Marleta Meanders

Wisconsin Calls

I could not stay home long and met Ann and Jim at Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin. While they set up their tent, I hiked the Sugar Maple Trail. When I thought the hike was longer than I planned, I went to the rode and Ann picked me up. Lots of wildflowers, no one else on the trail and serene quiet.
We took a bike ride to view the Mississippi River ! Our hope was to kayak the river in the morning.
At the top of the campground there is a little glimpse of the Wisconsin River before it empties into the Mississippi.
The next morning we headed out onto the “trail” to the Mississippi River!
After paddling for over an hour upstream, I was happy to accept an assist from Ann and Jim to make it to the Mississippi and a lovely drift downstream. We saw no barges and only one fisherman and one speed boat.
Along the way, we saw many interesting things! This tree appears to be a beaver haven! I wondered how long it will take to topple the tree entirely.
Jim captured this photo of an immature eagle perched on a branch along the river. Extraordinary !
The campground was a birder’s paradise! This little catbird competed with so many for the best song of each morning.
Arriving at the Mississippi River Sculpture Park in Prairie du Chien, I was amazed to find a sculpture of Dr. William Beaumont. He was an army surgeon and treated Alexis St. Martin for a gastrocutaneous fistula after a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The patient was hired by Beaumont who performed experiments to study gastric acids and gastric physiology.
I happen to have a copy of “On the Gastric Juice” published by Beaumont in 1833. It was given to my father in 1958 from a grateful patient.
Another notable sculpture was of Emma Big Bear. She was a Ho-Chunk woman of the Bear tribal family. Her ancestors are buried across the Mississippi in Effigy Mounds.
Wanting to miss the approaching storms ( and a tornado ) we arrived in Madison to attend a special dinner celebrating
” Morel Season”
This was just one of the courses!. Whitefish, fava beans, asparagus and morels paired with a lovely French wine. A fun evening of delicious food and drink and an opportunity to make new friends.

The Mississippi River trip was an opportunity of a lifetime! I am grateful to Ann and Jim for making it happen. I would never have attempted this by myself!. I am ready to welcome others to enjoy this river!

What an adventure!!!!!

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