Couple at Sunset

In the distance you can see an older couple on a wooden pier taking in the sunset view over the Pewaukee River.

You can see for miles and miles

The above photo was taken on the way up to Granddad's Bluff point, off the right side of the road.  It's looking north towards Onalaska, Wisconsin, and westward to Minnesota.  You can see parts of both the Black River and the Mississippi River in the distance. It had rained earlier in the day and was still very warm so there was a misty haze illuminated by the sunset.

The image below was taken from the top of Granddad's (where the telescopic view finders are) and it also looks northwest, but with a closer focus.  The marsh at the bottom of the picture is part of the La Crosse River flowage, which goes through Myrick Park, and eventually meets up with the Mississippi River in downtown La Crosse.

Click each one to see the enlarged images. These seem quite appropriate for Skywatch Friday!

Sandbar Party

Part of life on the river is boating. And part of boating (along with fishing) is cruising on a warm, sunny afternoon and enjoying the stops along the way. Sandbars are areas of sandy beaches skirting the wooded shores of the river and are popular spots for overnight camping, swimming, exploring, and general fun. The biggest challenge is keeping the mosquitoes at bay. Many a "S'more" has been enjoyed over an open evening campfire over the years!

Pontoon boats (below) are a favorite way of sailing up and down the main channel of the Mississippi near La Crosse.

[Note: Be sure to click the photos, and then click again, to see the full size view.]

Barge

A red barge docked on the Mississippi River near La Crosse, WI.

Bridges

During our La Crosse Queen excursion (see 7/16 post) we travelled up the Mississippi River to the railroad extension bridge between Wisconsin and Minnesota (above). We then turned around and continued downstream, past Riverside Park and under the twin span highway bridge also connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota (below).

Big Wheel Keep on Turning...

While visiting La Crosse, Wisconsin a few weeks ago, we took a "La Crosse Queen" paddleboat ride on the Mississippi River. The "Queen" is docked at Riverside Park and has a pretty regular schedule during the summer and fall months. Our sunset cruise last 1-1/2 hours and toured up north towards the railroad bridge crossing, and then headed back down south, past the park and under the Mississippi span bridges. (More photos will be posted over the next few days.)

The Look-Out Tree

There is a boardwalk in Simmon's Woods Park in the city of Pewaukee that meanders throughout the Pewaukee River watershed. It's a lovely, marshy eco-spot that provides lots of shelter and food for birds and other wildlife, among them herons, hawks, and owls. This ancient look-out tree provides a great view of the surrounding area and the river below. A great spot for birds of all sizes to hunt everything from waterbugs & mosquito nymphs to tadpoles, frogs, and minnows.