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| Bike trail in St Germain |
We make our base in about the middle, at Boulder Junction, staying at Big Bear Hideaway that was built by my brother Joe and now sold to other operators. Each time I am in the building, I find something new to marvel at, the little noticed detailing help makes the place. What is nice about the Northwoods is the diversity of its forests. We experienced some that were predominantly pine, and another, Forest Lake trail, that was mainly hardwood--with maple as its predominant species.
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| Fauna along Forest Rd |
The Northwoods, as it is known, draws people from much of the upper Midwest. Even people from Illinois make the journey, not to mention some from Minnesota which has its own northwoods. We arrived on the Wednesday after Labor Day, and one can tell the summer season is over, not only by the shorter days, cooler weather, but the lack of activity in the towns, and the closures of some restaurants and shops. In Boulder Junction, the two ice cream shops are closed, the last closed Saturday evening. The second staple of Wisconsin not being available is somewhat disconcerting, but the bars and taverns still seem alive, although certainly less busy. The Boulder Coffee shop seemed to do a consistent business on the morning of 9/11.
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| Fallison Lake |
One restaurant/bar, a few minute mosey from our lodging, had live music last Saturday evening, and the flowing beer sure made things hop in Boulder Junction. This is quite a statement given that my son and daughter-in-law significantly lowered the average age (perhaps by 15 years) of what one niece refers to as the AARP crowd. I counted about 90 people. It was music that could be well enjoyed by us older folk, John Denver, Harry Chapin, just to name a few artists. I am not a musically inclined or knowledgeable individual, but I did know a few other artists.
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| Hopping AARP crowd at Aqualand restaurant |
With an ability to offer more than beer, the Wisconsin Northwoods can be a great location to undertake varied outdoor activities. The day Mom Bear and I arrived, last week Wednesday, we could not check in until 3 pm, but we left early, and I got some swimming in (Nichols Lake and Jag Lake) and we did a twelve mile bike ride on part of the new Lost Creek Loop, from Nichols Lake to the Jag Lake state forest group camp. While others hiked, me and my bad feet moseyed along from varied parking lots to a falls, hiking a total of three miles while visiting water falls along the Black River in the Upper Peninsula, near Bessemer. We had intermittent rain that morning, and we were fortunate to fit the falls in without much affect by the rain. Late that afternoon, we biked the full 14 mile Lost Creek Loop. Showing the unreliability of weather apps, three showed the rain had stopped, but we had half the ride in rain. I suspect the cars that went by wondered what was wrong with us. Heck, on Tuesday the chance of rain was 6% and that chance of course struck us a few times.
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| Part of a Black River waterfall |
A few days the weather was in the low 70's which allowed both swimming, and biking, and, even for me, some hiking. That is the odd thing about early September. In the north it is a shoulder season in early September. When weather is decent, the lake water still is sufficient in which to swim, and the biking is nice in 60 and the 70 temperatures. Friday the temps were in the low 50's and struggled to the low 60's in the sun on Saturday. There is much to explore, and the paved bike paths provide an opportunity for many. The popularity of E-bikes sure makes it a must do for many seasoned citizens. Biking is just one of many activities one is able to enjoy in Vilas County.
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| Enjoying the Fallison Lake Trail (Courtesy of Andrew Hovel) |
I do not fish, and many see the north as best for those who like to fish. Vilas County, where we spent most of our time, is said to have the largest concentration of freshwater lakes in the world (although different government units define lake differently). Hence, it is an attraction for those who like to fish. Past trips we have noticed many females, those wayward females, in large groups biking, which makes me wonder if their spouses or partners are off fishing while the ladies get in some cardio. Many fish for Muskies, which I hear takes a great deal of patience. My oldest brother was a Muskie fisherman, and tied and sold lures for that species. He probably had less patience than me, so I often wondered how he was so successful. It must have been the lures.
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Me with Marty, Boulder Junction
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One thing I like about these small towns in the kitsch of a fiberglass figure. One town has a loon, Boulder Junction has Marty the Muskie, and St Germain has some French guy along Hwy 70, slightly east of 155. Each claim a mascot.
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Me and Marty, closeup
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While the Wisconsin north woods is known for its lakes, and woods, success breeds problems. I have written about one problem I noticed a few years ago in Vilas County, which you can read about here. I believe vacation rentals are a large part of the cause, as it certainly is not agriculture. With vacation rentals, cottages are used many weeks during the year, rather than perhaps four or five. I think, for the health of the waters, it is time for a sewage treatment plant to be considered for the lakes with many dwellings. Sewage treatments plants have helped clean or keep clean a number of lakes clean .
The lakes and woods are what draw people to the north woods, and humans have a capacity to destroy that which they value. Hence, some intervention is needed, before the lakes become cesspools not favorable to the recreation purposes so desired.
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| By Fallison Lake (Courtesy of Gena or Andrew) |
The Northwoods has an ability to strike your senses, from the scent of pine needles, to the sight of a lake within a forest. The sound of water lapping against the shore, or a small brook all delight. IN providing a delight to your senses, it delights your soul, and helps your well being.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos by author.
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