Donald Park Hike: The Search for the Beast of 92 - 6/3/16

One Sunday evening, Tobias and I drove out to Donald Park in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. These woods have allegedly been the scene of a few bigfoot sightings, more famously known as The Beast of 92 by locals. Bullett joined us on this adventure, leading the way on the trails.

This hike was purely magical, the woods felt as though they were something enchanted. There were these purple flowers that I had no idea what they were called almost completely covering the forest floor. They, and everything else on the past glowed from the golden, evening sun. It felt unreal, almost like a dream. Regardless of what we set out to look for, to me this was mostly a lovely, quiet, hike with my two favorite beings in the whole world.

I do not know if any sasquatch roam these woods. But if they do, they've chosen a beautiful home.

Meltwater - 2/20/16

Forgetting to purchase a State Park sticker prior to a planned hike typically means a change of plans. Therefore, Tobias and I had to settle on a State Natural area for Saturday's hike.

It was a rare fifty degrees in February this particular Saturday, which is typically unheard of for a Wisconsin Winter. This particular winter had been fairly mild, but the sudden rise in temperature was a welcome surprise. I had seen freshly fallen snow in a dusty blanket at my feet on Wednesday, but the Lodi marsh turned back into its namesake with the spring-like weather. With mud almost to our ankles at points, we trekked for a couple hours with the dog taking in the quiet.

If you looked down, you could see the earth coming back to life again, and meltwater trickling across the trail. It carved the ice into unique formations that were reminiscent of glacial canyons. With my camera handy, I captured these organic designs. To me, these images couldn't be processed in anything but black and white.

Through the photographs, I saw two series. Here is the second, in color, and these are simply about hiking with a dog.

Wintry Picnic Point Hike - 1/23/16

Now that the temperature is finally not as frigid, Toby, myself, and Bullett the dog decided it would be a good idea to do something outside today. A popular, nearby choice location is Picnic Point.

Picnic point is owned by the University of Wisconsin and is a part of their Lakeshore Nature Preserve, and in its prime over the summer you can spend your days roasting marshmallows or hiking. The cold has seemingly not kept anyone off the trails, since they were iced over from all the snow being trampled by many sets of feet. I had to tread very carefully so as to not slip. Even Bullett, who has much better footing for these conditions occasionally had to regain his balance.

We ventured to the trails a little after 3pm to enjoy our little hike as the sun was setting. There was a population of ice fishermen, ice skaters, and college students enjoying the frozen, placid surface of Lake Mendota. I was able to recognize an engagement session taking place from my experience in photographing weddings (at Picnic Point), and could even tell when the groom-to-be had to run back to the car to get the engagement ring so it could be photographed in the snow. Bullett was having the time of his life; Toby holding the leash, and I holding my camera.

We hope to return to Picnic Point this summer to investigate potential paranormal activity. Rumor has it a red ghost light floats over the lake from the point over to the Capitol. Until then, enjoy the wintry images from our miniature adventure not too far from home.