The Chippewa River State Trail

It was a beautiful day to bike the Chippewa River State Trail in Wisconsin. Willowy wildflowers, unfolding ferns and bountiful dandelions hugged the cliffs along the trail. And the Chippewa river teased us as it meandered in and out of view. We've been biking on The Red Cedar Trail for years. It turns out, that the Chippewa Trail is just as scenic and inviting. Who knew? Both of these trails merge together at a soaring railroad bridge. The bridge is a favorite picnic spot for us. These days, only bikes cruise by on the paved tracks.

This time, instead of the aforementioned bridge, we picnicked here. On an out cropping over the river and the former site of a now defunct town. An old gentleman with a camera wandered by as we ate. He was a real story teller. First, he told us about the old ghost  town and eventually, he got around to actual ghost stories. Turns out, we were just a few secluded miles away from one of the most haunted place in Wisconsin. Caryville. The town has numerous ghost stories floating around. But the most intriguing one to us, was the story of mysterious happenings at the Sand Hill Cemetery. Do you know what we did after finishing up our ride? We went to the cemetery. Gulp. I'm waiting until next October for more details on what happened next... 

Google Caryville ghost stories if you dare.

But back on the beautiful trail...

We saw Ethereal puffs rising from the ground.

Barn Swallow

It turns out, we really were being watched. The birds and bees were roaming the skies with abandon. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard so much bird chatter as along this particular trail. 

This is where the wild things are.

Blue birds were busy delivering creepy crawly worms.

Creeks zig zagged along the trail.

And powerful forces loomed above. 

And since we're on the subject of being high...

Got nip? Hana does. Over at The Chorus of the Crows

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Biking the Red Cedar Trail

With the help of my new electric bike, I was finally able to do 26 miles on the Red Cedar Trail in Menomonie, Wisconsin. We started our trek while the sun was low in the sky, gently dappling the fauna along the trail with rays of light. Beautiful. This was the first of many bridge crossings on this old railway line.

The architecture made for great angular photos.

We stopped to admire a turn in the river.  And can you guess what else we spotted by accident?

Snakes!  I think this is a common water snake. He really blended into the log.

And there were two, yes two, Eastern Massasauga (great river mouth) Rattle Snakes soaking up the sun.  Or at least that is what I think they were after a google search.

They were big fat snakes.  We were thrilled to see them. And when we came through this part of the woods on the return trip, a common water snake slithered across the trail. Good grief!  We walked out on the rocks to get those water photos.  And there seems to be a threatening amount of snakes here. Watch your step!

But some things were small and precious.  Like 100's of butterflies flitting about. They would sit in delicate groups on the gravel floor, just waiting to be flushed out, then they would swirl and flutter every which way. There were so many blooming wildflowers for the butterflies to inspect along the way.  The jungle of flowers would brush against your legs as you peddled by. Hopefully there wasn't any poison ivy!

And there were large predators lurking in the trees.

This entrance marks the Downsville Sandstone Quarry. The rail line transported sandstone between 1880-1950. And near this there was a trickling little waterfall with seats for weary peddlers.  What a trail.

The highlight of our journey was at the 13.6 mile mark on this wide curve of the river. The bridge was a great place for photos and a scenic picnic.  Ah, Summer and all of its joys.

I caught this fellow watching something...

I caught this fellow just as he was reaching for something...

I love the towering angles.

Well, equipped with my new electric bike, my wimpy legs can take on the world.  Or, at least Wisconsin.

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The Rustic Red Cedar Trail

We had an enchanted walk on the Red Cedar Trail this Spring.  The Sun warmed our spirits as we bird watched.  There were a lot of gloomy days leading up to this wonderful one.  There still are!

The wild flowers were bright and beautiful along the trail.

Fresh and green.

We saw a pair of eagles on the other side of the river.

We caught a Baltimore Oriole pausing in a tree.  Their singing is the best part.  I just read that the males get there bright orange hue from eating super ripe bright fruit.

A robin was making her nest.  She was lining it with mud as we walked by.

A bright blue sky and a deep red sumak.

Three deer walked in the trees along the other side of the Red Cedar river.

We spotted another lone eagle. What a come back they've made!

An old hole in the wall.

The Sun danced on the river behind a row of dandelions.  

My sparkly new header photo.  So pretty!

A peek at the Devil's Punch Bowl. It really was a devilishly lovely morning.

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Wax On Wax Off

click to enlarge

Cedar wax wings are so elegant and sophisticated.  And the lighting is so pretty on this Summer morning walk near Menomonie, Wisconsin.  Look at all we saw besides birds on this pleasant stroll...

The birds and the bees.

This one is a favorite.  I love the composition. 

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For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday