by Robert Root
Interlude
Tekiela, Stan. Trees of Wisconsin Field Guide. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications, 2002.
The Land Itself
Behm, Don. “Waukesha, Once Swimming in Water Resources, Now Struggles,” Journal Sentinel, April 19, 2010.
Birmingham, Robert A., and Leslie E. Eisenberg. Indian Mounds of Wisconsin. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2000.
Carson, Rachel. Rachel Carson to Ruth Nanda Anshen, January 7, 1956. In The House of Life: Rachel Carson at Work, by Paul Brooks, 2. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1972.
Clayton, Lee. Pleistocene Geology of Waukesha County. Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Bulletin 99. Madison: University of Wisconsin–Extension, 2001.
Cooper, James Fenimore. The Deerslayer. Pictures by N. C. Wyeth. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1925.
Haight, Theron W. Memoirs of Waukesha County. Madison, WI: Western Historical Association, 1907.
Johnson, Marlin. “Natural Features and Land Use.” In From Farmland to Freeways: A History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, edited by Ellen D. Langill and Jean Penn Loerke, 1–43. Waukesha, WI: Waukesha County Historical Society, 1984.
Lapham, I. A. The Antiquities of Wisconsin, as Surveyed and Described. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1855. Reprint, Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2001.
———. Wisconsin: Its Geography and Topography, History, Geology, and Mineralogy. 2nd ed. Milwaukee: I. A. Hopkins, 1846.
Lopez, Barry. Quoted in “Almost Paradise,” by Kim Barnes. In Landscapes with Figures: The Nonfiction of Place, edited by Robert Root, 30. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2007.
Schoenknecht, John M. “Fox River Improvements.” Landmark 40, no. 1 (Spring 1997): 30–32.
———. The Great Waukesha Springs Era, 1868–1918. Waukesha, WI: J. Schoenknecht, 2003.
Spring City’s Past: A Thematic History of Waukesha. Rev. ed. Waukesha, WI: City of Waukesha Landmarks Commission, 2002.
The Fox River Corridor Plan, Waukesha, Wisconsin. Madison, WI: Hitchcock Design Group, 1990.
The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Rev. ed. Waukesha, WI: Waukesha County Historical Society, 1976. First published 1880 by Western Historical Society.
Image Captions
p. 6, Ennis Lake, Muir Park State Natural Area
p. 38, Inlet stream, Muir Park State Natural Area
p. 45, The shack, Aldo Leopold Legacy Center
p. 72, Leopold benches, Aldo Leopold Legacy Center
p. 82, View of Wisconsin River from Ferry Bluff
p. 120, Wisconsin River Trestle Bridge, Sauk City, Wisconsin
p. 136, Lapham Peak, Kettle Moraine State Forest
p. 175, Brady’s Rocks, Kettle Moraine State Forest
p. 186, Fox River in winter, Waukesha, Wisconsin
p. 226, Cranes in the mist, Fox River, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Index
Note: Locations are in Wisconsin unless otherwise noted. Page numbers in italic refer to photographs. Nature observed in entries refers to people, terrain, vegetation, and wildlife that Root encountered on his walking tours.
agriculture, impact on natural resources, 21, 210
Aldo Leopold Foundation, 69, 73
Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work (Meine), 74
Aldo Leopold Legacy Center. See Leopold Center
Aldo Leopold Overlook, 149
Allman, Laurie, 155, 156, 163, 165
American Ornithology (Wilson), 18
“Anatomy of a Classic” (Tallmadge), 73–74
And You, Thoreau (Derleth), 103
Andrews, Candice Gaukel, 164
Antiquities of Wisconsin as Surveyed and Described, The (Lapham), 160, 201–202, 203
“Apologia” (Derleth), 110–111
Atmosphere of Houses (Derleth), 94
Audubon, John James, influence of, 18, 20, 26, 75
August Derleth Bridge, 83
August Derleth Park, 83, 121
August Derleth Society, 83, 121
“Back from the Argentine” (Leopold), 70
Bark River, 146, 147, 148, 207
Bark River Chronicles, The (Bates), 147
Bates, Milton, 147
Bergen’s Island, 98–100
Bergland, Martha, 161
Bethesda Spring, 209, 216
Beyond the Trees (Andrews), 164
Birds of America (Audubon), 18
Birmingham, Robert, 193, 200, 204
bog, definition of, 15, 16
Bradley, Nina Leopold, 48, 68, 69, 70
Brady, Kathleen, 175
Brady, Michael, 175
Brady’s Rocks, 174–176, 175, 177
Brink, John, 194, 195, 196, 205
Brook Trestle, 111, 119, 120
Brynildson, Erik, 8, 9, 10, 35
burial mounds, 25, 29, 199–204
Cactus Bluff, 82, 118–119, 125, 126
Canada geese, 190–191
Carl Schurz Forest, 137, 144
Catalogue of Plants and Shells Found in the Vicinity of Milwaukee on the West Side of Lake Michigan, A (Lapham), 159
Centennial Park, 147, 148
Central Wisconsin Sand Plain, 14
Clas, Louis, 98–100
Clayton, Lee, 141, 154, 155, 193
climate, human impact on, 160, 232–233
Colver, Hiram, 209
“Come High Water” (Leopold), 46, 49
Concord Rebel: A Life of Henry D. Thoreau (Derleth), 103, 104–105
conservationists. See individual names
“Country” (Leopold), 64, 74
Country Book (journal), 90, 103
Countryman’s Journal (Derleth), 90–91, 101
Culley, William, 203
Cutler, Alonzo, 200, 201
Cutler, Morris, 200, 201–202
Derleth, April (daughter), 120
Derleth, August
ancestors come to Wisconsin, 93
death of, 116
family of, 105, 120
grave site, 85
home ground in Derleth’s time, 84–85, 87–89, 95–96, 107, 109–110, 119–120
Leopold and, 88, 98–100, 101, 102
literary influences on, 84–85, 92–94, 101–105, 112–113
Muir and, 98, 110
nature, reflections on, 113, 116–117, 143
sense of loss, 111–113
sense of place, 105–106, 152
Thoreau comparisons, 84, 85, 104, 110, 112–115, 117–118
Walden Pond visit, 103, 104
writings of, 84, 87, 89–92, 94, 98, 101–106, 110–111
See also Return to Walden West; Root, walking Derleth’s home ground; Walden West
Derleth, Walden (son), 103
Door Peninsula, 142, 153, 166
Douglass, Ruth, 186–187
Driftless (Rhodes), 51
Driftless Area, 52, 87, 88, 142
drumlin, definition of, 133
Dunbar, Richard, 209, 216
Dunbar Oak, 216–217
ecologists. See individual names
ecology. See land, transformation of eco-regions, 14, 53–54
effigy mounds. See burial mounds
Ehl’s Slough, 107, 121
Eisenberg, Leslie, 193, 200, 204
Emerson, Ralph Waldo
influence on Derleth, 93–94
influence on Muir, 97
Emma Carlin Trail, 165
Endeavor Marsh, 74, 75, 76, 98
Ennis, John, 33
Ennis Lake, 6, 7, 19
esker, definition of, 154
Euro-American settlements. See land, transformation of
Evening in Spring (Derleth), 94
Far from Tame: Reflections from the Heart of a Continent (Allman), 155
farming, impact on natural resources, 21, 210
fen, definition of, 15, 16
Ferry Bluff, 82, 82, 88, 118, 122, 126–128
Ferry Bluff Natural Area, 82–83
fires, natural, 22, 30, 58, 200,
204
Flader, Susan, 53, 54, 57, 58, 59
Fountain Lake, 6, 7, 19
Fountain Lake Farm
Muir family settles, 18–19, 30
named National Historic
Landmark, 35
preservation attempt by Muir, 32–33
restoration of, 35
sale of, 33–34
transformation of, 31
See also Muir, John; Root, walking Muir’s home ground; Story of My Boyhood and Youth, The (Muir)
Fox River (Muir’s), 4, 7
Fox River (Root’s), 186, 226
dams of, 206
Lapham’s name for, 189
location of, 4, 207
pollution of, 210–211
transformation of, 208–211
uses of, 205–209, 211
Fox River Corridor Plan, Waukesha, Wisconsin, The, 211
Fox River National Wildlife Refuge, 37
Frame, Andrew, 211
Frame Park, 206, 208, 209, 211, 212, 213, 214
Galloway, David (Muir brother-in-law), 33
Galloway, Sarah Muir (sister), 18, 33
Game Management (Leopold), 67
Geographical and Topographical Description of Wisconsin, A (Lapham), 159
geological time, 52–53. See also Ice Age
Geology of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (Mickelson, Maher, Simpson), 138
Glacial Drumlin Trail, 217, 218
glacial geology, 7, 15, 51–55, 133–135, 138–139, 153–155, 177, 192–194
Glacial Lake Scuppernong, 158, 177, 178, 196
Glacial Lake Wisconsin, 54, 56, 71, 88
glaciation. See Wisconsin Glaciation
Glacier Cone Park, 134–135
glaciers. See glacial geology
global warming, 160, 232–233
“Good Oak” (Leopold), 50, 58–59
Government Land Office survey maps, 194
Gray, Alexander, 19
Great Marsh, 46, 56–57
“Great Possessions” (Leopold), 61–62, 64
Green Bay Lobe
advancement stopped, 88
boundaries of, 142, 153
transformation of region, 52–53, 141–142, 153–154, 158, 177
“Green Pasture” (Leopold), 70
Greening, John, 22
Haight, Theron, 200, 201, 203, 204
Hartland Ice Age Wetland, 148
Hartland Marsh, 149–150, 151
Hawley, Anna, 70–73
Hayes, Paul, 161
Hobo Spring, 209, 213
Home Ground: Language for an American Landscape (Lopez), 165
Honey Creek, 118, 124, 127
Ice Age, 53, 139, 156–157, 166
Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, 143
Ice Age Trail
boundaries of, 136, 142
Delafield segment, 151–152
Eagle segment, 166, 173–178
Emma Carlin Trail, 165
extent of, 52
Hartland segment, 147–149
John Muir Trail, 164
Lapham Peak segment, 156–158, 162–163
Merton segment, 145–147
Monches segment, 137–145, 147, 151, 156
as national scenic trail, 143
purpose of, 142–143
Scuppernong Trail, 165
Stony Ridge segment, 178–179
Waterville segment, 165–166, 167–171
Ice Age Trail Alliance
establishes Muir Trail, 37
restoration projects of, 139, 151, 171–172, 174, 232
volunteers’ sense of home ground, 150, 151
Walk the Wauk program, 136
Ice Age Trail Companion Guide, The (Ice Age Trail Alliance), 138
“If I Were the Wind” (Leopold), 70
In the Course of My Walks (Derleth), 90
Indian Mounds of Wisconsin (Birmingham, Eisenberg), 193
Interstate Park, 142
Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, 190
“January Thaw” (Leopold), 61
John Muir Overlook, 149
John Muir Trail, 164
Johnson, Marlin, 141, 152–153, 162, 191–193, 204–205, 207, 208
kame, definition of, 134, 158
kettle lake, definition of, 15
Kettle Moraine, 153–156, 163, 164, 172, 177
kettle moraine, definition of, 154–155
Kettle Moraine Low Prairie State Natural Area, 174, 176
Kettle Moraine Railway, 145
Kettle Moraine State Forest, 52, 136, 155–156, 163–165, 174–177, 175
Lake Country Recreation Trail, 151, 152
Lake Michigan Lobe
boundaries of, 142, 153
transformation of region, 52–53, 141–142, 153–154, 158, 177, 192
land, transformation of
caused by mankind, 23, 27–30, 164, 171–173
caused by nature, 52–53, 171–172
consequences of, 30–31
destruction of, 119–120
effects of settlements, 57–58, 145, 147
restoration of, 51, 55, 77–78, 86–87, 139, 151, 171–172, 232
in Root’s philosophy, 230–233
See also glacial geology
“Land Ethic, The” (Leopold), 72, 232
Lapham, Increase Allen, 158–162, 201–204
Laurentide Ice Sheet, 88, 141
Lawlor, Laurie, 61, 187
Leopold, Aldo
boyhood of, 65–66
buys sand farm, 58–60, 65
career of, 67, 97
comes to Wisconsin, 67, 97
death of, 34, 55, 69, 97
Derleth and, 88, 98–100, 101, 102
education of, 66, 97
family of, 47, 48, 63
home ground in Leopold’s time, 51, 55, 59–60
land ethic philosophy, 66–69
literary influences on, 66, 74, 97
Muir and, 55, 57, 68, 74–76, 97
nature, reflections on, 34, 55, 64–65, 73–74
sense of place, 55, 56, 57, 60, 64
shack, 45, 45–46, 47–48
Thoreau comparisons, 51, 74, 77
transformation of land, 51, 55, 68, 77–78, 98
writing style of, 62–63
writings of, 49, 60, 64, 67, 70, 72, 232
See also “Marshland Elegy” (Leopold); Sand County Almanac, A (Leopold); Root, walking Leopold’s home ground
Leopold, Carl (brother), 74
Leopold, Carl (son), 47, 48, 63
Leopold, Estella, Jr. (daughter), 48, 63, 64, 72
Leopold, Estella Bergere (wife), 63, 64, 67
Leopold, Luna (son), 48, 63
Leopold, Nina Bradley (daughter), 48, 68, 69–70
Leopold, Starker (son), 48, 63
Leopold benches
at Aldo Leopold Overlook, 149
on Ice Age Trail, 174
on Leopold Memorial Reserve, 48, 49, 50, 51, 72, 77
in Schurz Forest, 140
Leopold Center, 45, 63, 69, 71, 73, 83
Leopold Reserve, 46, 54, 55, 69
Les Paul Parkway, 211, 219
lobes (glacial), 142. See also Green
Bay Lobe; Lake Michigan Lobe
Lockport (NY), 158–159
Lodde’s Mill Bluff and Natural Area, 122, 123–124
Lodde’s millpond, 93, 112
Lopez, Barry, 165, 187
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, 122–123
Maher, Louis, 138
man’s impact on nature. See land, transformation of
marl, definition of, 166
Marquette County, 11, 35, 37, 200
marsh, definition of, 16
“Marshland Elegy” (Leopold), 43–44, 46, 56, 61, 74–75, 76, 144
Mazomanie, 107, 119
Mazomanie Bottoms and Natural Area, 122, 124, 126, 128
Meine, Curt, 74
Memoirs of Waukesha County (Haight), 200
Merk, Josephine, 94
Mickelson, Davi
d, 138, 141, 155
Minniska Spring, 209
monadnock, 11–12
moulin, definition of, 158
mound builders. See burial mounds
Mount Monadnock (NH), 11–12
Mountains of California, The (Muir), 36
Mozina, Paul, 150, 166, 180
Muir, Daniel (father), 18, 19, 21, 31
Muir, David (brother), 18, 19, 24
Muir, John
boyhood of, 17, 19, 21
comes to Wisconsin, 18–19, 23, 97
contributions of, 35–36, 69
death of, 97
Derleth and, 98, 110
family of, 18, 19, 21, 24, 33
Fountain Lake, described by, 17, 19, 20
home ground in Muir’s time, 21, 23, 31–32, 36, 41, 89
Leopold and, 55, 57, 68, 74–76, 97
literary influences on, 18, 20, 26, 97, 103
moves away from Fountain Lake Farm, 33, 69
nature, reflections on, 26, 27, 32, 36–37, 40, 55, 69
Scotland, described by, 17, 20
Sierra Club, address to, 32–33
walking treks, 33
writings of, 29–30, 36
See also Fountain Lake Farm;
Root, walking Muir’s home
ground; Story of My Boyhood and Youth, The (Muir)
Muir, Sarah Galloway (sister), 18, 33
Muir Lake, 6, 7, 19
Muir Park, 10, 11, 13, 36–40
Muir Park State Natural Area, 6, 35, 38
Muir Trail, 37
My First Summer in the Sierra (Muir), 36
Nagawicka Lake, 153, 166
Native American inhabitants, 29, 88, 199–204
“Natural Features and Land Use” (article) (Johnson), 193
Niagara Escarpment, 151, 153, 154, 166, 167, 168, 174, 177
North Woods, 14
Northern Forest Floristic Province, 14
oak trees, white, description of, 183–184
Observatory Hill, 11–13, 21, 31–32, 207
“Oconomowoc and Other Small Lakes of Wisconsin” (scientific paper) (Lapham), 162
Oconomowoc River, 138, 139, 144, 145, 207
“On a Monument to the Pigeon” (Leopold), 75–76
On the Trail of the Ice Age (Reuss), 143
Outdoors (journal), 90, 103
outwash fan, definition of, 154
Passenger Pigeon: A Magazine of Wisconsin Bird Study, The (journal), 90, 103
passenger pigeons, 25–26, 75–76
Paul, Les, 222
Pewaukee Lake, 153, 166
pishtaka (buffalo), 189
Pishtaka River. See Fox River (Root’s)
Place of Hawks, 85, 120, 123
Pleistocene Geology of Waukesha County, Wisconsin (Clayton), 141, 154
“Ploughboy, The” (Muir), 29–30
Pokagon, 26, 75
population, impact on nature. See land, transformation of