2 days, 4 state parks, 1 terminus

While the weather didn't fully cooperate, a weekend in nature is always better than the alternative. Heading out to Door County prior to peak season, we enjoyed four state parks in two days, each one with its own special characteristics.

We kicked off the state park your with a stop at Newport State Park. I missed out on the biggest wildlife encounter while I rushed back to retrieve the camera right at the start of the journey. Luckily, my wife's keen eyes and ears spotted a two-foot yellow and black snake that I just caught a glance at as it slithered away from the trail.While I missed out on much of that excitement, I was able to enjoy the next three or so miles with my two favorite ladies. We took a trail near the shoreline. Seeing the rock formations and unique tree growth along large bodies of water just makes you realize how fascinating the power of water really is.

Being only two years old, I am continually impressed with Embry's endurance and excitement on the trail. Of course, her problem-solving is also enjoyable. Fallen trees, large rocks, and root systems have nothing on this little girl. In fact, she spends a good portion of time calling out every root and rock she sees while also apologizing to the roots and asking if they are OK after she steps on and over them. Very cute.

Embry loves her towers almost as much as she loves her trees. So, at our next stop, Peninsula State Park, the tower was a must see. In fact, it was our first stop.

After a trek up Eagle Tower, we enjoyed our usual exploration of the Sentinel Trail, fully adorned with signs and markers with facts about trees. Embry especially liked the "tree identification spinner."

We made it almost the entire way before Embry realized she was without her walking stick. Every time we hit the trail, she picks out a local stick and uses it for that day's adventure before leaving it for the next tyke hiker to enjoy.

Day two of the weekend started off at Whitefish Dunes State Park. Unfortunately, blustery winds and nagging lake flies cut our hike shorter than we may have liked, but taking a break inside the nature center and playing with the puppets was a welcome respite from the chilly breeze.

We did enjoy the soft sands and especially clear waters viewable from the beach Embry, of course, found a new stick to guide her trek along the shoreline.

Adjacent to Whitefish Dunes was Cave Point County Park, so we made a quick stop and took in amazing limestone formations and more unique tree growth. Hopefully, our next visit will include some more sun and many fewer flies.

We saved Door County's southernmost state park for the finale as we headed to Potawatomi State Park. After finding the nature center closed (boo) and playing on a campsite playground (yay), we traveled the winding and pine-laden roads to get to Potawatomi Tower. Our little hikes of course made the trek extra long as she insisted on climbing each step herself.

Being a huge enthusiast of the Ice Age Trail, I finished up lunch with the family and ventured out and about on the segment from the tower for just a few minutes. 

I feel very "lucky" to be able to hike the Ice Age Trail. Apparently, so does someone else.

Embry continued her usual terned of "bopping" every blaze she sees. Though this day's hike was short, the memories made will be long lasting. My wife snapped a picture of Embry and I at the eastern terminus rock, signifying the beginning (or end) of a long Ice Age Trail Journey. While I am nowhere near the 1,000-miler status, I couldn't help but think of all the people I know who took this very same picture to celebrate their amazing accomplishment. I look forward to being able to snap this picture again soon, with many more miles on my boots.

The week of hiking isn't over yet! This Saturday, I will be leading over 400 people from my school community at our inaugural Walk in the Woods event at Lapham Peak. I am looking forward to getting people out on the trail and hopefully motivating more people to enjoy hiking in Wisconsin on a more regular basis.

Scouting

In two short weeks, I will be leading four hikes through picturesque Lapham Peak State Park as part of the inaugural Woodside Walk in the Woods hiking event hosted by my school's Green, Healthy, & Wellness Committee. Knowing over 400 school community members have RSVP'ed, I wanted to do some scouting to find fun accessible and diverse trail routes for all involved. Two hikes will be shorter and focus on paved and easy terrain while two hikes will be a bit more adventurous, but certainly still family-friendly.

It's no fun to scout alone so of course I brought my hiking partner, Embry, and some of our closest friends and their fellow toddler. I love hiking and seeing my daughter enjoy the trails, but that joy is more than doubled when she teams up with the little lady my wife appointed as Embry's "bestie."

We headed out on one of Lapham's groomed trails with an easy and rolling slope and it wasn' too long before we came across three white-tailed deer foraging. We were at a distance where they weren't bothered by our presence, though an unsuspecting trail runner came within a few feet, startling and dispersing them ever so slightly. I know Wisconsin is loaded with deer, but there's still something cool about seeing them in their element.

We continued at a toddler-like pace with the two girls enjoying their own hiking sticks, running and stopping, occasionally whimpering, more running and stopping, and persistently pausing to touch anything and everything. And when you have two little ones, you better make sure you have snacks. We found a nice bench along the path and enjoyed some berries and fruit snacks before heading back to the hike.

It wasn't much longer until we came across a "beginning to bloom" butterfly garden. Watching the girls stick their sniffers up into the flowers was entertaining. They liked the colors and were reluctant to leave. Only the promise of scaling "the tower" lured them away.

When we got to the tower, both girls made it well known they wanted to do each step, so it was a bit of a slower ascent. Of course, there was no time to enjoy the views once we did reach the top, the girls made it clear it was time to climb down. Then, at the bottom, time to go right back up. However, the adults stepped in and ended the climbing party. While my friends and Embry's bestie headed home, my little hiker and I were just getting started.

We headed back on one of my daughter's favorite Ice Age Trail spots to date: the tower steps. Once again, she refused any help. Once making it to the bottom, she found a new hiking stick, stopped to listen every time she heard the faintest chirp, and pleaded to pet each of the many dogs we saw. Our favorites were a beautiful pair of very friendly huskies named Sebastian and Covie. We traversed the Ice Age Trail and some of Lapham's other trails before heading back towards the butterfly garden and the nature center where our car was parked. Once we got to the paved trail adjacent to the nature center, Embry requested to be held, something she usually intensely avoids when out in nature. Not more than one minute after her request was granted, she was out cold.

She may have been hiked out for the day, but our hiking adventures are far, far from being over.

Tyke Hike #10 - Hartland Marsh

When I woke to a chorus of robins this morning, I thought it would be a great day. When I stepped outside and felt the warm sun and the soft breeze, my initial thoughts were confirmed.

It was an absolutely perfect day for a hike. Embry and I couldn't wait to get started. This particular hike was even more exciting because it represented the first "partner" hike between the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance and the Delafield Pubic Library. In select hikes this year, besides a stroll on a wonderful trail, hike-themed based literature, crafts, and/or songs will be provided.

Speaking of partnerships, this is a fantastic word to describe the location of today's hike: Hartland. For many reasons, Hartland is a crucial element in the future of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

First, the village of Hartland is in the process of becoming an Ice Age Trail Community. Essentially, the community and the Ice Age Trail Alliance work together in a close relationship to dually promote the trail and the amenities near it as a way to promote usage, preservation, and appreciation of the trail. Read more about this at Hartland Hopes to Become an Ice Age Trail Community.

Secondly, our hike today spent some time detailing a wonderful project put together by a local family and fellow community members to help raise awareness (and hopefully increase the number of birds) of the chimney swift, a migratory bird that in certain parts of the year, would act as an excellent insect repellent in this mosquito-rich marsh. Chimney swifts migrate as the weather turns, but look for chimney-like structures to rest as they make their journey. Though they used to be regular visitors of Hartland, the chimney they frequented is no longer standing, so a family worked with the community to build this structure in hopes of getting return visits for years to come. Please read about this amazing project at Hartland Chimney Swifts.

Lastly, this area needs partners like YOU! This particular stretch of land is currently in the very beginning stages of being restored. Invasive species and pest plants have taken over considerable areas of the land. Plans are in the process of being made to help improve the land and restore it to earlier conditions more conducive to native plant growth and the supporting of animals while also making it more enjoyable for visitors. This is a long-term project and there are plenty of ways you can help, Find out more at Hartland Marsh Restoration.

As for the actual hike. .  .WOW! Thirty hikers joined the largest Tyke Hike to date and enjoyed a warm and sunny trek from the Maple Avenue parking lot to the chimney swift and John Muir Overlook. Along the way, the kids and I talked about marsh plants and animals, learned about the chimney swift, stopped at my "magic" tree, and tried to figure out why there were yellow rectangles painted on trees along the way. When we reached the overlook, it was a perfect time for some scenic views while we heard a hawk story, created a hawk craft, and sang a hawk song with Emi Weiss, a local librarian who is teaming up with the Tyke Hike program to get more kids outside.

While hiking back, we heard a chorus of upland chorus frogs, chatted about the important purposes dead trees have in the marsh's ecosystem, and uncovered the secret of the yellow "blazes" painted on the trees before taking a group picture, handing out some Tyke Hike and library goodies and heading home after a wonderful day at the marsh.

Well, almost headed home. My daughter, who had a death grip on our mammoth mascot, Mojo, and wouldn't take a step without her new hiking stick demanded "More hike!" as I packed up the vehicle. I couldn't help but oblige so we went back, climbed the ridge to the Aldo Leopold Overlook, listened to the geese, saw a few turkey vultures, barely missed squishing a fuzzy caterpillar, and jumped on a few rocks before finally calling it a morning. And what an awesome morning it was!

A Picture Tour of our Tales from the Great Smokies Trails

 A small, but fun sample of our trip to Great Smoky National Park. Lots of Tales from the Trail to come. . .  Enjoy!

Roommate Reunion

It doesn't happen nearly as much as I'd like, but I had the opportunity to reunite with a college roommate and close friend yesterday while enjoying one of our favorite hobbies: nature. Both of us have taken our love of nature to more than just a hobby. Josh has become quite the nature photographer and is on a quest to visit all of Wisconsin's State Natural Areas (Please see http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/mans-on-a-mission-to-visit-all-673-wisconsin-natural-areas-b99205255z1-245706441.html and http://www.wisconservation.org/foundation-member-visits-500-state-natural-areas-counting/.) He mentioned is he now over the 450 mark. I am looking forward to hearing his presentation about his experiences on this mission at the May meeting of the Ice Age Trail Alliance's Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter.

My hiking hobby has become more of a passion for education as I love learning new things, experiencing different parts of the trail and (hopefully) spreading my enthusiasm and excitement through the Tyke Hikes and Saunters program I coordinate. In fact, one of the reasons I requested we travel the Eagle segment and portions of the Stoney Ridge segment this brisk Saturday morning was because I am planning this as part of my upcoming Saunters program and I wanted to walk it and see if my initial plans would fit. After finishing the segment, I think I was even more excited about sharing this beautiful segment with students this June.

On the trail, we saw a plethora of birds, including a nuthatch, song sparrows, sandhill cranes, and bluebirds. (FYI  -Josh is much more of an ornothological expert than I and after hearing him rattle off a number of bird species, it's possible that the scientist who named all the birds might have been a pervent.) We also ran into our fair share of hunters and trail runners. We enjoyed the trail loop at Brady's Rocks and exploring the natural spring and scenic viewing areas. But more important than connecting with nature was re-connecting with a great friend. We talked about family, our jobs, the current political environment and its implications on our family and jobs, and anything else that came to mind.

I love many things about hiking. The views are great, the exercise is phenomenal, and the rejuvenation it provides is excellent. However, hiking with a good friend can provide so much more. I hope Josh and I hit the trails again very soon.

Friday Night at Pike

In what might very well become a family tradition, the Dargatz family once again headed out after a long work week to rejuvenate through nature at one of our favorite spots: Pike Lake. Though the trees aren't yet budding, the trails had some muddy spots, and some of the water was still iced over, the sounds of spring were evident. It was a joy to hear our daughter announce that "they're singing" every time a bird was heard. We also heard the distant blare of trains and were quite impressed when the toddler spotted the train in the far distance once atop the tower on Powder Hill.

Our trek started on the Ice Age Trail before venturing off onto the picturesque Black Forest nature trail. While traveling through the continual changes in elevation while carrying a toddler was good for my cardio, being able to experience the views before the sea of green takes over was even better. We even stopped at one of our favorite trees, something we have done pretty much every time.

After finishing off the Black Forest rail, we ventured to the aforementioned tower, burning calories (and quite possible both quads). From the top deck, we saw the beginning of a beautiful sunset and used our binoculars to see a large herd of white-tailed deer in a clearing past the lake. Coming down the tower and the winding hill that you must take to get there provided much needed relief for my legs, while then giving our daughter a chance to trample the leaves and mud gave my shoulders a break.

We reconnected with the Ice Age Trail and proceeded to finishing off the final stretch with the chirp of birds, the chatter of some squirrels, and the wails of a young daughter ready for dinner.