First Day Hike 2015

In my opinion, there isn't much of a better way to start the year than to enjoy nature at one of Wisconsin's most beautiful state parks. Fortunately for me, the Ice Age Trail Alliance's Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter hosts a First day Hike at this location. In the past, I had attended this event as any other hiker. This year, with months of volunteering under my belt, I was lucky enough to be a hike leader, meaning a group of park patrons would be guided through the woods under my direction.  I am happy to say everyone made it out alive.

The planning committee decided to have several smaller groups depart from the Hausmann Nature Center in shifts rather than try to coordinate one massive group. Based on the popularity of the event, this was a very wise choice. I led the 4th shift of hikers, which happened to be populated by a large group of children. Being the Tyke Hike Coordinator, it was meant to be.

My group of approximately 25 hikers of all ages (and a few furry four-legged friends) set out from the nature center and took the paved path until it connected with the butterfly garden and traversed an open field of buckthorn remnants. We eventually took a short path through the woods before connecting with a groomed cross country ski trail and ultimately meeting up with the Ice Age Trail. We took the IAT to the tower before taking a quick respite, taking in the views from the tower, and hydrating. Then, it was back to hiking as we headed back on the trail through heavily eroded section of the trail and a newly flagged section just off the trail that will be converted to trail in the summer's Mobile Skills Crew. I have not yet been able to experience this trail-building and restoring adventure, so I am very excited about it being so close to home later this year. This newly flagged section led us through some wonderfully scenic overlook opportunities before looping back and connecting back with the Ice Age Trail on our way to the nature center to enjoy a variety of snacks and beverages graciously donated by trail volunteers.

Helping me lead was a very enthusiastic group of children who impressed me with their knowledge and excitement for nature. They also had an adorable puppy. :)  Those fun conversations were exactly why I am coordinating Tyke Hikes and leading a Saunters program this year. While I aimed to teach the next generation of hikers some things and get them excited for the trail and nature in general, it was I who learned so much and got rejuvenated for a new year out on the trail.

Tyke Hike #7 - Winter Walk

The fog and chill of a mid-winter morning didn't derail 9 hikers from joining in on the final Tyke Hike of 2014. Trekking through a portion of the Plantation Path in the Homestead Hollow of Lapham Peak, we all braved the less than ideal elements to enjoy an hour out on the trail.

As I tell my kindergarten class, I can do snow, I can handle cold, but those wet and chilly days are my least favorite of all the weather Wisconsin brings us. That being said, the conditions were perfect for a Halloween-themed stroll.

The Tyke Hike was joined today by a local celebrity in terms of hiking.  Pat is a fellow member of the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter and is an amazing volunteer in helping maintain the trails we all can enjoy. Besides being the maintenance maiden for Waukesha County's 40+ miles of trails, she organizes Monday Mudders (a group that volunteers in all conditions to work on the trail) and is a Blazin' Babe, one of the wonderful women who works to improve signage for hikers on the trail. It's always inspiring to hear her trail reports at our meetings. She also gives excellent outreach presentations to help support the cause of the trail and increase awareness of it and all that is outdoors. I was fortunate enough to see portion of her presentation as she presented to the 4th graders at the school where I teach. It was awesome to have her join on the hike today.

Well, the inaugural season of Tyke Hikes was a blast  I am looking forward to 2015 and all it brings. Information on the 2015 Tyke Hikes coming soon.

A Look Back to Plan Ahead

It's always important to look back. For me, looking back is the bast way to plan ahead. I have many exciting opportunities connected to the Ice Age Trail in the future, but before I can really go full speed ahead with those plans, I thought it would be nice to look back.

Boy was I right!

As I looked through my pictures of my trail adventures over the last year, I was brought to the warm summer days with my daughter, the first time I ventured out on my own, and the Tyke Hike sessions I've led. I think of the quick paces to beat the sunset, the early morning treks to beat the heat, and the excitement of every new discovery. I remember encountering some wild animals, other hikers, and the many opportunities to walk with friends and family.  While the past is jam-packed with memories, the future has so many more ready to be cherished.

A picture tells a thousand words, so I have included one of my favorite images from each of the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter segments below.

Stoney Ridge

Eagle

Scuppernong

Waterville

Lapham Peak (with my favorite co-hiker)

Delafield

Hartland (autumn)

Hartland (spring)

Merton

Monches

I am not sure exactly where my hiking adventures will take me, though I am working on a few things right now, including. . .

• coordinating a Summer Saunters program through my school district for summer 2015.
• getting dates and locations for next year's Tyke Hikes.
• organizing a school-wide hike along the Ice Age Trail.
• writing a non-fiction/fiction hybrid picture book promoting the trail.

I also have some more personal goals for the next year, besides successfully completing all of the aforementioned.

I'd like to. . .

• complete another county's worth of segments
• add to my very early edition of an Ice Age Trail poetry book
• complete a "Walk the Wauk" weekend

So much to hike, so little time. :)  Happy Trails!

Stoney Ridge & Eagle - The Final First Steps

As I have become more and more enamored with the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, my involvement in my volunteer chapter has increased. My motivation and excitement for every new segment has grown My want and desire to share and educate other about it has become more of a passion. Ultimately, I want to hike it all, but every large journey begins with a small step, and I consider this latest hike the final steps on the first leg of this incredible journey: my final first steps.

The first portion of becoming a 1,000 miler started right here in my home county: Waukesha. Finishing these two final segments led to my completion of the Walk the Wauk program. I felt it was especially important to complete my own chapter's segment first not only because of their location being in close proximity to my residence, but because of their importance to my planning for the hiking program I coordinate, Tyke Hikes, and Summer Saunters.

Starting off at the Blue Springs trailhead of the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter, I took a short road hike to the beginning (or end) of the Stoney Ridge segment. Just as I entered the forest, I saw the first of a multitude of ground dwelling birds throughout the segment. Though they resembled ducks, I knew they weren't. They were quick to dart off the trail every time I tried to get a closer look. My ornithological identification isn't where it can be, but I am guessing they were pheasants, or something closely related, based solely on their tailfeathers. I was also impressed with the diversity of ground cover. Over this three-mile segment, I walked on beds of pine needles, acorns, mud, leaves, grass, and sand.

From there, it was on to the Eagle segment. On this journey, there were wetlands, dry prairies, forests of oak and pine, stands of birch, and rock formations galore, including the exquisitely exposed dolomite that is known as Brady's Rocks. Though trees take most of my attention now, including a decimated oak among taller giants I call The Fallen Soldier, rocks and geology have always been an interest of mine. I was very thrilled to see these amazing rocks.

"The Fallen Soldier"

This picture does no justice to Brady's Rocks.

In the spirit of Halloween, the fog lifted only near the end of my hike. However, the mist wasn't the only element that made this an eerie excursion. With the ground cover so colorful and thick, hearing the movement of birds and small mammals was constant, though the visuals were not. It almost made me feel as if I was being followed. The blasts of gunshots throughout the trail was also a bit nerve-wracking, especially when I turned a sharp corner only to find a startled hunter decked out in orange surprised to see me. Luckily, he wasn't trigger happy. I wore brightly colored closes to help stick out among the dullness of the naked trees, but the sight of the many, many hunters I saw creeping in the tall grasses and near the trail left me a bit unsure at times. Meeting a trio of hunting dogs at different points eased the tension a bit. Beautiful and well-trained Lancelot and Crabcake let me know they noticed me before heading back to their owner while 8-month old Sophie was more interested in playing than training to be a hunter, much to the dismay of her owner.

New IAT mascot???

However, I did make it back to my vehicle safely and with the clouds clearing and plenty of time left in the day, I headed out for more outdoor adventures, making stops at the nearby Paradise Springs Nature Area and the Kettle Moraine State Forest Headquarters and Natural History Museum.

A wonderful day to complete a much-anticipated goal and an overall feeling that this "end" is just the beginning.

I have Walked the Wauk

The first leg of my 1,000 miler journey is complete. I have finished the Walk the Wauk program. I have lots of pictures and stories to share soon.

I also have some great news about my planning for my Summer Saunters and Tyke Hikes, plus a few personal goals for my next step.

Looking forward to the next adventure!

Sunday Sounds of Scuppernong

It was a beautiful day to head out to one of my favorite parts of the state: the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit. Though I was right in the area of the Emma Carlin Trail, Paradise Springs, the State Forest Headquarters and Old World Wisconsin, I spent my Sunday morning on the back-and-forth, up-and-down Ice Age National Scenic Trail segment known as Scuppernong. The fallen leaves made it a bit tricky at times to stay on the trail, but fortunately, the clearly identifiable work of the Blazin' Babes and other volunteers helped make it much more passable.

Scuppernong's version of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Though I usually focus my writing on the sights of my hike, the sounds of the forest were especially diverse today.

The rustling of the cornucopia of colored leaves blanketing covering the trail.

The soft crackle of the blanket of pine needles with every step.

Someone else loves the forest too.

The blast of gunshots in the distance, making me wonder if it was time to turn back.

The clear commands  of dog owners, barking out directions as their canines strolled alongside.

The laughter of children and crackling of flames at the campsite breakfast area.

Quite the erratic

The chorus of calls from various birds among the trees.

The casual conversation of two gentlemen, dressed in full camo with bow and arrows leaning up against a nearby tree.

The chittering of chipmunks, gathering food for their upcoming winter's sleep.

The whispering of twigs, acorns, and leaves wrestling on the forest floor after descending from their lofty perch.

And the familiar sound of what I thought was a rain shower disguised as tree debris barreling down to earth with every gust of wind, turning my peaceful hike into a game of dodge the debris.

But of all the sounds of the forest, there was the occasional sound of silence and serenity that made the trip worthwhile.

Tyke Hike #6 - Hartland

It must have been fate that the topic of today's Tyke Hike lesson was scheduled to be waterways. With the rain sprinkling throughout our trek, 5 wet but happy hikers enjoyed a scenic walk along the Bark River on this quaint, paved stretch.

Though the unfortunate turn for the worse weather decreased the numbers of families originally expected to join, we wouldn't let the chill dampen our spirits. Walking through fallen and falling autumn leaves, there were many opportunities to enjoy the wonders of nature.

My fascination with trees continues and this stretch offers up a variety of trees, including marvelous maples, towering oaks, and beautiful birch and basswoods. Though the living versions were a sight to see, I always am attracted to the fallen trees, especially the ones that have become homes to new life.

We also saw plenty of wildlife, from birds like cardinals, woodpeckers, turkey vultures, and various waterfowl, to what I recollect as my first sighting of a muskrat. I originally thought I was observing a woodchuck As it scurried away from my incoming attempt at capturing it on camera, its long slender tail gave its true identity away. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful wife who has a great knack for identifying all sorts of living things. We also came across a bunch of domesticated friends, including plenty of dogs on leisurely strolls and a quartet of horses, one which had marks that made it look just like a dairy cow.

As with every Tyke Hike, I prepared information to share with the hikers including facts about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and information about a natural topic. Today's theme was waterways. Besides taking in the trail, I aim to educate my attendees, stopping to share facts and have conversation. This is also a great time to catch up on snacks, drinks, and diaper changes if necessary. With the weather working against us for the second straight tyke hike, much of my lesson was omitted. Either way, we all enjoyed seeing some of Wisconsin's amazing autumn colors. Plus, I already have lessons made for a future Tyke Hike.  Join us on it and see what Tyke Hikes are all about, as long as the weather cooperates.