If you feel yourself falling into a rut, hop on Instagram and see what Becky Bremer is up to lately.
Chances are, the Merrill mom is hiking, camping, kayaking, splashing in a waterfall, ducking into an ice cave or exploring a state park, often with her fourteen-year-old daughter Bryn along for the adventure.
While Becky was born in Green Bay and grew up in Wausau, where she now works at the Blood Center of Northcentral Wisconsin as a donor recruiter, her love of the outdoors takes her all over the state and beyond.
What do you like about your town?
Merrill is very small but we have a great river path and Council Grounds. It’s a great close place to hike and kayak on weeknights. I also discovered Grandfather Falls on the Ice Age Trail, and that can be a beautiful solitary place to sit and think. I love it there in fall. I do drive to nearby Wausau to hike Rib Mountain very often!
What are your favorite outdoor activities?
I like camping, kayaking, cross country skiing, hiking especially in winter. Does chilling in a hammock count?
Have you always loved nature?
Sadly, my true love of the outdoors comes from the loss of my best friend. Jamie Kroening was thirty-nine when she passed away unexpectedly. We used to always talk about all the places here we wanted to camp, hike, explore with our kids. Losing her was so hard and I found that going to explore them made me feel closer to her. I spent a weekend just after she passed solo camping and hiking. It helped me through my loss, and I keep trying to visit all the state parks like she and I would have done if she was still with us. One of our friends, Kat BeBeau, also goes with me, and we bond over how much we wish Jamie was with us.
What are some of your favorite hikes in Wisconsin?
My favorite hikes are the quarry at Rib Mountain, Balanced Rock at Devil’s Lake, Fallison Nature Trail, Star Lake Nature Trail, the hike to the falls at Willow River, Cave Point and all of Rock Island.
How about in the fall specifically?
In fall I have so many favorites. Rib Mountain has probably been the most stunning. Devil’s Lake State Park is another amazing spot for fall — the views from the bluff when the colors turn. I try to get there every fall. Perrot also gives you great hikes for viewing fall colors.
What do you suggest for other times of year?
I love winter hiking with my daughter at Cave Point. The ice transforms it into a winter wonderland. We usually make a day of it by hiking to Wequiock Falls, Fonferek Falls and ski Whitefish Dunes. My daughter loves hiking Parfreys Glen in winter since it’s pretty challenging. We love skiing too. Whitefish is our favorite state park for skiing, but my sister joins us often at Nine Mile and Minocqua Winter Park. And Jack Lake is amazing if you prefer something more rustic.
In spring and summer, you’ll find us on the water. We usually hit Crystal Lake in Boulder Junction as early as the ice is gone. We love the quiet before the crowds, feeling like we have the whole place to ourselves. We visit Crystal Lake several times a year. It is our favorite spot when we want to camp but still have some peace and quiet.
What’s been a most memorable or surprising time outdoors in Wisconsin?
Our most memorable trip was probably our first time mother-daughter camping at Crystal Lake. We kayaked and a loon kept diving under us and my daughter used to be so afraid of the sounds they make. But after she saw them swimming, she realized how amazing they really are.
For me, it was probably my first below-zero hike. I went up to Rib Mountain and the trees were frosted and stunning. The sky was so blue and the snow was so loud under my feet from the cold. My eyelashes froze right away but I got used to it. And I ended up hiking three miles. As long as you dress for it, winter hiking can be so pretty.
What has spending time in nature taught you or done for you or meant to you? What do you hope it means for your daughter?
I think nature therapy is very underestimated. It’s good for us to unplug. Explore and see the beauty this amazing state has to offer. I suffer from anxiety and time outdoors often calms me and helps me focus and clear my mind. Taking pictures helps me save these wonderful memories. It’s good exercise and a great way to meet new people.
We started exploring here, but our love of nature has taken us to Pipestone National Monument, Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, Devils Tower, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Myrtle Beach State Park.
Are there any hiking or camping spots on your wishlist?
I’m hoping this fall to get to the lower state parks. Especially Wyalusing and Nelson Dewey. I’m hoping to see the bluff in color. I’m also really hoping to ski more state parks this winter. And winter hiking for sure. We will definitely keep chasing frozen waterfalls, as that is one of our favorites.
Being a single mom, I think Wisconsin state park stickers offer us great opportunities with our children to get exercise, relax and have fun. Buying kayaks was probably our best decision ever and we hope to explore more waterways.
Photos — of Parfrey’s Glen, Wildcat Mountain State Park and Willow River State Park — courtesy of Becky Bremer.