Anniversary Camping

I have a very good wife. However, if it were not for the pandemic, we would probably celebrating our 32nd anniversary at a fine restaurant. A small silver lining, I guess. We are camped in southwestern Wisconsin at Gov. Dodge State Park for another mid-week adventure.

About a month has passed since our last state park campground, and I have to say that occupancy has significantly increased, even though it’s the middle of the week. Fortunately, the sites are large and well-spaced. We aren’t using any of the public shared spaces, although many people are using the bathrooms and showers.  

The weather is amazing in the kind of way that almost makes up for Wisconsin’s long winters: mid 70s during the day and 50s at night.

After a beautiful night by the campfire, we got up this morning for fresh-roasted Peruvian coffee made with a manual drip cone, followed by a big egg scramble and Julia-baked zucchini bread. Then we walked out of our campground and hit some beautiful uncrowded trails.

I haven’t been to this park in over thirty years, and I’m not sure why. I had the mistaken view that it was mostly flat and open. There are some beautiful restored prairies.

However, a lot of the park is heavily wooded and hilly. Our favorite trail is the Lost Canyon Trail, which leads to another side trail and to waterfalls.

We have a bunch of issues to work through with our adult children after this week’s escape. Getting caregivers for Justin to return to college is always a challenge, but we’ve hit a major roadblock at the moment. Allie has been pitching in as Justin’s primary caregiver, but she wants and needs to start her own life after graduating from college last December. 

For a few days, we will hike, have some good food/drink and enjoy each other’s company in the great outdoors.