Tag Archive | lake
Evansville-Soybean Capital and Barn Quilt City
9-16-13
Welcome to Evansville!
This city of 5000 is located in Rock County and is a great place to visit. Only 23 miles south of Madison, it’s a quick getaway from the big city. One thing that sets Evansville apart is the many barn quilts adorning many of the buildings there.
Another distinctive art form Evansville is known for are windmills. They are displayed all over the downtown, made by local artists. The large one is next to the Evansville Grove Society History Museum and visitor center. This was the former Baker Office Building.
The windmill signifies Evansville’s dedication to Green Energy. It was selected as a pilot Wisconsin Energy Independent Community in 2010.
Yet another distinction of Evansville is its strong ties to the local farming community. It earned the title of “Soybean Capital of Wisconsin” in 2007. Evansville has many beautiful historic buildings. This is the former City Hall.
This is the former Leota School for Girls, now an impressive red home.
The Allen Funeral Home, since 1930.
The Eager Free Public Library.
The former train depot, now the local VFW.
There are a great many more beautiful buildings to see. Look here for a walking tour you can print.
It was time for lunch, and we had a great one downtown at The Night Owl.
10-6-16 – The Night Owl had a fire overnight, it will be closed until further notice.
Our last stop in Evansville that day was Lake Leota Park.
This park is their largest, the lake being a former millpond. Here is a beautiful waterfall there now with a view of the rest of the lake.
I am a big fan of covered bridges, and they have one at this park.
We had a great visit to Evansville and hope to be back again soon.
Related Sites and Articles
* Evansville Observer Blog Evansville History
Hike Around Devil’s Lake
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.
Related articles
- Ready. Set. GO! (badgerchemist.wordpress.com)
- I can stop whenever I want to. (asthecrowfliesstudio.wordpress.com)
- Devil’s Lake State Park/Our First Visit With Our Son (naturalred.wordpress.com)