Urban Safari: November

We walked through the marsh just craning our necks for that big bright moon.  We were one day late on the full moon but full of expectations, just after sunset and a clear sky.  The marsh is beautiful at night.  We walked along the trail, the last of the pink sky dropping quickly, various bird calls singing to us, the lights of the city flashing all around us.  The La Crosse River Marsh is 1,077 acres and part of the Mississippi River Floodplain.  There are 24 different species of mammals and 139 species of breeding and migratory birds.  

Canadian Geese fly overhead.

We stop looking for the moon, we keep walking, deeper into the Marsh and then we turn around.

“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.”

Irish Blessing


Now for the urban part of our adventure, the Holiday Open House in downtown La Crosse.  This is a good way to support local businesses and have free food and drinks along the way.    

The coolest spot we visited was this new gift shop, A Vintage View (thanks Jenn!) on the seventh floor of a historic building on Main Street with a great view of the city down below.  

Many stores and footsteps later, we happily plunked down with our friends, Mike and Nancy and Greg and Sue at Buzzard Billy's.  This may have been the only point in the night where we weren't all talking.  The basketball game has temporarily transfixed them.

Mike and Nancy telling stories.

Latin Vibe at the Starlight Lounge

Cheech at The Joint

Brent Brown at Popcorn Tavern.

And our own Mike Caucutt gets up and belts out "Scotty, We're Coming for You" by The Kissers...awesome.

Brian Beard.

And as Mike and I are dropping over from fatigue, we decide its time to hoof it home.

The Freedom of the Moon

I've tried the new moon tilted in the air

Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster

As you might try a jewel in your hair.

I've tried it fine with little breadth of luster,

 Alone, or in one ornament combining

With one first-water start almost shining. 

I put it shining anywhere I please.

By walking slowly on some evening later

I've pulled it from a crate of crooked trees,

And brought it over glossy water, greater,

And dropped it in, and seen the image wallow,

The color run, all sorts of wonder follow.

--Robert Frost

and we made our way home under the shining moon, another Urban Safari gone and another one sure to follow.