The best thing I did while in northern Wisconsin last week, was spend the good part of a day biking the Bearskin State Trail.

Built on a former Milwaukee Road rail bed, it begins in Minocqua and goes south for 18 miles, through woodlands, alongside lakes, and over trestles, most of which cross the trail’s namesake Bearskin Creek.

Riding through the gorgeous north woods scenery is a treat. But the beauty really hits you when the forest opens up, and you cross one of the trail’s 13 wooden trestles.

As my bike tires crackled over the crushed granite trail, I imagined hearing the clickity-clack of the Northwoods Hiawatha as it hauled passengers to their vacation destinations (there may have been a few imaginary train whistles too).

It was the first time I’ve biked this trail. You can be sure it won’t be the last.