Fall Finds

We spent the first two weekends of October camping with HaRVey the RV at Perrot State Park. The beautiful fall colors and warm sunny days made it a delight to walk the trails. No more bugs and all you needed was a light jacket.

Along Perrot Ridge trail I found the American Chestnut. Trying to gather them up was a bit of a challenge since the outer husk is so spiny.

This fairly rare find is a good sign that they may be coming back. This tree was once more prevalent than the oak tree. Due to a blight in the early 20th century they were nearly wiped out. All it took was the introduction of an exotic variety of Chestnut tree that was shipped to the US for a landscaping option.

The American Chestnut nourished not only the woodland creatures but was a source of food for people too.

My other great moments in the woods was capturing with my camera a Red Tailed Hawk and the Great Blue Heron.














You never know when you are going to be in the right place at the right time. It's always good to have that camera ready.

Barabooze

in Baraboo, WI

Here's another adventure while camping at Devil's Lake State Park.

Destination- Baraboo's newest distillery with a production tour and some lovely libations.

Oak and Smoke , Driftless Old Fashion Cocktails

The Driftless Glenn Distillery opened it's doors this year with a great restaurant and distillery located right along the Baraboo River.

This quaint oasis has some unusual drinks made exclusively from their own distilled spirits, fresh ingredients and their own label of  Oils and Vinegars.

Recipes

We ordered two different drinks the Driftless Old Fashion and the Oak and Smoke.

Very unique flavors using the vinegars.

Recipes

We purchased the black cherry balsamic which would also be great on salads. You get to taste all sorts of Renee's Oils and Vinegars and they have ideas and recipes to go with.

Snacks

To accompany our cocktails we shared some appetizers. It's nice to find something other than batter fried cheese curds.











Copper Distillery

We had time to take a tour of the production house featuring a 44 foot tall pot still.  Then a view of the rick house where the barrels age.

Tall Pot Still

They are currently aging bourbon and rye, but their gin, vodka, brand and moonshine were all available for sampling at the end of our tour. Plus a souvenir glass.






Selfie, viewing the fermenting grains
 

Did you known Bourbon is uniquely American. All ingredients and processing is required in our country to be called bourbon.






rick house for aging barrels

We especially liked the Gin.

One is called WisconGin which incorporates locally grown ginger and ginseng for flavoring.

The one we purchased was the Navy Strength Gin that has a real juniper blast at 114 proof. This bottle we will put aside for a special occasion. A real sipping gin.










Old Baraboo

On our trip to Devils Lake we visited the small town of Baraboo.

Historic Posters

The Ringling Brothers Circus originated in Baraboo back in 1884 and served as the wintering headquarters until 1918. After buying Barnam and Baily Circus they moved to Florida.











Original Building for Exhibits

Can you imagine a town packed with exotic animals, clowns and carnival sorts coloring the streets during the long Wisconsin winters. Was this the place we were suppose to run away too. It wasn't that far from my hometown, had I only known.






Restored Circus Wagons

Remember the days of the Circus coming to town. You can relive the days in Baraboo, WI at Circus World Museum, a Wisconsin Historic Site.
















Restoration Area

The exhibits include the largest collection of circus wagons, plus old posters and costumes, displayed in the original buildings that housed the animals. During summer months they even have live acts.

Minature Murals/Displays of Circus Life


It took me back to when I was younger and saw the Great Circus Parade of 1963 in downtown Wisconsin.

Real Flea Circus

Other attractions included the home of Al Ringling and a Theater House. Maybe next time on our list of things to do.








 

Lots of Artifacts to blow you away



Al Ringlings Home



Circus costumes

Devils Lake

View from past the South Shore 

We caught our first glimpse of fall color this first weekend in October at Devil's Lake State Park, just outside of Baraboo, Wisconsin.


It was not our first time, to one of the busiest parks in Wisconsin. Many years ago, more than I'd like to admit, we camped in tents in early June at Devil's Lake to catch the hot air balloons races in the Wisconsin Dells. We happen to be the only ones to drag ourselves up early enough for the dawn ascension.

View on East Bluff over Lake

It was well worth it and glad we did it because they no longer hold the event. The big farm field where it took place has been replaced by humongous indoor water parks and entertainment centers.

The area still holds a special fondness for the hike around the lake. This Driftless area offers some of the most breathtaking vistas, but it has it's price with a hell of climb or descent depending on which way you begin.

Our legs were just shaking by the time we finished the East Bluff Trail and going down the Potholes Trail. Very step with narrow steps. Fortunately we had our walking poles.


We were just happy to be down off the rocks and it didn't matter we still had another mile and a half to go on the Tumbled Rocks Trail.

Peregrine Falcon

We spied a Peregrine Falcon, or maybe he saw us first. The area is an ideal habitat with steep cliffs. As you would guess rock climbers love it here too. As always it's climb at your own risk.

Another attraction for sports lovers is scuba diving. The lake is 50 feet deep making it an ideal place for certification. Maybe they will find my "Bite Me" hat at the bottom of the lake. Lost it when we went out on the electric motor raft.

North Shore Chateau

If you don't have your own water craft they do rent out sailboats, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes. If you forget anything their concessions are rather extensive for a state park. Offering fish fry on Fridays, Ice Cream shop and plenty of souvenir's.

After a nice long hike on our first day we settled into HaRVeys weekend home in the Quartsite Campground. A bit open for our liking but since it was cooler out, the sun was welcome. The park was completely full for the weekend. Our campground looked like a refuge camp. People, tents, camping gear everywhere. Fortunately we could leave when we wanted to, not like a real life event.



Tumbled Rocks Trail

Jambalaya Cast Iron Cooking

We always enjoy a campfire the first night and planned on making a big pot of Jambalaya. If you want the recipe it was very simple and easy to assemble.



Devil's Lake is one of the oldest parks in Wisconsin established in 1911. But it's history as a destination began 45 years earlier. A passenger train which still runs through the park brought many people to several elegant hotels (now gone) which used to cater to wealthy vacationers.

National Park pass holders will be glad to know Devil's Lake honors them for entrance to the park.

We finished up out stay with a wonderful visit with the Quartsite camp hosts. Lynne and De. A couple of great gals who know the meaning of Glamping.

More information in the next blog on our side trips into Baraboo.

 

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.