Early Fall Color and Other Scenes From Wisconsin
We stayed at a cabin on Loon Lake owned by our friends Bob and Wendy.
There was a wonderful small dock jutting into the water,
It was perfect for gazing at reflections in the water …
Not to mention reading, stargazing, and listening to the loons.
Judy really enjoyed hanging out on the dock. You can see how the water level was unusually high due to all the rains.
There was a canoe at the cabin and Danny and Judy took it out on the lake.
They got all the way out there and back without falling into the water.
We were there for the very beginning of fall color. Most of the color was from the maples.
But there was also lots of sumac.
And a bit of oak.
On our last day at the cabin Bob and Wendy arrived and we helped them bring the dock in for the winter. The disassembled wooden sections were unusually heavy because they were soaked by the high water levels.
The last stage of bringing in the dock was rolling in the metal frame. Wendy provided essential encouragement.
After finishing up with the dock, we drove back to St. Paul to drop off David. The next day Judy, Danny and I made the long drive back to Chicago. We did stop at the Norske Nook in Osseo, Wisconsin, for some pie. If you ever have to drive on I-90 from Chicago to Minnesota, I highly recommend you make a stop. Danny bought a whole chocolate cream pie to bring back to his girlfriend.
Next post: fall planting!
gardeninacity 
Jason, this looks like a wonderful restful trip, nice to meet your family too. 🙂
It was awfully nice. Wish I could go back right now.
Very cool dock. I’ve never seen one that is put away for winter.
A first for me, also.
Your photos really told the story of what a beautiful place that is to relax and rejuvenate! I’ve never seen a dock put away for the winter. I suppose it makes sense since it probably freezes pretty hard there.
I suppose in Georgia they wouldn’t have to.
Nice you had a chance to experience this lovely setting with your family and friends. Lake looks so lovely. We’re not seeing much fall color yet–those maples are great.
Yes, the maples really pop, especially early in the season when the surrounding trees are mostly green.
I see you had a nice day with your family Jason!
I love your second photo — wonderful reflection and felling of autumn.
I love that picture also, especially the reflection of the clouds in the water.
What a beautiful place to relax in and how nice to be able to spend holiday time with your boys. The lake looks wonderful do you swim in it.?
It was a little too cold for swimming.
Glad to read that taking the canoe out was incident free Jason.
A lovely vacation in such a gorgeous setting. I’d be just like Judy – chillaxing with a book in my hand.
It’s odd that Judy really prefers they kayak as it “feels” safer and easier.
Oh to sit in the warm sunshine on that dock, reading a good book, listening to loons – life is good friend. 🙂
Well said.
That sounds like a great vacation!
Hard to beat a cabin by the lake – especially if most of the shore is protected land so it is undeveloped.
That fall color is extraordinary in your shots! And I just love the photo of your wife and son out on the water….I can just picture how peaceful and relaxing it was! How wonderful that your friends had you up and that you were able to help them with the dock! I had no idea that you could pull one in! And I will have to make note of the pie shop….my fam loves their pie!! Happy fall!
If they love pie, this is the place. The rest of the food is OK, but nothing special.
The Norske Nook! Best pie in the world! The color is coming fast now–too fast. Even the Oaks in my garden are starting to get that “stained glass” look. That property looks beautiful!
I wonder if I could start a Norske Nook franchise in Chicago?
I really enjoyed your travelogue, Jason! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
What fantastic autumn colour, the forests do it best! How lovely it must have been to sit on that dock just gazing at the lake, the canoeing looks such fun too!xxx
Sitting on the dock and just drinking in the quiet was certainly wonderful.
Looks like a perfect spot and I’m happy to see everyone returning dry and without any phones missing…
Hello Jason, the Autumn colour is beginning to intensify, we’re still a little way off the trees turning but there are hints of colour beginning to appear in the woods around us. I’ve not seen Autumn in the part of the UK we’ve now moved to, it’s heavily mixed-wooded and it will be interesting to see what the colour is like.
I loved Wisconsin in the fall… when I was young we visited there…you stayed in such a peaceful place and absolutely a good pie spot is essential.