Vacationing: Hitting the Trail

Thursday evening was mellow. After showering, we headed into Black River Falls only to find that our intended dinner spot – Molly's Grill – was permanently closed. Apparently being rated the 5th best bar in all the state was not enough. So we went to the Cozy Corner for an aperitif before settling in at Rozarios for a pizza and a couple barley digestifs. (New Glarus bottles were $2.50.) With full bellies, we headed back to the hotel and hit the rack.

Friday morning was gloomy. The weatherman had forecasted rain. The Dulcinea and I had arisen pretty early and joined the old duffs down at the Country Café on Main Street by 6:30. A couple older gents were chatting with a younger man from Chicago who was in the area to do his stand-up comedy routine, presumably at the casino. Breakfast was hearty and necessitated another walk.

We headed down to the Chamber of Commerce where the Foundation Trail began. Before heading out on our walk, we checked out the Field of Honor Veterans Memorial.



Honestly, I was rather impressed with it. Instead of just one bit for all of the area veterans, there were four – one for each war of the 20th century adorned with flowers. It was surprising to see World War I represented explicitly considering that we Americans tend to ignore that conflict. There was also an American flag depository on the grounds, which I don't think I've seen anywhere previously.



When a flag has outlived its use, one is supposed to destroy it with dignity. Exactly how this demonstrates "true patriotism" is beyond me.

Completed in 2000, the Foundation Trail is about 4 miles long and paved the entire distance. It encircles the whole of the town with a good chunk of it following along the Black River.

You begin by walking three blocks down Water Street. The trail proper begins behind an apartment building next to the river.



About a half mile down, there was access to the shore. I wandered down there and found a lone fisherman. The river is mighty pretty.





As we continued our trek, the clouds grew darker and darker before the sky began to drop water upon us. So it was back to the car before we got drenched.