A State Park Fly-By, As it Were
Jul. 18th, 2023 07:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lydamorehouse
Image: Wildflowers at the Great River Bluffs State Park.
On Monday, my family and I went down to LaCrosse, Wisconsin for a somewhat impromptu visit to my my parents. Ostensibly, we were also there to give Mason a chance to drive around in a very low-traffic, smallish town, but, honestly, since recently discovering the very Stepford suburb of North Saint Paul that was less of a priority. It'd been way too long since I'd seen my folks, so this was a nice excuse.
To explain my comment regarding North Saint Paul, I should say that I thought of taking Mason to North Saint Paul because I used to rather enjoy my shifts at their Ramsey County Library Branch. I remember the suburb as being kind of quiet and forgotten, but in the best possible way. So, I don't mean to dis this town in any serious way. However, driving around we seem to have discovered that the city has a series of streets named after women on one side of a rather busy thoroughfare and men on the other. And, we're talking about very WASPY names, like Betty Avenue and Margaret Street. (Betty, by the way, total dead end.) And, there are also streets legitimately named Memory Lane and Memory Court. So, while I'm sure the residents of North Saint Paul are all nice people, except for that one person with the Don't Tread on Me flag and F*ck Biden signs in the yard, it's just that their street names are a bit... spooky, in a Stepford sort of way.
Great driving, though.
The trip down to LaCrosse was great fun. We managed to roll Mason out of bed and into the car by 8 am-ish. The weather continues to be phenomenal. We normally take Scenic Highway 61 down and that drive is insanely gorgeous.... and closed somewhere between Red Wing and Lake Pepin. Except somehow we missed the detour signs in Red Wing and ended up having to depend on GPS to get us around the torn up bits. GPS has us off-roading? Like, seriously, dirt and gravel roads? But, it worked out. As I was telling
naomikritzer earlier today, I wish we hadn't missed the signs? Because on the way home we got on the official detour and it was just as GORGEOUS only the views we had were up and down the bluffs... I would go that way for variety some time, if I can remember it! The visit with the folks was pleasant. We had a great lunch, good company, and my dad got to drive around with Mason (who did amazingly with the extra pressure of needing to impress Grandpa.)
On the way home, I talked my family into a couple of short detours. One was to the Great River Bluffs State Park, which we didn't fully explore, although we did hike out the full 0.1 miles to this amazing overlook:
Image of the Mississippi and the Black River delta.
For those of you who imagine that the Midwest is entirely flat, that dark line on the horizon is the Wisconsin-side bluffs. We don't have mountains, it's true, but the bluffs are also NOT FLAT. This is the landscape I grew up in: deep river valleys and sandstone bluffs. You can perhaps see how I feel a certain affinity to Pennslyvania's rolling foothills and mountains. East Coasters are welcome to look up the elevation of our bluffs and snicker into your sleeves, but I dare you to drive down this part of the scenic highway and not be at LEAST a little awed by the majesty of the landscape.
Then, I talked my family into stopping at John A. Latsch State Park. I've heard that this is the tiniest of State Parks, but it really has to be seen to be believed. For one, when you turn off the highway you're literally already there. There are zero amenities. No camping. Two picnic tables and a singular trail...
Image: my old enemy! (Stairs).
...entirely comprised of stairs. 580-some stairs? Since the signage made it very clear that we could not expect to make it to the end of the trail in less than an hour, we chose not to take the trail. I sort of regret it? I may already be making plans to return! I honestly sort of love this ridiculous park for its singular, insanely challenging trail?
Today meanwhile was vacation hangover. I have been a grouch all day and have gotten NOTHING done.
At least tomorrow is another day.
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Date: 2023-07-19 01:43 am (UTC)We've often stopped at John R. Latsch, but sadly I cannot climb the bluff because there aren't any railings nor anything else to hang onto, and while I don't need the physical support, I have proprioception issues related to medication and if I can't put my hand on something however lightly I think I am about to fall backwards. Eric went up once and texted me a bunch of photos, though.
It sounds like Mason is doing brilliantly with the driving.
P.
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Date: 2023-07-19 02:04 pm (UTC)Yeah, the stairs at Latsch do not look particularly safe? So, even without balance issues, I'm not sure I blame you for sitting that climb out. Shawn would definitely do the same. Mason and I might try it at some point, but it's going to be a lot of resting for this asthmatic.
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Date: 2023-07-19 11:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-19 02:00 pm (UTC)Not that I'm still angling for some kind of Turing in-person gathering, but I am TOTALLY ANGLING for a Turing in-person gathering of some sort!
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Date: 2023-07-20 12:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-20 01:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-20 04:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-19 05:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-20 01:37 pm (UTC)