Wisconsin Overland Fall Camp Out

Fall colors in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Going “up north” for any Midwesterner is more about a mindset than a destination. It’s a place away from city lights and sidewalks where nature is the playground. For me, “up north” begins north of WI-Highway 8 gets close to that vibe.

Navigating the dirt roads through the forest is always a thrill for me both mentally and physically. The excitement of traveling deeper into the forest forces you to connect with your surroundings and truly be in the moment. The further away from city-life, there is a sense of calmness I feel only nature can provide.

Fall is also my absolute favorite time of year for camping. The Wisconsin Overland group hosts several events throughout the upper Midwest. This year’s event shared GPS coordinates to the great Nicolet National Forest and a date/time to meet.

Maybe not the smartest move for a single woman with limited experience navigating the national forest roads solo, but I was determined to push myself beyond my comfort zone. I also knew once I got there, I would be surrounded by old and new friends. Overlanders share the love of the outdoors and we showed up for an adventure.

Navigating by GPS proved to be easier than expected. My 2018 JL’s navigation system includes an option for GPS, so it was as easy as punching in the numbers and following the directions.

Fall in the Northwoods is nature’s most spectacular show. The temperatures drop, foliage changes into spectacular colors, and your wardrobe changes over to clothing that will, first and foremost, keep you warm. We leave the Summer heat behind and the blooming flowers are replaced by crisp red, orange, and yellow foliage.

Fall is the season that remind us that change is beautiful.