Rib Mountain

 Last Sunday our friend Kate flew over for day for a visit. Cutting a 2 hour drive down to a 45 min flight is quite convenient, plus the airport is only a 10 min drive from our house. We considered taking an aerial tour of our new home city, but the wind picked up dramatically after she arrived and didn't calm till sunset. Next time hopefully. More on that wind later.

After hanging around the house for a while, Kate and I decided to check out Rib Mountain State Park. Zachary hung back, he was tired and was busy assembling a charcoal grill we picked up. Even though Rib Mountain isn't technically a mountain, it is the second or third highest point in Wisconsin. And just a few miles from our house.

The temperature was about 78 degrees, but Granite Peak had ski runs open. Granite Peak Ski Park shares a portion of the hill. Apparently they made snow all week so they could be open for one more weekend for spring break. It was funny to see skiers and snowboarders in tshirts and shorts while I was mopping sweat from my brow.

 On top of Rib Mountain, on the 60ft observation tower.

 By this time winds were gusting 30-40 mph.

This is my heights nervous/wow its really really windy face.

 Back on the ground and in the trees away from the wind, we spied an early butterfly.

 Its unusual to have 70 degree weather in mid March in this part of Wisconsin, but the ferns were taking full advantage of it.

By the time we got back, Zachary had the grill together and had dinner just about ready. Another bonus with the early spring, early grill season. MmmMmm