Spring as a state of mind

37 today and 81 tomorrow. Spring in Wisconsin.  Gray and rainy has its own beauty don't you think? I'm trying mobile blogging for the first time.  The Blogger Android app is very easy to use.  I couldn't find any information on making images larger though.  So here it is.  When you're in the app and have attached the photo for your post you can click on Menu.  Menu has an option for Image Size. 
I will need to improve my phone typing skills tho.  Whew.
This was my lunch hour at International Gardens.

Favorite Autumn Spots in La Crosse, WI

I like visiting my favorite La Crosse Area spots throughout the year but Fall is my favorite.  Everything is ablaze...bluffs, rustic roads, gardens, the marsh.  There is always one more place, but I've decided to slow my obsession with fall photography, our colors are peaking about now, and I can resume my "normal" life.  Can't say it better than John Muir...
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Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
John Muir
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La Crosse River Marsh

and many seasonal bike rides with my husband.

Hidden Trails Corn Maze--this thing is huge and I had no idea where we were at any point in this maze.

in the neighborhood.

International Friendship Gardens

Mississippi River from the Cass Street Bridge

Goose Island

Rustic Road 26, South of La Crosse

Dropping sun, autumn departing soon and breathing in these warm October days.

Photography 101

I've taken a couple of photo classes and researched photo tips online but my time behind the camera has been the best experience of all....which seems obvious but its easy to fear mistakes and retreat into books and websites.  Joining the 365 Project, where you post a picture a day was really the impetus to my moving from complete novice to more of an intermediate position in photography.  I find myself wandering around town looking for photo ops.  With the Mississippi River at my doorstep, this has been a great place to learn photography.  


I recently wandered through Riverside Park and International Gardens to explore the light and beauty of the day.  International Friendship Gardens (http://riversidegardens.org/Home.aspx) was established in 2007 as the first of four gardens for La Crosse's sister cities in Russia, France, China and Germany.  My husband and I had our wedding here, saying our vows in a gazebo that looks out on the intersection of three rivers, the Mississippi, the Black River and the La Crosse River.  There is a new waterfall in the gardens that held me in its trance some time.  The waterfall faces the River to Bluff trail where you can hike from the Mississippi River to the top of the bluffs without crossing a city street.  This trail leads into the riverfront area with a River Walk that leads along the banks of the Mississippi River and a  paddlewheel boat, The La Crosse Queen.  I like watching people find their space in the park...sitting on park benches at sunset, sitting in the grass helping their kids feed the ducks, dipping into the fountain and just watching the boat and barge traffic from day to day.  I think I'm going to have a mountain of photos coming from this park. 

View from Riverside Park--Cass Street Bridge

The La Crosse Queen is an authentic paddlewheel river boat that is run by a twin diesel engine that powers motors that then turn the paddlewheel. 

International Gardens