Hiking Kettle Moraine - Southern Unit
This weekend we decided to do some hiking, since the weather was almost perfect for it (it was a tad bit hot...). Since we didn't feel like driving very far, we hiked part of the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit, which is a little less than 30 mins away from us in Brookfield. The Kettle Moraine is part of the Ice Age Trail, which is a lengthy trail throughout WI that follows the impact of continental glaciation. It makes for interesting terrain throughout the state. This section is named the Kettle Moraine for the flat depressions the glacier made when it melted. While Kettle Moraine is not the best part of the Ice Age Trail for scenery or difficulty (that is probably the Devil's Lake area), Kettle Moraine is quite a bit closer and still pretty cool. :)
Part of the terrain was prairie, everything is in bloom in late July, so we were a bit late. Still pretty, anyway!
Scary tree!
Paul crossing one of the several wooden bridges along the trail
Look at all of those bettles! Does anyone know what type of plant this is?
The forest area was welcome shade after the prairie area
The edge of the forest and where the prairie begins
Wide Open Space! :)