Jeff Miller, UW Madison
The golden tunnel in Wingra Woods at the UW-Madison Arboretum.
Growing up in California, I would travel with my family “to the snow,” where the Golden State shoulders up against Nevada. I knew, then, of two extremes — spikes of cold and bursts of triple-digit heat. But I went 19 years without experiencing autumn in full expression, with its ochre, vermilion, rust, sepia and umber.
A Wisconsin resident now for 12 years, I have to remind myself of the specialness of something that has now grown familiar. Though some grumble that autumn is just a precursor to our long, cold winters, this is the season that most teaches us to appreciate the beauty of the moment.
With work commitments, I often have to stay close to home to get my doses of nature. But as Walt Whitman wrote in his preface to Leaves of Grass, “Whatever satisfies the soul is truth.” There are plenty of soul-satisfying spots nearby.
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Wisconsin Fall Color Report at travelwisconsin.com is a user-friendly resource that tracks fall colors by county. Madison is anticipated to peak the third week of October.
Gazing upon Curtis Prairie, the oldest restored prairie in the world, I am moved by the expansiveness of the space. I jokingly say it’s “my favorite side of the Beltline.” The tree line buttresses the prairie from the big road, muffling much of the noise. The Arboretum also holds a good series of public events — join a naturalist for a fall colors stroll, or roam the more coifed turf of Longenecker Horticultural Gardens at the “Featuring Fall” event Oct. 10.
3160 Cty. F, Blue Mounds
Anne Topham, the now-retired goat cheese maker of Fantome Farms fame, once urged me to take a short detour on my way home from her farm, to follow Highway F until I reached a vista at the nose of Brigham Park. It’s one of her favorite places, and it’s become one of mine. Find yourself a perch at the bend in the road — you can’t miss it — and gaze north toward the Wisconsin River Valley.
Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy
4864 Pheasant Branch Rd., Middleton
I almost hesitate to share Frederick’s Hill on the north side of the conservancy; it’s no secret, certainly, but it has truly become a special place for me. Park in the gravel lot and follow a winding trail up the hill ahead. In this area, Native Americans built effigy and burial mounds. The spring-fed streams of the Pheasant Branch, visible in the distance, were believed to be gateways to the lower world where souls entered the land of the dead. The hill symbolized a bridge between the lower and upper world, a destination for souls before the next life.
For a mere mortal, there are glimpses of otherworldly beauty. I enjoy taking a pause about halfway up the hill on a bench beneath a lone oak tree. Climb up to the hill’s pinnacle and feel your own connection to sky and earth — it’s a great place to catch a rejuvenating gust of wind. Tread gently and respect the trails. The grasses are important nesting territories for birds.
5140 Cty. M, Waunakee
This has become my favorite place to take my dog. We particularly enjoy the Woodland Trail, a one-mile path with gentle inclines through oak savannah. Here I can feel immersed in nature in no more time than it takes me to get to a mall. If you squint just right, you can sort of crop out the lakefront homes from view. Go down to the shore to see downtown Madison and campus from a different perspective.
8183 Hwy. 19, Cross Plains
My favorite fire pit is here, nestled near the warming house. It makes for a cozy spot to land after taking a walk in the forest, emerging to see a rolling horizon. As the hue of trees dims with the approach of dusk, close your eyes and feel — the prickling breeze, the warmth of the flames, the freedom of open air. Smell. Listen. You get the idea. Fall is multi-sensory — more than just colors, it is an all-enveloping experience if you pay attention.
6021 Old Sauk Rd., Madison
This park makes my list for the very reason that it is such a delightful swath of land to find smack-dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood. This spot would make a great lunchtime destination for those in the area looking for an inspirational place to refuel perhaps in the middle of a workday.
People all have their own places that call out to them; when you are deeply moved, pay attention — there is something to be learned. For all that you receive, consider giving back. Budgets for parks are tight, from cities to the state. Join a friends group, donate your time for restoration or trail building, or take the initiative to be a DIY steward on your own.
