870+ miles in one day is harder than it used to be. Still doable but 50 something backs and legs complain more than they used to.
We started our morning slowly and got a few chores done. Rob did admin stuff and I got caught up on laundry and bills.
We decided that a good walk was in order so we got the girls ready and headed to a trail in Appleton, WI. The trail runs along the Fox River. We had been to another trail along the Fox when we went to a town called DuPere.
It definitely felt like fall. The skies were steely gray and there was a light breeze with temps in the 60s. Penny Lane was a happy girl and Annie Belle had quite the spring in her step.
The Fox was running high and fast. There had been quite a bit of rain in the region and it was pushing its way to bigger waters.
SPILLWAYS ALONG THE FOX
There seems to be quite a bit of use of the Fox for hydroelectric power. I am accustomed to seeing entire bodies of water dammed and huge spillways being used to create hydro power. The Fox is not dammed but there are spillways and there are, I think, smaller turbines. It appears that the same results are achieved but on a smaller scale.
A BIT OF HISTORY
We were having a really nice walk and we came upon two young adults sitting on a bench. They both looked at Penny Lane and Annie and smiled. I asked them if they would like to pet them and they very enthusiastically said "Yes!." We stopped and let them pet the girls and had a chat. Both of these youngsters were from Vietnam. They were freshmen and were attending Lawrence University which is a local college. We asked them if they liked it and they excitedly told us just how amazing it was. I will have to say that they were so young and so sweet that I just wanted to hug them. To be so far from home and in a place so different from their norm but still so happy. Good for them. We chatted a bit longer and then said our goodbyes. I love meeting people and hearing their stories.
VERY COOL RAILROAD BRIDGE. WHEN A BOAT NEEDS TO PASS, IT TURNS INSTEAD OF LIFTING.
AMAZING HOUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.
We finished our walk and made our way to the Stone Cellar Pub. Rob and I got a beer and sat outside while the girls sat in the car. They did this very begrudgingly. Penny Lane could see us but I could tell she was not absolutely sure it was us so she just sat and looked. It was plenty cool for them to be in the car but they did not appreciate it.
We headed back to the RV and spent the rest of our evening reading and watching another installment of "From the Earth to the Moon." A great 12 part series on the space race of the 60's and early 70's.
Saturday had us out the door an headed to Sturgeon Bay. Sturgeon Bay is about 45 miles north of Green Bay and we accessed it from Potawatomi State Park.
Potawatomi State Park is a 1,225-acre Wisconsin state park northwest of the city of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. It is located on Sturgeon Bay, a bay of the Bay of Green Bay in Door County. Potawatomi State Park was established in 1928.
WE HAD HIKED ANOTHER PART OF THIS TRAIL WHILE IN BARABOO, WI.
GMAN AND HIS DOG
FUNGUS
SO MANY LAYERS
The trail was nice and led us all the way to Sturgeon Bay. Penny Lane got a little swim and Annie Belle sun bathed. We headed back and made our way to The Tower. The Tower allows hikers to climb to the top to get a good bird's eye view of Sturgeon Bay. My fear of heights, once again, nearly forced me to abort the climb but my desire to see the bay pushed me to the top. Definitely worth the climb.
SOMEONE'S VERY PRIVATE RESIDENCE
ME SOMEWHAT NERVOUSLY POSING
We had to take turns climbing the tower since it was no place for a dog. After we both got our looks, we loaded up and drove back to Lewis. We were going to drop the girls and then go check out the Appleton Oktoberfest.
The Oktoberfest runs along College Street in Appleton. College street runs right through Lawrence University.
THE FIRST COED UNIVERSITY IN WISCONSIN
The city closes one mile of this street and both sides are full of food and beer vendors, musical stages and artisans. It was mobbed but it was reasonably orderly. The organizers were smart in that everyone had to show ID and have a green bracelet placed on their wrist in order to drink. Not full proof but at least they tried. We just walked around and watched and listened. Rob did get a giant ear of roasted corn and we shared a beer....or two.
The fest shut down at 6pm so we left a little before that. We returned to happy pups and our cozy home.
Another great day in this thing we call life.
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