Hiking at Devils Lake, Wisconsin

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ADVENTURE

It's something that most of us seek and something that most of us fear.  No matter what, it's something that will change you.  No matter how big or small the adventure is, the experience is something you will have forever.  Memories to keep and look back on.  The perfect opportunity to pack up your camera and capture those moments. 

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March 17th, 2018  St. Patrick's Day

Instead of the usual green beer and large crowds, Kat, myself, and loved ones decided to spend St.Patrick's day a little different this year.  It was not a snowy winter, but the cold kept the itch for the outdoors unscratched.  So we ended up staying in a lot and watched youtube videos that featured the great outdoors.  Well, that wasn't enough.  

My cousin's husband had mentioned to us in late January that they were planning on hiking Devil's Lake in Wisconsin, just north of Madison.  He had been there in the fall of 2017 with his son's boy scout troop and had been itching to go back.  So Kat and I took this opportunity to explore a place we haven't been to, stretch our legs and do some outdoor photography.

March 17th was the day, and it was a glorious day.  Almost too perfect.

​This is the best we can do without having mountains in the midwest.  I will take it. 

Best view in the park.  

IMO - it's not an adventure if there isn't a little bit of danger involved. 

Overlooking the frozen Devil's Lake. 

The balancing rock.  A popular stop on the way up or down. 

Why?  Why do we take the energy to climb something?   Why do we accept the challenge that leave our bodies aching and exhausted? Why do we strive to reach the top? 
​So we can look down.

Fellow adventurers.

We walk on water at the Devil's Lake. 

Quartzite rocks that are purple inside.  It gave an otherworldly feel. 

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Hundreds, maybe thousands of years ago, this quartzite cliff collapsed.  Out of chaos comes beauty. 

Big ass pop rocks. 

At the end of the day, we were tired and hungry.  Our feet hurt.  Our legs were burning.  Our eyes were heavy and our backs ached.  Yet, we smiled because we bonded.  It took about 4 hours to hike the entire lake and in those 4 hours we grew closer.  We joked and told stories.  We've known each other for the majority of our lives, yet were learned new things about each other that day.  

This is why adventures are important.  Whether it's an adventure in a park near your home, a state park in the next state over, or a remote mountain that offers solitude from the world.  An adventure is with you forever.

I'm ready for the next one. 

​JP