I crossed a line

 My GPS said, 
"You are now entering Iowa."

Well, I knew that, I was on my way to a State Park just over the border called Pike's Peak. Iowa's State Parks do no require a fee to enter. I don't know how they do that but I'd noticed on my map that it was almost directly across from Wyalusing State Park on the Wisconsin side.

If you can se that bump across the river, that was where I was standing in October, November, and January gazing out at the confluence of the Mississippi and the Wisconsin Rivers. 

I did a search of State Parks in my area and ended up with Pike's Peak which advertised a few really cool things to see. One being a few lookout areas over the rivers from 500 feet above them.

What better time to go exploring than on a slightly chilly day during the week. I'd left Charlie at home, he'd gone with me on Wednesday exploring the Reserve. I wanted to change things up and I let him have a recovery day while I got the low down on the State Park.

Dogs are welcome on a leash. So he can go next time. 

This was an expedition for me. I haven't gone this far from home for a hike or anything in more years than I can recall.

Across the rivers where that hump is in the distance is the Wyalusing State Park. In fact here is a long lens shot of the look out at Wyalusing. I was able to actually see the rock wall they put up for safety and the bench one can sit at and view Iowa.

Here is the shot of the Wyalusing Lookout with my long lens.

Photo of one of my grand kids in 2016 taking a photo at the Wyalusing Lookout.

I studied the map and then I decided to go ahead and follow the well marked trails and explore.

There is a really nice walkway that was built so that people wouldn't end up going on the bluff and falling 500 feet.

Going down.

Looking back up.

Bridal's Veil Falls

Overlooking the gorge.

Apparently during the summer and also during the frigid weather, this is spectacular. It still was worth the hike there and to listen to the sound of the water flowing.

This area is very steep and has built in wooden stairs with a railing to help going up and down in this section.

For most of the rest of the hike, I just followed the Hickory Ridge Mound trail to the end and circled back to join up with the Weeping Rock Trail to the parking area. 

The clouds started moving in and the temps started to drop so I decided to eat my snack and put this down for a revisit on another day. This map below is just a small part of this park.

For a point of interest. The Hickory Ridge Mound Trail circles burial mounds and one of them is in the shape of a bear if seen from 40 feet up. I would have loved to have seen that.

As you can see from the map below, there is a lot more to explore. This is the northern half of this park.

There will be quite a bit more to see this year. I've added one more State Park that is only an hour from my house. 
There are 4 that I've visited so far. There are 3 more within decent driving distance on either side of the river to explore. This doesn't include the numerous State Natural Areas that dot this part of Wisconsin.

The line I crossed was different this time. This is the first time I've gone off to a place that was not only in another state [yes we have close borders] but it felt like I broke through something that had been holding me back for so many years.

It was an overwhelming sense of freedom -- intense joy -- intense anxiety -- and intense sense of well being and peace. 

I chose where to go, what to do, and had no worries about time constraints. 

Holding onto that feeling has felt very good. Sure, it will fade. But for the moment, I'll take it.

"You are now entering Iowa" changed everything. Such a simple and strange way for it to happen.

I say.

Go for it