Patty Loew:
Speaking of journeys, our next report features a trek our Videographer and Editor Chuck France took along the Manitowoc County leg of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. It winds throughout our state through natural scenic views and urban cultural areas.  Chuck found that the Manitowoc Two Rivers leg features both.

Chuck France:
Take a break. Clear your mind. Escape to the Ice Age Trail in Manitowoc County. But where to start? You could start hiking a segment of the trail near lower Cato Falls. Or you could start at lower Shute Park along the Manitowoc River. A splendid hike in the fall for a photographer. You may discover an old footbridge on the Ice Age Trail heading into the City of Manitowoc. I started at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.  

Maritime Museum Worker:
Did either of you two serve onboard ship?

Visitor:
Yeah.

France:
You can hike on to a submarine similar to the 28 subs built in Manitowoc During World War II. You won't find a trail guide exactly, but the tour guides know their subs.

Tour Guide:
The periscope that's up, keep that in mind. I’ll tell you more about that when we get to the control room.

France:
Now back to our map. Starting at the Maritime Museum, the Ice Age Trail joins the Mariner’s Trail and hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline. Skate, hike, or bike up the Mariner’s Trail towards Two Rivers, but take time to stop at the West of the Lake Gardens.

Cheryl Gorsuch:
West of the Lake Gardens, yes, it's beautiful.

France:
Cheryl Gorsuch has helped establish the Ice Age Trail in Manitowoc County as one of the leaders of the local chapter.

Gorsuch:
West of the Lake Gardens is a great place to stop. It's free. Beautiful flowers, fountains, and it's really well-done. Great landscaping. Got a lot of ideas myself.

France:
The Ice Age Trail follows the Rally Point Recreation Trail from Two Rivers to pass through Point Beach State Forest, where hikers can take in 5.5 miles of shoreline.

Guy Wilman:
There's 11 alternating ridges and swales as you go west from the lake and there's about 1,000 years in time between those – kind of a time line of history.

France:
Guy Wilman is the property manager at Point Beach State Forest.

Wilman:
Lake Michigan, Glacial Lake, this was much higher. This is a result after the water had receded over years. They're not real impressive, tall ridges. But on either side is the wetland swale.

France:
Is this a bad year for mosquitoes?

Wilman:
Yes. Lot of rain, and the wetland swales are full of water so we're going to have some mosquitoes here for a while.

France:
While talking to guy, the killer mosquitoes of June 2008 found my boots appetizing.  I guess I need new hiking boots. Before long, I decided to take a lunch break back in Two Rivers. 

France:
So what's the favorite part of coming into Phil's Place?

Phil’s Place Patron:
Phil.   [ laughter ] 

France:
The fresh lake perch brings in customers too.  

France:
Take care, guys.

Patrons:
All right. Bye.

France:
There's so many good choices in Two Rivers for fish or fowl sandwiches. And if a stack of pancakes or a piece of pie is needed to fuel the rest of your hike, there's M & Ms. I hope I have room for one of these after my pancakes.  

Waitress:
You're all done for the day then?

France:
No, not quite done for the day. I want to visit a few more of my favorite spots along the Ice Age Trail in Manitowoc County. Ahh, the beach. A great place to take a break. From the mosquitoes. To play volleyball.  

Volleyball Team:
Yeah! 

France:
Fly a kite.

Kite Flyer:
This one is about 7.5 feet, the wingspan.

France:
Or play in the sand. And finally at the end of the day, whatever the season, you can join volunteers of the Manitowoc County Ice Age Trail Foundation and simply walk the trail.  

Loew:
You can check out more of our reports from the Ice Age National Scenic Trail on our website at wpt.org/InWisconsin,  including reports on the volunteers who build the trail and the man who had the job of designing the trail. That web address is wpt.org/InWisconsin. And that's our program for this week. Wisconsin Public Television will be offering some special programming during the next two weeks, so you won't find us back on the air until December 18. Until then, we leave you with one last taste of autumn at Council Grounds State Park in Lincoln County. For "In Wisconsin," I'm Patty Loew. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.