Camping- Wyalusing SP

This weekend we went to Wylusing State Park for the first time and it was fantastic! A quick impromptu vote in the car on the way out of the park put Wyalusing in the lead passing Rock Island and Madeleine Island for Annika. Emma has them all tied. No matter the specific votes, it is a very cool, very special spot.
We did some canoeing on the Mississippi River slough today before leaving. Annika was the most vocal about canoeing. Apparently she wasn't concerned about the need to wear a life vest, something that was a huge deal breaker for the last "fun day" of swim lessons this summer. The rivers are flooded because of the huge amounts of rain over the last few weeks. So there were trees and grasses and other land plants that were poking up in strange places. The water was flowing but not too fast to push us out of sight of the dock area (a mandatory requirement since the canoe trail was closed). The first time out on the water Annika was at the helm, I sat behind her on the canoe bottom with Bandit, next came Emma and Steve was steering. Bandit did really well but I also had her on a very short leash. It was quiet and peaceful except for the fast-moving trains that went barreling down the tracks every so often.
We took a break for lunch and then the girls and I went back out. This time Emma was up front and really knows how to paddle. I was steering in the back. We enjoyed the shade of some close-to-shore spaces. The canoeing was a highlight for sure!
On Saturday we woke up and headed to some points of interest such as some burial mounds and the Passenger Pigeon monument. Annika was grumbling in the van about hiking but once we got to the scenic overlooks and took in the awesome views of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers she was leading us down the trails. We hiked for a good 2.5-3 hours down and up and around the ridges. We had to go "off-roading" a couple times when the trail was found covered with water for many feet. It was an adventure. While sitting around the campfire later Annika had this to say (out of the blue): I am glad I didn't complain today. Wow- so cool! (Hiking at Rock Island was one for the books and involved many tears, screaming and complaining for most of the hiking.)
After some rest that afternoon we went on a driving tour of some of the spots we had not seen. Lots to save for next time. And speaking of next time, we are definitely going to reserve a spot in the Wisconsin Ridge campground instead of Homestead. The views for many of them are breathtaking! Plus there are more hammock options. On the way home Emma made a list of the places we would like to visit next summer and beyond. Wyalusing is top!