Kickin' Back on the Kickapoo/Sept 1-4/WI SCONSIN

“LMAO at Nimblefoot.

Sarabelle coming?

And Stovey sent a premeditated "dork" message my way, just so I'd say "dork" back!!!”

“LOL, while I'd like to think I talked them into it, it was probably Prosecutor's talk of nude canoeists -- and the photo of the mud bikini -- that two more signed up!!!

List update/morning of 8/18

GOING:
lizs
dhutch
graska
bessie lou
bessie lou's friend Donna
Randall
Randall's wife
Randall's kid
Nimblefoot
dry foot

SAID TO BE GOING (NOT ON LIST):
lagrac

LISTED AS "MAYBE" ON TRIP PAGE:
iSolo (almost for sure a "no" now due to other plans)
RoxyRuby
Chili (update, almost for sure a "no" now)

UNDECLARED "MAYBE:"
Mataharihiker”

“I would really like to go, but just can't justify it right now.”

“Im curious.....what part of Wisconsin is this in? :)”

“SC, come on, you and Mikey!!

La Farge. If you went to Madison and caught Highway 14 going northwest, you would get to Readstown and then go north to La Farge. (don't know that this is the route to go, but for reference)

For me, it's probably 1 hr. 15 minutes southeast of La Crosse. And tack another hour on to get to my place in MN. Just remember, any of those non-highway roads in the Kickapoo area are going to be really curvy and take longer driving times. (Maybe even the highways! Who knows, it's Wisconsin!)

Lots of different things to do! Or even just sit and relax!
last edited: 8/18/06 11:04:22 AM”

“Is ther stinky theengs aroun ther to smell?
The nother times we was at This Konsen ther was not verry menny stinky theengs in cept chees! BOL!”

“That's what I plan to do!

And maybe some hiking. And bike riding.”

“:-) dry foot is good at that "nap" thing in a reclining lawn chair. Which happens to be in Iowa Hawkeye colors. (Must not have been thinking when he made that purchase, LOL, then again EVERYONE LOVES the HAWKEYES!)

The past two Labor Days I drove 10 hours at least to get to the destinations. Great times, but tiring with the drive! This gives more nap time onsite. lolol!
last edited: 8/18/06 12:29:45 PM”

“I kinda have vague plans of:

-Canoeing/kayaking one day. Actually, the paddling could be split over a couple days... will see. There are three places to rent from. Or could choose to tube, too! I'm looking at potential distances for river trips.

-Geocaching for half a day (maybe more), mostly on the seven-cache series at Wildcat Mt. State Park just north of here (will need someone with a WI Parks sticker to smuggle us all in,if possible)

-Hiking. Well, of course!!

-Also I have a mt. bike (am a weinie mt. biker offroad and out of shape to boot, but I know they have dirt trails here. Also, an old highway, now a trail.)

-Also, rental horses close by if anyone wants to go riding on horse trails.

-Trout fishing. I imagine a person would need a WI fishing license of some type. Don't know their trout regulations.

-Relaxing, reading, etc. (Running to La Farge or Rockton to buy beer, etc.)

People can do what they want when they want, although I'd imagine the initial paddle and geocaching would probably be done as a group.

Whatever... it's a holiday... we're adaptable. :-)”

“Yep, I'm officially scratched from this outing.

I'll be at Rock Island SP spending a few nights in the lighthouse next weekend, and I'm on a two week trip a few weeks after Labor Day.

I hope to meet some of you folks here on "the other side" real soon. Ya sound like a fun bunch!

Have a good time!

PS: If I were any lankier, I'd be reaching for some of that "Kickapoo Joy Juice" on Labor Day!..


aka: LankyG”

“I have a vague idea of what geocaching is by definition, but don't know what it is really. A scavenger hunt? Who puts the stuff there?

Can any dummy (like me) just tag along?

I have a park sticker on my car.”

“To ostracize you for being a dummy would be for Lizs to ostracize herself (you're safe), lol.”

“Hey! I thought you quit coming here or something. Hows it going? Check out the "Indiana crowd" thread, and see if you may wanna do some day trippin.”

“Are you talking to me, meangreen? All I can think of is that I deleted the Porkies trip from here b/c it was too much trouble to maintain in two places.”

“Ya BessieLou I meant you. I think I'm going to Shades SP Monday for the day if you wanna come down for the day. Thriftyhiker showed some interest, and so did Spirit Coyote.”

“look who's joined your trip!”

“Wooo hoooo, great news!! It'll be good to see you again, MHH. Been toooooooooo long!
;-)

I was just looking at Prosecutor's report over on the "other side," when he canoed the Kickapoo in June:
http://forums.backpacker.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/613107219/m/990108239?r=990108239#990108239

Canoe/kayak rental places:

http://www.mrduckscanoerental.com/canoeing.asp

http://www.rocktonbar.com/ OR, to be more specific
http://www.kickapooyachtclub.com/kickapoo_yacht_club.htm

http://www.titaniccanoerental.com/index.html

I'm looking at one riverside camping spot that might make really good sense if anyone wants to make the river trip an overnight... plus, it allows 20 people per group. I'll call my contact at KVR and check it out.”

“All you signed up just got an e-mail! :-)”

“Just spotted this on the rules for the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, under Leave No Trace ethics:

DO NOT USE GLASS BOTTLES OR CONTAINERS”

“for what?”

“It is illegal in TN to have glass or bottles on any recreational river.”

“The Coronas and Fat Tire Ales will need to stay home. ;-)”

“Now that I am able to go, I will probably head over early on Fri AM to get the campsite we want. Of course this will allow me to get a couple of naps in during the day!”

“can I ride in your canoe if I go?”

“Liz!!
Ya got mail!!
Randall”

“Only if it is on dry land!!”

“I'm afraid I'm going to have to "bail" (a new record, I've bailed on 2 trips in the past 30 seconds). I'm headed to Isle Royale the next day and don't want to put that trip at risk. Sorry.”

“and I was going to bring this for everybody as a memento...

http://www.sodaking.com/product_info.php/products_id/230

oh well... I'll bring my Mike's Hard lemonaide in the plastic bottles then! ; )”

“you can repackage beer in plastic bottles as long as you seal it up quickly and let it pressurize.”

“Or you can just buy the beer in plastic bottles and screw the repackaging.”

“Well there's always wine in a box ... or my personal favorite: frozen Jose Cuervo pre-mixed margaritas, and letting them thaw on the trail. The PERFECT USE for a hydration bladder, I tell ya!!!!!”

“someday I will be able to do the picture thing....”

“I'm looking at the Mapsource map of the area on my computer and also on my GPS. Looks like 400 ft. hills at most from the river.

Mapped the geocaches in both National Geographic Topo Backroads program and in Garmin's Mapsource. (OK, SO I'M A MAPPING NERD. LOVE ME!!! lol)”

“Lizs, because I work Friday I won't be showing up until Saturday...I will be leaving Monday morning as I work Tuesday...”

“That works.

FYI, there have been ***rumors*** of someone making a meal Friday night. Just who all is arriving Friday night and might you be up for readymade food??? Or would you just eat on the way and want to get those tents up ASAP?

I know bessie lou and friend are probably getting there 7 to 8 p.m.-ish. I will get there sometime Friday. Trying to see how early I can get out of work, but we'll see.”

“i am sooo bummed that i can not attend”

“hello! mind if i tag along. =) im new to this but excited to get out and do it.

ike

(city slicker turned nature lover... be gentle!)”

“Sure Ike! I got your note. Will write back.”

“So far, weather looks like a dream come true!”

“Never trust the weather in Wisconsin and never trust predicted weather reports, period...LOL...”

“i hear that. yesturday the weather report said it was going to thunderstorm, on the day that i wanted to go hiking. well i went anyways and yep.... no rain at all. hooray for gut feelings.”

“Well, I can hope, can't I?”

“Big, ole NASTY storms yesterday in that area of WI... and RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE!!!

Tornado warnings; thunderstorm warnings up the wazoo!”

“wheres wazoo, wi? never heard of it =)”

“I'll be arriving Friday p.m. And please note, I've not had to cancel this time as I have the last 2-or is it 3- of Lizs's trips. AND, I have a new tent to try out. WHEEE!!.

Roxy Ruby”

“Wazoo??? I think THAT is in Nebraska. Didn't David Letterman's Top 10 List originate from there for awhile?? lol

Rest assured, we're in WISCONSIN!! Bet that river might be up after last night's mega, long-lasting storm!

OK, lagrac sounds like a for-sure to go. RoxyRuby sounds like a 95 percent for-sure. She is likely not paddling. Then again, neither are Bessie Lou, Mataharihiker (unless the river is up), maybe Donna? So no biggie!”

“I'm not quite sure when I'll get there... depends on when I can sneak out of work. I plan to be all packed that morning and head right down as early as possible. I'd estimate between 4 and 6 p.m. Liz, you still want emergency info and probably cell numbers, so I'll e-mail that all to you this weekend. Still wondering if we're planning to pool food and cook as a group or just do individual pack food. What's everyone's opinion?”

“I only boil water, but I'll bring whatever anyone suggests to pool.

P.S. I'd like to go on a trail ride.”

“Being that it is car camping the amount of cooking gear can be unlimited. I would like to combine on the evening meals (Sunday, Saturday and possibly Friday). After all the "dining experience" is a large part of the trip. What does everyone else think?”