Superior side of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Point Lighthouse

A day trip to Superior, WI port city on Lake Superior while we were camping at Pattison State Park.

We ventured to Wisconsin Point, a barrier island with beaches and a lovely little lighthouse. Lots of photo opportunities.

SS Meteor

Over on Barkers Island we toured the SS Meteor the last of the Whaleback ships. Now permanently docked, it was a fascinating museum with full tour of everything from the quarters to the engine room.

Life boat almost a hundred years old.

Crew of SS Meteor

In her hay day

Lake Superior Estuarium

Another stop on Barkers, a visit to the Estuarium. We learned a lot about fresh water Estuaries, which are where two different bodies of water meet and create a unique habitat.

Flight at the Thirsty Pagan Brewery

After a full day of touring we enjoyed a stop at the Thirsty Pagan Brewery.

They had the best pizza, we had their award winning Bacon Jalapeno Popper Pizza, just enough zing to go with a shared flight of 9 beers. Conveniently it included every one of their micro brews.

Popper Pizza

Falls of Wisconsin-Amnicon State Park

Horton Covered Bridge

A day trip hiking at Amnicon State Park was a real treat. You cross bridges to a small island, surrounded by cascading falls in a lush woods.

Snake Pit Falls

This woodsy retreat is a bit more rustic, no camping for us since they do not offer electrical sites or even showers.

 

Non-the-less its appeal is an uncluttered landscape and beautiful vantage points.









On a nice warm day you can also take a dip in the lower falls. Depending on the time of year there's even a Now and Then Falls.

A must visit if you are ever nearby.







 

Falls of Wisconsin-Pattison State Park

Big Manitou Falls

From Pattison to Amnicon State Park we toured the trails to the falls. Being mid August, when we visited, the falls are on the lighter side. I can imagine them gushing in spring.


















Hard to choose the best angle, they really don't do it justice.







Pattison's Big Manitou Falls, at 165-foot vertical drop, is the fourth highest falls east of the rockies.








From the campground you pass under the road and over a bridge to get to the trail taking you to several overlooks.

It's a very easy access to the overlooks in Pattison.



























You can see the scale by the tiny people here who are not suppose to be climbing in the gorge.

Little Manitou Falls

Also in Pattison on the other end of the park is Little Manitou Falls.










A short trail from the parking lot and you can even wander around the area above the falls.

Labor of Love

Million Dollar Quintet

Back to blogging after a busy summer. I had the priviledge of joining up with fellow artists for drawing. They fondly refer to themselves as the RATS -Retired Art Teachers.











The experience was rewarding as we were able to draw in a variety of different venues. Business and clubs welcomed us as we spent a couple of hours of inspiration while sharing their passion.

Dave's Guitar Shop is a plethra of electronic and acoustical stringed instruments. The vibe was musical and our host was willing to share stories and a little time for a photo op.

Sailboat Club-French Island

 Hope you enjoy and Happy Labor Day.

Artists garden-Stoddard

Artists rural Farm-West Salem

Copeland Park Train-La Crosse

Elmers Auto & Toy Museum

Eagles Bluff

Elmer and Bernadette have been busy for the past 25 years displaying their restored, rescued and refurbished collection of cars.

At their museum in Fountain City, atop the highest point along the Mississippi, you'll see their amazing private collection. Lovingly cared for by a crew of volunteers from the area. Many who have caught the passion of preserving everything for pedal cars to antiques and classic muscle mobiles.




Just a few items you could buy

There's 5 large buildings packed full of chrome and rubber, carefully dusted and rearranged to accommodate the newest find.

Sorry no photos were allowed in this museum, so you'll have to go see it for yourself.

Special Tractor Show

They have a schedule of events when they are open. We happened to come when  a display of vintage Tractors were set up. Entrance of $10 per person was well worth at least one visit to see what it was all about.

Elmers Salvage

This is the place where Mike and Frank from the American Pickers show come to drool.

Great River State Trail-Trempealeau to the Wildlife Refuge

The last 6 miles of the Great River State Trail are full of stops. From the Village of Trempealeau, Perrot State Park, ending in the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge.

A detour at the Hwy 35 trail head and you can swing into Trempealeau for everything from breakfast at the River Café, a cocktail on the deck at the Trempealeau Hotel or dining at the 50 year old supper club Sullivan's. Plus there's a great view at the Lock and Dam, or stretch your legs on the Little Bluff Trail. This weekend also happens to be Catfish Day's, the biggest celebration in this little river town.





Another detour is Perrot State Park, a short connecting trail takes you right into the campground, check out some of the sites right along the Bay and then head over to the Nature Center and a visit to the restored prairie. Or you can do a little paddling with a rental from the Headquarters.

At the end of the trail is the refuge, with lots more ground to cover. You can explore the roads and dikes by bikes. Here we could almost make it to Trempealeau Mountain.


























Be sure to make it to the overlook.
























A must have on the trail, since they can get a bit buggy.

Very dorky screen hats that easily fitted over our helmets. The 99 cent purchases from Amazon saved us from the knats and deer flies.

Great River State Trail-Lytle's to Trempealeau

The 6 mile stretch from Lytle's Landing to Trempealeau, WI covers the bottoms of the Black River. Lots more bridges as there is lots of waterways and opportunities to see wildlife.

About a mile before reaching the end is a historical stop at the 2000 year old Nicholls Mound. A Hopewell Burial Mound rising 12 feet above the tomb. Just one of many that once existed in the Trempealeau Lakes Mound Group.
The area was excavated in the early 1900's by the Milwaukee Public Museum, Wisconsin law now protects all burial sites for the future. 






After a nice ride it's always time for an ice cream stop.

Trempealeau's Driftless Bike 'n' Bean was a nice respite from the trail. Offering rich ice cream and aromatic coffees, they are open early to start your ride with a little go juice or reward yourself at the end of the trail.












They also rent and repair bikes plus they are adding on to their array of services with Caboose Café.

Just another reason to stop in Trempealeau.