Rock On

"Be A Little Boulder" at Perrot State Park

Found this rock at Perrot State Park Headquarters. To share in the fun we hid it atop the trail at John A. Latsch Park in Minnesota.















It was a difficult climb but we made the 300 plus steps up to the top. The "Be A Little Boulder" was then strategically placed under a bush just below a fantastic view of the Mississippi River.

Lots of steps up to the top of John A. Latsch Park

"Be A Little Boulder" waiting to be found under bush

Can you find the Rock in this picture!

After joining the Facebook page I found it has already been found by a fellow named Cameron who is now taking it up to the UP (Upper Michigan Pennisula).







Cameron found the rock the journey continues.

So this Little Boulder, we discovered, was originaly painted by Delores's daughter in New Orleans. Found next by Rachael who found it in N.O. then rehid in Wisconsin. Alas we found at Perrot State Park making it's way over to Minnesota.




Rock On! Little Boulder

Hail to Mother Nature

Area residents file their claims

The forces of weather have left their impact at Perrot State Park.

One week it was golf ball size hail the next week torrential rains.

Go figure we live in Wisconsin, a lush green valley with lots of rivers and lakes. Some campers found a few holes in screen tents or a cracked air vent while others got washed out by the weather and slept in their cars or found shelter elsewhere. Fortunately all woke up the next day to enjoy another day in the park.

It's always a good plan to be connected to weather alerts and know where to go if conditions demand seeking shelter. We have often found our selves listening to the weather and not even knowing the county they are talking about. I guess we just have to be more aware when setting down HaRVey's trailer jacks.

Some hiking trails were closed at the park but many remain open. If you haven't ever hiked the Bay Loop, Black Walnut or River View Trails then it's about time. All of the trails in the park are unique and offer different views. Have you seen the effigy mound, the little cottage adjacent to the park campground or the rock shelter. It's time to get to know all the trails at Perrot.

Be sure to respect closed signs as work crews will be removing trees and rebuilding trails in the days to come.

It Takes aTown

Prairie walk at Holland Sand Prairie

The Town of Holland, located about half way between La Crosse and Perrot State Park, looks like any developing suburb in a rural setting. As families invade the country side they bring with them the seeds of change. The newly disturbed landscape tends to sprout new business opportunities.

Prairie Cinquefoil

The newly transplanted inhabitants of the township had the foresight to stop and see the special place they called home. The last remnant of a dry sand prairie existed in their neighborhood. Since it was too dry to attract farming it remain untouched until developers imagined a strip mall would please the new neighbors. Local folks organised, appealed, collaborated and put forth their own tax dollars to save what is now called Holland Sand Prairie.

Clustered Poppy Mallow

This is the last sizable sand prairie remnant between Trempealeau and Prairie du Chien. The land referred to as the Mississippi River sand terrace also includes rare geological dunes created by windswept sands over thousands of years. With over 150 native plants the 60+ acres was designated as a State Natural Area in 2017. A real treasure now protected.

Curly Milkweed

Thanks to the following organizations you can enjoy another guided prairie walk Saturday, August 26 at 10am.

Friends of Holland Sand Prairie www.hollandsandprairie.org
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org
Prairie Entusiasts
www.theprairieenthusiasts.org
and of course the Wisconsin DNR







I'm looking forward to finally catch Goat's rue, Silky prairie clover and Missouri goldenrod in future blooms.