.  Like I've probably said before - Winter is the Best Season.  Why do I think that?

• No mosquitos
• No fighting for camp sites and no crowds
• You can add on layers in the winter, you can only take off so many in the summer
• Snow is beautiful and inspires creativity
• Winter hiking is the best
• do I need to go on?

If you can't imagine it - here's a few pictures of reasons why winter is the best season, enjoy.  And until next time, bring on the snow.



Peace and quiet - no one else in the woods.



Creativity = Using old leaves, twigs and plants to provide your snowman a mouth, eyes and even hair.



You can get the beach all to yourself - now crowds