Lake Wissota State Park Chippewa Falls, WI
August 1, 2021
Today we drove to Chippewa Falls, WI
Since we had not dump station at the Harvest Host nor at the Ingalls Homestead we needed to dump and get fresh water as the state park site only has electric. So we waited for our turn. The line was even longer when we finished.
Jim did a great job backing in the RV avoiding a tree right at the turning point to get the RV in. You can tell he is getting better after a year of driving the truck and RV. The site is full of trees and shade, Jim loves it.
The site is higher in the back so the front jacks had to really go low to level out. On our first try we had extended the front jacks to long to get low enough, so after unhooking the truck from the trailer we had to re-hook it up and start over from the beginning after adjusting the front jacks. Frustrating, but we got it done and its level and secure.
We took a walk down to the lake. The lake is nearby but we are up on a bluff so we have to walk down to the beach area which is about 1 mile from our campsite.
The lake is big. "It covers an area of 6,024 acres and has a maximum depth of 72 feet."
The beach area has wildflowers decorating the grassy area with picnic tables.
August 2, 2021
I started the day with a hike
Red Pine Trail is appropriately named.
Lake Wissota looked good today as well from the Lake Trail.
The lake trail is on a bluff as the incline to the lake is steep.
Time to get back, Melissa, Mark and the kids are coming today.
After their first dinner at a Supper Club, complete with their first encounter with a relish tray, the grandkids play in the hammock in the yard of the rental on Little Lake Wissota.
After a fire in the backyard, looking out on the lake we say goodnight to Melissa & Mark.
August 3, 2021
Kayak day!
Evan is lead man in my kayak for this morning's paddle.
This family looks serious. Unfortunately, due to some confusion in the rental shack the wrong paddles were brought down for this morning's paddle. The canoe oars were switched out for kayak oars for the afternoon paddle.
Braden is set off in a single kayak.
Kayla and Melissa made a good team in this double kayak.
Claire is raring to go with Mark in the back of her kayak.
We had a hot dog and chili brat lunch back at the campsite.
Melissa and Mark kayaked with Evan, while Kayla led in my kayak for the afternoon.
It was a great day out on the water.
(photo note: used old camera in case of any water damage out on the lake today)
August 4, 2021
Today we rented a Pontoon Boat and Lily Pad
Melissa, Evan and Jim are enjoying the ride
while Braden takes the helm and drives a boat for the first time.
Kayla and Mark are chilling up front.
Claire is all smiles
We rented a Lily Pad too which was well used by the kids.
Here's a video to show you how fun a Lily Pad can be.
Pops got in the water with Evan, demonstrating his starfish float.
Nana and the kids.
Evan takes a turn at driving the boat while Claire waits for her turn.
After a day on the water we went to the Sand Bar for dinner. A quick game of Uno while we wait for our food.
Those are sweet potato tots served with a warm cinnamon butter.
Oh, I did not need to know these existed, so good.
Another good day, made great by celebrating it with family.
August 5, 2021
Rain is predicted today, so I closed the bathroom vent and told Jim. He said the bathroom vent has a cover over it, I replied I can see the sky. So he climbed up on the roof of the RV and saw the remains of our broken bathroom vent. It is not around our campsite, so we have no idea when it broke off and left.
While up top Jim checked on the bedroom vent cover, took a screw and washer from the broken vent and used it to secure the bedroom vent cover, hopefully that will keep the bedroom vent cover attached.
On top is the bedroom vent cover, on the bottom the remains of the bathroom vent. The plastic cover broke and all the remains is on the right, still screwed on. I assume the rest of it is blowing in the wind somewhere. Driving an RV subjects your RV and its contents to experience earthquake conditions, so let's be happy that this is all the damage we have sustained to date.
We drove over to the Jrock's rental and played a game of Masterpiece before they hit the road for home.
It was great getting out on the lake with Melissa, Mark and the kids.
It has been a rainy day since the Jrock's left, a constant light rain. It has made me realize how much great weather we have had, I guess we can sit and listen to the falling rain for an afternoon.
August 6, 2021
It was a kayak day!
The lake was quite calm and very green today.
Fortunately we were able to stay in the kayak and green free.
We spotted a blue heron, seen here and a few turtles (no picture of the turtles).
Had lunch and watched the Olympics outside at the campsite.
USA Women are going to the gold medal game.
Golden Rod Common Daisy
I took a walk on the Lake trail this afternoon and saw some nice wild flowers.
St John Wort Harebell
Rainy, rainy day
So much rain that it is taking the ground awhile to absorb it all.
A downpour after church
Ghost plant in the campsite.
Monotropa Uniflora, the ghost plant (also known as Indian Pipe) This month's fungus is not a fungus at all, but is often brought in to forays and by students thinking it must be a fungus because it's white and doesn't have any chlorophyll.
Also at the camp site this bad boy, Amanita Bisporigera,
a deadly poisonous species of fungus in the family Amanitaceae. It is commonly known as the eastern destroying angel amanita.
So today I cleaned the RV, talked to the interested buyer on the phone, and then took 45 pictures of the RV for them to look at. Wish us luck for a quick sale.
Tomorrow morning we move on.
love the kayaking with the grandkids
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