By Ruth A. Ringelstetter
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Early on the morning of October 23, Joann and I left her house shortly before dawn. We had a first stop in mind, but we barely made it half way there before Joann was pulling over on the shoulder for a colorful, foggy farm scene.
Since the fog was shifting around in the hills, we quickly changed our plan and headed to Indian Lake County Park to see what the lake and the park offered for fall color and fog scenes. The park has a boat launch parking area, which we came to first, so we decided to start there.
Fog is a funny thing, and when you’re sitting still, you can see it shifting and moving around in the hills. From the boat ramp, you can look out over the lake, or look away from the lake across a prairie to an old farmstead.
Considering how the fall had begun, with much of the sumac changing color in early September, we were pleasantly surprised to still see some bright splashes of red around the lake.
The park was full of various fall colors, and as we drove to the main parking area, we could see the reds of some late sumac and the yellows, golds, and browns of the late autumn prairie. But we thought the best color was from the highway, where there was already too much morning work traffic.
So we pulled into the main area of the park and assessed the color as we circled around the parking lot. I commented to Joann that it was too bad we couldn’t really see much of the beautiful prairie from there that we had seen from the highway. But then Joann got an idea. She parked the car and walked up a rising hillside until she was high enough to look out over the prairie, with the remains of an old stone house and barn in the distance.
As we turned around and were driving back out of the park, we could see more color again, so Joann pulled over. By the time she came back to the car, she was very happy with the photographs she was able to capture, but she also had wet feet from walking around in the tall grasses.
After Indian Lake, we checked on a few more sites we’d been to before, and then ended up along the Wisconsin River. There didn’t appear to be a lot of color, but the fog was still hanging over the river enhancing the views.
A little further along, we passed the Mazomanie Oak Barrens. Neither of us could remember having been there before, so Joann turned around and we drove in. By this time, the fog was starting to lift, but Joann managed to move around enough to catch it as it rolled across the hillside.
We crossed the river into Sauk County with a couple of places in mind to check out for remaining color As we headed to one location, we glanced over to see one of our favorite old merry-go-rounds under a yellow maple tree. Sometimes we drive quite a ways down the road before one or the other of us says that we have to go back, but this time there was no question. Joann immediately found a spot to turn around to visit the merry-go-round.
Another favorite thing to find is a nice fall display. How cute is the one below with crows sitting on the scarecrow?
If you love rock formations, you definitely should spend some time along the roads in Sauk and Richland counties. They are easiest to see in the winter when all the leaves are off the trees, but they are at their prettiest in the fall when yellow leaves or orange and red sumac enhance their beauty.
We were a little late for our first visit to Seeley Creek Dam, as a lot of the color was gone already, but it was the first I had become aware of it. This is another case of being very close to something multiple times, but being unaware, and driving right by. We’re not even surprised anymore when we find out about things like this.
By now it was getting late in the day, and we were heading for home, but I asked Joann if she wanted to drive through Hoot Owl Valley on the way back to Baraboo and the highway home. I wasn’t surprised when she agreed, and we drove through the valley backwards of our normal route. The road is very narrow and hilly, but it was beautiful, in spite of most of the leaves having already fallen.
Almost every time we return to Joann’s house in the daylight, we pass by the church below. We’ve taken pictures from the highway in front of the church, but it is never as picturesque as when you come up to the church from the back.
And of course, we had to pull off as far as we could and get some photographs. This may have been the best year for maple color in the trees next to the church. And the golden cornfield still standing behind it only added to an already beautiful scene.
We hope you’ve had a wonderful fall season and have gotten to experience all the hues of autumn. We certainly enjoyed ourselves!
Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes by clicking on the photo. You will be taken to the gallery website where you will see a big blue "BUY" button. Or to see all photos available, click on the "Browse Galleries" button on the menu at the top of this page. Thank you for your interest!
Happy Shunpiking!
Ruth
Absolutely stunning photography enhanced by the narrative! One of my favorite posts thus far.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean! I am in heaven when I photograph in the glorious light of dawn, especially when there's a little fog to go with it.
DeleteBeautiful fall and fog photos, Joann. And thanks for the story to highlight your travels that day, Ruth. I really love the last photo of the church.
ReplyDeleteWonderful as usual. I also love the fog we get around here in this area of Wisconsin. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for reading and leaving comments. It means a lot to us that you take the time to enjoy our work.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the picture with the lake, the five trees, and the sumac. Can't seem to take my eyes off of it.
ReplyDeleteIf this posts Joann, it must have had to do with Firefox again. Remember when I couldn't access pictures that were in one of your albums? I am posting this in Edge to see if it works.
Coleen