A Different Perspective

(I wrote this about a week ago and since then we have definitely turned the corner into the beginnings of winter! Temps are now in the 40’s and our first light snow is expected tomorrow.) I figure readers may be tiring of fall photographs soon so this could likely be my last entry to feature them. Personally, it’s my favorite time of year and I could go out of my way looking at changing colors from now on out! I think we have been at fall’s apex in this area as not only are colors starting to dim but trees are also losing many leaves to wind and weather. We’ve enjoyed a pretty nice Indian summer lately, with only a few cooler days of rain but mainly sunny and above average temps. 

For someone born and raised in the west, the east is an adjustment topographically and emotionally. I think it is only because I am at the stage of life that I am, that I can now fully appreciate and welcome the differences without disparaging the one because of its less apparent and blatant magnificence of scenery. Wisconsin does not have the swaths of wide open public and un-peopled lands that we are used to; indeed, small forest patches are usually interspersed with farms and country residences. The entire state was denuded of its original forest growth long ago by logging for the huge paper mills so what remains is second growth and plantation forests so often they are very uniform in appearance. Wisconsin is a heavily forested state however. Forests are decidedly more mixed with deciduous than what we find in the west which gives an interesting cast to fall colors because there will be spots of brilliance popping against the deep green of evergreens.

What I have learned about appreciating Wisconsin is that I must scale back my perspective and not expect miles and miles of open beautiful vistas. As a friend likes to claim about his views from his home of the gorgeous Colorado Rocky Mountains, his view are in IMAX; my views are now on the scale of a vignette. They can be lovely, but they are compact and of an entirely different nature, often man-made in fact. The joy is not lessened; it is merely different. Although I would be remiss to say I don’t miss the west, I am also honestly happy to be here to appreciate something so entirely different and well, comforting. For me now, turning to a more domestic scene after years and years spent on the road as a vagabond, this is what I crave and enjoy. It is feeling like “home” already.

On with fall! I snap pictures as I walk around Amherst, further exploring the neighborhoods of this lovely village. The last photo is telephoto from my apartment yard of the small hillside behind us.

Marc goes along as we explore a county park, Lake Emily, with its campground, playground and warm water with sandy beach not even five miles from home. Lake Emily is bordered by one of the marvelous recreational trails Wisconsin is so good at making, which uses an abandoned railroad bed. This trail runs for many miles and is multiuse with an immediately adjacent horse trail. Today we see joggers and bikers; come winter it will change to cross-country skiers.

Just a Day in the Village

Marc is getting ready for another departure this coming week to North Dakota where he’ll brave the already falling temps and muddy quagmire of his job sites, so we decided a relaxing day of local entertainment was in order. Central Water’s Brewery is in the business park directly behind the corn field behind our apartment complex and it serves as the headquarters for a big charity event held yearly called Lettie’s River Run. It is the major fundraiser for a well-supported community center here in Amherst and at 10 a.m. sharp we saw hundreds run past us on their five mile course. Once the run was over, there was a party and Amherst Beer Fest being held at the brewery from noon to 5 p.m. complete with two bands and a brat BBQ. More about that later.

We headed into downtown Steven’s Point so Marc could sign up for a library card as he has discovered audio books on CD, figuring they would be a good way to pass the ten hour drive to North Dakota. Once we finished with that we wandered over to the Saturday farmer’s market in the square, which will soon be winding down for the season. I always love the color and the freshness offered up at these kinds of things.

By 3 p.m., we ourselves were ready to join in the festivities at the brewery so we walked over and were surprised by the crowds. Marc’s company built the brewery, in fact, just got done adding on an addition as the brewery has enjoyed tremendous success and growth in its nearly 16 years. We actually lucked in to a brew we both enjoyed from Central Water’s called Peruvian Morning Brand Stout, which was a dark bourbon keg aged beer with heavy notes of coffee and bourbon! Wisconsinites do love their beer and the crowd seemed to be really enjoying itself right down to the smallest members being pushed by parents in strollers. What a great day!

A Steven’s Point Gem

For a town its size, I have never seen one before with so many parks and recreational areas. Many of the parks are left in a quasi-natural state and one of the best is Schmeeckle Reserve, immediately north and adjacent to the University of Wisconsin campus. What led me to this area was that I was looking for natural hiking trails that would afford good photo opportunities and this did not disappoint.

This area is part of the greater Green Circle Trail which circles the town of Stevens Point and travels for 26 miles. Off the Green Circle are many lesser trails and spurs, one of which is called Lake Joanis Loop which is what I walked today. While it is only a mile in length it is part of the five miles of trails which are available as spurs in this 280 acre natural area. It was amazing to be essentially totally alone in such natural woods in the middle of the city! Wow, was all I could think! What a resource for this city. These trails meld with others, cover diverse habitat of forest, prairie, wetlands and oak savanna and are designated for bikers, hikers and in winter, cross country skiers. A portion of the reserve is wheelchair accessible and done on boardwalk.

Lake Joanis is available for canoeing, kayaking and shore fishing but not swimming. Today, other than a lone fisherman, only the Canadian geese were using it. It is a serene oasis right in the city. Wow again!