Adventure: Turkey Run Falls

Rainy days. For many, they're the epitome of a lazy day, an excuse to stay inside. Those that know me well may expect that to be true for me since I loathe getting wet-- water is like my Kryptonite. But au contraire mon ami: lots of rain means that rivers and streams pick up. And if I don't pick up a paddle, I run out to some waterfalls.

To wit: Turkey Run Falls. After one initial attempt to locate this plunge near the Lower Clarion River on the outskirts of the Pa Wilds, I decided to save it for a rainy day... quite literally. The normal shallow depths of the stream didn't lend itself to picturesque water features (see the really dry creek bed in the summer to the right.) Glad I did. Several hours of a downpour allowed this riffle to swell into a some fine scenery.

Surprisingly, I even managed to coax Lavaricky, Soco, and Nelly all to don their rain coats and slosh along with me. Starting at the bridge over Turkey Run, Nelly and myself made our way down the Eastern bank while the ladies rebelled against us on the opposing side. Neither took pictures so all I have is my view. It's not much but a nice showing for a spontaneous trip on a rainy day.

So the lesson is: don't shy away from a rainy day! Instead, just use it as your advantage... an adventurer can benefit from the rain for some wicked paddling, deeper swimming holes, and-- obviously-- better looking waterfalls. Turkey Run Falls isn't much... but it's even less if the water drops to its normal levels. Good adventure to me!

Tally-ho!
-Captain Crash

Adventure: Picnic Point

Ah, snowy Wisconsin. A flat state full of badgers and cheese. But it was somehow so alluring to explore as I was making my way through its frozen plains on my way to Minnesota's Twin Cities. As plans were set to spend a night in the capitol city of Madison, I immediately investigated what sort of short adventures I squeeze into the afternoon. All sources pointed the same way: Picnic Point.

Dubbed one of the 10 best places to kiss in the world, this small nature preserve hiding in an urban area is managed by the University of Wisconsin. The shape is incredible as the wooded strip of land extends out into the massive Lake Mendota, looking like the campus's own wang on display to the rest of the city on the adjacent shore. Indians originally held the site sacred, creating mounds that are typical of the natives of that region. Later, settlers used the fertile soils of the peninsula for farming. 

Today, the trails and forest make a popular summertime picnic destination to enjoy views of the old glacial waters and the skyline of Madison across University Bay. Of course, I instead led Bilo, Mary and Liz across the slender shorelines in the dead of winter in horribly freezing cold temperatures and a shit-ton of snow.

You know the drill, click Read More to see the pictures n'at after the jump.