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.  

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.