As long as the weather holds, we are determined to get to places we have heard about but not visited. Last week when we visited Fond du lac, Wisconsin and the Lakeside Park lighthouse, we were actually looking for another park. Our grandson Ewan and his other grandparents visited a park with a 70 foot climbing tower. We couldn't find it last week so we finally got the correct name and headed out this afternoon. It is about an hour from our house, so not too far.
Columbia Park consists of a boat landing, a camping area, a playground, a basketball court, an open shelter area and an observation tower with a navigational beacon on the top. Our goal for the day was to climb the tower. We parked in the parking area. There was a couple about to leave so we were the only ones there. As we approached the tower, it looked really tall. I guess 70 feet is pretty tall.
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| The Columbia Park Observation tower. |
The information on the sign said the tower was originally built as a water tower for a Fond du lac factory. Then in 1936 it was moved and erected at this harbor on Lake Winnebago by the WPA. It was to be used as an observation tower and navigational aid. Over the years it deteriorated and needed to be rebuilt. About 25 years ago the tower was restored with metal stairs, landings and observation decks. From the top of the tower you can see a panoramic view of Lake Winnebago and the surrounding areas. We actually climbed to the top without much trouble. We briefly rested about half way up, but did well. I got seven stairs on my Fitbit. While we were standing on the top a gentleman joined us on the top. He said on a clear day you can see Menasha and Oshkosh. It was a little overcast on the horizon, but we could see very far.
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| View looking toward Menasha WI |
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| Boat coming into the harbor. |
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| Leaving the lake, there is a channel with a 900 foot harbor wall leading to the boat landing. |
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| Wind energy is important but these turbines kind of spoil the beautiful view. |
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| Coming down was easier than going up. |
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| But it was still nice to be back on ground safe and sound. |
About 3:10 we left this beautiful park. We needed to get to our grandson Dylan's soccer match in Berlin Wisconsin which was about an hour away. On the way out of the park, we saw the roadside was lined with these Wild Aster plants. They are gorgeous this time of year.
We spent the next hour watching Dylan play soccer. He played the whole game a little bit injured but still did a great job. It was a beautiful night for a game.
Another afternoon adventure in the books. Let's see where else we can go in a few days.
