Wisconsin With Kids {Free Fun in Stevens Point}

One highlight of January is Cranberry School.  It's basically a trade show highlighting cranberry products and services plus a number of seminars aimed at educating cranberry growers of all kind in the latest cranberry related research and practices.

It's been years since we tagged along, watching cable from a hotel bed, swimming, snacking endlessly while Warren learns all he can for the upcoming growing season.  It was mostly bliss until we had to check out 3.5 hours before Cranberry school let out.  What was I going to do with 4 kids in Stevens Point?  More specifically free things in Stevens Point.

Having gone to UW-SP I was familiar with their Natural History Museum located in the University Library.  It's been updated and is a really nice place to hang out with kids.  It's just big enough that you feel like you're at a real museum, but it's not so big that everyone's sick and tired of walking by the end.  Another bonus here - the kids can basically walk around the entire museum without supervision because it's small, not much chance of getting lost or stolen.  Because really, would a college student want to steal a pre-schooler who snacks every 10 minutes?  I don't think so.  

The museum starts out with this beautiful butterfly and other insect display.  Joe started counting 1, 2, skip a few 99, 100.  

Dinosaur artifacts - bones, teeth and more.

Looking at the temperate climate display.  There were scavenger hunt sheets available, which was fun and helped keep us their longer hunting for specific animals.  Remember we had 3.5 hours to burn.

Neat display of large cat skulls.  And a wall of cat puzzles, too.

3-D Wisconsin was interesting.  We looked for high points and flat lands and river valleys.  Joe said the glasses made him dizzy.

After visiting the wall of birds of prey where Peter took a blurry picture of every eagle, hawk, falcon and owl we sat down for a bit with the provided coloring pages and mazes.  There were also field guides and other books to peruse and the couch made a nice reading spot.

The museum is free, but if you wish, cash is accepted in a donation box.  Gift shop is available.

Next up was the Sculpture Park.  It's a loop off the Green Circle trail and completely new to me.  We weren't particularly dressed for the occasion - a winter hike, but we went with it anyway.  Wisconsin kids are tough kids.

Again, free, but donations are welcome.  This time in the duck bill.

Outhouse in the Sky #2 

I'll spare you the picture, but after all the potty talk that went with viewing this sculpture, I turned around to see Joe's pants around his ankles, doing his #1 business in the snow.

Wired

And this was my favorite of what we saw that day.  An Aldo Leopold bench - oversize edition.  Makes me want to read A Sand County Almanac again.

We didn't see every sculpture.  Wet and cold feet, numb fingers, much needed potty breaks (not for Joe, though) and a desire for ice cream had us running back to the van for heat.

Last stop was Culver's.  And because I'd saved Scoopie coupons, everyone got a free ice cream cone before picking up Dad from Cranberry School.

I'd love to see more suggestions for Free Fun in Stevens Point.  Leave a comment here or at Facebook.

Thanks for reading and have a great evening.  It's gray, snowing, and 16 degrees F.  It's also time to feed the natives.

Wisconsin With Kids - {Merrimac Ferry}

Way back in July (time marches on at quite a clip these days) we dropped Amber off at the 4-H bus stop and she headed to Washington D.C. for a leadership experience.  The rest of us used the day (Sam's birthday) to enjoy a couple of fun Wisconsin destinations:  Parfrey's Glen and Merrimac Ferry.
Although summer break is over, there's still time to enjoy a day trip to Merrimac where you'll find the free 7 minute ferry.  Vehicles, bikes, and walk-ons are welcome.  We like to park our vehicle, grab an ice cream cone and "walk-on" the ferry.

The ride is short and as such there's not much to see.  Seagulls, boats, jet skis - that's what we saw, but it's such a fun, quick ferry ride for little kids.  

Once on the other side we found a grassy spot to relax, watch the boat traffic, and throw rocks.

After watching the ferry travel back and forth a couple of times, we were ready to board for our return trip.

When you find yourself amidst a pile of travelers you never know what you might see.  Today we saw a woman prop her stuffed lion at her vehicle window so it could "take a look around".  Crazy, but it sure got the attention of the ferry passengers, including us.

Wisconsin With Kids

Merrimac Ferry

We love daytripping.  Leave your Wisconsin suggestions in the comments here or at Facebook.  Thanks.

Wisconsin With Kids {Parfrey's Glen}

Wisconsin offers many State Natural Areas to explore.  Parfrey's Glen, Wisconsin's first State Natural Area, is a favorite.  We visited years ago; I believe Amber was a toddler (so 12 years ago), and we've been wanting to get back ever since.  Glen is a Scottish term for narrow, rocky ravine; last time we visited, a boardwalk was the path through the glen.  Since that time, the glen flooded, washing away the boardwalk.  The remaining posts are proof that the boardwalk existed.  The glen closed for a while during the clean up from the flood, but has since reopened to the public.

For directions, maps, allowable activities, and details on the flora of the glen click here.

For pictures of us enjoying Parfrey's Glen, keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling - there's a lot of them.

BEFORE THE HIKE

Gathering around the sign - I like to secure this picture first thing when everyone is smiling, still full of energy, and eagerly anticipating the hike.  This isn't my first rodeo - I know how family hikes can end.  Don't worry this is a super fun hike, bound to start and end well.

Amber's missing - she was on a bus to Washington D.C.

 A good hike always starts with nourishment.  Never attempt this with hungry children.  Today's choice - Veggie straws, Voortman oatmeal cookies, and more.

Remember brushing your teeth while camping.  This is where it happened.  It's still a draw; there's just something fun about pumping water from the ground.  Making your brother mad - that's a bonus.  Joe wanted a drink of water without Sam pumping; of course the water stopped when the pumping stopped.  This was maddening to Joe.

GETTING STARTED

The path into the glen starts as a flat, easy hike.

 A grand variety of flora to be seen.  I wish I would've taken along a wildflower guide.

GETTING CLOSER TO THE GLEN

As we approached the glen, the path got a little narrower, much more rocky, and made for some fun tripping over tree roots.  Side note:  it's much cooler in the glen, so this hike is great for hot days.

Is it ok to treat your little sister like a lion cub?

WE'RE THERE - PARFREY'S GLEN

These stone steps is the official beginning of the glen.  The absence of the boardwalk makes the hike much more challenging and hands on.  

Great practice with balancing and large motor skills.  I see everything through the eyes of "Joe's teacher" (which I am).

We made it; we're still smiling; no rock jumping injuries.  It was a success.

Our day didn't stop there, but since this post was so long, I'll save the Merrimac Ferry for another time.

For more Wisconsin With Kids posts click here.