5992. Go to Totem Mound Park in Beloit

 Through my many Google Map searches and other various searches, I stumbled upon Totem Mound Park in Beloit. It is another Effigy Mound. I figured this would be another quick stop before headed out of Beloit.

Totem Mound Park is in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It is sandwiched between two houses like they saw the mound and built around it. 

To be able to see the mound clearly, they mowed the grass around the mound shorter. It is not a big mound. I don't recall seeing a sign telling about the mound. 

There is not much to see but if you are into Effigy Mounds, it is a nice quick stop if you ever find yourself in Beloit. 

Checking out Beattie Park Mound Group Historic Site

When planning girls weekends, I tend to check out websites like Atlas Obsecura and Roadside America to find random places to visit. I will eventually just play around on Google Maps to see if anything interesting pops up. While on Atlas Obsecura, I discovered a park in Rockford that had Indian Mounds. I added it to the list figuring it would be a quick stop.

Beattie Park Mound Group Historic Site is located in Beattie Park in downtown Rockford. It is sandwiched between a couple of buildings. Street parking is the only option. Late afternoon on Saturday is probably not a good time to check it. Parking and traffic was a pain. Stacy actually stayed in the car while I checked them.

There are 3 conical mounds, one turtle Effigy Mound, and a linear mound. One of the conical mounds is located outside of the park. I just checked out the ones in the park.

The mounds are actually very well defined. I was able to spot 2 of them right away. We didn't have much time before having to head to dinner so I didn't want to explore too much. 

I find Effigy Mounds interesting. I like the random ones the best, especially ones that don't get a lot of attention. I have been searching these out the last couple of years. Besides Effigy Mounds National Monument, I have found some in Sheboygan and Baraboo. Heckrodt in Menasha also used to have a couple. I don't think they are signed very well. I know there are more in Wisconsin that I have to check out. I remember going to one down by Milwaukee on a field trip. 

These are definitely worth checking out. They are signed and give you a good history of the mounds. It is a great stretch break or spend some time exploring downtown Rockford. Either way you will get a good history lesson. 

2372. Go to Buffalo Rock State Park in Ottawa

 While we were enjoying the views at Starved Rock State Park, we overheard a park ranger explaining to a tour group that there was a buffalo herd at Buffalo Rock State Park. I looked at Stacy and said "Did she say buffalo? We need to check this out." After a quick google search, we found out that Buffalo Rock State Park was only 12 minutes away. We decided we would check it out after going on the boat ride before heading back to Rockford. 

Buffalo Rock State Park is located in Ottawa, IL. It is open 8 am - 7 pm daily. There is no admission for Buffalo Rock State Park or any of the Illinois State Park. 

As we got to Buffalo Rock State Park, a tour bus pulled up to see the buffalo. There are 2 buffalos in a ben near the road. I was expecting more. This was like visiting a zoo. The pen seemed small for the buffalo. They seemed very bored. I was seriously disappointed. Even though they were almost close enough to touch, I did not pet the fluffy cow.

We decided to check out the effigy mounds that are in the park. This area was home to Illinois Indians when Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette first visited the area in 1673. However we really didn't have much luck. The mounds seemed much closer on the map than they were and it was hot. 

After about a 1/4 mile, we turned back and I decided I hiked enough in the park. Maybe one day I will get back to actually check out the effigy mounds. 

It is a nice picnic spot. The buffalo are kind of cool even though it felt like it is something I would find at the Menominee Park Zoo in Oshkosh. If you are in the area, it is worth a stop even if it is just to see the buffalo.

5595. Go to Man Mound Park in Baraboo

 While researching if I could find a shorter detour through Baraboo than going back on the interstate and back tracking, I discovered Man Mound Park just outside of Baraboo. By putting Man Mound Park into the GPS instead of following the detour, it would only add an extra minute and very little back tracking plus we would not have to go on the interstate.

Man Mound Park is located on Man Mound Road in Baraboo. It is open all year round 5-11 PM. It is about 10 minutes from Circus World.

Man Mound Park is the only man shaped effigy mounds in North America. Part of the legs were destroyed when they built the road. The feet got eaten up in farm land. Despite being not 100% intact, you can definitely see the outline of a man. It is tough to see on my pictures because of the sun and how large the man actually is.

There are a couple information signs telling about Man Mound and effigy mounds in General. 

This was definitely worth stopping at. It is a quick 5 minute stretch break attraction that if you are in Baraboo definitely should check out.