I went day tripping today for some geocaching in Milwaukee, WI.  Milwaukee is similar to Minneapolis in that it has really been cleaned up over the years.  On this trip we managed to score 15 geocaches in all including three webcam geocaches, three virtual caches, and an earthcache. The waterfronts both here and in Port Washington were gorgeous.  Might be worth exploring more in the summertime.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

 

2012 - Milwaukee, WI Downtown Milwaukee, WI Downtown Milwaukee, WI	2012 - Milwaukee, WI A view of Milwaukee's waterfront A view of Milwaukee's waterfront	2012 - Milwaukee, WI Navigational beacon in Lake Michigan Navigational beacon in Lake Michigan
2012 - Milwaukee, WI Bart at Milwaukee's waterfront Bart at Milwaukee's waterfront	2012 - Milwaukee, WI Geocaching on Milwaukee's waterfront Geocaching on Milwaukee's waterfront

A day trip to Port Washignton, WI, located north of Milwaukee on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Port Washington, WI Downtown Port Washington, WI Downtown Port Washington, WI

2012 - Port Washington, WI The water front at Port Washington, WI The water front at Port Washington, WI

2012 - Port Washington, WI Memorial to those lost at sea (Lake Michigan) Memorial to those lost at sea (Lake Michigan)

While on a day trip to Milwaukee, a stop at Wisconsin's Pike Lake State Park was in order as it is home to Wisconsin's oldest active geocache.  Geocache Pike Powder Hike (GC3B1) is located near the fire tower within the state park atop Powder Hill, a glacial moraine, which happens to be Wisconsin's second highest point.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Climbing to the fire tower Climbing to the fire tower	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Bart atop the fire tower Bart atop the fire tower	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI A view of Pike Lake from atop the fire tower A view of Pike Lake from atop the fire tower
2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Looking down from the summit Looking down from the summit	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Found it, Wisconsin's oldest active geocache Found it, Wisconsin's oldest active geocache	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Bart at Wisconsin's oldest active geocache Bart at Wisconsin's oldest active geocache

In an attempt to score the geocache Happy New Year, guardrail10 (GC38K4R) by Bobcam, an accumulation of two hours worth of conventional searching proved fruitless.  During the search for the cache, I discovered a few things in the area that were possibilities.  Perhaps the theory I was developing was a stretch but it seemed like it had potential.

The theory is that the geocache was hidden within the storm drain that is buried just a few feet from the listed coordinates.  The signs of the drain are subtle but they are there.  We made our way down to the river bank and scouted for the opening.  We waffled a bit but then our team decided to go for it.  We explored our way the entire half mile to what we believed to be GZ.  We were able to find our way by known landmarks (manholes and storm grates).  We searched a bit and came up empty.  I was SURE the cache would be located here but no Happy Dance for us today.  While I doubt I'll make it back into the drain, I am still convinced that my theory is plausible and that we just missed the hide.

WARNING  I am not sure of the legalities of entering storm drains.  Regardless, I do not recommend going into drains and you enter them at your own risk, especially when precipitation is imminent.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Track log dump from the GPS Track log dump from the GPS	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Draining to the Mississippi Draining to the Mississippi	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration The portal to geocache? The portal to geocache?
2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration The way out The way out	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration The right went unexplored, the left goes all the way to 19th Street The right went unexplored, the left goes all the way to 19th Street	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Looking up at manhole #2 (see map) Looking up at manhole #2 (see map)
2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Dan leading the way Dan leading the way	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Norvina beating tunnel rats with her stick Norvina beating tunnel rats with her stick	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Bart attempting to keep the walls from closing in Bart attempting to keep the walls from closing in

Today I set out on adventure with fellow geocachers Doublemoose and Geobex.  We were attempting to be the first to find on a brand new, water accessible only, 4.5/5 rated geocache called River Cache: Pickled Lilies (GC37YDE).  The geocache was hidden on Pickerel Lake, located in Lilydale, MN.  This was no ordinary paddle.

I've paddled lakes. I've paddled rivers. I've paddle into caves.  Paddled the BWCAW.  Paddled the dangerous swells of Lake Superior in May right after ice-out.  I've even paddled through barge traffic on the Mississippi.  But today is the first time I've actually paddled through ice.  Besides the effort of plowing through the ice like a Great Lakes Ice Breaker, it was very precarious trying to keep the boat off the ice and into the water.  We prevailed and came home alive.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Preparing for the voyage Preparing for the voyage	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Launching the boat Launching the boat	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Chopping ice to get us started Chopping ice to get us started
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Onward through the sheet of ice Onward through the sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Almost to open water Almost to open water
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN We made it to open water We made it to open water	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Back into the ice, thicker than ever Back into the ice, thicker than ever
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Making our way to the geocache Making our way to the geocache	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Our trail through the ice Our trail through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Our ice trail Our ice trail
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Approaching the geocache Approaching the geocache	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Doublemoose scores the find Doublemoose scores the find	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Bart presenting the geocache Bart presenting the geocache
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Doublemoose pulls in the geocache Doublemoose pulls in the geocache	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN We scored the find and were first to find as well We scored the find and were first to find as well	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Our trail through the icy landscape, St. Paul in the background Our trail through the icy landscape, St. Paul in the background

Our family camped at Interstate State Park this last MEA weekend.  Located just north of the Twin Cities, Interstate State Park is just two miles west of Taylors Falls, MN.  On the banks of the St. Croix River, the area is known for its immense beauty and geological features such as glacial potholes.

Dismissing the cold nights, the weather was absolutely perfect.  Frosts earlier in the season had killed off the insects, food and beverages were plentiful, and we were able to explore the area.  While camping with seven kids can be trying, I think it is still a consensus that we all had a good time.  Things we enjoyed?  Relaxation, hiking, geocaching, kayaking Chisago Lake and enjoying the campfire.  The thing we liked the least about Interstate State Park is its proximity to MN State Highway 95.  The noise from the traffic, particularly trucks jake braking down the hill, is not what I look for in camping.  While the beauty of the river is enticing, the traffic alone is the reason why I will never again camp at Interstate.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Entrance to Interstate State Park Entrance to Interstate State Park	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Our home for the weekend, campsite #12e Our home for the weekend, campsite #12e	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN A view of the river from our campsite A view of the river from our campsite
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN The St. Croix River The St. Croix River	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Walking the St. Croix River Walking the St. Croix River	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Bart and Anna messing around in the river Bart and Anna messing around in the river
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Woke up Saturday morning to a foggy river Woke up Saturday morning to a foggy river	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN An eerie river scene An eerie river scene	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Another eerie river scene Another eerie river scene
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Molly climbing around the potholes Molly climbing around the potholes	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura posing like a ham Laura posing like a ham	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna swallowed by a pothole Anna swallowed by a pothole
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura posing again, I should be worried Laura posing again, I should be worried	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN While she'd never admit it, Molly having a good time While she'd never admit it, Molly having a good time	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna climbing boulders in Glacial Gardens Park Anna climbing boulders in Glacial Gardens Park
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura attempting to climb the cliff Laura attempting to climb the cliff	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna with a river backdrop Anna with a river backdrop	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura and Matt Bowers Laura and Matt Bowers
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura and the four Bowers boys Laura and the four Bowers boys	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Nene taking a break from climbing through potholes Nene taking a break from climbing through potholes	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN The Hiking Club password for Interstate State Park The Hiking Club password for Interstate State Park

Today was the last official paddling run for me on the Cannon River system.  It included about a 2 mile paddle to explore the sea caves on Byllesby Lake.  Normally, most of these pothole-like caves are under water but the low river levels allowed for a closer inspection.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

 

2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves
2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves
2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves
2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves
2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves
2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves
2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves	2011 - A Look Inside the Byllesby Lake Sea Caves

Our family camped at Bear Head Lake State Park this weekend.  Located in the great north woods of Minnesota, Bear Head Lake is approximately half way between Tower and Ely.  While the area is known for vast populations of wolves and bears, the only critters we ran into were the three bears at the North American Bear Center, located just south of Ely.

Believe it or not, this was our family's first solo camping trip without the presense of other beloved friends and family members.  The weather was absolutely perfect, there were no troublesome insects, and the food was plentiful.  With the exception of a dead battery in the truck and having run out of beer, every one of us seemed to have a great time.  Things we enjoyed?  Relaxation, swimming at the beach, kayaking the lakes, hiking the trails, geocaching, enjoying the campfire, and stargazing at night.  There are many other gorgeous state parks we'd like to camp but Bear Head Lake has certainly made it to our short-list of places to return.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Entrance to Bear Head Lake State Park Entrance to Bear Head Lake State Park	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Our home for the weekend, campsite #53 Our home for the weekend, campsite #53	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Bart at the campsite Bart at the campsite
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view of Bear Head Lake A view of Bear Head Lake	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view from the beach at Bear Head Lake A view from the beach at Bear Head Lake	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view of Eagles Nest Lake Number Three A view of Eagles Nest Lake Number Three
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view from Bart's boat during the maiden voyage A view from Bart's boat during the maiden voyage	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Molly is a natural at paddling a kayak Molly is a natural at paddling a kayak	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Bart and Molly island geocaching on Eagles Nest Lake Number Three Bart and Molly island geocaching on Eagles Nest Lake Number Three
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura checking out the kayak on dry land Laura checking out the kayak on dry land	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura actually went out in the 12' kayak and held her own Laura actually went out in the 12' kayak and held her own	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura conquered her first kayaking trip Laura conquered her first kayaking trip
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Anna is a reluctant but very skillful paddler Anna is a reluctant but very skillful paddler	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN We were all surprised that Nene got in a kayak, paddled well, and claims to have enjoyed it We were all surprised that Nene got in a kayak, paddled well, and claims to have enjoyed it	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN The Hiking Club password for Bear Head Lake State Park The Hiking Club password for Bear Head Lake State Park

Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event was held today, Saturday, August 20th, 2011 and turned out to be a wondrous success.  There were more geocachers than expected, we had spectacular weather, and the food was good and plentiful.

Like the previous three events, it was held in Dakota County's Miesville Ravine Park Preserve, located about four miles south of Miesville and six miles northeast of Cannon Falls.  The majority of geocachers paddled the Cannon River from Cannon Falls to Miesville Ravine, a 6.7 mile stretch of the river that is just gorgeous.  Others biked the Cannon Valley Trail from Cannon Falls to Welch.  And some geocachers just stopped in for the picnic.

Final attendence numbers as of August 23rd, 2011:

• There were 28 RSVPs.
• 36 have logged the event Attended.
• 46 signatures were listed on the written log.
• Physical headcount during the picnic was in excess of 52 attendees.
• 5 dozen ears of sweet corn served.

Lessons learned from this event:

• Bring more sweet corn next year.
• Perhaps BOTH sides of the grill should be fired up next time?
• Don't draw conclusions about absent geocachers as you'll more than likely be proven wrong.
• Doublemoose can paddle with the best of them.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event

This summer Laura has been playing soccer on one of the RAAA 1st/2nd Grade Girls teams.  While Laura is not ready to bend it with Beckham, she is not shy about playing hard and getting into the action.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

  

2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer
2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer
2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer
2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer
2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer
2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer	2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer
2011 - Rosemount Raspberries, RAAA 2nd Grade Girls Soccer