A Driftless Drive in Wisconsin

[Darter02]

When you have to put the Jeep top back on and forget to zip up the storage bag the roof panels go into...

Sponsored

 

[Darter02]

Yes! After days of rain and being busy I was able to go for a topless prairie cruise.

 

[Darter02]

Wow. Not long after my last post Life took over. We began some renovation projects in our 1912 built home. Needless to say that didn't leave a lot of time for running around just for fun. I did keep my doors and top off until the last second. It seemed so "enclosed" after doing so. I'm still not quite used to it, or should I say I'm not liking it as much. What can you do though? It's been a very wet fall so far. Even some decent flooding in towns to the Southwest, further into the Driftless Area.

Here are a few random shots. One interesting thing to note is that I'm not working on a special art project. The Driftless Historium has paired me with a well know landscape painter. I'm driving her around the region so she can study the terrain and the lighting. I'm also going to be part of the actual show in the museum. My photos (not these ones, these are just my cellphone pics) of her process will be on display as well.

I figured I'd share a few photos of simple Jeep life on the prairie.

 

[Darter02]

It's not been a lot of fun over the past few months as far as getting to go exploring in the Jeep. Fall turned into winter pretty quickly and it seemed to rain for most of it. Up until now we've have had very little snow. Usually buy now there is a decent covering of it. Family, work and obligations have meant not a lot of time to enjoy roaming. I did get out a few times but nothing really exciting. Recently I joined the online Road Legal 4wheel Drive Association. Most of the trail they've mapped are basically short, dirt roads. I'm beginning to explore them. Hopefully one will be THE one I'll really want to explore. Either way, I'm enjoying what little time I do get out and I'm still slowly modding my baby. The winch will go on soon!

 

[Yngwie]

Thanks for sharing the stories and pictures. I went to college at UW-Platteville and the pictures bring back fond memories of the area. They also provide encouragement to visit the area again when the weather becomes nicer.

 

[Kluk Ztopolovky]

It looks very peaceful but something is missing in the scenery . Oh yes , I think we will ship you some snow from Canada so you can enjoy white Christmas : )

 

[Darter02]

It looks very peaceful but something is missing in the scenery . Oh yes , I think we will ship you some snow from Canada so you can enjoy white Christmas : )

It's been very odd. Lots of very cold temperatures but only a very tiny bit of snow. The ice fishermen are only able to hit the shallow corners of small lakes. Apparently most of the snow has fallen well to our north. I know that this means we'll get more than our share towards spring...

 

[Kluk Ztopolovky]

It's been very odd. Lots of very cold temperatures but only a very tiny bit of snow. The ice fishermen are only able to hit the shallow corners of small lakes. Apparently most of the snow has fallen well to our north. I know that this means we'll get more than our share towards spring...

I know , that late spring snow is so much pain . They get that very painful snow treatment in Calgary just about every year.

 

[Darter02]

After posting Monday I just had to get out today. I put things on hold and drove to the Wisconsin River valley to explore. Even though it was kind of frigid it was at least sunny. I found a few access trails to the river. They're not very difficult trails, basically just dirt tracks with few water crossings. I still enjoyed finding some scenic spots for viewing the river.

I have to admit I enjoyed splashing through small stream crossings. It was so cold the water froze onto my Wrangler!

 

[Darter02]

Yesterday I got all wound up and excited after having a planning meeting for the museum gallery show I mentioned in my October post. Basically I have spent a lot of time divining a landscape painter around the Driftless. She would examine the scenes we'd find, taking notes, sketches and digital reference. I'd capture her process in photos. At first the show was just going to be about here but yesterday it was decided we'd both be the headliners! My first show in an art gallery! Actually, though I have worked in exhibit production for many years, and my creative input has gone into many public displays, this is my first gallery show of my art. I got so pumped I couldn't concentrate so I took my Jeep for a spiraling lap around the Blue Mounds ending at the top. We live very close to the park so it was the perfect place for just chilling out a bit.

 

[Jmonroe]

Loving the photos of "home". Spent many weekends camping in southwest Wisconsin. Governor Dodge, Yellowstone, Blue Mounds, Wyalusing, Mirror Lake, Devils Lake.... Loved them all and the beautiful country that connected them.

 

[Darter02]

Loving the photos of "home". Spent many weekends camping in southwest Wisconsin. Governor Dodge, Yellowstone, Blue Mounds, Wyalusing, Mirror Lake, Devils Lake.... Loved them all and the beautiful country that connected them.

Devil's Lake! There's an amazing park that I need to go to again. I keep forgetting about it!

 

[Jmonroe]

Devil's Lake! There's an amazing park that I need to go to again. I keep forgetting about it!

We hiked there more often than we camped there. Our camp outings would be reserved for spring or fall, outside the FIB summer invasion. Unfortunately it is NOT a well kept secret. Off season outings were also more likely to avoid the college frat parties on the site that always seemed to set up next to us.

 

[Darter02]

Here it is, January 2020 and we're just now starting to get real snow. It's been a busy few weeks of various projects and the holidays. Today was different. I got to scrap all my plans and do some exploring. I had to run to La Crosse, which is about 2.5 hours NW of me where it sits along the Mississippi River. I took the main highway there, took care of my reason for going and then began the trek home. I had mapped a backcountry route and found some awesome natural areas. Of particular note was Duck Egg County Forest. I even found a bit of a Jeep trail and got to do some snow wheeling. The northern part of the Driftless Area is going to a place for further investigations into what's here in Wisconsin.

 

[Memphis Peej]

I was in Neenah over Christmas. I love your state!

Sponsored