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  • Let's Explore
    • Nature Trails >
      • 116th Street - Oak Leaf Trail - West Allis, WI
      • Bald Bluff Nature Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Belle Reynolds Nature Trail - Oakfield, WI
      • Eagle Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Emma Carlin Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Glacial Drumlin State Trail - Lake Mills, WI
      • Ice Age Visitor Center Nature Trail - Campbellsport, WI
      • Kettle Moraine Low Prairie Natural Area - Eagle, WI
      • W. Kinnickinnic River Parkway - Milwaukee, WI
      • Kohl Park Hiking Trail - Milwaukee, WI
      • Paradise Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Rice Lake Nature Trail - Whitewater, WI
      • Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Seminary Woods - St. Francis, WI
      • Stony Ridge Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Stute Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Washington Avenue Nature Trail - Sheboygan, WI
      • White River State Trail - Elkhorn to Dover, WI
      • Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk - Delafield, WI
    • Local Parks >
      • Astico County Park - Columbus, WI
      • Asylum Point Park & Lighthouse - Oshkosh, WI
      • Beckman Mill County Park - Beloit, WI
      • Big Hill Park - Beloit, WI
      • Bluhm Farm Park - Muskego, WI
      • Bratt Woods - Grafton, WI
      • Brown Deer Park - Brown Deer, WI
      • Calhoun Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Dorothy Carnes Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Carver-Roehl County Park - Clinton, WI
      • Case Eagle Park - Burlington, WI
      • Cave Point County Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
      • Cherney Maribel Caves County Park - Maribel, WI
      • Cliffside Park - Caledonia, WI
      • Copernicus Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Creekwood Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Cudahy Woods - Cudahy, WI
      • Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum - Brookfield, WI
      • Elm Grove Village Park - Elm Grove, WI
      • Endicott Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Estabrook Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Euclid Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Falk Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Franklin Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Frontier Park - Butler, WI
      • Glacier Hills County Park - Hubertus, WI
      • Grant Park - South Milwaukee
      • Greenfield Park - West Allis
      • Grobschmidt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hales Corners Park, Ben Hunt Prairie and Cabin, Seneca Hale Summer Kitchen, Cobb Park - Hales Corners, WI
      • Harnischfeger Park - Ixonia, WI
      • Hartung Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Hidden Lake Park - Brookfield, WI
      • High Grove Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Hobbs Woods Nature Area - Fond Du Lac, WI
      • Homestead Hollow County Park - Germantown, WI
      • Honey Creek Park - West Allis, WI
      • Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Humboldt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Indian Mounds County Park - Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds and Trail - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Jackson Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Jacobus Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Kiekhaefer Park - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Kinsey Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Korth Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • Krueger Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Alan Kulwicki Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Ledge County Park - Horicon, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Grafton, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Lincoln Park - Glendale, WI
      • Lion's Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Lyons Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Magnolia Bluff County Park - Evansville, WI
      • Malone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Manchester Hill Park - Muskego, WI
      • Mangan Woods - Greendale, WI
      • Mary Knoll Park - Brookfield, WI
      • McCarty Park - West Allis, WI
      • Mitchell Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Monarch Trail / County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Mound Zion Park - Brookfield, WI
      • John Muir Memorial County Park - Town of Buffalo, WI
      • Mush Ko Se Day Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Muskego Boardwalk Nature Trail - Muskego, WI
      • Muskego Park - Muskego, WI
      • Nashotah Park - Nashotah, WI
      • Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI
      • New Berlin Historical Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Nitschke Mounds County Park - Burnett, WI
      • Petrifying Springs Park - Kenosha, WI
      • Pleasant Valley Parks & Trails - Town of Cedarburg, WI
      • Pondview Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Prairie Springs Park - Pleasant Prairie, WI
      • ProHealth Care Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Richfield Historical Park - Richfield, WI
      • Ridge Run Park - West Bend, WI
      • Rivers Edge Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Rotary Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Sandy Knoll County Park - Town of Trenton, WI
      • Saveland Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Schoen Laufen Park - Germantown, WI
      • Schoetz Park - Village of Hales Corners, WI
      • Scout Lake Park - Greendale, WI
      • Sheboygan Indian Mound Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Simmons Woods Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • South Shore Park - Bayview, WI
      • Three Bridges Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Turtle Creek Parkway / Tiffany Bridge - Clinton, WI
      • Valley View Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Viking County Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Virmond Park - Mequon, WI
      • Warnimont Park - Cudahy, WI
      • Wilson Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Washington Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Weston Antique Apple Orchard & Isabelle Weston Memorial Trail - New Berlin, WI
      • White River County Park - Walworth County
      • Whitnall Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine, WI
    • Nature Preserves >
      • Adam Birding Conservancy - Whitewater, WI
      • Badertscher Preserve - Muskego, WI
      • Joyce M. Baer & George J. Socha Conservancy - Marshall, WI
      • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary - Green Bay, WI
      • Beulah Bog - East Troy, WI
      • Blue Heron Wildlife Sanctuary - Saukville, WI
      • Calhoun Creek Prairie - New Berlin, WI
      • Cedarburg Bog - Saukville, WI
      • Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha, WI
      • Conservancy For Healing And Heritage - Franklin, WI
      • Robert O Cook Arboretum - Janesville, WI
      • Crooked Creek Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Deer Creek Sanctuary - New Berlin, WI
      • Delavan Memorial Arboretum - Delavan, WI
      • Donges Bay Gorge - Mequon, WI
      • Emerald Preserve - Oak Creek, WI
      • Engel Conservation Area - Muskego, WI
      • Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
      • Fellenz Woods - West Bend, WI
      • Flowing Well - Whitewater, WI
      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Forest Exploration Center - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Fox River Sanctuary - Waukesha, WI
      • John S. Garman Nature Preserve - Waterloo, WI
      • Garrison's Glen - Mequon, WI
      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
      • Gordon Tabor Memorial Woods - Caledonia, WI
      • Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Grasslyn Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Greenway Arboretum - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Grootemaat Nature Preserve - Greendale, WI
      • Hartland Marsh Preserve - Village of Hartland, WI
      • Hawthorn Glen - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum - Kenosha, WI
      • Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon, WI
      • Huiras Lake Natural Area - Fredonia, WI
      • Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - Williams Bay, WI
      • Kurtz Woods State Natural Area - Grafton, WI
      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
      • Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Madison, WI
      • Ledge View Nature Center - Chilton, WI
      • Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Grafton, WI
      • Lois Jensen Nature Preserve - Delafield, WI
      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Jean McGraw Memorial Nature Preserve - Kenosha, WI
      • Mequon Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Moely Prairie - Prairie Du Sac, WI
      • Nature Hill Nature Center - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preservel - Eagle, WI
      • Nicholson Wildlife Refuge - Franksville, WI
      • Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area - Oakfield, WI
      • Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Elkhorn, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Retzer Nature Center - Waukesha, WI
      • River Bend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Saller Woods - Rochester, WI
      • Sanctuary Woods - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Seno Woodland Center - Burlington, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • Van der Brohe Arboretum - Two Rivers, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Village of Rochester, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve - Two Rivers, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park - Aztalan, WI
      • Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area - Sauk City, WI
      • Big Foot Beach State Park - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI
      • C. D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area - Kewaunee, WI
      • Cadiz Springs State Park - New Glarus, WI
      • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
      • Havenwoods State Forest - Milwaukee, WI
      • High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, WI
      • Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • La Budde State Natural Area - Ice Age Trail Segment - Plymouth, WI
      • Lake Kegonsa State Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Lapham Peak State Park - Delafield, WI
      • Lizard Mound State Park - Farmington, WI
      • Mauthe Lake State Recreation Area - Campbellsport, WI
      • Mukwonago River Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Mukwonago, WI
      • Natural Bridge State Park - North Freedom, WI
      • Peninsula State Park - Fish Creek, WI
      • Pike Lake State Park - Hartford, WI
      • Point Beach State Forest - Two Rivers, WI
      • Potawatomi State Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
    • Sculpture Gardens and Conservancies >
      • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden - Colgate, WI
      • Boerner Botanical Gardens - Hales Corners, WI
      • Nick Engelbert's Grandview - Hollandale, WI
      • Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer, MN
      • Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture - West Bend, WI
      • Margie's Garden - Hales Corners, WI
      • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy - Milwaukee, WI
      • New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm - Baraboo, WI
      • Olbrich Botanical Gardens - Madison, WI
      • M. Schettl Sales - Sculpture and Oddities
      • James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden - Town of Wilson, WI
      • Rotary Botanical Gardens - Janesville, WI
      • Stevens Point Sculpture Park - Stevens Point, WI
      • West Of The Lake Gardens - Manitowoc, WI
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calvary Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Highland Memorial Park Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Mount Olivet Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • New Berlin Center Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • Oak Hill Cemetery - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Riverside Cemetery - Oshkosh, WI
      • St. Adalbert Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
  • Gardening for Wildlife
    • The Eco-Friendly Lawn
    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More
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Looking Back At 2022 - Beautiful Wisconsin

1/3/2023

3 Comments

 
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2022 brought 53 new adventures and locations to The Park Next Door.

Now that the holidays are behind us, I've been taking a breath and looking back at the past year. All the nature adventures, park strolls, and hikes in all four seasons.  Last March was the 8th anniversary of The Park Next Door. At that time, there were 180 listings on the website. I set a goal to reach 200 by the end of May, and surpassed it by a few.  At the end of 2022, there were 233 listings on the website, in addition to several new special features.
That's 53 new adventures taken, not including repeat trips to several local parks and preserves. I managed to fit in a few longer day trips, including a weekend trip to Door County last fall. Not a single outing disappointed. The weather may not have always cooperated, but no matter. Wisconsin is truly a natural beauty, no matter the weather or season.

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite highlights of 2022.

Color me surprised to happen upon a herd of goats grazing at Elm Brook Village Park this past June. Fast becoming an eco-savvy way to clear invasive species from parks, fields, and woodlands,  Grazing Goats Wisconsin is truly on to something.

​I've noticed more and more grazing goat herds at work in all parts of Wisconsin. Not only are the goats clearing invasives in an easier, more economical way than the hard labor required to dig them out of the ground, they impart a bit of joy to all who get to watch them doing so. They are pretty darn cute, after all.
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Grazing Goats Wisconsin hard at working clearing invasive species at Elm Grove Village Park.
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A herd of grazing goats can forage between 150-200 lbs of roughage and vegetation per day.

Discovering the ancient beauty of the Niagara Escarpment as it winds its way through the state, led us to three gorgeous parks: Ledge County Park, in Horicon, Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area, near Fond du Lac, and Cave Point County Park in Sturgeon Bay.  Each one had it's special features, and natural drama. 

Heading northeast to the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area, we visited three amazing landscapes. Van Der Brohe Arboretum, a retired golf course blossoming into a new nature preserve and arboretum; Cherney-Maribel Caves County Park, another beautiful park along the Niagara Escarpment with caves you can tour; and Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve, a premium bird watching spot and educational center.  There is so much nature to be enjoyed in this part of Wisconsin, I will definitely be going back.

The ongoing work of community members came together to create nature trails, preserves, and personal healing, at three first-time hikes. Eagle Nature Trail has been a labor of love in the community of Eagle, since 2009. Belle Reynolds Nature Trail in Oakfield has community roots beginning in 2002, and the Conservancy for Heritage & Healing was 17 years in the making, with its grand completion ceremony taking place in 2022. Here you will find not only nature trails, but a tranquil healing garden, and a unique chapel perfect for finding some moments of solace and peace.

Looking to add a bit of art to adventure led to two separate excursions. The first, at the height of summer blooming, to West Of The Lake Gardens in Manitowoc. The gardens infuse elements of mid-century modern design, and Asian garden design along the bluffs of Lake Michigan. There's definitely
a Hollywood in the 50's vibe here, along with some of the most well plotted out gardens in the area.

A second art in nature adventure took us to Steven's Point Sculpture Garden and nature trail in Steven's Point. In the early days of fall, the trail was colorful, and the art installations along the walking trail  were unique in design and placement. If you're in the area, don't miss it.

An October hike at Hobbs Woods Nature Area in Fond du Lac, was one of the most memorable hikes of the year for me. Not only is Hobbs Woods incredibly beautiful, but we were accompanied on our hike that day by a local black cat. We covered about two miles on our hike with this Unexpected Companion  with us every step of the way. It was, for me, a kind of magical experience. I think about it often. I'm certain she lives at a neighboring house or farm, and I hope to see, and hike with, her again one day.

Late summer and early fall introduced me to some amazing flower farms and cutting gardens in the area, and brought on an obsession with Zinnias. What an astoundingly beautiful flower! I can't wait to plant a cutting garden filled with them in our garden this coming summer. I doubt it will keep me from visiting the flower farms, though. The vast array of beautiful blooms they grow are a visual feast. Most of the flower farms have pick-your-own sunflower fields as well. It's hard not to be cheerful when walking through the tall maze of a sunflower field. Here are a few of my favorites.

I wouldn't go out of my way to plan a trip to Door County in the rain, but when rain happens, what can you do...my first trip to Door County was on a blustery, cold, rainy weekend in early November. Most of the bright fall color was already gone, but some of the russet tones were hanging on. And a walk through wet, leaf-laden woodland trails was manageable.  The beauty of the state and local parks I visited still shone through, and I definitely plan to return. Whatever the weather. There's so much to see and do in Door County. If you haven't gone, I highly recommend it.

On the local...fall in Wisconsin is a sight to see. So I'm going to wrap up this favorites list with a few of the glorious local parks that were golder than golden this past autumn. They are beautiful, of course, in all seasons, but you might want to put them on your list of must-dos for next fall.

Kinsey Park, in Brookfield, is a small neighborhood park, with an exceptionally beautiful woodland trail behind it. It was absolutely stunning this past October. Lizard Mound State Park, in Farmington, was so incredibly dressed in gold this fall I gasped when we arrived. The autumn colors truly defined the sacred burial mounds in such a stunning way. The Forest Exploration Center, in Wauwatosa, is a popular spot in all seasons. But if you don't get there in fall, well, you're missing out. The Mukwonago River Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, in Mukwonago, is often known as Rainbow Springs (it was once a resort). The lake at the river unit here is as clear as can be, and the fall colors along the trail and surrounding the lake are truly gorgeous. I know it's only January, but I'm looking forward to next fall!  
3 Comments

Farewell 2022, Come On In 2023!

12/31/2022

1 Comment

 
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It's been a challenging year. A busy year. A year filled with adventures in nature near and far. Local parks in the snow, Door County parks in pouring rain, a gorgeous autumn, sculpture parks, a lush and colorful summer, wildflowers in spring. As far as spending time outdoors, Wisconsin has it covered. 

The year 2022 marked the 8th anniversary of The Park Next Door. I hoped to get to 200 listings by the end of May, and surpassed that number. Presently there are 233 listings, and several new special features, with more to come in 2023. I've put together a short video of some of the highlights of 2022 exploring our local parks and preserves. 

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The weather has been erratic already this winter, so who knows what will come next. But whatever comes our way, I'll be out there searching for new places to explore, to share with you.  

In the meantime, I hope 2023 brings peace, joy, and moments spent in nature into your world.

Happy New Year!

​Kimberly
1 Comment

It's Ornamental

12/23/2022

6 Comments

 
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Ornaments, from handmade, to elegant glass-blown works of art, tell a tale of the giver and the recipient. And, over the years, are infused with personal history and memories of holidays spent with those we love.

I'm not one of those people who has her tree up and decorated first thing. If I'm on top of things, I might get the tree in place the weekend after Thanksgiving. But then, it will take me a while to finally get the ornaments on the tree.  Sometimes just due to a busy schedule, sometimes because I have to push myself to get at it, and find a little holiday spirit.

As the years go by, there are fewer holiday get togethers, fewer people to gather, and generational differences in holiday plans.  Being without kids, it's just the two of us, and Christmas is nowhere near the top of any wish list for my husband. Once upon a time, when I was single, and when we were first together, I loved to decorate for the holidays. But as the years have gone by, and life has changed, loved ones have passed on, finding the festive inner spirit has gotten more difficult.

I've written about this before. And I know that I'm not alone in this. The holidays are a very difficult time for many. Grief, sadness, depression, loneliness, these are all amplified by the holiday season. My cover for this, over the years, is to immerse myself in the gift list. Something my mother did with aplomb. I try my best, and sometimes I succeed.
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As I get older, it seems the holiday season is a mix of muted grays and ambient twinkle.

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Freshly fallen snow along the Root River Parkway
And there is nature, a saving grace. Though the to-do list for the holiday season, and the preparation for winter in general, sit front and center, getting outside for a walk in a local park, or on a nature trail, revives me in a way nothing else can. It takes me out of myself.
​

I'm taking in the scene, I'm breathing deeply, listening to the birds calling, and the sound of my feet along the trail.  I'm noticing the different colors of bark and lichen on a tree, the variety in size and shapes of pine cones on evergreens. Maybe hearing the sound of a stream trickling along, or the crackling of worn branches in the wind. The way the light finds its way through the trees, illuminating the understory, the faded grasses, or berries on a bush. 

​Arriving back home after a walk, it is rare that my mood hasn't improved. All my troubles or worries may not have disappeared, but the volume on my negative mindset is turned down, and a kinder voice rises to the surface. At least for a while. Long enough to decorate a tree. Wrap a few gifts. Bake something decadent.

This myth of constant joy and wonder during the holiday season is just that, a myth. Life is filled with ups and downs, blissful moments and tragedies. The Christmas season is not exempt from the trials and tribulations of life. And yet...

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A hand-blown glass ornament, a gift from a friend many Christmases ago, adds a rainbow of reflection to my Christmas tree each year.
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A needlepoint deer was a gift from a friend, and is one of my nephew's favorites on my tree.
PictureA precious ornament, filled with dried flowers from my mother's funeral arrangements.
Taking the time to finally decorate the tree, I go through my ornaments. Selecting favorites, one by one. 
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Several ornaments related to birds and nature. Many of them handmade gifts from family, friends and co-workers over the years. A clear glass ball ornament filled with dried flowers from my mothers funeral floral arrangements, lovingly prepared and gifted to me by one of my sisters. Several of us hang this ornament on our trees every year. A framed photo of my parents wedding photo. Hand painted ornaments from my nephews, a needlepoint of a deer from a friend.

The process of decorating the tree conjures up so many feelings. So many memories and kindnesses received throughout a lifetime. Minus any other holiday decorations, a Christmas tree does the job. It adds a bit of twinkle, a bit of greenery, and artful reminders of a lifetime of connections big and small.  It makes no matter if the tree fits on your tabletop, or reaches the ceiling. Because the space it truly illuminates is within the heart. 🎄



​
However you choose to spend them, may your holidays be just what you need them to be.

Peace,
Kimberly
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6 Comments

Holiday Longing

12/15/2022

6 Comments

 
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I'm at that stage in life where looking back is both nostalgic and painful. Where there is a built-in longing for days gone by. Not so much a desire to relive yesterdays, but to recapture the hope and dreams once held for the future. To experience again those youthful longings. To dream of possibilities unmarred by the tragedies and missteps of life.

In the earliest years that I can recall, the holidays were filled with a lot of activity. Visits with my parents' families, both sides of them. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. The grown-ups chatting, drinking cocktails, singing carols around a piano.  A pot luck of everything from Minnesota hot dish, Jell-o and Christmas cookies, to chips and dip. The usual fare. ​ 
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​As the parties faded, we headed home to put on our pajamas, have a snack, and open our Christmas gifts from our parents. Mornings, of course, were reserved for Christmas stockings and opening the gifts delivered by Santa.

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When it came to Christmas, my mom was a holiday queen. She loved to put up holiday decorations. She delighted in things that sparkled. She often put up more than one tree. One for inside the house, and another, smaller tree, on the front porch. And she never forgot anyone. Did we always get what we asked for? No. But no one went un-gifted at Christmas. Stockings were filled. Oranges, chocolate, candy canes, a trinket or two. Lifesavers, slipper socks. Simple things. But thoughtful.  

As I got older, I would enlist my sisters to help me put together stockings for my parents. It bothered me that they weren't included. I guess my mom's desire to include everyone sunk in for me somehow. I can recall, in the aftermath of gift opening, a puzzled look on her face. Usually followed by a comment on how there was supposed to be one more gift for...fill in the blank...  She'd go upstairs, and you could hear her rummaging through her closet, maybe her dresser. It was there somewhere.  Sometimes she found it, sometimes she didn't. No matter, really. We were far from well-to-do, but my mother put plenty of effort and thought into gift-giving.


At the end of August, 2010, at the age of 73, my mother passed away. We spent many weeks afterward cleaning out her apartment, and her storage unit. Sifting through boxes, drawers, and cupboards.

One evening there were several of us at her place, sorting through items. My sisters and I, their spouses, and some of their children, were there.  I was going through a bedroom closet. Inside was a big Rubbermaid container.

​I opened it. Inside, among a menagerie of items I don't really recall, were four sets of large metal angel candle holders.  All with the tags still on them. 
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Four daughters, four sisters. We were far from angels ourselves, but we loved our mother.
I took them out. Then hesitated for a moment to show them to my sisters. There were four of us. ​I was afraid of the tears that might fall. I knew that my mother had purchased these for us. Most likely during an after-Christmas sale the previous holiday. Like most, she enjoyed a bargain.  I debated on whether or not to save them until the holiday, and gift them to my sisters from her.  But I decided not to wait.

​To be honest, I can't recall whether or not the moment brought on a world of tears. Some things stand out during difficult times, some don't.  But we all agreed that it was my mother's intention to gift her daughters these Christmas angels. And, that she probably got them on sale. We each picked a set, and displayed them at Christmas that year. 

It's been twelve years now, since she passed away. I still miss her every day. Her absence especially felt  around the holidays. But the memory of her still flavors the season. With every beautiful light display I see I recall how much she enjoyed the way they twinkle.  Sometimes decorating every tree in the yard. 

​We lived on a dead-end road, the highway on the other side of a large field. At night, you could look across the field from the highway and see all her handiwork, all the time she spent on a ladder, putting those lights up. I didn't appreciate it then the way I should have. 
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One of my mother's twinkling Christmas trees from my early childhood years.

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The holidays are a mix of emotions for so many.
I'm older now. Many years, and holidays, have passed since she's been gone.  For me, the holidays are a perpetual pendulum. I want to go all-in. Decorate, celebrate. Give to others. Make gifts. Write holiday songs. Donate to good causes. Be filled with good will. 

And I also want to not do any of it. To just skip it.  There are days where the whole idea of Christmas is actually filled with disenchantment. Maybe it's because my husband and I never had kids. Maybe seeing the holidays through a child's lens can help a person rediscover the joy of the season.  Maybe not. I definitely enjoy spending time with my young nieces and nephews doing holiday things. Those are some of the most joyful moments each year. ​

Beyond that, it's a bit of push and pull. I long for the excitement of the season. The magical moments it can bring. The kindness it can show a perfect stranger. The way it can bring people together for a common good.

Somehow, my mother hung on to that dream. Right up until her last Christmas on earth, she was already making plans for the next one. Four daughters, four angels. Something I will never forget.
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With all that she lived through in her life, she still believed in kindness and the magic of twinkling lights on a Christmas tree.

Life isn't perfect. We have a lot of work to do in this world to make it a better place. To protect the planet, and heal ourselves. Tasks that shouldn't require a Christmas holiday to motivate us to be kinder, gentler, more forgiving. But this is where we are. And if the month of December brings twinkling lights, Christmas carols, and a heightened desire to put some good out into the world, I'm on board with that.

Because somewhere within this hectic, mad, fairytale of a  holiday, is a true longing. A longing for a future with heart, soul, healing, and kindness. We don't get to where we are going without remembering where we've been. It's all part of the process. And, though those we love may not be here with us now, they take the journey we're on within us. Which may be the best gift we can ask for.✨
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Holiday Gift Ideas From The Park Next Door

11/28/2022

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We live busy lives. And then the holidays come along and things get even busier.  Holiday shopping doesn't have to amp up your stress level.  Gift-giving should be thoughtful, but it doesn't have to be hard.

​Keep it simple and you can't go wrong.  Take the stress out of holiday shopping with these gift ideas for the nature lovers, hikers, birders, gardeners and nature photographers in your life. 

Happiest of holidays to all!
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Gift-giving can be an opportunity to learn something about the person we're shopping for.

Easy does it.  Sometimes the easiest gifts are the best ones.  Give the gift that keeps on giving all year long with annual park stickers, passes, and nature center memberships.
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Harrington Beach State Park is one of 66 state parks in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin State, National, and County Park Stickers:

​Fortunately, annual stickers are now available to purchase online. They sometimes have special combo packages available during the holidays.

Wisconsin State Park Sticker
A National Park Sticker
Waukesha County Parks Sticker
Washington County Parks Sticker

Nature Center Memberships:
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Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Wehr Nature Center
Boerner Botanical Gardens
River Bend Nature Center
Riveredge Nature Center
Retzer Nature Center 
​Urban Ecology Center

Want to gift to someone not in the Milwaukee area? Check out this resource for Nature Centers Across Wisconsin
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River Bend Nature Center in Racine is one of several local nature centers in southeastern Wisconsin.
Tip: Most nature centers have great gift shops. Opt outside at a nature center for some exploration, then do a little holiday shopping in their gift shops!

Books and Publications: You can't go wrong with books and magazine subscriptions that focus on a persons interests. Following are just a few suggestions. 
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Subscription Publications:

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine

Birds&Blooms Magazine

Our Wisconsin Magazine

Birding Magazine 

Outside Magazine
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Mammoth Tales - Ice Age Trail Alliance Magazine

Books for the Wisconsin Hiker and Local Park Explorer
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Explorer's Guide - 50 Hikes in Wisconsin
Best Easy Day Hikes - Milwaukee
Ice Age Trail Guidebook
101 Things to Do in Milwaukee Parks: A Guide to the Green Spaces in Milwaukee - by Barbara Ali
The Milwaukee River Greenway - by Eddee Daniel
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Around Wisco - The Ice Age Trail by Cameron Gillie
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Hiking a segment of the White River State Trail near Burlington.

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Birders love books of all kinds. From birding adventures, the history of birds, to guidebooks.
Books For the Birder
Field Guide to the Birds of Wisconsin by Charles Hagner 
The Wonder of Birds: What They Tell Us About Ourselves, the World, and a Better Future - by Jim Robbins
Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in a Life of an Extreme Birder - by Kenn Kaufman
National Geographic Kids Guide of Birding North America 
One More Warbler by Victor Emanuel
A Season on the Wind: Inside the World of Spring Migration - by Kenn Kaufman
​National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America by Jonathan Alderfer and Noah Strycker
The Thing with Feathers: The Surprising Lives of Birds and What They Reveal About Being Human - by Noah Strycker
The Urban Birder by David Lindo
This Is A Book for People Who Love Birds - Danielle Belleny (author) Stephanie Singleton (illustrator)


Books For the Nature Lover and Gardening for Wildlife

Zooburbia - by Tai Moses
The Urban Bestiary - by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Mozart's Starling - by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds - by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Welcome to Subirdia - by John M. Marzluff
Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife - by Nancy Lawson
The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature - by J. Drew Lanham
Wildlife in Your Garden - edited by Karen Lanier
Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife - by David Mizejewski for the National Wildlife Federation
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks: compiled by Kathryn Aalto
Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard - by William Tallamy
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Books on gardening for wildlife, understanding wildlife, memoirs of personal relationships to nature, to books on forming a deeper connection to the gardens we grow make wonderful gifts.

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Gifts of all kinds are available for the nature photographer in your life.
​Gifts for a Nature Photographer

The Smartphone Photography Guide by Pete Cope

Extra Camera Memory SD Cards (the more memory the better)

Selfie Sticks; Portable, bendable, tripods

Gift Card for prints or books at their favorite photo print shop

Arts Cameras Plus - Camera gear, photo processing, classes. Gift cards available for gear or workshops and classes

Mike Crivellos - Camera gear, photo processing
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Wildtree - Uniquely designed, handmade, camera straps and more.

Specialized Gear:  There are some great Milwaukee area shops that can help you find the right gear for the outdoor enthusiast on your list.
​Outdoor Gear
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Sherper's A wide selection of outdoor gear, including boots, camping equipment, binoculars and more can be found at this Milwaukee area local outdoor gear shop

Stan's Fit For Your Feet Hiking Boots, Socks and Accessories

Yellow Wood - A Premier Outdoor Gear Shop

​Patagonia - An outdoor clothing and gear company that, for over 30 years, has been giving back 1% of its profits towards preservation and restoration of the natural environment.
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REI Co-op: Gear and clothing for a wide array of outdoor enthusiasts.
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From boots to rain gear, outdoor gear shops have got great holiday gift items.

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Top to bottom: Gray Catbird, Eastern Phoebe, Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Bird Watching and Backyard Birding Gear:
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Wild Birds Unlimited Stores - Bird feeders of all kinds, bird food of all kinds, bird baths, books on birding, and a wealth of knowledge in feeding backyard birds. 

Bird Collective - A great online shop that offers all kinds of unique merchandise for birders, and fans of birds. Bonus: 20% of their profits are donated to projects that help to reverse the decline of bird populations.

Nocs Provisions - Compact, high quality, colorful binoculars in multiple styles.

Stein's Garden & Home - Wild bird feeders and food in several Wisconsin locations.

The Nest - Unique shop in Greendale that carries bird feeding supplies, along with unique bird enthusiast gifts and decor.

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SUPPORT THE PARK NEXT DOOR AND FIND GREAT GIFTS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING LIST
Get yourself a little something, too. Many of the images from The Park Next Door are available to purchase as prints, notebooks, phone cases, holiday ornaments, and more at my FineArtAmerica site.  You can get a gift for someone, or yourself, and support the website at the same time.  Check out the Art For Your Walls feature page, or visit the art site directly.  ​
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Custom spiral journals are 6x8, and include 120 pages.
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Custom holiday ornaments are available in 6 different shapes. They even include a magnet on the back so you can use them as refrigerator magnets.
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Finding The Festive In The Parks & More

11/28/2022

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Celebrate the winter holiday season with festive light displays in our parks and beyond.

December is upon us again. Darkness descends early, and the nights seem so much longer. Fortunately, the advent of holiday light displays brings a bit of brightness and cheer to cold winter nights. 

​No matter where you live, chances are there is a local, county or city park nearby that offers a holiday light display.  Some are drive-thru only, some are walking tours.  
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Holiday lights illuminate the darkness of winter this December.
And, if all else fails, just take an evening stroll through your neighborhood, or a drive through your local area, and enjoy the displays of family, friends and neighbors. ​

Several of the annual Milwaukee area favorites are back again this year, with plenty of other festive displays throughout the state.  Be sure to watch your local news sources for information on festivities in your area as well.  Here's wishing you a cheerful holiday season!

PictureWinter Wonders alight at Whitnall Park this holiday.
Winter Wonders - Whitnall Park/Boerner Botanical Gardens

This holiday event is back for year three, with new displays, concert lighting, and a whopping one million lights. Features new dramatic lighting techniques and displays set throughout the 1.4 mile-long drive-through route at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park.

Open Nightly, with special sponsor events and giveaways each weekend. Check the schedule for details. Recommended to purchase tickets online. Peak wait times on Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday weeks. For lower wait times, visit Sunday-Thursday evenings after 7:30 pm.

Open 5-pm to 10-pm every night through January 1, including holidays.  This is a drive-thru only display.  Admission packages vary. Visit the tickets page for more details.


Wild Lights at The Milwaukee County Zoo

If a stroll through twinkling displays is more your style, you'll want to check out this year's animal themed holiday light show at the Milwaukee County Zoo. 

​Millions of glittering lights will illuminate the forest and pathways. Sparkling sculptures feature the shapes of a gorilla, peacock, gazelle, rhino, and zebras. Perfect photo ops abound!

The event runs from December 1 - 31, with the exception of: Dec. 5, 6, 12,13, 24, 25  Evenings: 5:30 - 9:00pm

Rates vary depending on membership status, etc., however, Parking Is Included.  Visit the ticket site for more details.
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Enjoy the Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

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Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival - Admission is Free. The displays run through January 1.
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival 

Downtown Milwaukee at:  Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park, and  Zeidler Union Square

This perennial holiday light display in downtown Milwaukee is a perfect way to lift your holiday spirits.  Walk or drive-thru to experience the festive displays of over 500,000 lights as animated sculptures, interactive displays, and twinkling street decorations boost your holiday mood. 

Milwaukee Domes Holiday Show: Calm & Bright

Visiting the Milwaukee Domes is always an event, but the holiday show is a perennial favorite.  Enjoy hundreds of beautiful pointsettias on display among festive twinkling trees and lights.  The display is currently open and runs through January 1, 2023. 

Hours: Wed-Friday 9am - 5pm; Sat-Sun 9am - 4pm
Tickets can be purchased at the door. Admission Fees between $5-$8 depending on age, and county of residence. Children under 2 yrs old admitted free of charge.
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Holidays are Calm & Bright at the Milwaukee Domes.

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Enjoy a festive annual light display in the Candy Cane Lane neighborhoods of West Allis.
Candy Cane Lane - West Allis

This annual event of neighborhood light displays takes donations for the MACC Fund, and has set a goal this year of $150,000 for the fight against childhood cancer. 

These festive displays, all created by community  residents, will cheer you and yours. The neighborhood parameters are: 96th Street to 92nd Street, from Montana Avenue to Oklahoma Avenue. 

Drive or walk through this holiday season, the event runs through December 25. See their 
website for specific hours and more detail.

Enchantment in the Park - West Bend
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This holiday light treat in Regner Park, in West Bend, has been an annual event since 2009.  The displays offer both a walk-thru and drive-thru experience. Your choice.  

Sponsored by the local Washington County area Rotary Clubs, this festive display is a fundraiser for local food banks.  Admission is a suggested $10 donation, or non-perishable food items (no glass containers, please). 

In addition to the holiday light displays, there will be musical entertainment, along with food and drink concessions.  The festival runs through December 24, and is open from 5-pm to 9-pm daily. See the 
event calendar for special features and events.
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Find enchantment through the holidays at Regner Park in West Bend.

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The holiday light show at Rotary Botanical Gardens does not disappoint.
Holiday Light Show - Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville

Back for the 26th year, this brilliant holiday event is held on the grounds of the Janesville Rotary Gardens.  Themed light displays, animations, and twinkling walkways will lift your holiday spirits with over one-million holiday lights.

We attended this event a few years back, and it was well worth the drive to Janesville. However, it's a very well attended event.  Be sure to check their schedule for details on purchasing tickets in advance to secure a time spot for your visit.  Tickets prices: Free for 2 and under. $5 for children 3-12, $12 for those 13 and up.

Dates: Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11, Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30.  Evenings: 4:30-pm to 9-pm.
​Reservations/Tickets required purchase in advance.

19 more holiday light events across the state
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​Making Spirits Bright - Sheboygan

Beaver Dam Rotary Lights - Swan City Park
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Illuminate Ozaukee - Cedarburg

Winter Picnic in a Snowglobe - Racine Zoo
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Garden of Lights - Green Bay

Miller Holiday Lites Drive-thru Light Show - Miller Valley, Milwaukee
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Holiday Fantasy in Lights - Madison

Celebration of Lights - Oshkosh
​La Crosse Rotary Lights - La Crosse
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Marshfield Rotary Winter Wonderland - Marshfield
​
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Holiday cheer is found throughout Wisconsin.
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Country Christmas - Pewaukee

Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights - Jellystone Park, Caledonia

Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland - Grafton

East Troy Lights - East Troy

Lake Ripley Holiday Lights - Cambridge

Lights in Lincoln Park - Manitowoc
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Light the Square - Oak Creek
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Sam's Christmas Village & Light Tour - Somerset
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Christmas Village at Irvine Park - Chippewa Falls
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Lakeside Park Holiday Light Show - Fond du Lac​

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door county in the november rain

11/25/2022

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Driving through Potawatomi State Park in the November rain.

Life likes to remind us that we are not in control. We can try our best to be prepared, to plan ahead. But sometimes, yup, it just rains.  My first weekend trip to Door County was in early November, and accompanied by gray skies, strong winds, and lots of rain. I checked the weather forecast every day prior to my trip. The degree of wind and rain varied, but the forecast of rain did not.

The rain held off on my early morning drive up, but finally gave way when I reached the Algoma Pierhead along Lake Michigan.  I stopped to take a few photos of the lighthouse beneath stormy skies, then headed further on to Sturgeon Bay. 
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The Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse in Algoma, WI

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Tall birches lined the misty road leading into Potawatomi State Park.
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The Nature Center sign just down the road from the Ancient Shorelines Trail entrance.
I had sketched out a wish list of places I wanted to visit. A travel log that was ambitious for even the best weather, and high energy days. But with continuous rain, and a shortage of daylight, I made adjustments as I went.

​My first stop in Sturgeon Bay was Potawatomi State Park.  The park is large, 1200 acres, and the drive along the roads that wind through the park is especially scenic.

​Once past the entrance station, I took Norway Road to Shoreline Road, following it until I reached the parking lot of the nature center and park store, which is in-between the north and south campground areas. 

Across the road from the parking lot stood the entrance to the Ancient Shorelines Nature Trail. A half-mile woodland loop, it seemed like a good fit in the pouring rain.

I put on my rain gear, got out my umbrella, and ventured onto the trail.

PictureMoody and misty views along the Ancient Shorelines Trail.
There is something spectacular about being in nature on a gray, rainy day. The foliage takes on a richer hue, the mist from the rain giving the whole scene a kind of mystical feel. 

There is a sense of peace and magic in surrendering to the elements, standing beneath a canopy of trees in a gentle rain, autumn leaves falling around you. An umbrella doesn't hurt either. 


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Motel57 - fun, retro-style lodging in Sturgeon Bay, Door County.
With daylight quickly fading, I finished the drive through Potawatomi State Park and headed back towards town to my lodging for the evening. I had a reservation at a retro-style motel in Sturgeon Bay called Motel57.

​The rates were good, and, as it turned out, the room was clean, comfy, and had a bit of style.  Chilled from the walk in the rain, I checked in, dried off, and took a quick nap to warm up before heading out to find some dinner.
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Comfy, Clean, and Cozy. All that I require of overnight lodgings.

I was hoping to do a little tourist shopping before dinner, but I had trouble locating the shop I was trying to find in the dark and rain. So, I opted to go straight to dinner at a local favorite spot.

Door County Fire Company is a Sturgeon Bay ale house and restaurant that resides in an original working firehouse dating  back to 1907. When the fire department moved to a new facility in 2007, the original building was developed as a restaurant and event venue.

The ale house has a casual, comfortable atmosphere, and family-friendly, quick service. I enjoyed a burger, along with a non-alcoholic Kaliber by Guinness beer. Both were delicious!
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Dinner was casual, and delicious, at Door County Fire Company ale house.

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Big Easy offers tasty breakfast options in Egg Harbor.
Back to the motel for the night, I settled in to review my wish list, and get a good night sleep. Unfortunately, the forecast for rain remained, so I prioritized my list to locations that offered scenic drives with stop-offs for short walks and photo opportunities.

First on my list for day 2 was breakfast at Big Easy. A popular specialty breakfast spot in Egg Harbor, Big Easy is known for their fresh, warm beignets, breakfast bagels, coffee, and more.

I ordered the beignets (one made it home to my husband), and breakfast bagel sandwich, which came with the tastiest tater tots. So good! The breakfast sandwich could easily be shared.

​I lingered over breakfast while the rain continued to pour, though the forecast now suggested intermittent downpours. 

I debated a bit on my next stop. Shopping wasn't a priority on this trip, but it was a worthy option given the weather. I decided to head to Peninsula State Park, driving past some of the shopping in Fish Creek along the way.  Then I would have an idea where to stop on my way back down the highway. Despite the rain, and it being past peak season, Fish Creek seemed to be bustling with plenty of travelers and shoppers. It looked promising. But on to Peninsula State Park...

There were two main features in the park I wanted to see - Sven's Bluff, and Eagle Tower. Shortly after entering the park , along Shore Road, I made a stop at Weborg Point. One of many camp sites in the park, it offers some lovely views of Green Bay, along with a fishing pier, picnic shelter, and a few other amenities in season. I took a few photos from the point and then headed back out onto Shore Road toward Sven's Bluff.
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Weborg Point, with views of Green Bay, in Peninsula State Park.

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Sven's Bluff Overlook in Peninsula State Park is one of several must-see stops throughout the park
Traveling along Shore Road, I made the turn to Skyline Road, which climbs upward to Sven's Bluff. I pulled into Sven's Bluff Overlook as the rain tapered off for a few minutes. Though the views over the lake were misty and gray, the views of Green Bay and the coastline were pretty spectacular.

​Situated atop part of a Niagara Escarpment Bluff, there are multiple hiking trails in the park that meet up with Sven's Bluff.  Whether you're driving through, biking, or hiking in Peninsula State Park, you'll want to put this stop on your list.
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Leaving Sven's Bluff, I once again drove along Skyline Road until it reconnected with Shore Road. It was along Shore Road that I arrived at my last park destination - Eagle Tower. 

This 60-foot high tower on the peninsula's northeast shore, features an observation deck at the top with inspiring views of the park, the surrounding islands, the upper Michigan shoreline, and the village of Ephraim. 

If the idea of climbing the 100 steps from bottom to top leaves you breathless, there is a more accessible, and incredibly scenic option.  Take the 850-foot fully accessible boardwalk ramp from bottom to top. The angle of the ascending slope is never more than 5%, and makes it passable for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and hikers alike. There are level landings and benches for resting, and photo ops, along the way as well.

I was intrigued by the ramp for two reasons: I have difficult knees, and the view as you climb the ramp is like walking among the treetops. Not something you get to do everyday. 

It was still raining as I walked up the ramp, and the winds had picked up. Wind gusts of up to 50mph were expected.  Once or twice I grabbed the railing when the wind gust caught me by surprise, but it was more thrilling than dangerous. Though someone on the tower did lose a hat!  The panoramic views promised, though, were absolutely worth it!   

​The tower is open seasonally from May 1 to October 31.  However, from November 1 through April 30 it may be open, weather permitting.

​I was there on November 5. It was passable in the rain, not sure I would be brave enough to try the climb over ice or snow. But if weather permits, it's worth the climb. Whichever climb you prefer.
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Eagle Tower is a marvel of architecture and nature.
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Viewing the treetops from the actual treetops!
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Wind, rain, overlooks, and autumn color.

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Cold, wet, and windblown, but happy, atop Eagle Tower.
I left Peninsula State Park wet, windblown, and feeling good. Despite the inclement weather, I had still managed to experience these fantastic destinations, and was fully impressed by the surrounding natural beauty of the park. And I was not alone. Rain was not keeping everyone away.

​There were many folks out there enjoying the park, even in the cold, gusty rain. I guess that shouldn't surprise me, this is Wisconsin after all. 

I left Peninsula State Park and headed back south towards Fish Creek to do a little shopping. It drizzled for a while as I made my way through a few shops in town, picking up a few souvenir gifts along the way. Beach People Fish Creek was my best find.

​And just as I arrived back at my car to  head towards my final Door County destination, the sun came out. I checked the weather station on my phone. It was predicted to rain in an hour. Just in time for me to arrive at Cave Point County Park. 
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A burst of sun and blue sky over the Fish Creek marina.

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Waves crashing the 20-foot Cliffs along the shoreline at Cave Point County Park.
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Lake Michigan putting on a show of crashing waves along the cliffs and ledges.
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An outcropping of trees along the stormy cliffs at Cave Point County Park.
In a way, I had saved the best for last. Or at least the most dramatic for last. Cave Point County Park is a must-see on just about any Door County list I read while researching for my trip. And it did not disappoint. I arrived late in the afternoon, without much daylight left, and the gift of sunshine that popped out when I was leaving Fish Creek was fading. Ominous gray clouds were moving in fast as I pulled into the parking lot. The winds had picked up, and suddenly it was raining again. Though more of a drizzle to start. It was getting much colder, too.

But I, along with a growing group of other travelers, had arrived just in time for Lake Michigan's show. The winds were picking up quickly, gusting. Maybe close to that 50mph winds predicted. Cave Point, like the other parks and shorelines in Door County, is part of the Niagara Escarpment. The cliffs and ledges at the park not just scenic, but jutting, big, sturdy, and ancient. 

I moved towards the ledges, and the sound was loud. Waves racing towards the cliffs and crags, busting up against the rock and splashing well over the top of 20-foot cliffs, spraying anyone standing nearby. Between the mist, the rain, the wind, and the spray of the waves, it was nearly impossible not to get wet. Which did not seem to bother anyone one bit. There was a lot of gleeful shouting, and plenty of laughter. And plenty of picture-taking as well. 

There is a short walking trail near this part of the park, but the excitement was on the cliffs, and it was turning dark. I stopped to use the facilities before heading out. Exiting the restroom the crowds had already gone. The park was dark, and the waves were still loud. I was tempted to head back towards the cliffs. I was exhilarated by the whole experience. But common sense won out.  I was alone. And, it was time to head home.

​But I would be back. 🍂
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A Little Autumn Melancholy

11/10/2022

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Kinsey Park - Autumn colors have come and gone in just a matter of weeks.

Autumn melancholy is setting in.  The brilliant colors on the top photo, from just two weeks ago. On the bottom, just today.  It happens so fast. I've tried hard not to miss it. The changing colors, the birdbaths full of robins and waxwings on their way further south.  I am going to miss them so.

The changing of the seasons constantly reminds us to enjoy the now the best we can. Life is fleeting. Moments are upon us, then gone.
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American Robins, on their way south, visited our backyard and birdbaths. I will miss their chatter and evening songs this winter.

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The last of the summer blooms, just picked today. Tomorrow there will be frost.
Commit to memory the warmth of the sun on your face through the car window. The sound of the breeze rustling through the trees. The timbre of your loved ones voice saying good morning, or good night.

​Touch the flowers in the garden that have yet to fade, and know that when they do, that they will come again. But you will miss them.  

​​Adore the smell of autumn. Thank goodness it lingers long after the leaves have fallen. Like the scent of someone you miss long gone.
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Boldly colored, warmly scented, the brilliance of autumn leaves.

Yes, a little melancholy, at the prospect of letting go. But ever forward we go. Nature shows us the way. A constant reminder to keep focus, but be ready for the unexpected. The good, the bad, the in-between.

It's right there in the name. Nature. Natural. What has gone will come again. Life. Death. Rebirth.
Fall. Winter. Spring. Summer. Repeat.🍁❄️🌷☀️
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November is a show in contrast of bold colors on a gray landscape.
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golden days - Autumn color abounds in our local parks

10/27/2022

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Golden was the word of the day at Kinsey Park in Brookfield.

It could be that every fall is like this. Passionate in its color palette, seductive and comforting at the same time. Maybe I just haven't paid enough attention in years past. Or been in the right place at the right time. But I'm of the mind that this fall, at least here in Wisconsin, has been especially colorful. Everything seems to be a little later, too. Two weeks, maybe? I don't know.  I just know how it seems to me.

Most days I start out with a list of things I should be doing. But then, autumn calls, and I find myself out leaf peeping, looking for some serious fall drama.  And, boy, have I been finding it.

In the past few weeks I have roamed through several of our local parks, oohing and aahing along the way. I've even been to a few spots more than once, and been amazed at the changes just a day or two (and a few cool nights) can make.
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Natures paint brush at work in Kinsey Park.

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A special guide gave us a tour of Hobbs Woods Nature Area in Fond du Lac County.
Early in October, we took a short drive to Fond du Lac to visit Hobbs Woods. The trees in the preserve had already begun to transform into the colors of the season: vibrant reds, oranges, and golds lining the trails, and floating along in Parsons Creek.

​As if the beauty of the trails and surrounding nature area weren't enchanting enough, we were joined on our hike by a local black cat. You can read about our guest hiking guide in my post An Unexpected Companion. 

There are approximately 3 miles of trails winding through this 60-acre park and nature area. The outer trails are mostly easy-going, the inner trails that follow along the edges of Parsons Creek are a little trickier. Good hiking shoes recommended.
You'll find the quiet and the beauty worth the effort. 

Always lovely, but especially stunning in fall, Malone Park, in New Berlin, was decked out in all the colors of the season. Leaves crunching under foot along the trail, chipmunks and squirrels busy collecting nuts for their winter stash.

The creek running through the park was mostly dry, collecting fallen leaves of orange, red, and gold instead of rain. If you're looking for a scenic autumn walk, Malone Park is an excellent choice.
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Malone Park in the fall does not dissapoint!

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Schoen Laufen Park in Germantown is filled with the glow of autumn color.
Have you been to Schoen Laufen Park in Germantown, yet? If not, now is a spectacular time to go. Although it's not a large park, it is the perfect size to wander the easy trails and do some leaf peeping.

I took a friend along on a recent walk there, and we were both in awe of the tall trees and the colors bursting forth.  Enjoy the peaceful views on your own, or take a friend along. Either way, it's worth it. 

Let yourself be charmed by the scenic views at Kinsey Park in Brookfield. This unassuming, pleasant,  neighborhood park, has a hidden secret. The woodland trails just beyond the children's playground are fast becoming one of my favorite go-to spots for a quick afternoon nature walk.

​I've been there twice this fall, and the most recent visit was just golden! As evidenced by the title collage of this blog post, the forest is aglow. Need some fall color? You should go.  
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Kinsey Park in Brookfield is a golden treasure in fall.

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Jackson Park in Milwaukee is a stunner in the fall.
Every time I visit Jackson Park, I think I should come here more often. I'm glad I made it back for some seasonal color this October. Jackson Park is gorgeous adorned in autumn tones.

​The trails throughout the park, and around the lagoon, are scenic. Perfect for relaxing on a park bench, or having a picnic on a sunny autumn afternoon. Walking through part of the Forked Aster Trail adds a bit of wilderness as well. It's clear why Jackson Park is a favorite among Milwaukeeans. 

If you're wanting to wander through a forest, there's no place like home. Follow the yellow-leafed trail  and find yourself immersed in wooded bliss within the Forest Exploration Center, in Wauwatosa.

​This forest in the city is a destination in every season, but in fall, well, the magic falls from the trees. We went this weekend, and the golden splendor was everywhere.

We took a seat on one of the wooden park benches to rest for a moment, and to watch as the leaves danced their way down on the breeze, sounding a bit like softly falling rain.

​There's definitely a cozy, magical vibe here. You're gonna love it. 
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Immerse yourself in autumn at the Forest Exploration Center in Wauwatosa.

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Lizard Mound State Park is peaceful, sacred, and dressed in autumn color.
Recently, a friend and I went to an art fair of sorts in Washington County. On the way there we passed Lizard Mound State Park. Since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to stop there on the way back home. I'm so glad we did! 

Driving into the park, I had to gasp in wonder! The canopy of trees surrounding the parking lot was draped in gold!  Vibrant and plentiful, the leaves were everywhere. On the trees, on the grass, on the parking lot pavement.

We took a walk through the wooded trail, past some of the sacred effigy mounds. Simply stunning. Something about the fallen leaves seemed to accent the Native-American burial mounds so beautifully. They seemed to define the shapes even more within the natural landscape.

Such a peaceful and sacred space. How lucky that we stopped, and were able to enjoy it. I was so enamored, I went back again the next day. 

As the season travels forward, I'm looking forward to enjoying autumns color as long as it holds on. We Wisconsinites know that the weather can change on a dime here. Whatever happens, the beauty will be there, one way or another. And you can find it, at The Park Next Door.🍁
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Be leaf in the beauty of fall

10/27/2022

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Dear Autumn,

Please don't go. Stay, a little longer. Charm me, once more, with your bold and warm wardrobe of falling leaves. Your reds, and oranges, and golds. With the musky scent of you. With the sound of your voice blowing in the cool night breeze, and crisply rising from beneath my walking feet. With the distant call of migrating birds passing overhead beneath dark skies.

Keep me company while the days grow shorter. Temper the melancholy as I find a sunny spot to watch you fall, while I sip something warm. Put your branches around me as I mourn the fading of the flowers in my garden. Show me, kindly, how time marches on, beauty by its side. Teach me to find comfort in the brevity of your days, even though I want to hold on.

Sweet Autumn, I am grateful for our time together. I savor the moments of beauty spent walking the woodland trails, and your companionship creek side, as the waters flow, artfully clothed in your fallen bits and baubles.

I don't want you to go. I need more time. There's so much more about you I want to know. I want to see. I want to breathe. I want to feel. But I know it's not for us to say. Time marches on. And so do you.  But I will be here waiting for you, come next September.  And the next...🍁
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    A traveler, singer,  novice photographer, humane gardener, and nature lover.
    ​I've been keeping closer to home these days, and truly discovering the beauty that lies in The Park Next Door.

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    • Nature Trails >
      • 116th Street - Oak Leaf Trail - West Allis, WI
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      • Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk - Delafield, WI
    • Local Parks >
      • Astico County Park - Columbus, WI
      • Asylum Point Park & Lighthouse - Oshkosh, WI
      • Beckman Mill County Park - Beloit, WI
      • Big Hill Park - Beloit, WI
      • Bluhm Farm Park - Muskego, WI
      • Bratt Woods - Grafton, WI
      • Brown Deer Park - Brown Deer, WI
      • Calhoun Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Dorothy Carnes Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Carver-Roehl County Park - Clinton, WI
      • Case Eagle Park - Burlington, WI
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      • Cherney Maribel Caves County Park - Maribel, WI
      • Cliffside Park - Caledonia, WI
      • Copernicus Park - Milwaukee, WI
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      • Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum - Brookfield, WI
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      • Falk Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Franklin Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Frontier Park - Butler, WI
      • Glacier Hills County Park - Hubertus, WI
      • Grant Park - South Milwaukee
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      • Hales Corners Park, Ben Hunt Prairie and Cabin, Seneca Hale Summer Kitchen, Cobb Park - Hales Corners, WI
      • Harnischfeger Park - Ixonia, WI
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      • High Grove Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Hobbs Woods Nature Area - Fond Du Lac, WI
      • Homestead Hollow County Park - Germantown, WI
      • Honey Creek Park - West Allis, WI
      • Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa, WI
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      • Indian Mounds County Park - Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds and Trail - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Jackson Park - Milwaukee, WI
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      • Kiekhaefer Park - Fond du Lac, WI
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      • Krueger Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Alan Kulwicki Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Ledge County Park - Horicon, WI
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      • Monarch Trail / County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI
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      • John Muir Memorial County Park - Town of Buffalo, WI
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      • Muskego Boardwalk Nature Trail - Muskego, WI
      • Muskego Park - Muskego, WI
      • Nashotah Park - Nashotah, WI
      • Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI
      • New Berlin Historical Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Nitschke Mounds County Park - Burnett, WI
      • Petrifying Springs Park - Kenosha, WI
      • Pleasant Valley Parks & Trails - Town of Cedarburg, WI
      • Pondview Park - Greenfield, WI
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      • ProHealth Care Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Richfield Historical Park - Richfield, WI
      • Ridge Run Park - West Bend, WI
      • Rivers Edge Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Rotary Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Sandy Knoll County Park - Town of Trenton, WI
      • Saveland Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Schoen Laufen Park - Germantown, WI
      • Schoetz Park - Village of Hales Corners, WI
      • Scout Lake Park - Greendale, WI
      • Sheboygan Indian Mound Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Simmons Woods Park - Pewaukee, WI
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      • Conservancy For Healing And Heritage - Franklin, WI
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      • Engel Conservation Area - Muskego, WI
      • Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
      • Fellenz Woods - West Bend, WI
      • Flowing Well - Whitewater, WI
      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Forest Exploration Center - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Fox River Sanctuary - Waukesha, WI
      • John S. Garman Nature Preserve - Waterloo, WI
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      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
      • Gordon Tabor Memorial Woods - Caledonia, WI
      • Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Grasslyn Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
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      • Grootemaat Nature Preserve - Greendale, WI
      • Hartland Marsh Preserve - Village of Hartland, WI
      • Hawthorn Glen - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum - Kenosha, WI
      • Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon, WI
      • Huiras Lake Natural Area - Fredonia, WI
      • Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - Williams Bay, WI
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      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
      • Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Madison, WI
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      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Jean McGraw Memorial Nature Preserve - Kenosha, WI
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      • Moely Prairie - Prairie Du Sac, WI
      • Nature Hill Nature Center - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preservel - Eagle, WI
      • Nicholson Wildlife Refuge - Franksville, WI
      • Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area - Oakfield, WI
      • Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Elkhorn, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Retzer Nature Center - Waukesha, WI
      • River Bend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Saller Woods - Rochester, WI
      • Sanctuary Woods - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Seno Woodland Center - Burlington, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • Van der Brohe Arboretum - Two Rivers, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Village of Rochester, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve - Two Rivers, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park - Aztalan, WI
      • Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area - Sauk City, WI
      • Big Foot Beach State Park - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI
      • C. D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area - Kewaunee, WI
      • Cadiz Springs State Park - New Glarus, WI
      • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
      • Havenwoods State Forest - Milwaukee, WI
      • High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, WI
      • Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • La Budde State Natural Area - Ice Age Trail Segment - Plymouth, WI
      • Lake Kegonsa State Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Lapham Peak State Park - Delafield, WI
      • Lizard Mound State Park - Farmington, WI
      • Mauthe Lake State Recreation Area - Campbellsport, WI
      • Mukwonago River Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Mukwonago, WI
      • Natural Bridge State Park - North Freedom, WI
      • Peninsula State Park - Fish Creek, WI
      • Pike Lake State Park - Hartford, WI
      • Point Beach State Forest - Two Rivers, WI
      • Potawatomi State Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
    • Sculpture Gardens and Conservancies >
      • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden - Colgate, WI
      • Boerner Botanical Gardens - Hales Corners, WI
      • Nick Engelbert's Grandview - Hollandale, WI
      • Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer, MN
      • Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture - West Bend, WI
      • Margie's Garden - Hales Corners, WI
      • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy - Milwaukee, WI
      • New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm - Baraboo, WI
      • Olbrich Botanical Gardens - Madison, WI
      • M. Schettl Sales - Sculpture and Oddities
      • James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden - Town of Wilson, WI
      • Rotary Botanical Gardens - Janesville, WI
      • Stevens Point Sculpture Park - Stevens Point, WI
      • West Of The Lake Gardens - Manitowoc, WI
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calvary Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Highland Memorial Park Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Mount Olivet Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • New Berlin Center Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • Oak Hill Cemetery - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Riverside Cemetery - Oshkosh, WI
      • St. Adalbert Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
  • Gardening for Wildlife
    • The Eco-Friendly Lawn
    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More