High Cliff and Potawatomi State Parks #11 and #12

Thus starts the week of State Parks! The plan is to visit 8 state parks this week, I think that I would even label it a "State Park Bonanza". Luckily, before the State Park Project was created, we already had a week's vacation planned with family in Door County over the fourth of July. The first day was another twofer day, with High Cliff and Potawatomi State Parks on the list on our way up to Gills Rock.

The views on the drive to High Cliff State Park were outstanding, exactly what one might expect Wisconsin to look like on a warm summer day. Rolling hills, green fields, and red barns, all perched above an azure lake. The park is geographically beautiful, and has some interesting history with the lime industry. There is a main store and museum, as well as a large statue of chief red bird on a trail to enjoy. We hiked the Redbird Trail, which offered panoramic views of Lake Winnebago, but was still manageable for all members of our party.

As with many other state parks, there is a viewing tower that shouldn't be missed. G is becoming very profficient with stairs, mostly allowing to the fact that he insists on going up and down pretty much all of them on his own.

Next stop was Potawatomi State Park, a place we have enjoyed many times before. This is a great park for swimming, boating and biking, as evidenced on this particular day by the number of people doing just that. We hiked part of the Ice Age Trail, which provided great views of Green Bay. The trail was paved, and there were tons of bikers whizzing by, (which made me want to bike, maybe next time.) There is a lot to see at this park, definitely worth a revisit! Next stop, Peninsula State Park!