In the Great Lakes region, spring is a treat for the senses. As the natural world wakes up, birds begin to nest, trees and shrubs begin to bud, and my personal favorite – native spring wildflowers begin to emerge. Also known as spring ephemerals, these beautiful native plants appear in early spring before the leaf canopy…
The southern Lake Michigan shore is home to beautiful beaches full of fossils, marbles, pottery, and other unique finds. Racine, Wisconsin’s Zoo Beach is one of my favorite Lake Michigan beaches to search for hidden treasures, comb for beach glass, fossils, pottery, and other unique treasures. This is a beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan’s southern…
Wisconsin is home to over 1,700 miles of biking trails. This vast network of trails includes over 40 rail trails, crushed gravel, paved, mountain biking, and multi-use trails. Wisconsin is also home to diverse landscapes, shaped in large part by receding glaciers of the last Ice Age. Among the more notable rail trails in the…
The Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine is located in southeastern Wisconsin in the beautiful town of Hubertus. Located at 1525 Carmel Road in Hubertus, the Basilica sits perched at 1,335 feet in elevation, one of the highest elevations in southeastern Wisconsin. This gorgeous basilica sits elevated within a gorgeous setting on 435 acres within…
Located just 30 miles north of Madison, Wisconsin, in the town of Baraboo, you’ll find a true geologic gem. Parfrey’s Glen was the first state natural area ever to be established in Wisconsin, in 1952, by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This scenic glen is part of Wisconsin’s 1.6 million year old Baraboo Range.…
The historic Wind Point Lighthouse is one of the oldest and tallest active lighthouses in the Great Lakes. Located along Lake Michigan’s southern shore in the Village of Wind Point in Racine County, Wisconsin, the lighthouse was constructed and first used in 1880. Standing at 108 feet in height, the lighthouse stands just feet from…
The Military Ridge State Trail is a 40-mile crushed gravel trail located in Wisconsin’s Dane and Iowa Counties. This scenic trail passes through nine communities from Dodgeville, at the western end, to Fitchburg, just south of Madison. The name “Military Ridge” trail was chosen due to the trail forming a divide between the Wisconsin River…
Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of only 11 National scenic trails in the United States. This beautiful trail encompasses over 1000 miles and 28 counties throughout the state, from hills and bluffs to woodlands and prairies rich with native plants. Dane County, Wisconsin lies within the Driftless Region, (comprised of the northwest part…
Wisconsin is home to a world of amazing winter recreation options. From hikes along the Ice Age Trail, skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing, tubing, and fat tire biking, Wisconsin has it all. Additionally, the state is home to numerous winter festivals that are worth a visit. If you’re looking for ways to beat cabin fever, Lake…
Boulder Junction is located in the heart of the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This beautiful region of the state is filled with over 1,300 sparkling lakes, old growth forest, calling loons, endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and most importantly, Northwoods peace. Winter is one of the most beautiful…