Paging lizs...

“lizs, if you get a chance to read this, I and my family will be traveling to Eastern Minnesota the weekend of August 11-12. We will be kayaking one day with friends on the St. Croix River, and then by Sunday noon we will be splitting off from them and heading back south. We were wondering if you had any suggestions for must-see areas to camp, kayak, etc., on Sunday and/or Monday, and also if you wanted to meet up with us somewhere? We were thinking of visiting Backbone State Park again, but we are open to suggestions. I recall that you were somewhat peeved the last time I passed through your neck of the woods without checking in. Or if anyone else from NE Iowa or SE Minnesota wants to be our tour guide, please chime in!”

“I **THINK** I'll be around then. It's funny cuz I was just thinking I should look you up if I head west in the next month or so. YOU, if on I-80, or Dunadan, if on I-70.

Lessee...... I gave Cindy Lu a ton of options for when she was in this area. I'll have to make sure she sees this, cuz I know she's been around St. Croix and could offer more suggestions in that area.

Here are some ideas:

1. Root River. There is a 63-mile or so paved bike trail system through some very pretty bluffs. Probably start at Preston or Lanesboro. Also, people tube, kayak and canoe this river. They have a planned canoe trail. I've seen a few of the landings, but am not sure where to get a brochure on that. I'll look!! It would be a nice, pretty trip. River is kinda low from lack of rain, I would imagine, but I don't know how low. No fees. Plenty of places to camp in private campground, or in surrounding state forest land.

2. Beaver Creek Valley State Park just northwest of Caledonia, MN is pretty. Has a lot of hiking trails. Sits in a narrow valley with a trout stream, I believe. It even has "remote" campsites. Why you have to hike maybe 1/8 a mile from where your car is parked!! lol!! Cindy Lu has explore a little here. I've only dayhiked. Need a MN state park sticker.

3. Forestville State Park, between Preston and Spring Valley. I think it looks gorgeous. Lots of hilly trails. Also lots of horse people. Ask Cindy Lu, she visited earlier in July.

4. Yellow River State Forest, maybe 5-7 miles from the Mississippi between Harpers Ferry and Marquette, Iowa. Huge area to explore with big hills and drops, bluffs, etc. Backpack trails and specific backpack camps you will have to hike to. I think you could got lost in this area, what with size and varied terrain. (not me though! hehee) Has trout fishing streams. One campground puts you right on a trout stream. Horsey campgrounds too.

5. Effigy Mounds N'tl Monument, Marquette, Iowa. I love this park! You make the haul up to the top of the bluff and then hike past Indian burial mounds in the shapes of birds and bears (OK, some are just round or linear). If you hike every trail in the north unit, there's about 7 miles worth. The furthest point is a pretty overlook of the Mississippi, where eagles floated over my head in late spring. (It's a rock overhang.) In the south unit, you can do almost the same number of trails. It's flatter in that section, ONCE you get on top!

6. Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor. Great views of the Mississippi's confluence with the Wisconsin River. Some good hikes. Can camp here. NO STATE PARK FEE IN IOWAY!!

7. Wyalusing State Park, 15 miles south of Prairie du Chien, WIS. A nice park. Plenty of hiking trails from on top of the bluff (where you are for the most part) on down to the Mississippi and/or Wisconsin Rivers (it is across the Miss. from Pike's Peak). Also nice for you here, they have a marked canoe trail in the Mississippi backwaters, if interested. Need Wisconsin state park sticker.

NOs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 area all within 1/2 hour of each other. You could stay at Pike's Peak or Yellow River, or some private campground in Prairie du Chien/McGregor/Marquette area and spend a couple days if you had the mind to.

No. 8. Getting closer to me, you could kayak the Upper Iowa River. It is gorgeous, with chimney rocks and palisades shooting up 100-200 feet above the river in some places. There are nice canoe or kayak trips from Kendallville to Bluffton, stay overnight, then on to Decorah. People come from all over to canoe this river!! No fees. Again, the low water MIGHT be a problem....... if interested I could contact a canoe outfitter and see just how bad it is or isn't.

I'll get some links for you on some of these. But this'll get ya thinking for now.”

“Wow, thanks for all of the info!! I'm not sure if you made our decision easier or harder, there's so many good ideas here.”

“lizs, I printed out your list of suggestions and we will discuss them tonight or tomorrow. When we make up our minds I will let you know and you can decide whether you want to get together with us. It is doubtful that we will backpack on this trip unless we luck into some cool weather. In spite of the contempt for car campin' round these here parts it is the only way to go in the Midwest in August. In these conditions you just don't want to get too far from an ice-filled cooler and a swimmin' hole (not to mention a can of Raid Yard Gard). In addition we are traveling, along with one kid, in a rather small car, so cramming in our bp gear along with all of our other kayaking & camping stuff could be quite a challenge. Again, thanks for all of the great ideas!”