Along the IAT through Waukesha County, I crunched through prairies and forests over ice and snow. I found the promise of warmer days in the scent of soil thawing. I thrilled at spring's first Dutchman's Breeches. Rustic wooden bridges carried me over the scenic Bark and Oconomowoc Rivers as the leaves turned to gold. The IAT through Waukesha county presented its magesty in all seasons.
On a gray March morning, I parked at the UW Waukesha Field Station and stepped from my car to hear sandhill cranes for the first time this year. As I stepped from the car to hike the Waterville Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT), I noticed the signs. Unauthorized parking from sunset to sunrise is not permitted at the field station. Shortly after I began to hike, the sun slid over the horizon. Problem resolved. With the Glacial Drumlin trail and IAT meeting at the field station, the area at the field station tends to be very busy with dog walkers. I felt happy to head South to the IAT for a quieter walk.
