WISCONSIN DELLS

These pictures were taken in the Wisconsin Dells which is on the Wisconsin River. The dells are large rock and cliff formations that date back to 500 million years ago. The name "dells" was taken from the French word "dalles" which means "flat, layered rocks". The river was discovered by the French explorers Marquette and Joliet. It starts in northern Wisconsin near the Michigan border and empties into the Mississippi at the WI/MN border. The river is now divided into the upper and lower "dells" divided by a dam. The river and scenery are beautiful, especially the upper dells. The city of Wisconsin Dells has turned into a typical tourist town complete with roller coasters, water parks and fudge, tee shirt and souvenir shops (The Wildwood NJ of WI, ken). Even some of the smaller hotels and motels have their own indoor water parks which extends the season wel beyond Labor Day. A very pretty area with a tourist history that dates to the mid - 1800's.