Slow Down For Beauty

10/27/2025

Golden leaves at Lizard Mound State Park. A natural beauty worth admiring.

The days are speeding by. Seems they go even faster at this time of year. Soon the clocks will turn back an hour and darkness will descend even earlier than it is already. Dark by late afternoon. Ugh. It's a shock to the system. As in recent years, Halloween will have barely sparked out, and the holiday music starts playing. I've already seen Christmas shopping ads. It's not a complete surprise, but it does make a person want to say "Hold up. I'm not ready".

Yesterday I went with my good friend, Kay, to enjoy some fall color at two parks in the West Bend area. Firefighters Memorial Bluff Park, and Lizard Mound State Park.

I'm still recovering from shoulder surgery, so she was kind enough to drive. Both of us were hankering to get out and take in some of the seasonal scenery. I'm so glad we did.

It was a chilly, but beautiful, sunny day. It's been a strange year for leaf peeping. Some trees are stunning, draped in vivid autumn hues, some drab and brown, some still very green. Even so, it was worth taking the time to go. To slow down and spend an afternoon in the company of a friend and nature.

A view of the river from the West Bend Riverwalk Trail.

The park is located at the northern end of the West Bend Riverwalk, a 3-mile multi-use paved trail that follows along the Milwaukee River, and West Bend parks including Riverside and Regner. We focused on the great view of Barton Pond and the Milwaukee River as they flow through Barton and West Bend. At this North Main Street Overlook, you'll find plenty of park benches available to sit for a spell and take in the view. If you walk down the hill, closer to the river, you'll find a viewing dock with more park benches.

FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL BLUFF PARK - GALLERY

Less than a ten minute drive from the bluff is Lizard Mound State Park. One of my fall favorites. It never disappoints. It was adorned in a mix of bold autumn color, faded brown, and plenty of still-green leaves. Goldenrod still standing tall, but brightness faded. Milkweed pods open and seeds ready to scatter with the next gust of wind.

The effigy mounds were still draped in green grasses. In years past they would be covered in fallen leaves by now. Those are still to come, I'm sure. We wandered some of the easy walking trails, admiring the woodland dressed in russets, golds, and oranges. We even spotted a few late season dandelions.

A peaceful park surrounded in bold natural beauty, it's worth a visit in any season. Fall here is stunning. Though November will find it past peak color, it's quiet beauty will remain.

Take some time before all the hustle and bustle begins to slow down and enjoy our gorgeous state. Even better, go with a friend.