Yesterday morning once the driveway WAS plowed, I took a drive, in an old minivan......to some favorite places that often get ridden to rather than driven to and it felt good, really good. Peg was invited but chose to stay home and do what many Minnesotan's do in winter; knit.
I needed to get away and I still haven't learned how to run the needles.
Being very much in the mood to 'take a little trip down the mighty mississipp', La Crosse Wisconsin was my planned destination; that city's B and N Bookstore specifically. In a previous post I mentioned my affection for the books of Kenny Salwey, known as "The Last of The River Rats". He's written a new book and the store was hosting the author for a book signing, more than excuse enough for me to head down river.
I didn't Direct Route down nor did I Direct Route home. It was a very wintery March 1.
Things were very quiet at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, though the roads were all plowed, plowed well enough anyway. I've visited numerous times on the bikes and shared the place with friends, a place they now frequent and I'm happy about that.
Quiet road on the way to the island in the Refuge.
A really good place to walk and to see as well as feel the river.
Backwater of the Mississippi river, a weakened snowman sentinel watching over Kiep's Island in the distance.
These bright colors will return.....someday; that's how this Nature stuff works.
After leaving the wildlife refuge, it was on to the book signing in La Crosse. It was still snowing in town and every single resident must have been out shopping; the streets and parking lots were full. I'd have guessed that it was Black Friday based on traffic.
Kenny with another autographee; Julie was right behind me and knew the books better than I.
The latest publication.....
Coop's copy.
The last time I'd visited Midway, an almost-island in Lake Onalaska (very wide spot in the Miss. river just north of La Crosse) had been many years ago. Roads don't go through, only circle around what may more accurately be called a penninsula and for nothing more than possibly habit, I'd not ridden out there since the 70's. Today seemed like a good day to do some more exploring. I was very surprised to see this almost new facility, only a couple of years old. I stopped and looked around, wanting to go inside but arrived minutes before 3PM and saw that it was nearly closing time so I didn't even bother. I'll be back.
On my way home though still in Wisconsin, I circled back through the town of Trempealeau, another river town absolutely clinging to the bluffs and just north of the town is Parrot State Park. I took the road that goes through the park, the rules are that if you get off of the public road, a permit or State Sticker is required, no matter the season. I mostly stayed on the road.
Chris, you know where this one is.
This was as close as I could get but down below in the open water along the bank there are 3 large white birds that look very, very swan-like to me. I wonder if they decided that Chesapeake Bay was going to be too big of journey last fall??
Almost back home, I drove down to the beach to see how many ice houses there may still be out on Lake Pepin. In southern sections of Minnesota, the rules are that ice houses must be off the lakes by this last weekend in February. One of the "dots" here is a small portable ice fishing house. There are 4 other "dots" that are snowmobiles that zoomed out across the ice just as I was getting out of the van. In only a couple of minutes these guys were across the river and climbing up onto the Wisconsin river bank, certainly at least 3 miles away since they didn't head directly across which is how wide the river is right here.
A pickup truck and another small ice house a bit further 'upriver'. We've spent a lot of time swimming on this beach.......yes, swimming happens here in June's, July's and August's and did for us back when the kids were small. Coop girls have been known to splash here with their horses as well.
A really fine day out; in-season motorcycle haunts visited, a few new places explored too. There were a few books brought home that jumped into my bag after I put Kenny's book in. Last night those books were perused. Hopefully winter will last long enough for me to get through them :)
... " winter last long enough ..... " NOoooooo..... ya have better be a speed reader... :)
ReplyDeleteMr. A, I finished one, the important one, this morning so we're making good progress. One of the books, "Wisconsin's Past and Present...A Historical Atlas" authored by the Wisconsin Cartographers' Guild is really reference only, so that one doesn't actually count; I'll be enjoying the richness of that one until I'm no longer able to turn pages.
DeleteCoop, it's sometimes nice to get out and look at summer places through winter eyes. I loved the short bit of travel I did along the Mississippi. Great photos and a signed book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen, it was such a relief to get out and go, even with the windy new snowflakes. As I've stated before, there seems to be part of this big river that runs through me.
DeleteIt must be a stark contrast between winter and summer days in the area. Honestly, I don't know how I would survive the winter madness... I guess you got to be born there to live it through.
ReplyDeleteSonja, I can appreciate that it may be hard to imagine but it's the huge changes of everything seasonal that I (so far still) find very comforting. We've all got certain resilience; where we're from most likely has a lot to do with which kinds.
DeleteVisit us in June and you'd be surprised how many of us will have forgotten and by October, amazing as it may seem, some of us will be looking forward to the next change.
I agree, please read fast so spring can get here before June! It's nice to get out and go for a drive. I think Nancy and I are going down to Rice Lake tomorrow. We need a trip out of the neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteErik, a change of scene can be so refreshing and I was hoping that my little vacation may serve as a reminder to those of us that have about had IT. I was certainly revived. Today the maps are out and some more Routes are being plotted.......for 2 wheels.
DeleteOur driveway was earnestly trying to drift shut again yesterday while I was gone, just not to the level that anything had to be done about it upon my return. With cloudless skies today and below 0 morning temps, I fired up the plow truck and for the first time, took Peg along. I described what I was doing and why; how my experience so far, though limited compared to others, was teaching me 'tricks' to make my task more efficient. Other than being intimidated by all of the (narrow) backing up I had to do, she didn't say a lot.
Before we were done, she had this comment......"it is so, so pretty".
I know she's happy this is a job that's mine to take care of.
Well, if you couldn't get out on two wheels at least you got out for a little exploring on four.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you got your book signed too. I remember the post when you were talking about the author.
Now get reading so the snow can melt.
Brandy, my thoughts exactly....Make Adjustments :)
DeleteIt was almost more fun standing in line than it was actually getting to the front. The signees had many tales of their own, family connections, area knowledge....I learned a lot just listening but that has always served me well.
Over Kenny's 70+ years there have been more than a few dogs. With all of the excitement and anticipation that new dogs brought into his life, there naturally had to be pups and memories that had to pass. I found it tough getting to the end of a few of the chapters.
A discounted Randy Wayne White novel won't be as emotional, nor have cold, icy backwater tales. That one is next. I'm on it.
Coop sometimes just hopping in the car and changing scenery is enough to clear the mind & refresh the spirit. Pretty pictures! It seems the winter of 2013/2014 is a dragger and not wanting to let up anytime soon. Hopefully old man winter he will decide he's tired soon.
ReplyDeleteDar, "hopping in" is almost always enough for me and the weather doesn't have to be perfect to do so. We're hearing that things will change greatly by next weekend, even mid-week. I think everyone is ready for the change.
DeleteIt all looks very monochrome without a blue sky.
ReplyDeleteThere were many times Saturday that distinguishing the horizon was a challenge. There truly were 256 shades of gray and with dirty cars and other washed out hues, not much else.
DeleteStill, a good challenge for the eyes and spirit. :)
Coop, I very much liked the account of your outing along the banks of the mighty Mississippi. There is about it that solid mid-west hunkered-down resolution to see the winter out, giving it its due, instead of railing against it or seeking refuge in Florida's artificial summer climate as many snowbirds are wont to do.
ReplyDeleteThat's what we did last week. We were hoping that winter would cave in our absence, and that we might leave winter and return to some semblance of spring.
Alas, no such luck.
Thanks much David; we have, or at least I have, very little choice but to see this thing through. It's about balance for me. Our extra cold winter was balanced out with a few that were very gentle and of course, we'd like all of them to shift the average to the good.
DeleteI've decided to give your trip south credit for scaring that nasty old Polar Vortex away......temps this coming week are expected to get back to where they belong so let's just say that it worked, OK?? :)
I've done this...just get in the car and drive out to favorite riding places or places that morph in the winter from sunny and fresh to gray and severe.
ReplyDeleteBut even in that morphing one can find hidden beauty, which you did!
Nice getaway, nice post!
I have the River Rat book. Must admit I haven't read it yet. Usually I read a lot in the winter but this one has been an exception with a bizarre work schedule that I endured from November through February. But now he has one out on dogs? Oh my...guess I'll have to get on Amazon and order it!
I really enjoyed reading and being a part of your winter excursion!
Deb, thanks! Other winters I've done it as well and always a pleasure. I should have known better and gone sooner this time, it would have done me good.
ReplyDeleteThe new book isn't War and Peace but I found it very enjoyable. I savor his books and flow through them slowly, just like Kenny in his backwater canoe exploring. The Whitman swamp is just a bit upriver of where my Trempealeau Wildlife Area sign photos were taken. 'His' swamp is a unique area, unlike most areas along the river that have changed due to the locks and dams.
I'm honored that you came along.
I loved this, Doug! Made me remember our Honeymoon in Minnesota 25 years ago!
ReplyDeleteB.G., thank you and really happy that you stopped by and certainly wasn't thinking honeymoon but gratified that you could. I'm anxious to read about and SEE your smiling ride reports!
ReplyDelete