Eagle, Wisconsin

Andrew found this little Western Town Set on County Road S.   We were not sure what it is used for, perhaps an event center.

Western Town Photo by Andrew Leggett

Western Town Photo by Andrew Leggett

 

County Road S Photo by Nicki Hurd

County Road S Photo by Nicki Hurd

 

 

Amongst farms in the Lauderdale Lake area and across the road from Eagle Oak Opening State Natural Area, a critical habitat for rare species, which contains a large numbers of open-grown white and bur oaks.   The oak savanna was once one of the most common vegetation types in the Midwest but is highly endangered today .

Early conservationists from 1930 – 1950 recognized the importance of natural areas and the consequences of their loss, and set up the State Natural Area Program to protect Wisconsin’s natural communities.  Intact oak savannas, are now one of the rarest plant communities on earth.

We were curious and could hear someone working in one of the buildings, but we did not stay long enough to find out. It was a very hot day, after taking a few photographs in the blazing heat we road off into the sunset.  July, 2012

 

Rice Lake: Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, Wisconsin

It was nice to be in a convertible, to feel the air and connected to all that was around, but we were always looking for the shade of the trees.

Jaunt around Rice and Whitewater Lake Photo by Andrew Leggett

We drove around a scenic route that wrapped around the lakes.  There is a 115 mile drive  through the other Units;  Pike Lake, Loew Lake, Lapham Peak, and Mukwoare River, until it reaches the Northern Unit. July, 2012

A walk in the woods: Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, Wisconsin

We managed a short hike in the woods through a shaded path.   I loved the majestic trees and the shelter they offer from the scorching sun.

Kettle Moraine State Forest Photo by Nicki Hurd

The terrain features of this area is a result of the Wisconsin Glacier movement during the last Ice Age. The Ice Age National Scenic Hiking Trail has three shelters for those keen to hike all of the way.  Maybe next time. It is in the works to complete a trail through the state of Wisconsin,  600 miles are finished and it will reach a 1000.  iceagetrail.org July, 2012

 

Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, Wisconsin

 It is dotted with kettles caused by buried glacial ice, and the hills of glacial deposits, which can rise up to 300 ft (91 m) from the lakes. Holy Hill, Pulford Peak, and Lapham Peak are some of the largest .

photo by Nicki Hurd

Photo by Nicki Hurd

We went for a lovely drive to see the forest and soak up some of the history.  The imagine of the glacial ice was appealing in the blistering heat.

July, 2012

Morning coffee on the deck overlooking: Pleasant Lake in Elkhorn, Wisconsin

I grew up in northern Illinois not far from the Wisconsin border but it has been a very long time since I have been in the area and I have forgotten how pretty and green Wisconsin is.

Pleasant Lake (deck)

Pleasant Lake (deck) Photo by Andrew Leggett

We enjoyed morning coffee and dinner on the deck. July, 2012