Robert H. Dott, Jr. and John W. Attig. Roadside Geology of Wisconsin. Mountain Press. 2004.
This is a must-have book for those living in Wisconsin. First, it introduces you to the geology of your State. Then, it proceeds to take you on some road trips via major highways and byways. You’ll visit all the major regions and learn about their specific geology.
Here is a sample of the writing you’ll find in this book:
At Mazomanie, U.S. 14 leaves the Wisconsin River valley and its broad outwash plains to follow a tributary, Black Earth Creek, which was a major path for glacial meltwater at the end of glaciation around 15,000 years ago. Today, this stream receives its water from smaller tributaries fed by cold, clear spring water seeping from hillsides at the base of the Prairie du Chien dolomite. Thanks to the high quality of its water, Black Earth Creek has long been a fine trout stream, but increasingly dense settlement of its drainage basin threatens the water quality. Roadcuts between Mazomanie and Madison expose chiefly the upper half of the Cambrian sandstone strata. … The last exposure of Paleozoic rocks on U.S. 14 before Madison is a roadcut on the north side 3.5 miles east of Cross Plains, which exposes the boundary between the Prairie du Chien and the underlying Jordan sandstone.[Page 148-149.]
This one sample of text illustrates the major reasons I enjoy this book. First, it gives precise geographical information referencing major highways or byways. Then it uses the appropriate geological or geographical term to identify what you are viewing outside your car window. Third, when appropriate, brief comments are given on waterways you are viewing. Fourth, it uses precise mileage to help you locate items being discussed.
The book ends with a glossary, recommended reading list, references, and a complete index. It is illustrated throughout with maps, line drawings, and black and white photographs.
Recommendation
Although I thoroughly enjoy this book’s organization and writing style, it does have one somewhat serious drawback. It totally lacks any colored photographs. Unfortunately, most of today’s readers are used to books with generous numbers of colored photographs and other illustrations. In my opinion, illustrations of major points of interest would be easier to understand or interpret in color than in grayscale pictures.
This book is obviously intended for adults but may be useful for a family on vacation if the parents take the time to explain the information in easier-to-understand terms suitable to their children’s ages. Colored pictures would make even the youngest child interested in finding the same locations by the roadside that they see in the book.
