Lo and Behold It Glowed

Some campers at Perrot State Park woke up in the middle of the night to find their campsite glowing. What would be your first response, radiation fallout, toxic waste, or a visit from the other side or other worlds.

You don't have to go far to see some of natures most beautiful events, this phenomenon was due to a luciferous fungi. It's so much fun to say.

There is said to be a white rot fungi found in decaying wood. When conditions are just right the luciferin causes light to be emitted.

A dark nights trip to the campsite and a moment to let your eyes adjust to the darkest and lo and behold it glowed. I tried to take a photo, silly me, the flash goes off and it's just ground scattered with wood chips. But actually it looked like the milky way covering the ground. Thousands of tiny speckles scattered around, their accumulation lighting up the earth.

I've seen the glow worms of New Zealand, the glowing lights of the Aurora Borealis, our summer fireflies and now I can say I've seen glowing fungus among us. Just had to say it that way. Still on my list is the bioluminescence of oceanic plankton that activates when you go swimming or kayaking. Love to know if you've seen some yourself and where?

Lotus

The Mississippi River can be quite exotic. During a venture out on our new boat we came across fields of Lotus. It kind of felt like we were on the Nile. I know I am a bit in denile since I've been craving a far away getaway, but as we rediscover our own backyard, we find it has some pretty cool locations.








This adventure took us out to Goose Island about 10 miles south of La Crosse, where we put into the backwaters of the Misissippi. We cruised around along the canoe trail and had a nice picnic lunch just floating in the middle of the river viewing the local flora and fauna.




The lotus plant really caught my eye on this trip. A symbol of purity and beauty in many cultures, the plant loves to grows in the muckiest, muddiest bottoms of slower and warmer waters. I'd say the mighty muddy Mississippi offers this member of the water lily family an ideal setting.

From the bottom of the river bed, the leaves and flowers lift themselves out of the water forming perfect, unsoiled pinkish petaled blooms. You can tell the difference from other water lilies since they lay on top of the water. Here in the photo the blooms are done but the seed pods remain.






My latest gourd inspiration features the lotus leaves and blooms plus a few frogs.

Note: I purchased my seed pods from a craft store since they are not suppose to be picked in nature.
 

S'More Fun

 Labor Day at Perrot State Park is filled with fun activities for the whole family. For the past 8 years they have been celebrating the last big weekend of summer with the S'More Extravaganza.

Note: Some Mores (S'Mores) date back a hundred years.  

Let the fun begin

On Sunday, hopefully after their dinner time, everyone gathers by the Nature Center to toast the end of the season.

Kids of all ages welcome

Fires are lit and the goodies are spread out (needing two eight foot tables) to begin the creative culinary assemblage of the perfect, most delicious s'more. Over 30 different items to make your sweet treat even sweeter.

Anticipation

Mmmm Chocolate graham crackers

Have you ever tried oatmeal cookies instead of graham crackers? Or a peanutbutter cup instead of just plain chocolate. This is not an activity for marshmallow purists. You can even try fruity flavored marshmallows.

Caramel layering

Of course you can't eat just one, because the choices are calling everyone back to the table to see if they missed the sprinkles, frosting, a layer of caramel or even a little European twist with some Nutella.










Thanks to the Friends of Perrot, who sponsor the Nature Center events at Perrot State Park for another wonderful summer.











Check out the latest in t-shirts offered for sale. From kids to Adults 2X Love that they glow in the dark. Sales of shirts go towards the Friends activities.

Last Days of Summer

Trempealeau Hotel Bands Stage

As summers end draws near the efforts of gardeners are at their peak.

Here's a peek at the gardens of Trempealeau that welcome you as you arrive at Perrot State Park.


Elephant Ears

Fun Statues

Village Street Containers

Inn on the River Display



Morning Glories









Flowers Everywhere



Local Natural Garden

Trumpets on Telephone Pole

Rock Art

Tiered Gardening

Tall Displays

Widowers

This may be the most difficult blog I've done so far. I can't use any photos, I can't look up cool information on the internet to share, and I can't document the moment with a picture.

I saw at Perrot State Park a Black Widow Spider. It just gives me the creepy crawlies saying it. Fortunately it was dead. It does however make me wonder what in the world killed it. Should I be more afraid of its predator. Or did the spiders husband figure out what was coming and did her in before she was finished with him.

Whatever the case may be I have a fear of spiders. I know they are beneficial to the environment, eating many other insects, but my anachraphobia kicks in when ever I see one. (I know I spelled it wrong but I can't look it up without the possibility of a photo also popping up.)

It can be somewhat debilitating since I like the outdoors and gardening. It makes a big difference if I see one outside rather than inside an enclosed space. So vault toilets are out of the question.

I have an exterminator on speed dial and routine treatments for my home and even HaRVey the RV.

If my husband had the same affliction we probably wouldn't have gotten married, since we need one brave person in the house.

So please if you're tempted to post a picture on facebook to share how cool you think you spider looks, remember me when I scroll to your post, because my phone will go flying into the air and wherever it lands it stay until my husband can recover it for me or until the battery runs out. 

Your attention to this matter is appreciated.

Bon Voyage

Prairie Boat Landing

We now have water access. With all the waterways in the area it's great to be back slinking around the sloughs. My husband bought another blow up boat. I know you're thinking a toy boat. This one is actually powered by an electric motor and comfortable for the two of us.

Boat Launch

We had a nice morning on our first trip out together launching at Brice's Prairie landing into the back waters of Lake Onalaska.

Dragon Fly

Here's a few pictures of the area and local birds and other winged things.

It's a bit challenging taking photos when your moving in a boat.





The biggest benefit of this blow up boat is its portability. We can still pack it up in the truck when we take out HaRVey the RV.







the Captain

Heron

Very Comfortable

Archaeology in Trempealeau