Parfrey's Glen - A day with the Rubin - Nguyen family

Today, the Rubin - Nguyen family (sans a few members due to the workday) embarked on a family tradition of trekking through Parfrey's Glen.  Parfrey's Glen is located about 4 miles east of Devil’s Lake State Park and is administered by the park. Norman Carter Fassett while chairman of the Natural Areas Committee from 1945 to 1950, selected Parfrey's Glen as the first state Natural area in Wisconsin. At its uppermost part, the glen reaches a depth of nearly 100 feet and embraces a mountain-type stream flowing through its floor. The Glen’s walls are sandstone embedded with pebbles and boulders of quartzite. This quartzite is conglomerate, sometimes referred to as a “plum pudding” stone. The sandstone layers represent ancient sandy beach.

The day started a bit dreary due to the drizzling rain and overcast, but our optimism paid off as the weather cleared up and the rain dissipated by the time we arrived Parfrey's Glen.  We were welcomed with vibrant foliage, crisp air, blue jays, woodpeckers, and rushing fresh water from the stream that hugged the hiking trail.  The last time we hiked Parfrey's Glen was just before Becky and I left for Singapore and the trails seemed a bit different this time around.  Heavy rains during the June 14, 2008 weekend rushing down off the bluffs above the gorge turned normally placid Parfrey’s Glen Creek into a roaring torrent of water which dislodged boulders weighing several tons, uprooted trees, washed out a wooden boardwalk, and strewed rocks over part of the trail.  Parfrey's Glen was again opened to the public in 2009, although the man-made trails & bridges destroyed by the flood were not replaced.  Here are some pictures from our journey:

Becky next to a large tree that was uprooted during the flood.

The Rubins and The Nguyens

One of the many beautiful scenes from our hike.

Deciding whether we should march forward beyond the trail limits.

The day was too perfect to pass up, so we marched forward to uncharted territory.  Note that Bich is leading the charge :). Way to go!

How could you pass this up?

Becky & Barb

Brother & Sister

The reward at the "End of the Trail"

Finally Home

We made it to Madison without any issues or delays (thank God) and boy is it cold!!!  From a balmy Singaporean 90F a few days ago to bone chilling 35F in Madison has been a huge change and not to mention how dry the air is.  You really feel the difference once you get used to tropical weather. 

We were welcomed at the Airport by the whole family sans Huyen & Greg since they were still in La Crosse.  It was really nice to have such a warm welcome.  We'll be in Madison for the next two weeks and the nicest part is that there aren't any big events or holidays to make the trip "shorter", so we'll really have the chance to get much needed rest and time with family and friends.

Hope to catch up with as many people as possible while we're here, so if you're in town, do drop us a line.

Mom & Dad hanging out with everyone after we got back from the Airport

Becky showing off the belly!

"Kicking it" with their neice/grandaughter for the first time.