Great Wide Somewhere is a series where I talk about finding adventure and wisdom in Wisconsin’s State Parks and Natural Areas.
I am counting down the minutes until my shift is over. I have to put in a few hours for work this weekend, but after I am driving off to a little campsite in the woods. I wanted to give myself a special gift for my birthday so a few months prior I booked a site at the Pinewoods Campground in the Southern Kettle Moraine. I knew about the Pinewoods from past hikes in the area, and now I am going to be staying in the towering grove of pine trees, not just visiting. Happy Birthday to me!
My mom and I prefer a quiet and peaceful camping experience. The campsites in our loop are a 24 hour quiet zone and we opt for one of the hike-in sites. We love backpacking, but we aren’t snobs about staying in public campgrounds either. To us, camping is camping, and we are always glad to be outside.
After we set up our tent and have a quick snack, we make our way to the Scuppernong Trails.
These trails rock and roll through some pretty gnarly hills in the southern kettle moraine and prove to be a decent workout. We set out just before sunset and are not disappointed. The light through the trees, the gorgeous weather, I start getting excited about some of the other hikes and adventures I have planned for this summer.
We come across a few other people, but not many. Most of the time, my mom and I have the trails to ourselves.
The next day, I wake up early to visit Paradise Springs. This little natural area just outside of Eagle, WI is known for its unique spring house. It was originally built in the 1930s and was once described as one of the most elaborate spring houses ever built in Wisconsin as it used to have a grand copper and wooden dome. It sat adjacent to a facility that bottled water from the spring, Lullaby Baby Drinking Water, which closed in the 1960s.
I walk into the spring house and see what could be the setting for a fairy tale. The shallow rock pool is a vibrant blue-green with crystal clear water. The only sounds I hear are birds and the constant, gentle flow of water. Â
Just across the street is the Henry Gotten Log Cabin. Originally built in the 1850s, the cabin is now a historical site with information about the family that lived there over 160 years ago.
I think one of the best gifts you can give yourself is time. I spend the rest of the weekend sitting in the woods with my sketchbooks and paint, capturing everything around me. I like collecting bits and pieces for larger works and after this little trip, I have some ideas brewing.
Great Wide Somewhere(s):
Scuppernong Trails: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kms/pdfs/kmsscuppernongtrmap.pdf
Southern Kettle Moraine: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kms/
The Pinewoods: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kms/camping.html
Paradise Springs: https://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/pr/PR0228.pdf
Field Day 