It was a scenic drive sprinkled with quaint little towns as we avoided the interstate. I spotted this flowery bike in Wonewoc after I mailed a letter at their post office. The town was pre-paring for a day of street music and pig roast and we got through before their detour was set up.
Our first little hike was located 1.5 miles out of Baraboo in a place called...
Today this State Natural Area is a favorite swimming hole with a beautiful 30' - 40' gorge formed during the retreat of the last glacier along with a couple of small waterfalls, Skillet Creek and steep cliffs that provide a wonderful jumping area.
So after a dirt path back towards the squeals (the upper trail is more rugged) one finds many 20 somethings readying/braving up to jump and the others awaiting below either wading/ swimming in the deeper holes.
The younger, older and more 'sane' folks just watch or take the smaller jumps.
Hesitant jumpers were encouraged and most actually made repeat jumps.
The surrounding dense forest is comprised of red cedar, white pine, hemlock and yellow birch and was refreshing on a warm day.
What I'd like to know is if any of you have ever made the big plunge?
Our next stop was Parfrey's Glen, the first State Natural Area (late 1800's). In 1952 this area had given refuge with its unique geology and unusual plants to generations of visitors for 50 years so it was rededicated in 2002 by the DNR.
Mossy glens surround one after a paved path disappears, becomes more rugged after water and fallen trees make the journey to the falls more challenging, necessitating good walking shoes / water shoes.
Deciding the best route is based on the individual hiker as there is no perfect way.
It was a lovely journey and certainly worth rock hopping and enjoying the coolness of the cliffs.
We saved Witch's Gulch for another day.
Pewit's Nest
At one time before a mill was built, a resident lived in solid sandstone like "a gnome in a cavern here. This dwelling resembled the nest of a phoebe (or peewit) hence Pewit's Nest."Today this State Natural Area is a favorite swimming hole with a beautiful 30' - 40' gorge formed during the retreat of the last glacier along with a couple of small waterfalls, Skillet Creek and steep cliffs that provide a wonderful jumping area.
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| Jump (above) and Splash (below) |
So after a dirt path back towards the squeals (the upper trail is more rugged) one finds many 20 somethings readying/braving up to jump and the others awaiting below either wading/ swimming in the deeper holes.
The younger, older and more 'sane' folks just watch or take the smaller jumps.
Hesitant jumpers were encouraged and most actually made repeat jumps.
 |
| Natureman comtemplated jumping. |
The surrounding dense forest is comprised of red cedar, white pine, hemlock and yellow birch and was refreshing on a warm day.
What I'd like to know is if any of you have ever made the big plunge?
Our next stop was Parfrey's Glen, the first State Natural Area (late 1800's). In 1952 this area had given refuge with its unique geology and unusual plants to generations of visitors for 50 years so it was rededicated in 2002 by the DNR.
Mossy glens surround one after a paved path disappears, becomes more rugged after water and fallen trees make the journey to the falls more challenging, necessitating good walking shoes / water shoes.
Deciding the best route is based on the individual hiker as there is no perfect way.
We saved Witch's Gulch for another day.
We returned home a bit sun burned after the day's road trip but reinvigorated by the beauty of the areas we visited.
Interested in our 2 stops?
Here are some directions.
Pewit's Nest: HWY12 W/ Kessler Road(side of Wal-Mart) Baraboo
Parfrey's Glen, Merrimac, Wi County Road DL & HWY 113
Parfrey's Glen, Merrimac, Wi County Road DL & HWY 113
Even though it was was great day trip one of us always utters there 'no place like home' as we make the last bend of our dirt driveway back in the bowl we call home here in the Coulee region in the End of the Rainbow Valley.
The only way I'd be going off the edge of that cliff is if you shoved me...really hard.
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