Gov Nelson SP 12/20/09

Sunday my friend Gina and I went on a winter hiking adventure at Governor Nelson State Park.  This park is virtually in the city of Madison, so it made for a very quick trip to check another one off the list.  If you are into cross country skiing, this is the Winter park for you.  If you are a boater then this is a good Park to launch your boat from on to Lake Mendota.

Gina's hair makes a surprise appearance in front of her face!

The little white dots on the edge of the ice are Snow Geese.  Lots of them!  

Wisconsin style Beach Party!

Yesterday I got the urge to check a few more parks off the list.  Is there a better way to spend a 30 degree day in Wisconsin than a BEACH PARTY?  I visited Fischer Creek State Recreation Area, Kohler-Andrae State Park (formerly Terry Andrae SP), and Harrington State Park.  All three are on the shore of Lake Michigan.

I was accompanied by my friend and co-worker Tera.  I bet she regrets the decision to come along! (just kidding!)  It was fun, but cold!  All three of these parks would be great for swimming in the summer.  Kohler-Andrae and Harrington offer large amounts of hiking trails.  Harrington was waaaay larger than I thought it would be, with camping areas, ski trails, a beach area, and a year-round park ranger.

Enjoy some pics!

This "conservation area" was recently bought by the state and is now a "state recreation area", but the old sign still remains.  I bet due to budget cutbacks. 

Catching some rays on the beach!

Almost got a bath trying to get this shot of neat ice build-up on the waters edge.

Miles of sandy beach and huge sand dunes!

Tera taking a break...

Only took the one picture at Harrington SP. 

It was getting late and we were cold and getting tired.  Harrington SP ended up being a "drive through", but I think that this one might get a second visit.  This park is very large, with an observatory (steel shed with a sign that said "observatory"), tons of camping, and lots of trails.

Three more off the list!

Sticker is on its way

I ordered my 2010 WI State Parks Sticker this weekend.  I hope to have it in the next week to 10 days.  I am not sure what the next park will be, but I might check out Heritage Hill in Green Bay for their Christmas celebration that goes on every Saturday in December.  It might be neat... Any volunteers to come along?  Let me know!

Mike

Rib Mountain and Council Grounds SP 11/28/09

A pic of me taking a self-pic courtesy of MFJ...

 

Did some rock climbing...

We were losing the sunlight, so we jumped into the Subaru and sped up to Council Grounds SP.  It is about 20 miles north of Rib Mountain SP in Merrill.

Kissing the Indian...

After I heard a very close by gun shot (still deer hunting season), I knew it was time to leave!

Copper Culture State Park 11/22/09

Started last week with Copper Culture State Park for three reasons.

1. No sticker required. (waiting until January for my sticker, since they are only good for a calendar year)

2. No hunting allowed. (don't want to get shot on opening weekend of deer hunting)

3. Close to home. (1 hour away)

Copper Culture SP. It is a burial ground for the oldest metal age society in Wisconsin. (7500 years ago!). Discovered in the 1950s by a 13 yo boy messing around at the local gravel quarry. The sign mis-states the name as Copper Culture Mounds SP (behind my fat head:)). Another sign explains that there are no mounds and there never was... it was just a sign maker's mistake! Oops!

The trails lead down to the Oconto River... Looks like a good fishing hole.

This is right ON the trail! Must be a biotch to walk the trail in summer... thankfully they were dormant today.

The house (now museum) was built in the 1920s. The Subaru that has seen MANY states in the last 2 years makes an appearance.

BEWARE!!! Read the sign. The "brown scars" on your skin can last for a few YEARS! Yikes!

So this was a small park that was a good start. Just a way to get my feet wet. Not sure where I am going next, but you can be sure that I will make a post about it.

Mike