Day 217 – Wisconsin North Woods

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Day 217 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Amnicon Falls State Park

I forgot to mention one of the greatest parts to my Minnesota morning yesterday, despite the rain…the coffee shop I found, Java Moose Espresso, sold just the muffin tops…no stumps.  Any Seinfeld fan has to appreciate that!  Anyway, on to my next morning, I boiled some water for coffee and instant oatmeal at the Amnicon Falls State Park campgrounds in Wisconsin.  Amnicon means “Where Fish Spawn” and the Amnicon River is an important spawning river for fish from Lake Superior.

Now and Then Falls

In the heart of the park, the river separates into two streams which plunge over basalt and sandstone creating at least three waterfalls and depending on the flow it sometimes fills another channel creating a fourth falls.  I would have never known the fourth falls, aptly named “Now and Then Falls,” was sometimes dry…the water was flowing today.

Covered Horton Bridge

Bridges led Petey and me across the streams to a middle island where we found a cache.  We also completed an earth cache that required us to follow the marked trail to several locations and record pertinent information. It was the first time that I ran into fellow cachers.  Two folks were standing on one of the bridges taking an elevation reading with their GPS (one of the requirements), so I inquired, “Are you caching?”  “Yes”, they responded and later pointed me in the direction of the final task I needed to complete it.

One of the bridges that spans the river at Lower Falls is known as Covered Horton Bridge. Originally it wasn’t covered and was a highway bridge that crossed the river not far from the park.  It was moved to the present location in 1930. The bridge is historically significant due to its age and construction.  In 1897 and 1898, Charles Horton obtained several patents for designs that made bridges stronger, lighter, and more durable.  In addition, the design allowed workers to assemble the structures without expensive machinery, tools, and labor.  His method required using arched beams secured with hooks and clips rather than rivets and bolts and the bridge is known as a bow-string.

Davidson Windmill

On my way toward Brule River State Forest, I passed by a roadside historical marker that caught my attention.  It was a windmill built in 1904 by a Finnish immigrant, Jacob Davidson.  Davidson, who had not been a miller in Finland, took four years to construct the windmill whose unique design was based on the shape of a coffee pot Davidson owned.  He and his three sons used local materials for the grindstones and structural wood. The wings generate about 25 horsepower and turn at 15 rpm which produces a mill stone speed of 135 rpm.  Each mill stone weighs 3,500 pounds.  In added bonus for making the brief stop was finding a nearby cache!

Brule River State Forest

I moved on to Brule River State Forest where I drove four miles to the headwaters of Bois Brule, one of the most renowned trout streams east of the Mississippi.  I didn’t go there to fish, but just to see where the river and Lake Superior meet.  It was such a beautiful place.  A light breeze kept away most of the annoying insects as I sat at a picnic table in the shade looking out on Lake Superior and its sandy beach. 

The color of the water changed from salmon along the coast to countless shades of blue as it continued in the distance.  I took advantage of the cool weather to blog a bit as it has been so hot in VANilla, I have been less than enthusiastic about turning on a computer that generates more heat.  Petey and I enjoyed a nice office as we watched kids swim in the lake. I thought to myself, I can’t imagine that water is very warm and took Petey with me down to the beach to dab a toe in the lapping waves.  Confirmed…ankle deep was the best I could do!

Bayfield

After a few hours just chilling out, we continued east through Port Wing and ended up in a resort town called Bayfield.  Somewhere along the way, a porcupine crossed VANilla’s path (or at least I think that is what it was), but by the time I stopped and got the camera up to my eye, it had slinked into the grass.  I found a campground about a mile away and then returned to the quaint, tourist town for a local dinner. 

I chose broiled whitefish which comes with beer cheese soup.  The cheese soup, more like a cup of melted Velveeta, was topped with popcorn.  I got about two or three spoonfuls down with the help of an ice cold local beer on tap. The waitress warned me it was cheesy…WHEW!  I also very well knew I was taking a risk by ordering fish because if it remotely tastes like fish smells, I have a hard time with it.

Oh well, the good news was Petey got to join me on the patio where several people showered him with attention, and I met a nice couple, Nick and Nikki from Madison who were up for a weekend vacation.  Nikki is a 4^th grade school teacher and Nick owns a concrete business. Their first child is due in January. Nikki ordered nachos that ended up being topped with an olive tapenade…definitely not Texas style.

What I was most shocked to hear was how everyone in Wisconsin can’t stand Brett Favre…WOW…never thought I’d hear that.  I only know two others aside from myself who have never been fond of him.  They tell me that the Jets girl wasn’t close to the first woman.  Ok, so I’m not here to badmouth football stars, but I just had to mention that I am no longer alone.

Petey and I left the restaurant as the sky turned violet over the harbor and headed back to the campgrounds for the evening.  ETB

Map of My Road Trip Across the USA

Learn more about my road trip across the USA, or click the link below for the interactive map.

Interactive Map of Road Trip Across the USA

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