Parfrey's Glen

Last Sunday we spent the morning hiking through Parfrey's Glen near Baraboo Wisconsin.

It is an ancient place where you can see evidence the glaciers left behind.

Click on each picture and you can see the "wheels" of the glacier. Sandstone with aggregate layers containing granite boulders and pebbles.

A stream runs though the 100 foot high sandstone bluffs and exposes the granite bedrock below.

For a little perspective, find the hiker in the distance in the next photo.

This place is full of magic.

Best to be visited on a quiet day when you can hear the wind in the trees above,

the bird song in the woods

and the secret whispers of ancient times.

Greetings From Devil's Lake

Greetings from Devils Lake! On Easter Sunday my husband and I took a trip to Devil's Lake State Park located near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Devil's Lake was originally a gorge of the Wisconsin River prior to the last ice age. During the ice age, a portion of the glacier passed to the east of the Baraboo Hills and came up the river valley. It deposited materials and then melted, leaving a terminal moraine blocking the river, forming an earthen dam. Another moraine was deposited at the north end of the lake. The river eventually found a new course to the east of the Baraboo Hills, where the glacier had been, leaving a portion of the river gorge between the moraines filled with water. This body of water is Devil's Lake. (source: Keith Montgomery)

Most of the terrain in our area is formed by limestone and sandstone bluffs. The Baraboo Range, as these hills are known, is the ridge of an ancient and highly eroded, exposed mountain range. It extends for 25 miles and is 5-10 miles wide in places. The hills are composed of metamorphic rock: Baraboo pink quartzite and red rhyolite. The rocks are said to be as much as 1.6 billion years old. They are some of the oldest exposed rock in North American. This quartzite was formed by heated compressed sand an estimated 5 miles below the earth's surface.You can see evidence of ancient sand dunes in the metamorphic rock located through out the park.

This area also holds the largest stand of decidous forest in the Midwest.

This is a place we will visit again and again. There are so many places to explore.

A View from the Top

Another very busy week has passed. My April calender is so full that I suspect I will need most of May to recover. I finally added some of my new colored Flying Geese Quilt Block Pendants to my Etsy Shop. I finished these pieces a few weeks back but did not have time to photograph and list them.

The fabric sale was a big success. Thanks to all who attended and worked at the sale. Sharon's family really appreciated your help!

The weather has been beautiful lately, perfect for long walks on our land. Our latest hike took us up to the ridge line above the farm. Through the trees you can see a glimpse of the barn down in the valley.

It is a treat to see the sunset from above. We usually see just a sliver of it from our view in the valley.

Wishing you a wonderful rest of your weekend!

A Little Bit About Nature and a Finish...Almost

The wetlands a few mile down the road is home to a bald eagle family.  Eagles do not always return to the same nesting site to raise their young but this nest is in use once again this spring.

Keep in mind when you look at this photo an adult eagle is almost 36" tall or close to one meter in height with wingspan is 7 feet.

This nest is about 50 feet in the air and at least as wide as the eagle's wingspan.  I once had a chance to see an eagle building a nest in Minnesota.  I doubt I will forget the experience.  The eagle would fly over dead trees and break off branches with a loud cracking sound.  It always such a treat to see these beautiful birds.  It is easy to forget how large they are.

On another note, I am so very pleased to report that this quilt will be ready for binding this coming weekend.  I have been hand quilting this king size quilt on an off since January of 2008.  The fabric and pattern are from Fun Quilts.  I rarely buy kits but I just fell in love with these fabric designs and colorways.  I can't wait to snuggle up under it this summer.

Have a great week!

Chris

Every Blade of Grass

Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, "Grow, grow."
~ The Talmud