Tag Archive | fall colors

Paoli Fall Festival

Jan17

10-1-16 Visit Paoli

Paoli is the happening place to be for fall festivals. The colors were peaking now, especially by the gazebo.

We heard music nearby behind the old mill, sounded like one of our favorite kind of music, the Blues!

It was coming from The Hop Garden outdoor stage in the backside of the mill. The sign was out near the street, they also had a Chili contest contest, good on a cool day like today.

The wonderful music we were hearing was being performed by Old Black Joe And The 3rd Rail Sparks Blues Band. They are regulars here, performing most Thursdays between 6-8 PM since 2014. Let’s listen in!

We also enjoyed lunch at the Paoli Brat and Bread Haus. We had the Chicken Pot Pie, very delicious! We enjoyed the music at The Hop Garden while we ate. The Cherry Pie A la Mode was wonderful too. Owner Cherri Bell makes everyone feel like an old friend upon meeting. Thanks for the great lunch in such a festive atmosphere!

bread-and-brau-haus-sign

bread-and-brat-haus-in-paoli

chicken-pot-pie-and-cherry-pie-a-la-mode-collage

Quite an enjoyable afternoon was had by all, we took a stroll up the street to check out other fall scenes. The Paoli House Inn had many pumpkin sculptures out front.

Paoli House

The Paoli Schoolhouse Shops & Café stood out against the grey skies.

Paoli Schoolhouse

Paoli Secret Garden has the perfect item for you or for a gift.

paoli-secret-garden-wm-al

Paoli Secret Garden inside store

Paoli is beautiful any time of the year, stop in for a fun relaxing day by the Sugar River!

Sugar river in Paoli

Fall Maple tree in Paoli

Fall Color Tour 2015 – Holy Hill, Richfield, Jefferson and Home!

Oct30

October 2015

Due to a warm September, the colors peaked a week or so later than usual. Our first trip was to Holy Hill Basilica on Monday, October 12. We have not been there during fall’s peak before. It was Columbus Day so it was quite crowded when we arrived around noon. Holy Hill offers a great view anytime you go. Be sure you pick a good weather day, since they close the tower if there are high winds or other inclement weather.

We climbed up the 128 stairs to the top of the right steeple to take in the countryside colors. They were brilliant!

It was just as beautiful from the bottom looking up. We found an especially good view with a horse in someone’s yard.

And the view from Erin, we got both points of view here!

A stand of beautiful trees to the right of this view on the road below.

A beautiful hill we found on the way.

Earlier in the morning we went to Richfield Historic and Nature Park, just a few miles from Holy Hill.

We saw the historic Messer/Mayer Mill. They are raising funds for restoration of the mill.

Other views in the park.

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October 16

We were in Jefferson for a wedding photo shoot but came early to get some fall color pictures. They have some beautiful trees and views here. This is the river from the bridge.

The view on the right side of the bridge, Rotary Park.

Downtown the tree by the clock was looking especially pretty, it was barely leafing out when we visited in May.

There are many beautiful houses in Jefferson, many of them with beautiful trees setting them off in a blaze of yellow and orange. Some had ivy too, adding a special touch.

—————————————————————————————————

October 21-30

Finished up the month with color at my workplace grounds and near our home.

Our neighborhood looked especially pretty this year. Our red maple was really showing off (the one on the left)! A couple leaves were not so happy about the end of summer.

My favorite view was at the train track that goes by our condo community. The colors were peaking the day I got a picture of the Canada Pacific train that runs from Portage to Madison. Here is some video of that train in Portage.

Quite a beautiful and long autumn this year. One for the books!

All Aboard! The Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Jul27

10-9-10 and 8-27-11

The fall colors were all over Wisconsin and it was time for the Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s Fall Color Train rides. The working train with restored antique cars and museum are located in North Freedom. We were excited, as it was our first train ride together.

It was time to board the train, lots of people were there to enjoy the ride. The duration is about an hour. I got a Railroad Engineer hat on this visit that I wore on our 2nd visit in 2011.

It was time to go! The Conductor came by and collected the tickets and told us about the railroad’s history.

The train went through groves of trees that were brilliant with color, the passengers were plastered to the windows, gasping in delight at the beauty.

The trip went out 7 miles from the depot. The engine car then had to detach from the train and then the back became the front on the return journey.

The return trip was just as pretty, we saw the other side of the tracks better.

As we made our way back, we could see other cars still being restored. Upon disembarking we further explored the museum.

Here is a large steam engine from the 1800’s, beautiful!

Crossing Tower

Water Tower

There is also a museum building where you can see various railroad car displays.

There is also a picnic area outside with some concessions in the summer.

We had a great two visits here, with another one planned for the August 24-25 weekend this year, when they uncover their newly restored Copper Range #25 car.

After our ride we ate at a delightful restaurant that continues the train theme, the Railroad Inn Cafe. It’s just a short distance down the street from the museum.

Make a day of exploring Wisconsin railroad history!

Mid-Continent Railway Museum

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Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville

Jul6

9-27-12 & 5-3-14

It was time for our annual Fall Color Tour, and go to Governor Dodge State Park for the first time together. It’s close to Dodgeville, where we went after visiting here. The colors were near peak and quite beautiful. we also were there to see two attractions that are there, Stephen’s Falls and the Rock Spring House . We had a drought last summer so the falls were greatly diminished 😦

We returned spring 2014, what a difference in the falls. Plenty of water was flowing this time. The waterfall was nice enough to pose for a selfie with us 🙂

The Spring House was impressive. Here is a view inside also.

This time, we went up the hill above the Spring House and discovered more that we didn’t see before. The falls were named after a farm family that once lived here, the Stephens.

We had a great visit here, This is a very pretty park, especially in fall. Plenty of hiking trails to explore too.

Tiny Hippo Goes Hunting (meanderingsabound.com)
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Hike Around Devil’s Lake

Mar15

Welcome to Devil’s Lake State Park! We have enjoyed coming here since 1997 when we met and got married here in 1999.

Al and Laurie Kutil vows

On the way there are the Baraboo Narrows, essentially the outside of the “bowl” that Devil’s lake is inside.

Now we are headed to Devil’s Lake for to hike all the way around. It’s beautiful any time of year that you go.

Here is a map of the park.

We are heading the concession area first on the north end of the lake. It was especially beautiful there this October.

Here is a rainbow sailboat in the summer.

Now we begin our hike around the lake beginning on the East Bluff Trail. Plan to take the day to do this. First Al and I pose for a self-portrait.

On the way up we first encounter Elephant Cave and rock.

At the top of the bluff trail was a spectacular view of the whole lake, especially the north shore where the concession building is. This picture was taken in Fall 2010.

Further down the path near the south end are three interesting natural rock structures. The first one is Devil’s Doorway.

Another one is Balanced Rock. That day there were lots of people getting their picture with the rock. We did too with a new friend we met on the trail.

Also a great view of a rock face.

We went down the CCC Trail back behind the lake. There is an interesting history behind that as well.

Working our way back to the south end of the lake, there is a smaller concession building and another beach. You can see the north end of the lake.

Now we will follow the path next to the road on the south end of the lake.

Here is the trail head for the Tumbled Rock Trail, leading us back to the north end of the lake.

We work our way back to our starting point, we pass several cabins that have been there a long time. Here is one of them.

We pass a couple kayaking and a dad and young daughter fishing.

Now SOMETIMES, we take the West Bluff Trail that is high like the East Bluff Trail. They have a lookout station in about the middle of the trail looking towards the East Bluff and north end.

Almost back, we see 3 people in kayaks, each a different color.

We make our way back to the north beach area and find someone doing a painting of the lake.

We are back in the parking lot. I hope you enjoyed walking around Devil’s lake.

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Devil’s Lake State Park/Our First Visit With Our Son (naturalred.wordpress.com)

10-1-16 Visit Paoli

Paoli is the happening place to be for fall festivals. The colors were peaking now, especially by the gazebo.

We heard music nearby behind the old mill, sounded like one of our favorite kind of music, the Blues!

It was coming from The Hop Garden outdoor stage in the backside of the mill. The sign was out near the street, they also had a Chili contest contest, good on a cool day like today.

The wonderful music we were hearing was being performed by Old Black Joe And The 3rd Rail Sparks Blues Band. They are regulars here, performing most Thursdays between 6-8 PM since 2014. Let’s listen in!

Quite an enjoyable afternoon was had by all, we took a stroll up the street to check out other fall scenes. The Paoli House Inn had many pumpkin sculptures out front.

The Paoli Schoolhouse Shops & Café stood out against the grey skies.

Paoli Secret Garden has the perfect item for you or for a gift.

Paoli is beautiful any time of the year, stop in for a fun relaxing day by the Sugar River!

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October 2015

We climbed up the 128 stairs to the top of the right steeple to take in the countryside colors. They were brilliant!

It was just as beautiful from the bottom looking up. We found an especially good view with a horse in someone’s yard.

And the view from Erin, we got both points of view here!

A stand of beautiful trees to the right of this view on the road below.

A beautiful hill we found on the way.

Earlier in the morning we went to Richfield Historic and Nature Park, just a few miles from Holy Hill.

We saw the historic Messer/Mayer Mill. They are raising funds for restoration of the mill.

Other views in the park.

October 16

We were in Jefferson for a wedding photo shoot but came early to get some fall color pictures. They have some beautiful trees and views here. This is the river from the bridge.

The view on the right side of the bridge, Rotary Park.

Downtown the tree by the clock was looking especially pretty, it was barely leafing out when we visited in May.

There are many beautiful houses in Jefferson, many of them with beautiful trees setting them off in a blaze of yellow and orange. Some had ivy too, adding a special touch.

October 21-30

Finished up the month with color at my workplace grounds and near our home.

Our neighborhood looked especially pretty this year. Our red maple was really showing off (the one on the left)! A couple leaves were not so happy about the end of summer.

My favorite view was at the train track that goes by our condo community. The colors were peaking the day I got a picture of the Canada Pacific train that runs from Portage to Madison. Here is some video of that train in Portage.

Quite a beautiful and long autumn this year. One for the books!

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10-9-10 and 8-27-11

The fall colors were all over Wisconsin and it was time for the Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s Fall Color Train rides. The working train with restored antique cars and museum are located in North Freedom. We were excited, as it was our first train ride together.

It was time to board the train, lots of people were there to enjoy the ride. The duration is about an hour. I got a Railroad Engineer hat on this visit that I wore on our 2nd visit in 2011.

It was time to go! The Conductor came by and collected the tickets and told us about the railroad’s history.

The train went through groves of trees that were brilliant with color, the passengers were plastered to the windows, gasping in delight at the beauty.

The trip went out 7 miles from the depot. The engine car then had to detach from the train and then the back became the front on the return journey.

The return trip was just as pretty, we saw the other side of the tracks better.

As we made our way back, we could see other cars still being restored. Upon disembarking we further explored the museum.

Here is a large steam engine from the 1800’s, beautiful!

There is also a museum building where you can see various railroad car displays.

There is also a picnic area outside with some concessions in the summer.

We had a great two visits here, with another one planned for the August 24-25 weekend this year, when they uncover their newly restored Copper Range #25 car.

After our ride we ate at a delightful restaurant that continues the train theme, the Railroad Inn Cafe. It’s just a short distance down the street from the museum.

Make a day of exploring Wisconsin railroad history!

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9-27-12 & 5-3-14

The Spring House was impressive. Here is a view inside also.

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Welcome to Devil’s Lake State Park! We have enjoyed coming here since 1997 when we met and got married here in 1999.

On the way there are the Baraboo Narrows, essentially the outside of the “bowl” that Devil’s lake is inside.

Now we are headed to Devil’s Lake for to hike all the way around. It’s beautiful any time of year that you go.

Here is a map of the park.

We are heading the concession area first on the north end of the lake. It was especially beautiful there this October.

Here is a rainbow sailboat in the summer.

Now we begin our hike around the lake beginning on the East Bluff Trail. Plan to take the day to do this. First Al and I pose for a self-portrait.

On the way up we first encounter Elephant Cave and rock.

At the top of the bluff trail was a spectacular view of the whole lake, especially the north shore where the concession building is. This picture was taken in Fall 2010.

Further down the path near the south end are three interesting natural rock structures. The first one is Devil’s Doorway.

Another one is Balanced Rock. That day there were lots of people getting their picture with the rock. We did too with a new friend we met on the trail.

Also a great view of a rock face.

We went down the CCC Trail back behind the lake. There is an interesting history behind that as well.

Working our way back to the south end of the lake, there is a smaller concession building and another beach. You can see the north end of the lake.

Now we will follow the path next to the road on the south end of the lake.

Here is the trail head for the Tumbled Rock Trail, leading us back to the north end of the lake.

We work our way back to our starting point, we pass several cabins that have been there a long time. Here is one of them.

We pass a couple kayaking and a dad and young daughter fishing.

Now SOMETIMES, we take the West Bluff Trail that is high like the East Bluff Trail. They have a lookout station in about the middle of the trail looking towards the East Bluff and north end.

Almost back, we see 3 people in kayaks, each a different color.

We make our way back to the north beach area and find someone doing a painting of the lake.

We are back in the parking lot. I hope you enjoyed walking around Devil’s lake.

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