Wyalusing. Knocking off another two trails.

When I did get home on Thursday morning my furred friends were very annoyed that I'd left without them. I did chores and decided that the yard wasn't shaggy enough and other indoor things could wait until I couldn't be outside.

We headed to Wyalusing State Park to chip away at two more trails that I/we haven't done. 

I wanted to go and do the southern trails called Mississippi Ridge Trail and see the Cathedral Tree Drive/Trail.

I'll have to do the Sugar Maple Trail without dogs as they are not allowed in the Pictured Rocks area.

The Mississippi Ridge Trail was pleasant and tree covered. It was actually a pretty wide trail that meandered through the forest. It was wide and not difficult like many of the other trails. When I checked the map it made sense, it is a biking/hiking trail. In the winter the trail is groomed for x-country skiing.

One has to pay attention to the trail usage come winter. Snowshoes are not allowed on ski trails nor is hiking. [unless of course ... there is no snow...]

That aside, it was a pleasant but rather undemanding trail.

It was pretty, it was easy, and the dogs had the best time enjoying the hike.

I'd driven down the Cathedral Tree Dr to park at the picnic area and make the loop. The plan was to walk down the mile and a half tree lined drive and enjoy the light and shadows along the way. 

Boy, was it ever gorgeous. We didn't hurry, we dawdled along [Okay, I made the dogs dawdle because I held the leashes!]. 

There sure is something about a trail or a road that twists through a tree lined forest in the fall. The two photos below look like they are the same part of the road.

They aren't. I just must have loved the same curvature I saw.

I must really like roads that curve to the right? Right?

We really took our time. It is unreal to feel 'unrushed' these days. For so many years any adventures or hikes I went on were on a 'time' limit. I had to be back to make something for hubby or check on him. I still went, but I rushed always.

It feels very strange to take my time and not worry. It seems that my previous life had been on a tight schedule. I am discovering the freedom of doing things on my own time.

A predawn morning on a bluff to start the day and a relaxing afternoon hike with the dogs for the late afternoon.

We saw one truck on the Cathedral Tree Drive and that was it. Of course having the ability to go hiking in the middle of the week is an advantage to avoiding crowds.

Seeing the burial mounds along the way was unexpected. The Park keeps the burial mounds mowed and clean. 

The things one can learn while just hiking along.

We stopped at the picnic shelter and I forgot to take a shot of the sign explaining why the area was called Henneger Point. 

The area was named after Rick Henneger a DNR attorney who dedicated his career in securing thousands of acres for state conservation. 

I used to ignore the signs and the plaques I'd find, but now I find it interesting to see the history behind the places I hike.

We sat in the shade of the shelter and gazed down towards the Mississippi while we had snacks before heading home.

My supervisors in the back seat were silent. I think that meant they were happy campers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next up?

Hannah and toilet paper. Honestly, it won't be what you think.

Tonight I am meeting up with the Mississippi Valley Conservancy to go on a 'star walk'. Those leading the hike will be talking about stars on this New Moon night hike.

See? 

I'm actually trying something I'd never would have done before.

Give me Fall

Well, at least this year!

I've had some amazing days and nights.

I climbed this bluff in the hour before sunrise. I brought coffee and sat down to enjoy the show. I couldn't think of a more perfect morning.

These shots were with my cell phone.

It obviously measures light and dark much differently.

The dogs were so happy when I came back home, I decided that they needed some adventuring also.  So I packed a bag and off we went to Wyalusing. 

Fall is fleeting and the day was perfect.

Grab the moments when you can is my new motto. 

So if I seem to be missing once in a while. ---->>

I assure you, I'm off trying to enjoy and explore as much 'Fall' and 'Autumn' as I can right now. Some things can wait. 

Life doesn't.

More Wet!

 and....

Sunshine is home! 

We got her home just before the rains started. 

Oh and after greetings with her sister, Sunshine settled in as the boss of the tiny herd. I guess the others have been missing her leadership. 

They follow her where ever she goes.

Since it was pouring outside, I thought I'd try something different. I collected some leaves aa few pumpkins and set them on an old mirror I had.

I thought I'd try a reflection-Fall Decoration shot-with reflections.

Not all of the shots turned out, but I did get two that I kept. This was pretty fun to do and I think I could do better but just need to figure that out.

I thought I'd try a Garden Gargoyle with a pumpkin and a red leaf. So I tried two versions.

I made my own 'black box' to try this out also. A light underneath the characters and carboard to keep out the light. Some fallen flower petals from a flower...and...

👇😊

The rain let up and it was a light mist by noon. So I packed up a backpack. I'd been stuck inside for too many days. 

The dogs were not letting me out the door without them, they'd been stuck inside too. So off we went in a drizzle for an adventure.

And we had a good one.

Just as we got to this bluff the rain started coming down hard so I slipped on the poncho which covered my backpack and me all the way to my knees.

We waited out the heavy rain and then ventured out on the bluff.

The view

Here is a shot of the mist coming up out of the woods after the rain. This happens often in our steep valleys and hillsides because of the temperature difference inside the woods vs the air above.

My pals.

We got wet but surprisingly enough we didn't get muddy. We got to see the fall colors in their best light. In my opinion the best light is early morning, late afternoon, or an overcast day. But that is just me.

We got home and dried off. The drizzle kept on off an on. We ended up with about another inch of rain overall. 

This is the new header which replaces the summer view from the bluff.

Today, for the first time in what feels like forever, we have a clear and sunny sky and temps barely in the 40's.

Falling into Fall

September seems to be a great month of colors and moods that stretch through October. Fall is a fleeting time filled with shorter daylight hours and changing weather.

If you live in the Midwest I can safely say that most of us admire and 'chase' colors and light or at least do some Leaf Peeping.

When I was in the UP, the colors were already changing. I'd love to make more trips, but the drive is about 6 or more hours for me. 

I am happy with September here around our place. We have so many mornings that are fog filled.

Deep morning fog at the south pasture.

This was morning fog clearing from the east as the sun came over the ridge. I happened to point the camera towards the east and noticed I could get a shot of the leaves lit up by the sun. I moved slightly and got this instead.

The Orb Weavers are still at work in the large eastern meadow. The one small maple tree is there but turning bright colors.

What can I say, more meadow shots with ground fog. Some of the trees in the distance look like they are turning colors, some are and some are dying from the damage done by logging. Still, it is a pretty beautiful sight.

On Saturday before going hiking, I took Hannah to the Farmer's Market to work with her being calm around crowds. At first she was crazy- stupid -happy. Eventually, she sat next to me and watched people go by. On the way home to pick up Charlie, I took a detour down Tainter Hollow Road and was surprised at how different the colors of the trees are just a few miles away.
 

I normally don't go to the Reserve on a brilliant fall Saturday, that's generally when the place is full of people on the paved trail walking dogs and pushing strollers, and riding bicycles. 

In other areas, there is usually large groups of horseback riders so I just picked a trail that is not very popular.

It is rough, rocky, full of roots to trip on and steep.

Oh. And it is quite beautiful.

There are a couple of spots on the ridgetop that give you a view of the Kickapoo River Valley. The colors were simply beautiful.

Charlie was in great form. The temperature was under 70 F and he trotted right along as if he were in charge.

Our goal was Hanson's Rock Lookout. The log is set there for people to enjoy sitting and looking down on the valley. In an area not photographed, there is a highline for people with horses to tie up so they can take a breather and have a picnic or just enjoy the scenery.

The view:

We sat here, well, okay I sat on the log and the dogs explored scents. Below the outlook is a long and winding trail that is well used. We could hear a horse below us in the valley whinny and faintly hear someone saying something. 

It was 'treat' time. I had a granola bar and the dogs had treats and water from their collapsible bowl. Hannah was satisfied to hang out. Charlie started to whine. It is his way of saying, *Let's get moving!*

We explored and stopped often to look at things and they stopped often to sniff interesting scents. I only wish I could smell a portion of what they scent. It tells them so much about the world around them.

Oh yeah, Fall/Autumn is showing off her beauty. I do wish that it would stick around a bit longer than it really does.

Lots of Orange and chasing Fall

Can't sleep? 

3AM and the house is silent. Too quiet.

Since nothing else worked, I got up. 

I lit up two candles and then noticed the nice light that shone on the fall decorations. I couldn't help myself but to set up the camera and see if I could capture the orange light tossed off by the candles.

By the time the sun rose, I was ready for something else to do. Charlie and I decided to take a very early morning walk. This is where our driveway meets the ridgetop.

I spent the rest of the morning clearing burdock and making brush piles in the mule's winter pasture. I cannot believe how many burdock plants there are! 

This area can't be mowed as it is full of rocks and logs.

We decided to take a break and hike the Rockton Trail on the Reserve. Bright orange and yellow were the colors of the day. There are some bow hunters in parts of the Reserve, but they are usually not near any well used trails.

However, bright colors are best thing for hiking at this time of the year. 

I parked at the Rockton canoe landing and headed down the Old 131 trail which is paved. Actually, it should be called the Old County P trail. The northern part of the Old 131 trail [as it is named now], was actually a county road that met up with the old highway.

Any time there was a heavy rain the County Road was closed due to it being right next to the Kickapoo.

You can see that the trail had river water on it from Tuesday's rain.

The river. 

I was standing on the paved trail when I took this shot.

One thing most people miss while biking, hiking, or riding horses on this trail are the cold rock vents. These little bluffs have cracks and vents in them. On a warm day you can stand on the trail and feel the cold damp air coming from the rock face. I've walked up to the rocks and cooled off on hot days.

The loop I did stayed mostly on the Ho Chunk land which is open for public use. This covered bridge replaced the county road bridge over a small stream.

After the bridge, I followed the Indian Creek Trail to the second Ho Chunk bridge. This trail leaves the Old 131 Trail and used to be a secondary road also.

Charlie perked up once we got into the woods again.  This section was rather muddy and the little dog really got his little jacket full of mud splatters.

When I got back out on top of the ridge I came across a gent who just loaded up his Spring Spaniel. We talked about Pheasant Hunting, Quail, Deer, and dogs. He was also a Forester who helped people decided what trees should be taken and how to keep a forest producing. He had a lot to say about clear cutting and poor forest practices.

We probably talked for a half hour. 

When we finally got back to the Blue Beast, there was a mom and two grandma's loading kids into strollers for a walk on the paved trail.

I was done chasing colors and leaf peeping for the day. Brush piles waited for me at home as well as a Charlie bath.

Charlie did not like his bath.

Another beautiful fall day completed.