Watching Goslings on our First Canoe Trip of 2020

With limited dispersed camping areas open in Wisconsin due to the Covid19 pandemic, we set off for a  closer-to-home destination. We went on a rainy spring day thinking the Turtle Flambeau Flowage would not be busy until Memorial Weekend. On the way, we saw other cars carrying canoes. As one sped by, I said to my husband, "Look they're racing you, they're trying to beat you to the campsite." We laughed, in a state with so much water, they could be headed anywhere. Imagine our surprise when we got to the landing and there they were, putting their boats. And yes, they did beat us to the first open campsite, although it wasn't a race and we were looking to go further in.

Watching the Boats Go By on a Canoe Trip for Two in the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

The Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area offers remote camping on campsites accessible only by water. Located in Northern Wisconsin near Mercer, the flowage offers fishing, boating, and paddling. On a stormy Friday night in July, we headed north. Traffic pulled to the side of the road from time to time due to poor visibility. Wind churned the dark clouds. We wondered how the weather would be spending this night in our tent.

Hiking the Bohn Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail, Along with the Connecting Routes to the Deerfield and Greenwood Segments

Layered up and ready to go, I hiked the Bohn Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) and the neighboring connecting routes on a windy 12°F (-11°C) February morning. The Bohn Lake Segment of the IAT is 1.8 miles in length, bookended by short connecting routes on either end. To the northeast the connecting route carriers the hiker 1.8 miles to the Deerfield Segment of the IAT, and to the south the connecting route carries the hiker one mile to the Greenwood Segment of the IAT.

July 2019 Sylvania Wilderness Canoe Trip

Cold snowy days are great times for reminiscing about summer days gone by. Our 2019 four day canoe trip to celebrate the 4th of July seems so long ago.  It is funny how in hindsight the first things I remember are the warm sunny swim days, little fish jumping to eat mosquitoes, and the excitement of watching a porcupine visiting our campsite and climb trees. It is only after looking through the old videos and photographs that I recall the swarming mosquitoes, or the storm that came out of nowhere and turned out campsite into mud puddles.

Hiking the Connecting Route between the Walla Hi and Manitowoc Segments of the Ice Age Trail

Footpaths through the prairies, wetlands and forests of Wisconsin beat road-walking most times in my book. I typically like to avoid fast moving cars and narrow shoulders - with one exception. Deer hunting season becomes road-walking season for me, and for many an Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) hiker. When walking connecting routes along the IAT during deer gun season, it is not unusual to hear gunshots, see deer dashing across country roads, and to feel great relief to be on road rather than on trail. In fact, many segments of the IAT are closed during deer gun season. It is in this spirit I road-walked between the Walla Hi and Manitowoc Segments of the IAT.

Hiking the Walla Hi Segement of the Ice Age Trail

With snow underfoot and clouds in the sky, I headed past the wooden Walla Hi County Park Sign and began the short 1.9 mile Walla Hi Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). The Walla Hi County Park, east of Kiel, Wisconsin in Manitowoc County, is a small, pleasantly hilly park with hiking and equestrian trails. I zig-zagged south along the trail for about a half mile heading lower, until I reached a charming covered bridge.

Hiking the Connecting Route between the Walla Hi and LaBudde Segments of the Ice Age Trail

On a cloudy November morning, cold and a nearly colorless gray, I settled for a road walk to avoid the deer hunters on trail. Walking briskly to keep warm, I walked the the rural 5.3 mile (8.5km) connecting route between the LaBudde Creek and Walla Hi Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). Other than the brief crossing of busy Wisconsin Highway 32 / 57, the route meandered through towns not large enough to be easily recognized as towns.