Posted in State Parks on May 9th, 2009 No Comments »
Tower Hill State Park is a 77 acre park located on the banks of the Wisconsin River near Spring Green, WI. It’s main feature is a 120 ft. shot tower and 90 ft. tunnel where lead was dropped to create symmetrical shot balls using the “Watts Method.” In 1782, William Watts of Bristol, England, patented a method to produce shot that was round and free of imperfections by dropping molten lead from a great height. Watts’ invention was inspired by observing falling raindrops. Shot towers were first built in America after President Thomas Jefferson imposed the Embargo Act in 1808. Tower Hill, relatively close to the lead mining regions of Wisconsin, used a crude 120 ft shaft and 90 ft tunnel dug into a sandstone cliff to produce shot from 1833-1861. The lead shot was shipped by barge down the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers to St. Louis. The park has 15 campsites and provides canoe and kayak access to the Wisconsin River. The bluff trails give visitors excellent views of the river valley. Nearby is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin. Preview music by Evan Wanserski and Maury Smith, copyright 2008. Photographs and slideshow copyright 2008, Creative Juice LLC.
Tower Hill State Park and Campground.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 10:00m. File size: 97.5MB.
Price: $1.00. 
Council Grounds State Park and Campground preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 1:58m. File size: 19.2MB.
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Posted in State Parks on Apr 19th, 2009 No Comments »
This 508 acre park along the Wisconsin River in north-central Wisconsin has been used by humans for centuries. Some park artifacts date back to around 600 AD. Native American Chippewas met for celebrations here beginning around 1600 AD. In the late 19th century loggers met here to sort the rafted lumber for downstream mills. The park site is beautifully situated with the Lake Alexander flowage on it’s north and the Wisconsin River on it’s west side. Nature trails take you past the park’s impressive stands of White Pine. The 55 family campsites site with showers are in a heavily wooded area near the river and lake.
Council Grounds Family and Group Campgrounds.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 11:47m. Size: 97.5MB.
Price: $1.00.
Council Grounds State Park and Campgrounds preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 2:00m. File size: 19.6MB.
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Posted in State Parks on Mar 14th, 2009 No Comments »
Roche-A-Cri (means shouting or whooping rock) or “crevice in the rock” as the French explorers called it, is a 300 foot sandstone bluff near Adams-Friendship, Wisconsin. The park, established in 1948, has viewable Native American petroglyphs and pictographs discovered in 1851, but were “written” a thousand years ago. Roche-A-Cri is made of Cambrian sandstone about 500,000 years old. It is a long narrow flat-topped ridge bordered by shear precipices. The bluff was once an island in the 1,800 square mile Glacial Lake Wisconsin. In 1994 a Wisconsin Conservation Corps group finished a 303 step stairway to the top of the bluff. The 605 acre park has a number of soft trails strewn with pine needles that are all linked to the 41 site shower-less campground. One leads to a prairie restoration project, crossing over a foot bridge on Carter Creek, a picturesque trout creek. Music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008, Creative Juice LLC.
Roche A Cri State Park Family Camgpround.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 9:56. File size: 95.5MB
Price: $1.00.
Roche A Cri State Park preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 2:00m. File size: 19.3MB.
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Posted in State Parks on Mar 4th, 2009 No Comments »
The 1,417 acre Hartman Creek State Park has four quiet spring fed lakes and 10 miles of scenic trails to explore. There is a swimming beach on Hartman Lake. There are no developed boat landings so paddlers will need to carry in their water crafts to access the lakes. Anglers can fish the lakes for panfish, northerns and bass or trout fish in the adjoining Radley Creek Fishery Area. Four area bike trails are also accessible from the park. Part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs though the park and can be hiked through parts of Waupaca and Portage counties. The 100 unit family campground with showers also has a tipi that can be reserved. The 5 areas for group camping have plenty of space for large groups. The park is next door to four lakes that give motor boat access to the extensive Waupaca Chain O’Lakes. Music on the preview by Malignant Choir; other music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008, Creative Juice LLC.
Hartman Creek State Park Family Campground sites 1-50.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 7:47m. File size: 76MB.
Price: $1.00.
Hartman Creek State Park Family Campground sites 51-100.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 7:37m. File size: 72.8MB.
Price: $1.00.
Hartman Creek State Park Group Campground.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 7:46m. File size: 75.9MB.
Price: $1.00.
Hartman Creek State Park preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 2:00m. File Size: 19.6MB.
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Posted in State Parks on Feb 22nd, 2009 No Comments »
The 3,740 acre Wildcat Mountain State Park is in the driftless, unglaciated area of western Wisconsin. Flowing alongside the park is the paddler friendly, Kickapoo River. “Kickapoo” comes from the Algonquin Indians, meaning “he who goes there, then here.” The Kickapoo River meanders for 125 miles over 65 miles of distance. Views of the River valley below, from the mountain top lookouts, are spectacular. There are 30 family campsites, with some on the mountain’s edge. The three group campsites can accommodate up to 75 people. A separate campground for equestrians is in the northern part of the park. It has 24 sites and 15 miles of trails. Music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008, Creative Juice LLC.
Wildcat Mountain State Park Family Campground
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 8:08m. File size: 78.2MB.
Price: $1.00
Wildcat Mountain State Park Group and Horsetrail Campgrounds
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 8:36m. File size: 84.0MB.
Price: $1.00
Wildcat Mountain State Park preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 2:00. File size: 19.6MB
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Posted in State Parks on Feb 7th, 2009 No Comments »
The mesas and buttes of Mill Bluff State Park were once islands in the ancient Glacial Lake Wisconsin. These formations stand more than 120 feet above the surrounding terrain. Early European settlers used them as landmarks. Today the 1,220 acre park is part of Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. The Park has 21 campsites that are available without a reservation. There is also a pond with a beach for swimming and picnicking. Music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slide show and photographs copyright 2008, Creative Juice LLC.
Mill Bluff State Park Campground
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 6:16m. File size: 62.6MB.
Price: $1.00
Mill Bluff State Park preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 1:39m. File Size: 16.5MB
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Posted in State Parks on Feb 2nd, 2009 No Comments »
Nelson Dewey State Park is a land of incredible vistas overlooking the Mississippi River valley. On the site is the home of Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey. His 2,000 acre plantation was considered the state’s first large scale farming operation. The governor’s first home was gutted by fire in 1873. The current building was built on the original foundation. Across the road, the State Historical Society operates Stonefield Village and the State Farm Museum. There are a number of effigy mounds constructed by the Hopewell Indian group along the bluff trails and overlooks in the 750 acre park. The trail through the dry lime prairie restoration along the edge of the overlook is very scenic. Tent campers will be impressed with the four walk-in sites overlooking the Mississippi River valley. Music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008 by Creative Juice LLC.
Nelson Dewey State Park Family and Group Campgrounds
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 9:57m. File size: 96.4MB.
Price: $1.00.
Nelson Dewey State Park and Campgrounds preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 1:59m. File size: 19.2MB
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Posted in State Parks on Jan 16th, 2009 No Comments »
Pike Lake was formed around the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago, when a large ice block melted at the edge of the glacier. When the ice block melted, a very large kettle hole was formed near the terminal moraine. It gradually filled with water to create the 446 acre spring fed Pike Lake. Pike Lake is known for its excellent walleye pike fishing, but other species are present to offer a variety of angling experiences. Hikers can explore a segment of the Ice Age Trail, the National Scenic Trail that is located entirely within Wisconsin. The campground has 32 units with flush toilets and showers. Music by Malignant Choir and Maury Smith, copyright 2008. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008 by Creative Juice LLC.
Pike Lake State Park Campground.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 6:52m. File size: 67MB.
Price: $1.00.
Pike Lake State Park Campground preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 1:38m. File size: 16MB.
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Posted in State Parks on Jan 15th, 2009 No Comments »
Wyalusing State Park sits on bluffs 500 feet above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Within the park’s 2,628 acres you will find hardwood forests, bluffs, springs, waterfalls, and spectacular vistas. You can see ancient Native American effigy mounds and imagine what the French explorers Marquette and Joliet thought about them as they became the first Europeans to set foot here in 1673. There are more than 23 miles of trails for hiking, biking and skiing. More than 100 bird species, including bald eagles, hawks, owls, and various waterfowl, can be observed during the spring and fall migrations. There are 109 family campsites, group tent campsites for 130 and a lodge/dormitory complex for 108 people. Nearby is the Villa Louis Victorian mansion. Across the river is the Effigy Mounds National Monument where you can observe 205 mounds considered as ceremonial and sacred sites by American Indian tribes. Music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008 by Creative Juice LLC.
Wyalusing State Park, Homestead Campground.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 9:57m. File size: 97MB.
Price: $1.00.
Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin Ridge Campground.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 9:46m. File size: 95.4MB.
Price: $1.00.
Wyalusing State Park, Group Campgrounds.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 7:04m. File size: 69MB.
Price: $1.00.
Wyalusing State Park, Campground preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 1:49m. File size: 17.8MB.
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Posted in State Parks on Jan 14th, 2009 No Comments »
Lake Kegonsa State Park, established in 1962, is a 342 acre park on the shores of a 3,200 acre lake. The lake has excellent fishing for northern pike and panfish. The lake was formed from glacial debris that dammed parts of what is believed to be an old river valley called the “Ancient Wisconsin River”. About 12,000 years ago the 4-Lakes of the Madison Area were formed: Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. Lake Kegonsa, from the Ho-Chunk word meaning “Lakes of Many Fishes”, was referred to by early settlers as “First Lake”. A hiking trail near the family campground leads to a few effigy mounds built by Woodland Indians. There are 80 family campsites, three group campsites, two picnic shelters, fishing pier, boat launch, swimming beach, and a pet swim area. Music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008 by Creative Juice LLC.
Lake Kegonsa State Park, Family Campground.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 10:00m. File size: 95.5MB.
Price: $1.00.
Lake Kegonsa State Park, Group Campground.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 3:24m. File size: 32.5MB.
Price: $1.00.
Lake Kegonsa State Park, Campground preview.
Format: mp4 for IPods, etc. Running time: 2:00m. File size: 19.2MB.
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