Ready, Set, Burn

Today at Perrot State Park I had a chance to see part of a prescribed burn. I know it benefits the woods but my heart still raced as I saw the smoke appear and then the flames.




















Prescribed burns are really well controlled and needed since we suppress wildfires. The area around Perrot Ridge was the target and should rebound with beautiful native blooms by next year and helps reduce invasive species.
















I had this image of animals racing out of the woods to escape but the fire goes fast and they just have to hide out for a few moments or fly away as the case maybe.











The area was prepped for several days creating barriers and removing extra debris. Closed signs are put up and then the team with the Burn Boss begins the process.







 
 






Time for a different kind of water break.
















Enjoy the video for the sound of the fire.

Happy Earthday

Beautiful Bakery for BBBB

It finally felt like spring with temperatures in the 50's. For Earthday we had a chance to get out, and enjoy some of the best of our community events.

 

Bakery Sale Fundraiser by the Beer By Bike Brigade (BBBB)

at Myrick park shelter. Delicacies were going fast as the event started at 9am and before 10am items like baklava were sold out.

Happy Bakery gets to go home early. Sold Out

Spring Eggrolls, the right season

Then it was off to the Hmoob Cultural and Commmunity Centers Spring Eggroll Sale. Freshly made pork or vegetarian rolls at 12 for $15.

They even have a place to sit and delve in before your ride home. They freeze well if you have any left. Hopefully 2 dozen will satisfy us until next falls event.

Minnesota view of Perrot State Park

We ventured up river to Winona with a few stops along the way to get the other view of Trempealeau Mountain and Perrot State Park.

Zooming in on Brady's Bluff

Zooming in you can just barely see a couple at the top of Brady's Bluff. A great day for a hike.

 



Ice falls along Hwy 61



As the snow melts so does natures ice sculptures along highway 61. Always a favorite site during the winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



MN Marine Art Museum



 

 

A free Saturday talk by artist Thomas Paquette at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

His work from a three year project include scenes of the Mississippi River from it's beginning to end. There's a book about his work but it doesn't do it justice.














Beautiful oil paintings with a lot of palette knife work and textured layers. I fell in love with all of his work so I strongly suggest stopping by. The show just opened. 

Painting-View from Buena Vista Overlook by Alma, WI

 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 A stop at Jefferson's Pub and Grill in Winona for my favorite treat, a Bloody Mary.

 

It's located along the riverfront in Winona but alas no direct views of the Mississippi.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The return home wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Caught a fish with my camera surfacing near the observation deck. He was really quite big, maybe a catfish.


I think will have to finish off the day by grilling some salmon.



Ready, Set, Snow??

Snow

Really!! More Snow?  It's mid April already, Tax season is over and so should winter be over.

Snow covered entrance

It's a hurry up a wait for spring to arrive. In anguished anticipation we have been preparing for the warmer weather. Bringing out the wind chimes, setting out some chairs and pots. Getting those chores done so when the golf courses open, the campsites dry out, we'll be ready already.

My new wheels

The old sage advice about don't wash your car it will rain, I broke the code and purchased a new bicycle. Excited about my new wheels, I tripped it out with a rear wheel rack and front basket. Ready to roll to the grocery store or even a ride to work. Got my Wisconsin State Trail pass giving me 100's of miles of vehicle free riding. Even put on my bell I picked up at an Amsterdam rummage sale 6 years ago.

Along the road in Perrot

Anticipation is driving me mad. Just a plug for River Trail Cycles of Onalaska, great service and close to the Great River Bike Trail.


The snow was actually quite pretty, highlighting the curves of the bluff.








Lots of notices that the birds are suffering from lack of access to food during these early spring storms. Here's another creature searching for a meal.