LATE SPRING/EARLY SUMMER

Portland Arch near Covington, Indiana is a land bridge created through the Mansfield sandstone formation by a creek which undercuts the bluff on both sides.

The rock formations are stunning and ginormous.

Downed timber lines the bluffs.

Red bud trees are native to Indiana. In late spring they’re blooming everywhere you look. 

On our way up north, we went through a small town called Cadott. Most of the towns in northern Wisconsin are the “World Capital” for something. Cadott’s claim to fame is that it’s halfway between the equator and the North Pole. It’s very scenic with an old mill and a dammed-up waterfall.

When we got near to the cabin, the deer were waiting to welcome us back.

The views from the cabin were as spectacular as always. I can feel my blood pressure drop as soon as we arrive. It seems like another planet.

Most libraries are just book repositories, but Hayward’s library has its own nature trail. Each of the wayfinding signs has another page from a book called “One Dog Canoe” which is about a little girl who wanted to take her dog for a canoe ride. Along the way other animals wanted to join the ride. First came a beaver, then a bear, deer, elk, loon, etc. until finally a frog jumped in and overturned the canoe. It was a great story that I highly recommend for young kids.

Amnicon State Park near Ashland, Wisconsin has some of our favorite rapids and waterfalls. The Native American history of Amnicon Falls dates to at least 5000 BC when Ojibwe Indians (also called Chippewa) came here looking for copper to make tools.

Ancient volcanic activity created the basalt that forms the falls. You can see this rock layer from the upper falls.

A fifty-five-foot bridge spans the river just above the Lower Falls. The bridge was designed by Charles Horton. His design uses arched support beams as well as hook clips instead of rivets and bolts which made the bridge cheaper, stronger, and easier to build. This style of bridge became known as a "Bowstring" bridge. Only six bridges of this type still exist.

From the lower falls, you can see the sandstone layer that predates the basalt layer by millions of years. At one time, this spot was at the bottom of a deep seabed. As a result, the sandstone layer is about four miles deep.  

Some Northwoods humor:

This ice cream store in downtown Hayward is our kind of place. Its nutrition statement says: “It’s not low fat, low calorie, or low-anything and that’s why everyone loves it. You want nutrition eat carrots.”

Hope all is well with all of you!