Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, Wisconsin

July 1

We took a day off. It was predicted to rain and it did on and off for a short while. Since a cold front came through it should be a break in the high temperatures. Since Princess adjusted about 6 ports to have later arrival times I spent a good part of the day contacting tour operators and hoping they could adjust. (no time was added to the sail away time, just less time in port) Boo Hiss!

July 2 

Wow, what a day! Beautiful area and fantastic weather. However, it really was a killer hike. While we only hiked 5 miles or so, most of it was up and down rock steps or climbing up and down narrow areas of the huge rocks. It’s sandstone and it gets smooth & slippery with all the use it gets. The views were worth the effort, but I have a knee and some muscles telling me otherwise. When we got to the top and we could see the concession stand by the beach we joked that there should be a zipline to get you down. Instead we had to walk a couple of miles up & down the rocks.

The area really was beautiful and was more about the scenery as there were very few birds. Tons of people enjoying the perfect weather and their vacations. The views were incredible and the red sandstone rocks were amazing. I said it reminded me a bit like Petra. (just a bit as there really was no comparison)

 the park office

 Downey Woodpecker

 Greg under the bridge

 the easy part of the trail despite it being uphill 

 another part of the trail

 viewpoints along the way

 Indigo Bunting

 really large red mushrooms

 Greg on the trail

 another part of the trail

 caterpillars on a tree 

the entry to the Devil's Door

 Devil's Door

Balanced Rock

it was up here where we could see the beach & concession stand...if only there was a zipline

picking the perfect path down the rocks....

 we ducked under this tree and the tree behind it

 Brown-headed Cowbird - male

  Brown-headed Cowbird - female or immature

 Vesper Sparrow - a new bird for us

Vesper Sparrow

We grabbed a late lunch at the concession stand. (mediocre brat sandwiches, fries and ice cream). We watched the people enjoying the beach and the lake. 

Then, we hiked one last trail to get back to the car. We essentially walked all around the lake, though half of it was climbing to the top of the one side of it.

 Great Blue Heron in a tree

 Song Sparrow

 train on the other side of the lake

finally back at the other side of the lake where the car was

https://photos.app.goo.gl/F8gjQ1xTVDd6CCqH9

Tomorrow, we are driving to Madison for errands.