Way up North to ……. No, not to Alaska but it feels that way.

It has been a couple of months since our last road trip, way too long.  We just enjoy seeing what is around the next bend or just over the horizon.   We didn’t feel like waiting for fall any longer. Home had temperatures in the 90’s the week before we left and Wisconsin has been on my list of places to take the camper for some time now.  Unseasonably high temps so pushed us to get in the rig and go.  Two tanks of gas later it is now 38 degrees and will go down to 26 tonight.  I think we may have driven past the fall season into early winter.

Even with the heavy cloud cover the colors are just beautiful. 

There is a state forest campground just outside of Black River Falls which is located mid-state but away from the more popular tourist spots.  When we pulled into the campground there was only three other sites occupied.  Needless to say, the place was very quiet (and without water since it was too late in the camping season).  We were able to fill up water bags at the Black River Falls Visitors Center while we picked up information on the town and surrounding area.

Castle Mound Campground, Black River Forest

The goal of this particular trip was to explore a few of the state designated Rustic Roads and to capture a few photos.  But before that can, the first order of business after a good night’s sleep is to find the best local coffee shop in the area.  In Black River Falls this turned out to be Gathering Grounds.  The sectioned VW bus used as the drive-up window is unique and eye catching.  The is coffee good and friendly people. If you are driving through it is worth your time to search out this little shop.

After the coffee stop we spent the day driving around back roads in the vicinity of Eau Claire.  The colors are great but the sky was still overcast.  Not what I had envisioned but the trip turned out OK.  The cool fall weather, charming family farms and pumpkins for sale every few miles made the drive worthwhile.

Was leaving the highest point in the state when I glanced in the rear view mirror to see this picture behind me.

  Looked completely different from the other side. Almost missed it.

There are a lot of oddities and fun facts to be found along the road.  In Cadott, WI surprisingly, it turns out that we were halfway to the north pole if were driving from the equator. This must explain why it is so cold.

The next day we wandered further north to Timms Hill, the highest point in the state at about 1900 feet.  The Princess was a bit taken aback when the highest point turned out to be at the top of a viewing tower rather than at the end of a pleasant hike.  The climb up the wooden steps wasn’t as scary as the Princess feared but she did not linger. The view from the tower was expansive and we were again thrilled to see all of the fall colors with a bit of snow on the ground.

We stayed four nights in the Castle Mound campground in the Black River State Forest. It is only about five miles off I-94 so it would work out well for an overnight stay while traveling through the area.

Castle Mound Campground

Dennis and Sherrie