Governor Dodge State Park

The Driftless Area along the Highway 151 corridor between Madison and Dubuque contains some of the state's most beautiful landscape. Meandering creeks flow through the bottom of rolling hills flanked by rock outcroppings and ancient oaks, while moist summer heat radiates off prairie grasses, releasing their sweet fragrance into the breeze. Fields of crops throw their geometric patterns across hills and valleys while herds of cows congregate beneath the wide oaks in search of shade while grazing along the steep ravines. The quaint towns that pop up at intervals along this stretch of highway - Mount Horeb, Ridgeway, Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Platteville - all offer their own unique shops and markets reflecting quintessential "Americana" where time seems to slow down.

I had the pleasure of exploring Governor Dodge State Park near Dodgeville this past weekend and was completely blown away by the sheer size of this park! There are over 5,000 acres to explore as well as two lakes and miles of scenic hiking trails. Since I'm always on the lookout for "dog-friendly" places, I'm happy to report that this park gets my Pet Friendly Approval award. Upon arrival, the attendant at the ranger station was very helpful in pointing out the two dog beach/picnic areas on the park map they provided and a couple of the rangers even came over to the car window to pet Charlie and wish us a fun time at the park - a very nice welcome!

We began at the Enee Point picnic area where the trail head for the Pine Cliff Trail is located. This was a heavily wooded hike with steep grades and rocky terrain. Entering the trail was like walking into a jungle: waist-high ferns and plants, a crystal-clear creek flowing beneath a wooden bridge, and echoes of bird calls bouncing off the huge moss-covered rock wall rising out of the ground next to the trail. Surreal!

We walked up a steep log staircase to a sandstone arch where water ran down in a tiny waterfall.

 

We took the additional 2-mile self-guided loop along the cliff above Cox Hollow Lake that offers terrific views of the lake - although a little hard to see through the thick summer foliage. As the trail winds down the hillside, eventually following along the shoreline of the lake, we encountered several logs and trees that had fallen across the trail and had to scramble over them. Most of them looked like they had been there for quite awhile, so perhaps this just adds an element of challenge to the trail! Charlie was able to take a quick swim break in Cox Hollow Lake before we back-tracked the trail to the parking lot at Enee Point.

The temperature was climbing steadily and humidity was causing a haze in the distance; I was glad we had gotten an early start. We took a break from hiking and went for a drive through the park to investigate the pet beach area and stop at the concession stand for lunch. Surprisingly, the concession stand was more like a tiny grocery store with a good selection of hot foods and drinks. There were hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, nachos, ice cream, candy, chips, soda, bread, milk, yogurt, ice, coffee, slushies and t-shirts/souvenirs. They also have boat rentals - canoe, kayak, pedal boats - and dogs are allowed on the rental boats!

Like I said, very dog-friendly.

After lunch, we walked down to the dog swim area where Charlie got to frolic with a bunch of other dogs. The water was clear and the sand was soft - what else could you ask for! The dog beach is adjacent to the regular beach and each area is well-marked with signs so you know where to go. In addition, there are picnic tables and a nice grassy area for pet parents to relax and enjoy the beach with their fur-kids. Dogs are allowed off-leash while in the water.

We continued our exploration with a drive through the campgrounds and I was astounded to find there were available campsites on this big 4th of July weekend! It's nice to know that even on a busy weekend, you would be able to find a spot. There are two separate campgrounds at this park with a total of 269 individual sites. And if you happen to be a horse enthusiast, you can bring your horse to enjoy the horse trail system and camp at your very own horse-designated camp area! There are also six backpack campsites.

The scenic drive continued to the pet beach at Twin Valley Lake where there were far less people than at the Cox Hollow Lake; apparently most people drive to the nearest lake rather than driving all the way to the back of the park. As the temperature continued to climb on this hot summer day, Charlie was happy to swim off-leash and explore the shoreline. This pet beach, like the first one, is located adjacent to the regular swim/picnic area - just follow the signs indicating the dog areas.

We had time to check out one more trail for the day, and since it was getting so hot, I decided that Stephens Falls hiking trail would be the most appropriate. The steep staircase with rock steps leads you down to the water where you can feel the temperature drop as you get closer to the falls. The sound is mesmerizing!

Charlie was pulling very hard on her leash to get down to the falls as fast as possible! Not only was the water drawing her in, but there were kids playing in the falls and Charlie loves kids!

There is so much to see and do at this park that it's impossible to accomplish all in one day. The variety of terrain and thousands of acres will provide endless exploration! Governor Dodge State Park is truly unique and a must-see if you are passing through this part of our beautiful state.

If you liked this post, you might want to check out my more recent post from December 2015... Driftless Region + Governor Dodge State Park.

Conditioning Hikes: Rib Mountain State Park & Sylvan Hill Park

As Charlie mentioned in her last letter to Dudley, we've been doing a bunch of conditioning lately, working up our endurance for longer trail hikes to come. Since I think I've mentioned a few times previously that I work a regular day-job Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm, this leaves us with little time to hike during the week. Our long hikes that require travel time are reserved for weekends only. So we've "resorted" to training on the trails available within the Wausau area... and I say "resorted" as a kind of joke since Wausau is full of some pretty awesome trails!

Currently we've been alternating between Sylvan Hill Park and Rib Mountain State Park. Both have their own particular challenges and pack a great workout in very little time. Rib Mountain offers a total aerobic workout as we traverse the rock-strewn terrain up and down the top of the mountain - and the view isn't bad either. Honestly I just love the rocky trails! This park has so much to offer that I'll have to reserve an entire blog post to cover it all.

Sylvan is very wooded with little spring-fed streams running down the hillside, giving us some wet/muddy terrain. The cross-country ski trails switch back and forth across the hillside providing a good aerobic workout. And although the trail is pretty wide and flat, there are still rocks and roots to add a little challenge. Charlie is constantly on alert watching for deer and squirrels in the woods and her hiking efforts are often rewarded with a quick swim in Jim Moore Creek at the bottom of the hill.

We've adjusted to dealing with the mosquitoes but have noticed the biting flies are starting to emerge; just another challenge to conquer. I met a man wearing a "Bug Shirt" at a park last weekend and immediately got online to order one for myself - I can't wait to try it out! (Watch for a product review once it arrives!). We have some pretty exciting trail trips coming up that I just can't wait to share with you.

*All photos were taken at Sylvan Hill Park.

 

 

Got any good tips on "conditioning" hiking spots in Wisconsin? Where do you go to get fit in the outdoors?

 



Ice Age Trail - Grandfather Falls, Part 2

I took my own advice and headed into the woods this weekend. I sat on a rock, listened to the wind in the tree branches along with the roar of the nearby falls, and let nature center my spirit. The terrain was all new to me since the last time I was here there was 2 feet of snow covering everything. Rocks, tree roots and leaf debris, combined with dampness from the recent snow-melt and rains made traversing the narrow trail difficult in some areas.

We quickly covered the previously hiked section of trail and were excited to explore the next section above the dam at Grandfather Falls. Having studied the map and trail description from the Ice Age Trail Companion Guide, I was better equipped with the knowledge of where to go. After reaching the dam and crossing the parking lot, I had a little trouble figuring out where the trail was, and then I spotted a narrow stone staircase.

We walked through a brief wooded area and out into the open fields of the hydroelectric plant. This area is immersed in history - all the way back to the Ice Age - and I paused to absorb it all. The logging industry has been a huge part of this landscape dating back to the late 1800's and it's also the site of the Wisconsin Conservation Corps Camp McCord from the 1930's. I was most looking forward to seeing the wood-banded pipelines that carry water down hundreds of yards from a man-made reservoir upriver. The Ice Age Trail Companion Guide describes the "fascinating tubular fountain effect" made by hundreds of small leaks occurring at knotholes in the wood. Amazingly, wood was used for these pipelines because it doesn't corrode or rot under the constant water pressure. I was completely in awe; these tubes were MUCH larger than I had imagined! 

Next up were the 1.8-billion-year-old boulders at Grandfather Falls. If you sit on one of these rocks and think about how old it is, you really begin to appreciate the grandness around you. And also how "small" your lifetime is in comparison. It's a humbling experience.

The trail became quite challenging from this point on. Tree roots wove themselves around the rocks and at times, the rocks and boulders took over the trail so much that I needed to find the yellow rectangles on trees to make sure I was still on the trail.

The trail is beautiful and very remote. I felt like I was the only one out there, although I did pass fisherman along the shore a few times. It's difficult to hear much of anything except the falls roaring alongside the trail. We experienced just about every type of weather on this day and I was grateful to be wearing my winter coat and earmuffs. One minute there would be smurf-blue skies with fluffy white clouds, then with no warning the skies would turn steel-gray with 40 mile-per-hour wind gusts. There would be sunshine one minute, and then it would start snowing. All I can say is, welcome to Wisconsin! And be prepared for any weather conditions on the trail.

The landscape and rock formations are truly magical. I wanted to continue on, but Charlie was showing signs of crabbiness due to being overly tired, so we headed back. I'm looking forward to hiking this trail and the next segment, Turtle Rock Segment, without my dog along. While I know the exercise and fresh air are good for her, I don't get to fully relax when I'm worried about bear and wolves attacking her. Plus, she nearly scared the shit out of me when she got too close to the falls where I thought she might decide to go for a swim. Next time will be just for me.

Amazingly, on our way back, we ran into the same man that we met the first time we hiked the trail back in February. I told him I'd taken his advice and hiked up past the dam where he had told me the landscape was just beautiful. He had hoped that the spring wildflowers would be in bloom this weekend, as they have been on past Mother's Day weekends, but the late winter has delayed them. He recommended coming back in a couple of weeks to see the flowers. I'm pretty sure I will.

Rib Mountain State Park

I went to look at a house for sale today - possibly wishful thinking - and decided to head up to Rib Mountain State Park since we were in the neighborhood. Tons of people were walking up the pedestrian trail along the road to the top - some with strollers, some with dogs, all of them with smiles! It's so nice to be out enjoying the warm weather finally!

You might be disappointed to find that I did not take any pictures of our hike today; I know I am. I had the camera along, but there was still ice and snow on much of the trail system, combined with the rocky terrain and having to keep Charlie on a leash, there was no way I could take pictures. Charlie was off-leash for quite a bit of our hike because it was just too difficult for me to hold the leash while trying not to slip or fall. But there were also parts of the trail where I was totally grateful I had the leash to hold onto and a dog strong enough to help pull me up! We had a great time and can't wait to go back when the snow is truly gone.

Charlie was surprisingly well-behaved staying on-leash which leads me to believe she is finally out of her bratty "teenage" puppy years and has become a well-behaved best friend. Looking forward to many more happy hikes this summer!

Good vs. Perfect

I'm a fan of Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness Project website. One of her Secrets of Adulthood, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good," rings so true for me. Just last week I realized that I had stopped taking my daily vitamin and as a result I'm dealing with a cold. Don't get me wrong, I have no proof that lack of vitamins can make it easier for someone to get sick, but that's my theory in this instance.

I forgot to take my multi-vitamin for a couple of days and then that continued for about a month. In my mind, since I wasn't taking it every day (the perfect) why bother taking it at all. But taking my vitamin on the days I remember (the good) is better than not at all. Right?

Anyway, I started thinking this is the case with hiking and walking (and exercise, in general) for most people. Because they can't commit to a daily schedule, they don't do it at all. When in reality, doing it when you can is better than not at all. And even if the weather isn't all that great or you can't think of a good destination to walk towards, just the motion of your footsteps and focusing on your breaths can be healthy in so many ways.

Just head out your door and flip a coin ~ left or right ~ and keep walking. You don't have to pay attention to your surroundings if you don't want to (although if you really look, there is beauty all around you), just let your mind wander and de-clutter from the chaos of your day. Focus on the rhythm of your footsteps, take deep breaths... and after awhile you become relaxed and better able to see the world around you. Have you ever noticed that some of the chimneys on the houses in your neighborhood are really quite interesting? Pay attention to how light at different times of the day highlights architectural details of buildings that you've never really looked at.

The beauty of walking (and hiking) is that it forces you to slow down and increases your awareness of your surroundings. Houses and buildings that you typically zoom past in your vehicle all of a sudden have stained glass windows and hummingbirds in the flowers. Get out there and enjoy it; life is too short to miss this.

Definition of "Hiking"

According to the dusty, crumbling dictionary on my bookshelf, the definition of hiking is, "To go on an extended walk, especially for pleasure." That sounds about right to me. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes, go outside, and connect with the environment; listening to the world around me, aware of the sights and smells, and letting my mind wander and unwind. There are no rules, no special equipment needed, just get outside and go!