Scott Spoolman

I read “Wisconsin State Parks” during a visit to Door County during which I bicycled through one of the parks highlighted, Peninsula State Park, and looked across Whitefish Bay at another, Whitefish Dunes State Park.

The narrative starts with “The Big Picture: An Overview of Wisconsin’s Geological and Natural History”. It is then divided into five sections, beginning in the northwest and swinging in an arc into the northeast. Each section includes an introduction to the geology of the area including the rocks, the forces that formed the surface and the history of human habitation. It then focuses on several state parks or forests in the region with a description of the land and a guide to one or more trails in the park. Author Scott Spoolman wisely advises that, after reading “The Big Picture”, it is not necessary to read the remaining sections in order. I started with those with which I was most familiar. Maps, color photographs and drawings helpfully supplement the text. Do not miss the picture of The Balanced Rock on page 119. You otherwise would not believe it.

This book is part travelogue and part history, but mostly earth science. From this tome and “Walking Home Ground” and “John Muir: Selected Writings” (see my review of each) I have learned that Wisconsin is a case study of plate movement and glacial action. This work broadens the reader’s mind to see beyond the current planet to times when Wisconsin’s land was near the equator, convulsed by volcanoes, covered by and drained of water, barren of life and eroded by wind, rain and advancing and retreating glaciers. It helps the reader to appreciate the sequelae of each in its hills and valleys, lakes and rivers and several other earth forms for which I had to glean the definitions.

I like this book because I learned new things from it. I recently read “Ridge Stories” (see my review) consisting of memories from “The Driftless”. I now know that the Driftless is the southwestern portion of Wisconsin that was not covered by glaciers. I now better understand the development of the Ridges that were explained when I toured in them in Bailey’s Harbor. I now view rocks and hills and valleys, not just for the beauty they possess, but for the stories they tell. I would like to visit more of these landscapes, with “Wisconsin State Parks” as my guide. If your interest is geology, you plan to visit one of the parks featured or if you just enjoy knowing what you are seeing this is a book for you.

I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.… (plus d'informations)