House on the Rock (videos added 10/24/14)

Friday we decided we'd head west to an attraction called A House on the Rock.  When we got up we noticed the trees in the park were changing.  It was refreshing to see the birth of such vibrant colors.





It was still windy and cool outside.  I think the high that day only reached the low 60's.



This place we thought was a bit pricey, but then after touring the facility we realized why.  It's a place you'd want to visit at least once.  After touring the initial museum of the history of the founder, Alex Jordan, I came away with one distinct impression.  As I read, it stated that his mother was a devout Christian woman, his father - not, nor was he.  It continued, Alex was never satisfied, always wanting more.  They probably intended it in the way of his imagination, but I took it as when God doesn't fill you, you will try to find your happiness with material things, hence in my opinion why he was never satisfied!  As far as Clif and I were concerned, he was a hoarder, but in nicer terms, a collector.  He collected EVERYTHING!  His house he built on the rock was interesting.  I felt I was in a time warp back in the late 60's early 70's, with splashes of the early 1900's.  The ceilings were very low.  If you are over 5'8", you'll have to duck as you walk through it.







He even built this room called The Infinity Room.  He wanted it to appear that there is never an end.
Well, he definitely created that affect.  When you get half way through the room, he has a glass floor so you can see the tree tops.





This is the external view we took after we were finished visiting the place.  They have an overlook off the main highway.



Anyway, back to the house.  Alex liked music, and had the mechanical music machines everywhere.  You received tokens as part of your admission so you can hear them play.  If I can find the video I took on my camera, I will try to upload it.  But for some reason, when I downloaded the pictures, the videos didn't.

Add a quarter to the machine, and this is what it sounds like.

 

 

Each of these mechanical inventions played a tune of some sort as if you were listening to a live band or orchestra.  Simply amazing!

This Asian Room was interesting.

He collected so many carousel horses that they mounted them from floor to ceiling!

This is what the room basically looked and sounded like.

 



Could you imagine playing this organ?



Anyway, we have way too many pictures to post.  You'll just have to visit yourselves to see his collections.  I don't think there is anything he didn't collect.  He had dolls, carousels, nautical, aviation, all transportation for that matter, guns, crowns, jewels, the list just goes on and on.  Amazing.

When you come out of the museums, he has a wonderful, peaceful Japanese Garden.  He carried all this stuff up himself to create his oasis.



After that adventure, we took another scenic route back to camp.  We explored Blue Mound State Park.  They had 2 towers to view from.  It seemed to have gotten windier as the day went on.






The view from up here was pretty.



It was another adventurous day to say the least. :)

A Day with the Kids

After our ride on the 400 Trail, we moved our camp to Mendota County Park in Madison.  This campground was about 15 minutes from Michael and Valerie's house.  We stayed there for 4 nights and the 5th night was spent with the kids so we didn't have to pack up camp at 3am for a 4am departure.

We spent Thursday with them as they both had the day off.  However, the kids wouldn't be ready until noon.  Clif and I toured the State Capital Building so he could have more practice with his camera, then we all went to Olbrich Botanical Gardens.  Clif had fun getting some wonderful shots of Chloe.



She was having too much fun posing for Grandpa! :)



Michael and Valerie enjoyed the day as well.



Being we had purchased a State Park Parking Pass for $35, we thought we'd take advantage and visit as many State Parks as possible.  In Wisconsin for non-residents, it costs $10 to access any State Park.  I think it's rather pricey, but then again, their parks are beautiful so the money evidently goes to good use. 

Valerie needed to get her sleep before working her overnight shift, so after dropping her off, we continued to Governor Nelson State Park which was between their house and our campground.  It offers hiking, boating, and it has a nice beach/playground area with a beautiful view of the Capital Building across the lake.





Grandma and Chloe headed off to the playground.  I enjoyed our bonding time.



She enjoyed swinging, driving and going down the slide.









She even got Daddy in on the action.







Afterwards, we went to camp and they had dinner with us.  Michael was telling us that the Capital is pretty when lit at night, so after we dropped them back home, we stopped at Govern Nelson State Park again to take a night shot of the building.  It was surprisingly windy, so it was a wonder Clif was even able to get a picture.



We had a wonderful day. :)

400 Trail

Being Wisconsin has lots of bike trails, we decided this vacation we would explore a few.  One of the bike trails near Devil's Lake (well sort of if you consider almost an hour's drive away as close) is the 400 Trail.  It is named for the train that traveled 400 miles from Chicago to Minneapolis in 400 minutes including all the stops.  Back in the day that would have been "bookin' it".  The trail was limestone packed which had more resistance than riding on asphalt.  Needless to say, we didn't get as far as we would have liked to have traveled, but by day's end, we had biked 22 miles out and back.

We started in Reedsburg with the intention on riding to Wonewoc 16 miles away.  It is a trail that follows along the Baraboo River that we rode along side in the city of Baraboo.



We passed cow pastures, and yes, the cows were mooing at us!





In Lavalle which was 7 miles into the ride, they had a Veteran's Memorial next to the trail.



They had several sandstone bluffs.



As we were continuing along, we contemplated whether to push to the 16 mile mark before returning, or just turn around.



We decided 11 miles was far enough and decided to head back to the trailhead in Reedsburg!
I was disappointed, but relieved... especially when we got back and I was pooped.  I told Clif, "I am grateful you know me so well because if we had gone to Wonewoc, you would have had to ride back, get the truck and pick me up."

As it was, after we loaded the bikes we headed out to Wonewoc just to see what the small town was all about.  We were glad we didn't ride out there because to us in our opinion, the town was a bust.

Wisconsin Bound There We Went... (video added 10/24/14)

Clif was finally able to take his much needed vacation.  We headed north to Wisconsin leaving early Saturday morning at 4am.  We were able to make it all the way to Massac State Park on the Ohio River in Illinois by 4:00pm, set up camp, and head to 5:00 Mass just down the street.  After dinner, we ventured down to the river to see what activities might be happening.  Well, to our surprise, the barges were being moved even in the dark.  Clif's camera was able to brighten the picture to make out the activity.







I can't imagine navigating the Ohio River in the dark, but they were!  When we got back to camp some local campers were concerned that we, being from Florida, weren't prepared for the cold evening temperatures expected...low 40's.  I assured them we were.  Little do they know that we've camped in 19 degree weather in January in Florida.  Now THAT is what I would call cold!

When we arrived at Devil's Lake, we were surprised that Michael, Valerie, and Chloe had driven up to meet us there.  Michael helped Clif set up camp while I cooked dinner.  Chloe and Valerie enjoyed Patty Cake with Curious George that I had bought for Chloe while shopping with Diane in August.

I forgot I had taken a video of Chloe walking around camp.  She was taking it all in.  This was a first for her.

Monday we woke up to rain.  Our plans changed slightly as to where we enjoyed a 17 mile driving tour around the Devil's Lake area.  When we got to Parfrey's Glen, it had stopped long enough for us to get out and enjoy the hike.  The rain started minutes after getting back under cover!





It was a nice leisurely walk that went to nowhere in particular.



This is where the trail ended.



We spent time exploring Baraboo.  We ate at a small quaint restaurant called The Birdie's Nest.  The food there was AMAZING!  The workers had a case of the giggles.  The locals had asked them if they had digested laughing gas.  It made a dreary day cheerful.

When the rain finally subsided, out popped the sun.  We spied The River Walk Trail, and realizing the bikes were on the back of the truck we decided to bike the trail.  It was a beautiful ride.



You can tell by the name of the trail that it follows the (Baraboo) river the entire way.







Then back to the campground we went. 
We have to be those typical tourists, you know, the kind that stand by the sign and pose for a picture!



How's this for an entrance to a park?  What a gorgeous drive!





We decided to go ahead and make the most of the day by hiking the West Bluff Trail.  It would be a 2 3/4 roundtrip hike by connecting it to the lakeside trail.  The views were breathtaking.

Looking at the north end of the East Bluff.  The beach area below, and railroad tracks along the base.


 
Now looking to the south end of the East Bluff.

I sure am glad to see some sunshine!



You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, john boats, etc.







Pinnacle Rock



The glacier that came here some 18,000 years ago deposited glacial debris to form a moraine which is visible in this picture.  It is the lowered flattened land linking the two bluffs.



Coming around onto the lower trail, the rocks were the most beautiful lavender color imaginable.  I wish the camera would have picked up the true color.





When we had shown Michael the pictures we took, he asked, "there was a hiking trail through all that rock?  Who knew?!"  The picture views of the West Bluff from the East Bluff will show the landslides of rocks.  Imagine a trail made through that mess.

Tuesday we ventured on the East Bluff Trail to view Balanced Rock, The Potholes, and Devil's Door.  This hike was strenuous.  I was glad I had my hiking sticks.  Not a trail you would want to do if it's wet.  It'd be way too slippery.  Don't let this first picture fool you!





No, the trail didn't go into that cave.  It went along side of it to the right.
It's only a matter of time before this boulder goes tumbling down.



Just as you think the whole hike is rock, you happen upon a pretty wooded area of green.



The view of the rocks along the water's edge we hiked through the evening before.







We are trying to find the trail for the Balanced Rock. 


If it weren't for locals who came along, we'd still be looking.  Who knew it would be between a rock and a tree.  It was a smaller opening than I was looking for.



And there it is, the Balanced Rock.  Now for the climb down before we ascend back up the other side to the Potholes.




The many rocky steps we climbed up and down.











A view of Balanced Rock from below, and the rock rubble we hiked through!



And now for the climb back up to see the Potholes and Devil's Door.







All that to see this?  These are the potholes.



At least Devil's Door was a bit more impressive. 



We enjoyed our 2 days romping around the 2 bluffs.  We have had many more adventures, but posting will have to wait for another time when I have internet access again!  Visit the blog Oct 1 to see all our adventures. :)