down to earth tours

We took this tour and learned SO MUCH about the history and geology of the whole Cable and northern WI area. Dave is so personable and accommodating, and he drives us all around, narrating so well. We have also heard his lectures around the area too and they are equally compelling. This tour is totally not to be missed for learning about the area.

This is a wonderful opportunity to look at the history, geology, cultural and environmental pictures of Wisconsin's northwest corner. From first settlers to hidden copper mines, glacial scarring and pine forests, tour guide Dave Thorsen covers them all with style and skill. His mastery comes from experience as a forester, historian, environmentalist and long time area resident. He showed us hidden ravines, rushing trout streams, the last resting place of a 500 year old elk and guided us to a delicious lunch at a fully restored diner in the heart of the forest. His well-prepared books -provided for the use of each tour guest - help showcase the tour route, area highlights, wildlife facts and even the glacial pathways and impacts he explains so well.This is money well spent for an all-day picture of this area not seen or learned in any other way. Dave gives his guests memories, stories, understandable explanations and vivid pictures of how things were thousands of years ago, even as you ride comfortably in today's tour bus. From handling actual mink and beaver pellets to stories of the Mad Hatter, native settlements, wild rice and invasive daisies, Dave knows about it all. Ask him to tell the story of the family coffin made from the pine tree grown on his family's acreage. Such human tales bring an extra dimension of education and understanding not found in a static museum or book display.Down to Earth tours is a jewel in the Wisconsin woods. I have lived in this area for twenty years and enjoyed learning something new every moment of the tour day.Mel and Tom Kelly