We’ve been talking about visiting Governor Dodge State Park for more than a year. We had the impression it was hours away. It was far closer to Madison than we thought. From our doorstep to the trail was 60 minutes by car. This was Evan’s and my first time there. Eagle visited last week on a school field trip and said the spot was a Do Not Miss destination. The evening after their outing they told us we must go as a family; next weekend. We figured it must be nice. (You can decide for yourself.) So on Saturday afternoon, we headed one hour west.
We parked where Eagle recommended. After a short walk and a steep set of steps, we saw a small waterfall.
Trees floating on stones.
Brook with more water than the waterfall might suggest.
Rocky road, more than simply an ice cream flavor.
Just gorge-ous.
View from the top of the climb.
On the road again, the end of day.
Farewell and until soon.
After a great hike outside the city, we had big appetites for our Poke bowl dinners.
Is there somewhere beautiful that is nearer than you think?
¡Olé! –Rebecca
This post is part of Whatsoever is Lovely.
Fake Flamenco 
Beautiful. I would get lost there.
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Thanks, Melissa. It’s a big park to explore. : )
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I always love a hike with your family! And you’re as lucky as we are with beauty at your doorstep. The Yorkshire Dales, Fountains Abbey, Brimham Rocks ….
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Thanks, Margaret. Hope to see your scenery up close one day.
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You’re always welcome here!
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Thank you very much!
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Thank you so much for taking me along with you 🙂
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Thanks for commenting, Hammad. Glad to have you on the trail with us.
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Sounds like a place worth visiting
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Thanks, Sadje. We saw only a small part of the park. More to explore next time!
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You’re welcome. Not you’ve discovered it so you’ll visit it frequently
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Thanks, Rebecca. I loved taking this walk with you. 🙂
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Thanks for coming with us, Susan. Landscape must be very different from Ecuador.
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Terrific post. Ha at gorge-ous!
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Thanks, Neal. Very punny, I know!
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Governor Dodge State Park looks like a lovely place to explore xx
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Thank you, Aiva. It was a great afternoon. One of many to come, we hope.
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Beautiful scenery all around! Glad you finally visited this part of your area. We have some nice hikes (and waterfalls!) east of Los Angeles, which is about an hour’s drive in any direction. A way to get out of the city and experience some nature close to home!
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Thanks, Rebecca. That sounds wonderful. I had no idea there were waterfalls that close to LA!
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Seems like a rough landscape to navigate, but Nature is always full of amazing surprises 🙂
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So true, lovely surprises.
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Beautiful, but that water looks COLD! Looks like a great place to visit every season of the year! Morrow Mountain State Park is about an hour from us, but we’ve never been there! It’s funny how one will travel great distances to see the sights and we procrastinate when it comes to seeing what’s in our our backyards!
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The water was cold, just above freezing. Very true, we miss the nearby sights!
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No leaves on the trees yet. I’m spoilt in that respect. It always comes as a shock to see them so naked, but I love waterfalls and following a stream.
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Thanks, Jo. Looks like there won’t be many leaves until April. That’s usual for our area.
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Love the Gov Dodge waterfall and environs. 🙂
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Thanks, CDL. When life calms down we could hike there. 🙂
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Absolutely Gorgeous!
Elizabeth
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Thanks for your comment. Could be fun for you two to visit!
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So beautiful! I love nature!
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Thanks, Winnie. Me too!
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You’re welcome!
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Soul filling walking around nature’s backyard. Even better, is the food and natter afterwards.
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Thanks, Suzanne. Yes, the three of us came away refreshed. We were hungry and ready to nosh and compare notes on the climb.
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That was a wonderful hike Rebecca, glad I tagged along 😍
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Thanks, Brian. So glad you were there with us.
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Great photos. It looks like a very relaxing place.
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Thanks, Edward. The rocks looked ancient and eternal. Made for a good hike.
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Awesome!
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Love the shadow shot and would agree with Eagle’s review of “Do Not Miss” based on your shots. Looks like a special day! 😊
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Thanks, Michele. Evan and I were happy we’d followed Eagle’s suggestion.
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You’re most welcome, Rebecca. Thank you! Children can be great teachers. 😊
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There are many beautiful woodland walks near me, but I need to find a waterfall.
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I like that phrasing, “in need of a waterfall.” : )
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Love a good state park! I feel like they’re always so overlooked.
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Thanks, me too. They are beautiful but rarely crowded.
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It’s so nice to get out and just enjoy nature for a day.
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Thanks, Xingfu Mama. Yes, it was very lovely. Eagle is great company too.
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Nice to have Nature at hand for a walk… 👍🏻
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Great memories except the tick I brought home!
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Oh… How unfortunate. I hear ticks are prospering in Europe too. National parks, hiking trails… Sorry about that.
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Thanks, Brian. I believe it’s a consequence of global climate change. Glad to have modern antibiotics to kick it or I would have died.
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OMG. That bad? Sorry about that. I hope you’re fully recovered by now? 🤞🏻
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Thanks, Brian. I am on day 6 of 10 on antibiotics. I’ll need a week to be back to my old self.
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Back to your “young” self you mean? 😉
Well. You’re half way through. Don’t forget to eat yoghurt…
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Good advice. Yoghurt with lunch today.
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Such a beautiful park
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Thank you, great rock formations.
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Wonderful spot really. And I like the non-icecreamy rocky road 🙂
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Thank you, IJ. Very cute response.
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How awesome, am so glad you had a fun hike, and dinner afterwards! Xo
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Thanks, Carol Anne. It was a fun day, unfortunately followed by a tick bite and a stay in the hospital with a high fever!
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Some great pics
Peaceful
Lovely skies
Uff 😍
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