Hiking the Two Rivers Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a crisp, sunny December morning, I hiked the Two Rivers Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) in Manitowoc County. This segment provides an easy 3 mile stroll through town with plenty to see and do along the way. The Two Rivers segment of the IAT passes through residential areas, the historic downtown, and along the waterfront passing historic sites, shops, restaurants, bars and views of scenic waterways.

Together in the BWCA

With the Northern Minnesota drought, along with Canadian and Northern Minnesota wildfires and the uptick in Covid19 cases filling the news, BWCA enthusiasts' discussions in online forums had become concerning. Heading up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) for our family's 2021 canoe trip we talked about all we'd  read. Would we come home to find our daughter's school closed again due to the pandemic? Would the water on our route be too low? Rather than paddling small rivers would we be slogging through mud and climbing over rocks with extra carryovers? Would wildfires cut our trip short? 

The Dunes Segment of the Ice Age Trail

 

Want an easy fall hike along a wooded footpath near the amenities of a trail town? The Dunes Dunes Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) provides exactly that. The Dunes Segment is a fairly flat, short 2.7 miles (4.3 km). Starting from the Mariner's Trail, the Dunes Segment crosses Highway 42 (Memorial Drive) and heads towards the Aurora Medical Center. The IAT nearly circles the complex, then follows a footpath through the Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve. I enjoyed my time admiring the gold and red autumn colors along the Dunes Segment of the IAT on an idyllic, crisp fall day.

Hiking the Manitowoc Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The iconic Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) experience includes walks through picturesque trail towns. As a hiker fond of quiet places and solitude, I avoided the Manitowoc Segment for a time in favor of forested footpaths and road walks through the countryside. Finally, on a cold, clear October morning, I walked the 7.5 mile (km) Manitowoc Segment of the IAT. What a surprise! 

Hiking the Deerfield Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a late September morning I hiked the Deerfield Segment of the Ice Age Trail (IAT) in Waushara County, Wisconsin. I parked in the sandy IAT trail head parking lot about 0.2 miles from the trailhead kiosk on Beechnut drive and took the white-blazed loop trail over to the IAT trailhead. 

May 2021 Wildflower Canoe Trip in the Sylvania Wilderness

Setting off for four days in the Sylvania Wilderness, my husband looked forward to retesting our gear set, our daughter hoped for a cell signal, and I dreamed of spotting spring wildflowers after a long winter of bare trees and dull coloration. We drove to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and stopped view Burned Dam Falls before entering the wilderness. Burned Dam Falls proved to be home to several wildflower species and I grew excited thinking about what I might see in the wilderness.

2020 July Family Trip to Whitefish Lake in the Sylvania Wilderness

Capturing our precious family canoe tripping memories is one of my favorite things to do. As working parents know, finding the time to do the things we want to do isn't always easy. I feel rather anxious finding myself here in June 2021, recording the events of July 2020. But the memories are precious and few due to my having only a sparse allotment of vacation time. Although I come to the party late, I am glad I made it.