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.  

Another Scamping Trip

I was only home for a few days/—long enough to restock and hit the road again—sólo this time. My original plan was to head west to Wyoming and South Dakota, but the heat, crowds, and long days of driving gave me second thoughts.

Instead, I’m  still planning a longer trip but closer to home and with longer stays. Tonight I’m camped about 30 minutes south of La Crosse, Wi, a stone’s throw away from the Mississippi River. 

Some stormy weather is on its way, but it’s a great summer day for now.

Waterfalls

 Yesterday, we hiked with our friends, Dave and Ruth, to Hidden Creek Falls near Cornucopia, Wisconsin.

Dave and Ruth have obligations today getting ready for their son’s wedding on Saturday. Julia and I headed south to Copper Falls State Park.

This was a short “absolutely no dogs”trail.  Callie was left behind in the pet picnic area. Temps were cool enough to leave her inside the truck, but she was mad. We made it up to her at “Dogs Allowed” Red Granite Falls.”

This was a delightful spot.

Prentice Park

 

On the western edge of Ashland, there is a very small city-owned campground that is almost always full. My morning walks with Callie take me through this park’s lovely trails.

Just off the trail are ponds fed by artesian springs.

It is so quiet and peaceful. Living in the present can be a challenge—but not here.

Now and Then

 I’ve been exercising Callie on the rails to trails system in the small city of Ashland. Downtown, there’s an original opera house, being renovated into $400k condos.

I’m not a real estate expert, but I wonder who can afford these. This is not particularly an affluent town. If it was, I suspect that the opera house would not have been allowed to fall into such disrepair.

Just outside of town is a cabin.

Interesting.

Chequamegon Bay

I’m camped along the shores of Lake Superior at Wisconsin’s northern edge. I have a reason to be here in another week: the wedding celebration of a friend’s son and his bride. The bride’s family lives on an area farm.

My reason for being here early, ostensibly, is to make sure we have a campsite with air conditioning when we have to leave Callie here all day on the celebration day. It’s been hot in Wisconsin, even here in the far north, although the high will not hit 70 today. 

My first view of the campground entrance was forboding. I decided to take a spin around and found one empty site.  I quickly backed in. Before I unhitched, the friendly host was in my driveway and confirmed that it was my lucky day. Someone had just left, and this was the only site available. 

Feeling Claustrophobic?

However, the host continued with even better news. Your luck will be even better tomorrow. Hang around in the morning, and there will be a better spot if you don’t mind moving quickly. All sites here are first come, first serve. 

Much better 

I’m here for a couple of weeks, enjoying breezes and cooler temperatures from Lake Superior.