Some places never change. And then, there is a town and an area known locally as The Dells. I don’t recall my last visit here but it was many decades ago. The beauty of this unglaciated area of Wisconsin is stunning. Even with the addition of the myriad of tourist shops and the carnival-like atmosphere of ferris wheels and gigantic water slides, there are still get-aways from the crowded streets.

I’ve come here to help celebrate the beautiful wedding of my niece (Congrats Claudia and Justin). After an overnight stay, I just had to get in a couple hours of nature. My first thought was a hike at Devil’s Lake State Park. The skies looked iffy so my second choice was one of several boat trips offered.

A good choice on my part. Even sharing the boatride of the Upper Dells on the Wisconsin River with a hundred or so other tourists, the cliffs and miles of forest were serene. A major waterway, the Wisconsin River runs deep in many areas and over 400 miles south and west, then meets up with the Mississippi.

This area was once the sacred land of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a people who trace their lineage back to the ice ages and beyond. Today, The Ho-Chunk Casino is a draw for gaming tourists as well as a major employer in the area. As I find a seat with a great view atop our boat, I can appreciate the magnificent beauty of these sacred grounds.

Today, the river is populated by guided tourist boats as well as fishing boats and friends and families up for a weekend of enjoying the water. The small beaches of glaciated sand tucked here and there along the shore provide easy pull-offs for a picnic.

Still, a little imagination and the depth of the scenery do stir the spirit and I ponder the lives lived here at this beautiful sight.

The boat tour comes to an end all too soon. Every mini adventure I take has to include something on my feet, be it walking, running or hiking. As the storm clouds overhead become more onerous, I finish with a quick stroll along a quiet walkway overlooking the river providing a great river view and a bite-size version of the area’s history.

There is so much more history and outdoor enjoyment to be explored here, but I-90 calls me south and I am on the road.