On the Road Friday ~ First Day Hike ~ Straight Lake State Park ~ Wisconsin

 

 

Hello Friends, we are heading off today to Straight Lake State Park, located in Polk, County, Wisconsin. On January 1st we hiked close to 4 miles on the trails. It was a beautiful way to start the year and it is a family tradition to take a first day hike. 

 

 

The sights where fantastic. And you will notice we have no snow. We had snow, but then a warm spell came with rain and it all melted.

 

We had our sidekick the little copper dog Ernie with us. He is trying his best to give me a big lick in this photo.

 

Pristine natural beauty is found at Straight Lake in northwest Wisconsin. This 2000 acre park offers walk to campsites, carry-in boat launches, a shelter and picnic area. 

 

 

Two undeveloped, wild lakes and two state natural areas are found within the park boundaries.

 

A premier section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail meanders through the park highlighting many glacial features.

 

 

Through the years, Straight Lake has been sold as a bock of property, pretty much as it is today. Past owners include Dewitt Wallace, the founder of Reader's Digest magazine. In 2005, the property was sold to the State of Wisconsin and became Straight Lake State Park and Wildlife Area.

 

Here we have a little critters hideaway and it looks to be they like to eat acorns.

 

Happy First Day Hike! 

♥ 

Carla

 

 

Happy New Year ~ 2025 ~

 

 

We have No Snow ... this photo was taken in 2023. All our snow melted during a recent warm spell and rain showers. You have our weather report, on to the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

 1. Oxford's Word of the year for 2024 is 'brain rot'. Are you familiar with this term? Yes, I am familiar with the term. Do you suffer from the condition? Ha! This is a term used to 'capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media'. A goal of mine in 2024 was the use of screen time... I cut a large chunk of my scrolling out. And wondered if I would I miss it, I did a little at first, but not anymore. I am happy with my decision to cut  a big portion of scrolling out of my life. So no "brain rot "for me. If you were choosing a word to capture 2024 (for the nation/world, not your own life personally) what word would you choose? 

I am choosing for the world...  Confused : being disordered or mixed up

 2. It's National Polar Bear Plunge Day (January 1)...will you be participating in one of these events (or even your own)? No Polar Bear Plunge for me. How will you spend the first day of this brand new year? My husband and I started to go on a first day hike with our boys when they were young. It was a tradition that we stuck with and our boys enjoyed. Our boys have left the nest, but we still do a first day hike. Do you have a traditional New Year's Day menu? No.

 3. What's something that brings you joy and how will you do more of it in this new year?  I enjoy taking time to meet up with my special friends. Life can get busy, too busy at times. In 2024 I made it a goal to spend more time with friends. It brought me JOY! I plan to continue to be sure to make TIME for friends.

 4. Do you struggle with the January blues? What's one thing you can/will do to keep them at bay? 

I do not. I do struggle with day after day, after day, after day of grey, gloomy days. We had a lot of them in November and December. We keep our twinkle lights up and light candles to build a cozy atmosphere on these gloomy days.

5. Will you choose your own personal word of the year for 2025? What about a goal, resolution, or maybe even a bucket list? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I will choose a word for 2025. I already have it picked out. I will share it on the blog, as a post sharing why it is my word for 2025.

I have some personal goals I plan to work on in 2025 and some projects.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

Open the front door and the backdoor .. let the old year out and the new year in.

Happy 2025 to you all.

♥ 

Carla