Campfire!Last week I drove up to Devil's Lake in Wisconsin on Wednesday and was camped a few nights. The week before, my friend Jesse was up there and had mentioned on his blog about running around the area. I immediately left a comment asking him to send me his route. He was so kind to actually do so and was very excited to hear about a bike path but a little nervous about the hills.
I woke up on Thursday morning from many reasons. First the birds. That was kinda before the sun even came up. I think I dozed off again and finally there was the noise from the campsite beside us. Yes, the started a fire in the morning. WTF? Anyway, finally got up and it was FREEZING outside. I only brought shorts but I figured that I should be fine even it was in the 50's. But I still went with my short sleeves instead of my sleeveless shirt.
I started out just as Jesse said and encountered my first downhill just outside of my campsite. That was fun on the hamstrings. Then got my first uphill outside of the park about a mile into the run. It was tough. I was chanting, "can't quit, won't quit." That's my chant.
Then I found the bike path and towards Baraboo I go! Lots of hills that was kinda tough but I stuck it out. It was awesome. I passed lots of weird things; noticeably an old mini golf course. They even had a windmill! I stopped at the top of one hill and decided to turn around. At first I was only going to do 30 minutes but then I was feeling good so on I went until I hit the 2.75 and turned around. It was started to get warm by then and I was sorry for wearing a short sleeve shirt instead of sleeveless! But I managed to do it. The hill going down was interesting. Hard on the hamstrings. Then the hill going back up was hard. I ended up walking it but then when I looked down at my watch, it said I only have .1 mile left and I really beat myself up over walking with that little to go but the hill was soooo tough!!
I cooled off a little, went shopping at WalMart for food, cooked an early lunch and then after that day, we hiked a few miles. Took it nice and easy and slow. Off the beaten path too. Very pretty ravines.
Came back, gathered up our bikes and away we went to try to bike. Come ot find out, the bike trails SUCK at Devil's Lake. They have the really big railroad rocks and even with our big mountain bike tires, we were still slipping all over the place. Plus, the hills were not fun to go up and they scared me going down. I think we did only 2 miles or so. Back to camp where we gathered up a few things, drove down to the south of the lake and hiked UP lots of rocks to see Balanced Rock. That was almost a mile I think.
So for Thursday it was: run, hike, bike, hike. CRAZY! But I was feeling good by the end of the day!
On Friday we just hiked. About 3 miles. Down to the lake north shore and then a path that I did before but it's a favourite of mine. Up the side of the mountain and over looking some gorgeous views! Pictures are below. Enjoy and be jealous!!!
Friday night a lot of beers and good cookout was had with Wisconsin fireworks!! Totally nice way to round out the weekend.
Leaving the park for my run
The hill. I swear it's more impressive in person.
The Barn Restaurant?
The hill going down. I got up to a 7:10 min/mi according to Garmin!
My campsite!
The first hike of the day.
Taking a small break.
The "stairs" for Balanced Rock trail
But worth it!!
There it is, Balanced Rock itself.
Many hawks we saw.
My first s'more!! yes I realise I'm 29 and just now eating my first s'more!
And of course there's the eating of the s'more.
Next day hiking.
Another quick rest.
What a view. GORGEOUS! So is the moutain & lake behind me. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
A map of the area.Activity
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1 comments:
Ah those hills bring back memories- I recognize them! Awesome that you tackled them though. They are tough! One heck of a workout for sure. That bruise on my foot after taking on those hills was sore for a few days! Looks like you had fun :)
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