Down by Old Mill Creek

The Hyde Mill
6/14/2020 dwm photo

The Sunday drive is back, thanks to the Coronavirus.

It is a way to get out of the house and limit contact with others.  We don't go far and it's not a long drive, but the idea is to spend some time on the quiet rural roads of south Wisconsin.

Recently, we went drove west of Madison into the Driftless area (not covered by the Glacier that shaped much of the state's landscape) to enjoy the hills and valleys on roads that follow every curve and hill.

As we reached the bottom of one hill, up ahead I saw a young deer picking at something on the pavement.  We were the only car, so we were going slow as we came upon her.  When we were within a few car lengths and about to stop, she looked at us, then with two hops climbed the hillside and disappeared. 

The dam dates back to 1850.
6/14/2020 (dwm)

While I'd been on my bike in the area several years ago, eventually we were exploring new territory. 

Over a couple hills and at the bottom of a sweeping curve in the Town of Ridgeway in Iowa County, I saw a waterfall.

The fall was created by a dam built out of stone in 1850 by William Hyde, an early settler in the area.  The mill burned down in 1870.  It was rebuilt years later and is a popular attraction for photographers.

The water over the dam is Mill Creek; several other places in the area also bear the Hyde name - the small community, church, and town store/tavern.  

Lunch at the Dodgeville
A & W.  6/14/20 (dwm)

It was my first visit and all I had was my phone to take its picture, so I hope to return to get more pictures.

After climbing out of the valley, we continued to Dodgeville where we stopped at the local A & W where an employee took orders.  

The we waited for our food and cup of Root Beer before heading to a nearby park for an impromptu picnic. 

Eating at A & W always brings back good memories.