Exploring State Trails 2023 -- Rockwell Mountain Bay State Trail

 When the hubby said he wasn't doing the regional tournament this year, I canceled most of my PTO except for Friday. I figured I'd hang out at the local tournament he decided to do instead. He was at Nouryon Sports Complex in Howard. 

There didn't seem to be a good walking trail so I ended up just kind of following the road. Then I saw this foot path and decided to follow it. The foot path led me to the Rockwell Mountain Bay State Trail which is one of the longest in the state. It runs from Rib Mountain to Green Bay and covers 83 miles. A trail pass is required if you are biking or roller blading. 

Since the trial is used for biking, horseback riding, and walk it is a mix of gravel and dirt which for me in flip flops was annoying. I kept shaking out pebbles from my sandals. I ended up walking about .75 on the trail before turning around and heading back to the game. 

This part of the trail is wooded. The shade makes it nice but that also means it can be buggy. Bug spray could be essential depending on the year.

I did walk through this culvert. It was a bit slick inside. 

Since many back yards but up against the trial, they have their own footbridges to get to the trail. 

I wish I had more time to explore this trail. It was is quiet and peaceful.. especially on a Friday morning. Brown County and Wisconsin both have wonderful trail systems and I plan on exploring more of them whenever I get the chance. 

Walking the Helen Kimberly Stuart Trail

Through Facebook, I discovered the Fox Cities had an app or website that allowed you to check into various cultural spots across the Fox Valley to earn points. It's called Fox Cities Experience Pass. There are 48 different locations across the Fox Valley. 

One of the locations is the Helen Kimberly Stuart Trail in Neenah. I've been wanting to check this out ever since they completed the path along Lake Winnebago. The trail starts at the corner of Wisconsin Ave and Lakeshore Ave and really ends at the lighthouse. It is also known as the Lake Winnebago Lakeshore Path. When they redid Lakeshore Ave, they added a walking path to make it safer for walkers, bikers, and cars alike. It is about a 1/2 mile from start to finish. You can keep going and do the whole loop back around along N. Park Ave.

Along the trail are signs that explain the history and impact of Lake Winnebago and the Indigenous People. This area was a marshland before their dammed the river. The natives to used these waterways for trade and food. The history lessons made it an enjoyable walk.

It was a nice night for a walk before the fireworks. It was only a little buggy but if you go in late May or early June watch out for lake flies. I try to avoid the lake when there is a lake fly hatch otherwise it's just a buggy mess. 

The Helen Kimberly Stuart Trail is definitely worth checking out. Maybe even sign up for the Fox Cities Experience Pass and check out all the other historic and creative spots through the Fox Valley. After my walk tonight, I have 7 done.. 41 more to go.