Great River Road - Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin

My road trip started in Minneapolis, MN, the first town after crossing the border into Wisconsin is Prescott.  As the friendly sign says it is the gateway to the Great River Road, or series of state and local roads that follow the Mississippi River.  The welcome center in Prescott was full of maps and brochures of places along the Great River Road and of the road's path itself.  I also picked up a few post cards there

This was the real beginning of the road trip.  All along the Great River Road you find the green shield sign like in the second picture. The state name appears at the bottom of the shield, this one is in Wisconsin. 

With a long way to go and only one day to get to the next big city on the trip we didn't spend too much time in Prescott.  Following the signs for the Great River Road we came across the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center at Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin. Inside the visitor center there were some great hands on exhibits about the wildlife, art exhibits, and a balcony with views of the river and binoculars for bird watching. It is a National Park Service Partner site so kids can take part in the Junior Ranger program. There is even a playground and some picnic tables around as well.

We spent enough time to explore the nature center and take in views.  It was interesting to learn about the history of the area.  Seeing the blue water of the St. Croix River blend into the muddy Mississippi River. 

There were different gardens that feature what habitats can be found in the region. I liked the butterfly garden in particular.  Even found a few butterflies flitting about.  Of course I couldn't get any to stay still for a picture, so all I have are the butterflies on the accent mosaic tiles on the pathway around the garden. 

It was nice to get a chance to stretch our legs from driving before picking up the trail again.  It was going to be a few hours drive to our lunch break town. 

Before getting back in the car I walked around the park area and heard a woodpecker.  I tried to get a good picture.  When I spotted it, it was up a dead tree pecking away looking for food. The tree didn't have any leaves which made it easy to spot the bird.  I didn't have any binoculars with me so the bird was a little moving blob along the trunk of the tree near the top. When I went back through the pictures forgot why I took the picture of the tree until I looked carefully and saw the blob that is a woodpecker.  Points to anyone who can find the woodpecker in the picture on the left.  The adventure continues,  Meet Me Outdoors

Lake of the Isles Park - Minneapolis, MN

Beginning of this year's summer road trip traveling along the Mississippi River starts in Minneapolis, MN. Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes so I walked around Lake of the Isles Park which is part of Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park. 

It was a really nice walk even as it reached midday summer heat. I made sure to bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and took water, which is important.

Between the walking path and the lake was perimeter of wild flowers where I saw some butterflies fluttering from flower to flower and other pollinators like bees. I saw some monarch butterflies and an Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. Only the one that I was able to take a picture of was a monarch. Look for the triangular shaped thing in the center of the picture.

As I walked around the lake there were some rent a canoe spots and we watched as one group prepared themselves to start their canoeing experience.  There are two paths around the lake, one for those on foot and the other for those who are on bikes. The lake I walked had a very funny shape to it unlike another in the chain of lakes that is more circular.  The shape of Lake of the Isles when I mapped my waking was more like a duck head shape.  

The road trip continues following the river Southwards. I am looking forward the adventure. Go see what you can find at your local parkes, Meet Me Outdoors.