Back Home from Wisconsin

It's always good to visit family and it's always good to be back home.  La Crosse was cold and dreary most of our stay.  We saw the sun one day only and I took advantage of it and got out early with my son.  We first went to Grandad's Bluff to see the sun bathe the city in light which explains the photo above.  We were at the bluff waiting for it to come up behind us and as it did it encroached on the city little by little.  (Pop quiz - which way are we facing in the photo?) It was 16 degrees with a stiff accompanying wind so we were chilled to the bone in short order, but we were thrilled to see the sunshine.

We then drove across the bridge to Minnesota just to see what was on the other side.  We only went about 10 miles south along the Mississippi and on the way back saw this hawk.  I was actually on the lookout for eagles and was able to pull along the side of the road with a bald eagle sitting in a tree just on the other side of the road, so we were close.  Unfortunately, I was not ready with the camera. By the time I got it out of the bag and attached the lens he was gone.  But now that I was ready I was able to get the hawk a short time later.

I still wanted to see eagles because they are a rare sight for me.  However, I discovered they are plentiful in La Crosse along the Mississippi.  How cool.  I'd love to be able to get one in action.  As it is, I'll settle for them sitting in a tree.

Now that we were on the La Crosse side we found ourselves in front of what is advertised as, The World's Largest Six Pack.  Check out the sign in front of it - it's an interesting read.

We ended our day outside by the Mississippi only two miles from my son's house.  We walked a trail through a wooded area and came upon this hydrant spewing water.  According to my son it never stops.  I found it interesting because much of the lakes and rivers are still frozen.

Before heading for the house I had to drive along the Mississippi one more time and captured these nice views.