A Celebration IN Autumn

So much beauty to be admired at Goodman County Park/Strong Falls in Marinette County.

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I can only go so long without immersing myself in nature, exploring a new park in earnest. Not just a quick trip to something tried and true (those do keep me sane), but a whirlwind of locations. So, when my husband recently asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday I told him I wanted to run away.

We haven't been able to get out on nature hikes like we used to. We used to go out together at least a couple weekends a month, and I would go on my own other days. But the past year has been full of other responsibilities, so...I requested a solo weekend trip the weekend of my birthday. And since my birthday is in autumn, I wanted to go somewhere I haven't been, and where the colors were changing. 

Getting out to explore some new nature spots and snap some autumn photos makes me happy.

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Deep red leaves along the boardwalk trail at Heckrodt Wetland Reserve.

I did a quick bit of research and decided on Marinette County. According to the Fall Color Report there would be a fair amount of color on my birthday weekend. So, Friday I loaded up my gear and headed north. I managed to check out Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha on the way up. The reserve has a beautiful, all-accessible boardwalk, and the leaves were turning bright reds and golds. I even saw a few deer along the way.

Today I embarked on a driving tour of Marinette County that featured waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and plenty of turning leaves. It was a long day of driving and wandering, but it was worth it.

All of it was beautiful. The weather, the changing colors, the waterfalls. So far, I've taken close to 800 photos, and I have a few spots to visit tomorrow on my way back home. My husband predicted I would take about 800 photos. Guess he knows my shutterbug habits.

So, I will be celebrating my birthday by snapping pictures of parks, autumn leaves, and whatever catches my eye.

​I'm grateful for this opportunity to get out and explore without a curfew of sorts. I wouldn't call it relaxing, but it is peaceful, colorful, and a pretty sweet birthday gift. I wonder if there will be birthday cake waiting when I get back home? 

A view of the river from the shore at Menomonee River Park in Marinette County.