Over The Falls In A Barrel

During our late summer escape to Bayfield, Wis., about a month ago, one of the sights Jessica and I had on our list of must-sees was Copper Falls State Park, which was recommended by two friends.

Blanketed by gray, dreary skies on the drive up on Thursday, we postponed the visit until Sunday, assuming we'd make a brief stop, stare at some water falling down into a pool of other water, ooh and ahh a little, snap a few photos, and continue our drive home.

Not...so...fast.

Inside the park, we discovered a scenic, hilly, mile-and-a-half trail that contained several falls, a section of cascades, and more nature than perhaps we were ready to explore at the end of a long weekend. But it was a gorgeous hike on an impeccably maintained trail, and we're both eager to return.

If you're driving up Highway 13 in Ashland County next summer, I recommend a couple-hour visit. I promise the views are more spectacular than my photos.

"Many a calm river begins as a turbulent waterfall,

yet none hurtles and foams all the way to the sea."

—Mikhail Lermontov