Hiking the Kewaunee Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The Kewaunee River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) follows a portion of the  crushed limestone Ahnapee StateTtrail along the Kewaunee River from Harold Ruckelberg Park in Casco Junction to Kewaunee. The multiuse Ahnapee State Trail is does not require the purchase of a trail pass. I hiked a portion of the Kewaunee River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) on a cold winter day and returned on a warm May day to finish. 

Hiking the Plover River Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The Plover River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) offers a 5.9 mile (9.5 km) forested hike with manageable hills, swampy low lying areas filled with small boulders, and gorgeous views of the peaceful Plover River. Hiking this segment in late November offered my husband and me bug-free conditions in the swampy areas. That said, extra care is a must when hiking this segment during the snow season due to hard-packed ice and snow on boardwalks, rocks and slippery hills.

Hiking the Sturgeon Bay Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The majority of the Sturgeon Bay Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) overlaps with the Ahnappee State Trail. Starting near the corner of County Road H and State Highway 42 in Maplewood, the trail heads northeast on a raised railway bed that has been converted to a multiuse trail. A swamp lines this raised railbed and is a good viewing spot for deer and water birds. This segment of the IAT is a favorite of mine.

Hiking the Tisch Mills Segment of the Ice Age Trail

 

A small brown sign on a hill overlooking County Highway B marks the southern terminus of the Tisch Mills Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic trail. On a windy April morning, I headed up the grassy hill from County Highway B onto the trail. I nearly missed the small trail sign, as it is on a hill up off the road and follows private property along the edge of a farm field. When you do this segment, keep your eyes open!

Hiking the Mishicot Segment and the East Twin River Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a windy February morning, I hiked the Mishicot and East Twin River Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) and the connecting route that links the segments. With piercing wind gust up to 39 miles per hour, I put on a balaclava and pulled a large rain jacket over my fleece as a wind shell. After cinching up the hood of the rain jacket around my balaclava, I began the hike.

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. 

Three Spring Weekends

Spring's arrival sets our family off in celebration with a flurry of outdoor activities. Springtime in Wisconsin brings surprises. Blizzards bring deep snow, the sun warms the air from below freezing to beach-warm, sometimes within a 24 hour period. Don't like the weather? Wait 5 minutes!

Dehydrating Meats, Veggies, and Easy Entrees for Outdoor Adventures

Want to cut back on weight in your pack while increasing the nutrition and protein in your trail meals over that of store bought freeze dried foods? Dehydrating your own foods at home can be the solution you are looking for. In this post I'll provide you a list of tips for success and three videos on how to dehydrate meats, veggies, sauces and entrees for the trail. Once you understand the system, you can put together many of your own great meals for outdoor adventures!

Fall 2017 Family Backpacking Trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

On our 3 day family backpacking trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, we backpacked 18.2 miles (29.3 km) through rain and sun. We marveled at red and gold maples, and majestic views of Lake Superior. We camped at the busy Beaver Creek and quieter Seven Mile Creek backcountry campsites. Squirrels and chipmunks greeted us at every turn, begging for handouts. Even birds came by looking for a few crumbs. We played on the beach by day, and by night slept soundly in the cool autumn air. Time passed much too quickly.

Reflections on 2015

So much changes in a year, and so much stays the same. Jobs and people come and go out of our lives, but our wild places, our places of beauty and solitude, remain. With so many truly beautiful outdoor spaces to be thankful for, many of them close to home, I feel blessed. It is my hope that by sharing my love of these places, others will come to love them as well, leading to their preservation for future generations.

Hiking the Hartman Creek Segment of the IAT and Canoeing the Waupaca Chain O' Lakes while Camping at Hartman Creek State Park

Hartman Creek State Park is the perfect launch point for hiking the Hartman Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail and canoeing on the Waupaca Chain O' Lakes. The park is located west of Waupaca on Hartman Creek Road, south of State Highway 54 and north of State Highway 22. Arriving just after dark on a Friday evening, we set up camp looking forward to a weekend of outdoor fun.

Yaktrax for the Casual Hiker Updated

I love to wear my waterproof trail runners for as many months of the year as possible. Their comfort can't be beat. They keep my feet as warm as boots, perhaps because they're waterproof. Unfortunately, they quickly lose traction on hard packed ice and snow.

Go Light, but Don’t Go Crazy – Mama’s Lightweight Philosophy Updated

Go light, but don’t go crazy. My lightweight hiking philosophy in a nutshell. My younger self thought of the wilderness as an escape. Yet I dragged along enough stuff from home, that the escape became a 50 lb. (23 kg) burden on my back. My back ached while hiking. The weight threw me off balance on river crossings. It put unnecessary wear and tear on my knees.