Buena Vista Park

Buena Vista Park is a scenic overlook located in Alma, Wisconsin.  I live only about a twenty minute drive to this park, so I have been here about half a dozen times. It's always one of the places I take out- of-town company to see.  No matter how many times I stop and take in the view, I am always awestruck when I see it again.  

On this day, my husband and I took a drive to Merrick State Park to enjoy a hike in the woods and enjoy the fall colors.  Buena Vista Park was nearby, so after our hike we decided to see the fall colors from the scenic overlook.

The park has a long, winding road up to the top.  It can be kinda scary if your afraid of heights, but it isn't as horrible as mountain roads like Pike's Peak or Mt. Washington of course.  You can also hike your way up or down.

 The park is known for it's amazing view of the Mississippi River.  Visitors can watch barges traveling up the river and locking through the dams, along with views of the sand islands and backwater areas.

I always enjoy looking straight down and seeing the little town of Alma below.  It  reminds me of a miniature train village when seen from that height.  Especially when a train comes through like in the lower left picture above.

Everyone that comes to this park comes to see the view.  There is a nice lawn and tree filled area to picnic, and we did a lot of people enjoying it on this beautiful eighty degree fall day.

This is a Lock and Dam #4.  You can walk across a bridge and get an up close view of the dam if you wish.  I think we did it one time, but because two of my biggest fears are heights and water, I wasn't thrilled with the experience.

There are large birds that fly in the sky above the Mississippi that provide a lot of entertainment to the sight-seekers.  I believe this is a turkey vulture, but it is also quite common to see Eagles in this area as well.

There are always lots of boats out on the Mississippi River to watch! (lower right corner above)

It was a little early for fall color, so the colors weren't as vibrant as we hoped, but it was still pretty.

That is a power plant pictured below.

Whenever we travel, my husband is usually the photographer.  He likes to use the DSLR, and I don't like to carry it, so I happily give the job to him.  That's why so many of our travel photos are of me.  I do however take my own pictures as well, but I use my IPhone.

He always worries me because he takes risks I would never take to get the perfect photo: like climbing on the edge of cliffs!  I have learned I can't even watch him when he is doing something risky, and I have to just turn and walk away or I'll have a heart attack.  No matter how many times I ask him not to do something dangerous, he does it anyway.  He always insists he is perfectly safe.  So I give up.

This is a photo I took with my IPhone.  I love the way it turned it turned out.

Have a great day!  Amy