Blackhawk COE (Desoto, Wisconsin)

This is a wrap-up of my time at Blackhawk and a note to myself for future consideration.  

I've been to Blackhawk about a handful of times now.  After each time, I like it better and better.  For amenities, there are flush toilets, free, clean showers with good water pressure, and a dump station.  Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring.  Many of the campsites, including the one I stayed in, have a water view.  With the senior discount, campsites with electricity are $13/night.

Despite the fact that water is everywhere, the mosquitoes aren't bad except at dusk.  Even then, the blood suckers aren't any worse than they are at home.  Firewood is available in large bundles at the rv park up the road at a reasonable price but it was junk and  burned poorly.  Note:  don't buy it again.  You would think I would have learned by now. 

There are many roads, paths, and trails for Callie walks.  Leashes are required, and campers are generally respectful of the rules.  There are no grocery stores nearby, but there are a few bars with food in Desoto and Ferryville.  City services are about 30 minutes away in either Prairie Du Chien or La Crosse.  There's a Cabella's (camping supply store) in PDC.  

TV and radio stations come in clearly from La Crosse.  Sunsets and sunrises are both amazing.  Often, fog covers the water in the morning but burns off quickly.  There are a ton of tent sites available for boondocking, but the difference in price and privacy isn't worth it in my estimation.  These sites are also on the lowest ground, which is usually water-covered in the spring.  

During the weekend, there was a large group of African-American dads and sons camping in the group area.

I thought this was one of the coolest things ever.  Diversity is an uncommon thing in Wisconsin's camping world.  And it was clear that many of the dads didn't have much camping experience but were out there for the bonding with their sons and "little brothers."  Of course, it stormed hard Thursday and Friday night, so many of the campers and their belongings got totally soaked.  From all appearances, they still had a blast. 

Yesterday, I drove through the rain along Hwy 35 (the Great River Road) and then on a lot of county highways and tertiary roads along the river in Illinois.  Whoever said that Illinois was flat hasn't driven along the Mississippi River.  

It rained last night, and it's raining again today.  A good day for reading newspapers and books.  The rest of the week looks sunny and dry.  Julia will be joining me in a few days.

 

Storm and the Morning After

Yesterday was hot and humid.  The air was still--the calm before the storm approaching.  I went out to a nearby bar in the mid-afternoon to beat the crowd with a traditional Wisconsin fish fry, along with a PBR.  Total cost:  $12.

I don't watch much tv in the Scamp.  It's nice to have once in awhile.  Last night, as I watched the Packers first exhibition game, there were frequent weather alerts.  A tornado in southeastern Minnesota, along with tennis ball sized hail, lightning, etc.  Thankfully, very little of the storm hit here thirty minutes south of La Crosse.  After dark, the wind, lightning and black clouds moved across quickly.  No harm, no foul.

This morning, there was a heavy fog, which gave way to clear skies and calm weather.

We have one more day here at Blackhawk COE and then will follow the river south.  

Mississippi River: River Towns and Trails

 From October 2021

In mid-October, Julia and I hitched up the Scamp and drove to Blackhawk COE campground near DeSoto, Wi.  I've been there a few times before--usually on my way to somewhere else.  This time, it was our destination, along with the river towns and trails in the area on both sides of the Mississippi River.

This is an area of the country that Julia and I love to visit.  Julia says that the Mississippi River speaks to her.

Callie says she doesn't care--as long as it involves lots of hiking.

One of our first hikes was new to both of us:  Rush Creek State Natural Area. The trails winds to the top of grassy bluffs with amazing views of the river valley below.

 

Afterwards, we took another hike on the Great River trail between Onalaska and Marshland, WI.  We then treated ourselves to a couple of beverages at Skeleton Brewing.

 

The La Crosse area has several brewpubs in the area.  This one was not our favorite, but Skeleton had a nice uncrowded outdoor space.  It felt good to sit outside on a nice October day.