Family Fun in Camp at the Long Lake Recreation Area in the Northern Unit of Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest

Our family had a glorious fall weekend camping at the Long Lake Recreation Area (LLRA) in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. We arrived to a warm, sunny afternoon which cooled quickly when night fell. Owls sung us to sleep and serenaded us again in the morning. 

Blue Spring Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Greeted by cold stillness, I headed up the Blue Spring Lake Segment of Ice Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) early one cold January morning. Just when I felt enveloped by silence, the hoot of an owl startled me raising my heart rate to about double. No matter how many hikes and camping trips I take, I don't ever seem to lose my jumpiness at sounds in the darkness.

Blackhawk Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Bundled up in a down parka and fleece, I headed out on a cold January morning to explore the Blackhawk Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. After parking at the Highway 12 trail head near Whitewater Wisconsin, I headed down towards Lake La Grange where the trail opened up through a relatively open area. I put on Yak Trax over water proof trail runners and used trekking poles to prevent falling on the hard-packed ice.

Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Looked forward all week to the weekend photographing the scenic vistas along the Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). Thought I'd get some excellent sunrise photos, and arrived early to make it happen. As things go, the weather had other ideas. Overcast skies made for a gray morning. That said, this lovely stretch of trail thrills the senses even on the grayest of days.

Connecting Route between the Clover Valley Segment and Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a glorious, sunny December day, I hiked the connecting route between the Clover Valley and Whitewater Lake Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This connecting route runs 5 miles (8 km) through Walworth County near Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Camping at the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest

The Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, is located on Wisconsin State Highway 60 between Slinger and Hartland, Wisconsin. The park offers a beach, bike trails, camping, and plenty of hiking trails including the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. After another 5-day work week within this lengthy holiday-free span between New Year's Day and Memorial day, we packed up and headed out. We stopped in Hartland on our way into the park for a Cousins sub.