Blackhawk Park – DeSoto, WI
Mississippi River Valley Adventures: From RV Life to Bluff-Top Views in Wisconsin!
Our latest excursion took us to the stunning Mississippi River Valley in Wisconsin, a region packed with charming small towns, vibrant college life, and breathtaking bluffs. Here’s a look at our adventure, complete with a few insider tips (and a warning about those tiny terrors!).
Home Base & The Harvest Host Gem
Our journey began with a two-day stay courtesy of Harvest Host at the Northwood Veterans Post in Merrill, WI. This was a fantastic stop! The facility, a beautifully erected community center, boasted a massive parking lot that easily accommodated our 40-foot 5th wheel. It was more than just a place to park; it’s a hub for the community, complete with a restaurant, meeting rooms, and spaces for the local scouts. A huge thank you to all the veterans for their service—it’s always a pleasure supporting these posts.
A Scenic Campsite… with a Catch!
Next, we moved south to a campsite right on the Mississippi River at Blackhawk Park COE near DeSoto, WI. Oh, the views! We absolutely adore waterfront sites, and the vista of the mighty Mississippi was spectacular. However, we paid a steep price for our prime location: no-see-ums in full force! Those tiny, biting midges were relentless, turning the thought of sitting outside into more of a nightmare than a welcome one. Note to self and all river-view campers: pack plenty of bug spray, as we found it ineffective, as new welts were still arising.
Unexpected Festival Fun in La Crosse
With the no-see-ums driving us indoors, we decided to explore the nearby city of La Crosse, a vibrant town home to three colleges. Little did we know we were arriving right in the middle of Oktoberfest USA! This is one of the longest-running and largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Midwest, drawing an incredible, youthful crowd. The energy was infectious—even if we weren’t into beer drinking, the festive atmosphere was a blast.
For lunch, we followed a local recommendation to Buzzard Billy’s Flying Carp Cafe on historic Pearl Street. Specializing in authentic New Orleans-style Cajun and Creole cuisine, the food was divine and did not disappoint! As we left, we couldn’t help but notice the long line snaking out the door for a delectable treat at the popular ice cream parlor, Pearl’s. We skipped the scoop this time and headed for a different kind of view.
Our afternoon highlight was driving up to Grandad Bluff Park, which offers a spectacular panorama overlooking the entire city of La Crosse and the Mississippi River Valley. It’s a must-do for any visitor. Mitch couldn’t resist getting a video of the majestic three hawks circling gracefully above the bluff—a perfect natural spectacle against the backdrop of the busy city below.
Small Town Charm & Fall Flowers
The following day brought a change of pace, with a drive to the town of Viroqua to explore the local open-air market. It was a lovely, classic small-town market brimming with unique crafts, homemade baked goods, and fresh produce. I couldn’t resist walking away with a vibrant, beautiful bouquet of zinnias, a perfect piece of natural color to brighten our RV!
The Ascent of Brady’s Bluff
As you’ve probably guessed by now, no travel blog post of ours is complete without a solid hike! We tackled the popular Brady’s Bluff and Riverview Trail loop in Perrot State Park. This time, we took a page from the online reviews and hiked the loop counterclockwise. Most guides warn that tackling the Brady’s Bluff portion first (clockwise) means a steep, relentless climb. By going counterclockwise, we were able to ascend the more gradual path to the top, enjoying the views of the Mississippi River from the bluff-top prairie. The view from the top of the bluff is spectacular, offering a bird’s-eye look at the river valley and Trempealeau Bay.
Our descent was indeed on the steep side, complete with stone steps and wooden stairways initially constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). We were so thankful for the wisdom of the crowds—we definitely would not have wanted to climb that section! Seriously, imagine being one of the folks who built those steps up the mountainside… an incredible feat!
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