Now that everything around me is covered by snow, I'm especially missing the outdoors. One of my favorite things to do basically any time it's not winter is go camping. If not camping, then sometimes a nice long walk or a hike in a state park is a great way to spend an afternoon.

What follows is a random assortment of photos I've taken while camping in Wisconsin prior to winter's arrival.

This one is at Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, WI. The Balanced Rock trail, which is actually only about 0.4 miles, is a pretty intense climb up some rocks that sort of form a natural (albeit uneven) staircase. Once you make it to the top, the views are pretty great.

This one is also at Devil's Lake on the Balanced Rock Trail. It's worth the climb up there. Bring a sandwich so you've got something to do up there before you head all the way back down.

Fun fact: in Wisconsin, there's a state park called BONG RECREATION AREA. I shit you not. I'd be pretty stealth with your bongs, though. It is Wisconsin after all. It's actually Richard Bong State Recreation Area, but the signs on the highway definitely had Bong Recreation Area written on them. Ask anyone from Chicago who vacations in Wisconsin, they can tell you. It's not too far from the Mars Cheese Castle. I'm not a cheese person, but the Cheese Castle also has an amazing selection of hot sauces that is worth checking out, as well as a decent (if not overpriced) beer selection.

Anyway, I took this photo there. I may or may not have been involved in some bong recreation prior to taking this photo.

And another one of the sky that night at Bong.

I long to be walking along the trails, surrounded by nature.

And drinking beers outside!

Looking at lakes and shit!

And when it's raining, hiding somewhere doing puzzles, and never finding that last goddamn piece.

For two seasons, my wife and I had this pop-up camper, which was fun while it lasted. We ended up selling it somewhat recently as we find it's simpler to just bring a quality tent.