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

“dryfoot likes to cook and does it quite well, might I add. :-)

See here!! (there is an automatic link to the bigger photo by clicking ON the photo)


So lets work out some nightly menus. dryfoot, throw out a suggestion for a basis of each night.

Two years ago at Shawnee I made some Mexican stuff. REALLY!!! ***I*** made it. NO ONE DIED!! OR EVEN WAS REMOTELY SICK (or they didn't tell me, anyhoooo...)

Maybe Mexican one night?

Or other ideas???? We will have a campfire ring for possible cooking. Not sure if they have a grate, but we can come up with a grate (a GREAT GRATE, in fact!!) I think. I will bring a two-burner Ozark Trails stove that uses 16 oz. canisters of propane.
last edited: 8/25/06 12:43:28 PM”

“I can bring burgers, or some strip steaks. I just ordered from the town & country meat guy at quite a deal. When backpacking I only boil water and add something easy to it... (oodles of noodles) freeze dried stuff... I'm still a novice. Two or more people could bring ingrediants for shish-cabobs for one night. Those are tasty and simple on a great grate ; )”

“That corn looked good. I can bring corn on the cob and other veggies for kabobs.”

“or, I could bring lots of brats... I'd do the boiling in the beer & onions at home, so we could just throw them on the grill... yummm....”

“Here are some camping ideas... and of course, if you can make it, we want to see you at night at our campfire. :-)

The city of LaFarge has a campground by the school called Village Park:
Located behind the La Farge Public Schools building, just off from Adams Street, the park has 15 camping sites available. These sites are to be used for trailers and tents. There is a dumping station and all sites have Electric hookups.
Nightly charges are $7.00 for trailers and $3.00 for tents.

I guess the contact is:
608-625-4422
vlglaf@mwt.net



Here's a place with camping and cabins -- and trout fishing!-- somewhere in the Viroqua vicinity:
http://www.mwt.net/%7Ewestfork/wfcc.htm



Wildcat Mountain State Park is also a possibility, just north of the KVR:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/wildcat/
(SIDE NOTE: HEY DRYFOOT!!! Doesn't that photo look a lot like the Whitewater winter hike???!?? LOL)



This link has a lot of motels and other lodging listed:
http://www.kickapoovalley.org/



A link to Vernon County and other tourism links:
http://www.explorewisconsin.com/countypages/vernon.html”

“Here's the link for a place to rent horses for riding:
www.kvranch.com
608-625-6222

Here's the pricing. Make sure you look for non-ranch guests prices. (not much break to go from 1 hour to 1.5 hours!!!) And they like reservations
http://www.kvranch.com/new_page_1.htm

**mebbee** I'll have to go, too. I used to do the trail riding thang!
last edited: 8/26/06 1:38:59 AM”

“List update 8/25

GOING:
lizs
dhutch
graska
bessie lou
bessie lou's friend Donna
dry foot
Ike
Mataharihiker
lagrac
RoxyRuby

GOOD POSSIBILITY MAYBE
Randall (likely all camping/staying elsewhere and joining us for evening, if they can make it. We hope to meet your crew, Randall!!)
Randall's wife
Randall's kid

REALLY VAGUE MAYBES WHO MIGHT SHOW UP OUT OF THE BLUE (do we even list them??? lol.. yeah, it would be cool to see them!)
the lorax
tagalong”

“a big round of applause for Lizs, she's always ready with needed info! --- So where are the cordinates you downloaded?? They aren't in my GPS yet, geez... ; )”

“So, where am I going to find you guys late Saturday morning? I'd hate to drive all the way down there and then miss you...c'mom, Lizs, you're slipping...no maps? no directions? just somewhere "located between LaFarge and Ontario"...must I do the search for myself? I'll probably pick the wrong spot if I do...
last edited: 8/26/06 8:39:00 AM”

“OK..now I found the name of the campsite you planned to use as our base and know how to get there...care to let us know if that's for sure?

Also, posted on the Kickapoo River Reserve site is the info that due to the rains, trail are now closed...depending on weather, they MAY reopen on Saturday, Aug 26...guess there won'e be water level issues...

by the way, who is canoeing/kayaking? who is base camping? I think I'll leave the kayak at home and have a lazy week-end...
last edited: 8/27/06 10:41:00 AM”

“I'll be joining you mata...lazing is my main sport for this trip.”

“I'm bringing the kayak, my bike, daypack and GPS, but I can also be lazy when needed.”

“Hey Liz!!
Thanks for the links!!! I am still not sure if I can make the trip or not... it looks like the inlaws are showing up that weekend. I may still be able to do a Friday night and Saturday thing, but would end up leaving sometime Saturday PM. If I can make it, I will be showing up early Friday PM.
Maybe I would be early enough to help reserve the campsite!! Anyway, thanks again.
See ya later.
Randall”

“"OK..now I found the name of the campsite you planned to use as our base and know how to get there...care to let us know if that's for sure?"

Must have missed that post...”

“Relax, amen! lizs has all under control!!! ;-P

Just deciding this morning on the campsite for sure and a backup site or two. dryfoot will get the campsite Friday, as he will be there early, and be in charge here online in figuring out who will do/bring/make what -- and when -- for the night meals. YUM!

I still need to check one thing out on the campsites.... We've been hovering around 10 people, give or take, which makes a difference in what campsites we go for....”

“I may come in Friday night..depends on if I can get off work or not....”

“Cool!

OK, info e-mail sent to all those signed up!

:-)”

“And... a SECOND E-MAIL sent regarding maps for the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, caches, etc.”

“LMAO... OK, you should be getting a THIRD e-mail, since it appears I forgot to include the vital info in the SECOND e-mail.

DOH!!! lol”

“Im sorry, but I cant go anywhere named 'kickapoo"”

“I will be bringing a canoe and bike with to keep all options open for the weekend. The trailer is able to haul 3 canoes/kayaks to make shuttling easier. We still need some more ideas for the meals. I can bring Dutch ovens, cooking grates and whatever else would be needed.

I was thinking about this "tamale pie" as a possibility for one nite, along with a little "Black Forest Cake" for desert.

http://www.csupomona.edu/~rosenkrantz/personal/dutchoven.htm

But the shish-cabobs, brats and such sounds great too!

What king of eats would everyone like?”

“damn...theres going to be food there?”

“I will have a mt. bike and, err, dry foot's canoe (heheh) to keep my options open. I hope he also will have his Iowa Hawkeye lovin' recliner lawnchairs along! ;-P

And I will bring my GPS. dry foot has proven worthy at finding caches! (I could not find the Kellogg one. Apparently not TALL enough, indeed!)

I'm bringing a couple sun showers, too, as well as a 5-gallon water container. I think we'll have to keep supplied with water from the visitor's center, maybe 3 miles away.

Remember, this will run around $20-ish. Might want to make sure you have some dollars around to pay the "iron rangers."”

“Of course the chairs will be there! Napping in the shade just isn't the same without them. LOL”

“OK, lets get going with this. Who wants what night?

hmmmmmmmmmmmm??????????”

“you tell me when and what...”

“you tell me when and what...”

“oops, I stuttered...”

“For everyone planning on going canoeing/kayaking, us SE MN boaters tend to do it more like innertubing in a boat, very, very, leisurely. Paddling is only required to avoid running into something.”

“LOL... kinda like a recliner in a canoe, huh??? ;-)”

“Here's the eating plan for the trip so far:

Fri nite - Everyone brings burgers/brats or what they want to grill. Desert will be provided along with cheese for the burgers and condiments for the brats & burgers. Beer boiling and such can be done that nite, as I will be doing mine and we will have all kinds of cooking equip.

Sat AM - on your own

Sat Lunch - on your own

Sat Nite - Mexican Nite - Southwest Tamale Pie with Black Forest Cake provided. Any additional side dishes would be great!

Sun AM - on your own

Sun Lunch - on your own

Sun Nite - Group food - shish-cabobs & accessories
I can bring onions and green peppers from the garden,
Who could bring what additional items to complete the meal?

Or we could decide on the Sunday meal some time while camping and just run to the local food mart (only a few miles) and get the stuff.

Give me your ideas as we can cook/bake just about anything.

Monday AM - On your own”

“Fri nite - I'll bring corn on the cob for a side dish.

"Sat Nite - Mexican Nite - Southwest Tamale Pie with Black Forest Cake provided. Any additional side dishes would be great!"

Yummy! I'll try to think of a side dish.

Sun Nite - I'll buy some stuff at the local mart...cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, mmm! lime/cilantro/olive oil marinade might be good. I have some limes ready on my tree.”

“YUMMYY... now watch the people sign up! Spirit Coyote will be calling in sick to work...... ;-)”

“You really don't want me cooking....

I AM however very good at taste testing.....

You know, to make sure everything is good for the rest of you....


What days are these again??? me thinks I could cash in on some PTO time...”

“OK, we might have another. I mentioned it to the local guy who lended (lent???) his canoe to The Goat.

SC, it is Labor Day weekend. Some will arrive on Friday (I am aiming for arrival at 2 p.m.... we'll see). Some are coming Saturday. Some might come Friday and leave Saturday. One is supposedly coming Sunday afternoon.

Pretty free-wheeling, ;-P Quite a few of us will be there from sometime Friday through sometime Monday.

If you're interested, sign up as a "maybe" so you get on the very top sekert e-mail list!!! ;-)
last edited: 8/29/06 4:46:36 PM”

“Paddling is only required to avoid running into something.”
dry foot

Geez... sometimes I just run into stuff anyway....

I'm not going to be there for Sunday night, but I'll bring something to pass for sure... I make a couple of good salads (like you'd get at the deli) shrimp salad or mostocoli salad....”

“after further review of my schedule.... could I just bring the brats/burgers/hot dogs for Friday night???? I will for sure be there between 4 & 6 and I'll boil the brats ahead. I have them in the freezer anyway... I just don't think I'll have time to make two scratch salads! Or, I could bring all the fixin's for a good breakfast & my griddle.... bacon/eggs/pancakes....”

“cooking, that is. I'm glad to have some guidelines. I'll bring some stuff that fits in with your outline.”

“I should be there between 8 & 9 AM to get the site we want and start setting up for my noon nap!”

“NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST FOR THE AREA:

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind between 3 and 8 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Labor Day: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.


AND FROM WEATHER.COM:

FRIDAY, SEPT 1:
DAY: Sunny
High - 75°
Precip - 20%
Wind: E 6 mph
Max. Humidity: 69%
UV Index: 7 High
Sunrise: 6:26 AM CT
Avg. High: 74°F
Record High: 92°F (1953)
NIGHT: Mostly Clear Overnight
Low - 54°F
Precip - 20%
Wind: E 2 mph
Max. Humidity: 80%
Sunset: 7:38 PM CT
Avg. Low: 55°F
Record Low: 36°F (1949)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 2:
DAY: Partly Cloudy
High - 74°F
Precip - 20%
Wind: E 5 mph
Max. Humidity: 71%
UV Index: 7 High
Sunrise: 6:27 AM CT
Avg. High: 74°F
Record High: 91°F (1953)
NIGHT: Partly Cloudy Overnight
Low - 56°F
Precip - 20%
Wind: E 2 mph
Max. Humidity: 82%

SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
DAY:Partly Cloudy
High - 72°F
Precip - 20%
Wind: N 5 mph
Max. Humidity: 70%
UV Index: 6 High
Sunrise: 6:28 AM CT
Avg. High: 74°F
Record High: 90°F (1960)
NIGHT: Partly Cloudy Overnight
Low - 53°F
Precip - 20%
Wind: ESE 1 mph
Max. Humidity: 85%
Sunset: 7:35 PM CT
Avg. Low: 55°F
Record Low: 36°F (1952)
Sunset: 7:37 PM CT
Avg. Low: 55°F
Record Low: 40°F (1952)

MONDAY, SEPT. 4
DAY:
High - 70°F
Precip - 40%
Wind: ESE 5 mph
Max. Humidity: 77%
UV Index: 7 High
Sunrise: 6:29 AM CT
Avg. High: 73°F
Record High: 88°F (1971)
NIGHT: Showers Overnight
Low - 54°F
Precip - 30%
Wind: NE 1 mph
Max. Humidity: 85%
Sunset: 7:33 PM CT
Avg. Low: 54°F
Record Low: 41°F (1950)”

“Is it Walling for sure? Do we know yet?”

“Won't know for sure till that day. Campsites are not reservable. They are first come; first served.

Check one of the last e-mails I sent for campsite info. I'd rather not post it all here. ;-)

I would think there's a good chance, with dry foot getting there between 8 and 9 a.m. Friday. But ya never know. Someone could be starting the weekend Thursday night there.”

“Yee Haw!!
I got the go ahead and I am planning on arriving sometime early Friday PM (1:00 PM or so) I guess I will be looking for Dryfoot at the Walling Campground. It will just be me and only for Friday and Saturday!!
See ya later!!!
Randall”

“Hey all!!
I am posting my cell phone number if anyone wants to get in touch with me!! You could call sometime after 1:00 PM Chicago time and I might be able to tell ya what campsite we are at, anyway here it is 630-715-5897. I have no idea if I will get signal or not, but there it is anyway!!
See ya later!!
Randall”

“hey, is anyone bringing firewood, or are we gathering/buying it there? I know they are installing regulations regarding bringing in wood... but I have locally purchased wood and no elm. So let me know if I should throw some in the car. Also, I haven't heard to the contrary, so I'm going to bring the burgers and brats for Friday night. IF instead you would prefer me to bring a breakfast, please let me know. I'm leaving here tomorrow (friday) between 12 -2.”

“Dryfoot's in charge of menus... dryfoot, what say ye?

Yes, they do have regulations that ask a person to buy firewood in that specific area, so I'd say lets get the wood there.

Also, remember NO GLASS BOTTLES.

Also, I want to look at the regs once more to be sure on how much it might cost....”

“They would prefer wood was not brought in from other parts of the state cause of bugs and stuff. The area hasn't been open that many years for camping so there should be plenty of wood around to gather or I guess it is also locally available.

Tha number of people that will be there to eat on Fri nite isn't exactly known at this time, as some are arriving later, which is why it was originally mentioned for everyone to bring their own meat that nite. So it might be better to bring a breakfast. Breakfast was originally planned on an individual basis but group dining is always more fun. It's a flexible weekend so we can always combine up when we get there. I will have a 10" and a 16" cast iron fry pan there with 3 dutch ovens.”

“I'm all packed and rarin' to go!”

“Hey Bessie,
Looks like ya get to go on this one as there are gonna be other girls there.(LOL).I gotta pack tonight, gonna bring the guitar and might even sing, too bad Jo's not going, she's a lot better than me. I'll get some fire wood on the way up.
See ya all on Friday.
Randall”

“Hey, I like the guys...I just prefer to know them before going into the woods with them.”