First: BILL WITT, if you see this, contact me, Dick Worm. I am curious
about your knowledge of a John Muir trip down the Wisconsin River to
climb the bluffs of what is now Pike's Peak State Park. This could
become part of our "program" for the Wyalusing Park outing described
below. Maybe a field trip to Pike's Peak could be offered as part of our
trip to Pat Heidenreich's for the snowshoeing and falconry demonstration
on Saturday. (Or could someone send me Bill's email address?)

OTHERS:
The White Pine Group of the Iowa Chapter has scheduled two outings of
Chapter proportions. They will be announced in the IOWA SIERRAN but I'll
use this avenue to give you all a preliminary look.

1. On Jan. 17-19, we have rented one, 11-person, 2-story cabin at
Backbone State Park for a winter, FULL MOON outing. All sorts of winter
activities may occur. Some folks may even wish to winter camp in the
park's campground but all the park's cabins (three more 2-story, and the
four single story 8-person cabins were still available in case the
numbers went over 11 people.) Cost for lodging in a cabin for the two
nights at full capacity would be between $19.50-$22.50/person for the
two nights combined depending on the cabin(s) actually used. The large
cabins are cheaper/person.

Members of our Group are ready to provide meals during the weekend, with
costs to be split among participants. Moonlight x-country skiing or
snowshoeing might be possible. Snowshoeing will be given some special
attention with a demonstration.

If interested, ask for more details from me, Dick Worm, 3680 Echo Hills
Dr., Bellevue, Ia 52031; 563-582-2580. [log in to unmask] A packet with a
park map and such can be provided to interested folks and all registrants.

Or, send $10 pre-registration fee to Barb Cooey, 1747 Lawndale, Dubuque,
IA 52001. 563-583-8648. ([log in to unmask])

We already have three participants, for sure, and interest is being
expressed by others! Sooner you register the sooner your choice of
sleeping arrangements in the cabin (first to register, first served!) --
two double-bed bedrooms, futons, and our own cots to fill the 11-person
cabin. If we go well over 11, we will try to obtain an additional
cabin(s). Cabin 9, already reserved, has the best view of Backbone Lake,
which, if frozen, could offer a variety of outdoor activity settings also.

We know this date conflicts with an Iowa Chapter EXCOM meeting. Maybe
the EXCOM would like to rent a cabin, meet there or in the already
rented cabin, and join the outing also!!

2. On Feb. 7-9, the Lodge at Wyalusing State Park, near Prairie du
Chien, Wisconsin, has been rented. The facility also includes 4
dormitories with a capacity of 27 people each. (12 people using bunk
beds on each end of a dorm with separate restroom/shower facilities; 3
more beds in a central counselors room. One of those central rooms is
already spoken for!) 2 dorms are handicapped accessible. [Only 2 dorms
will be made available, however, unless registration goes over 50
people.] The Lodge has a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, dishes,
etc. Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota Sierrans are also being invited.
With just a mimimum of 20 participants, the cost for lodging will be
$10/night/person or $20 for the weekend. The Lodge Rental fee is based
on a 50 person minimim, so with 50 people, the lodging cost would only
be $4/night/person, or $8 for the weekend.

Meals will be provided with the cost split among participants: Snacks on
Friday night and Saturday nights, breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday,
Lunch on Saturday and Sunday, Dinner on Saturday evening. (Volunteer
donation of snacks will be welcome!) Hot water for cocoa will always be
on the ready. We have one or two lodge hosts who will stay in the lodge
all the time to work with meal supervision and other lodge activity.

An additional fee for a Wisconsin State Park sticker will be required of
each vehicle. $30 season out-of-state, or $10 daily. Half price for a
second vehicle registered at same address.

Check in time is no sooner than 3 PM on Friday, with check-out by 3 PM
on Sunday.

Activities include:

(a) a falconry demonstration at the farm of long-time Audubon Society,
National Board member, Pat Heidenreich, at her farm just outside
Marquette, IA, across the river from Wyalusing. Also, a snowshoeing
demonstration will be hosted there with an invitation to snowshoe or
x-country ski on the trails within the woodlands and tree plantings on
her farm. This may all occur during the forenoon on Saturday, but could
switch to afternoon if deemed more convenient then. Stay tuned.

(b) x-county skiing on the two x-country ski trails in Wyalusing State
Park. (Mississippi Ridge and Whitetail Meadows Trails.). One x-country
ski trail (Mississippi Ridge) begins near the Lodge.

(c) snowshoeing on any of the trails except the x-country ski trails in
the park. Two trails suitable for snowshoing or hiking begin near the
Lodge. The Sugar Maple Nature Trail offers Pictured Rock Cave and a
related frozen waterfall along its 1.5 mile loop and connects with the
1.6 mile, one-way Sentinel Ridge Nature Trail. Turkey Hollow Trail
offers a 3.2 mile loop and connects with the 1.7 mile, one-way, Sand
Cave Trail and to the 2.6 mile, one-way, Walnut Springs Trail. The
one-way trails all end/ begin at the main Wisconsin Ridge Campground,
also available for winter camping, so would be suitable for vehicle
shuttle help in returning to the Lodge.

(d) The park's observatory on the Walnut Springs Trail will be available
for night sky viewing by 9 PM Saturday night with the aid of members of
the Star Splitters of Wyalusing Club who operate the observatory.

(e) Ice Fishing.

(f) Snow sculpturing, evening campfires NEAR the lodge and fireplace
fires IN the lodge with related fireside snacking, a side trip to Pike's
Peak State Park across the Mississippi River in Iowa, and any other
ideas for activity are also allowable!!! Board and card games, a VCR,
and TV will be available in the Lodge. Bring what you might like to
share as a possible indoor or outdoor activity.

This could be a fine time to mingle with Sierrans of our nearby Chapters
and/or to just enjoy a winter setting with friends and family. (Families
are welcome.) Do invite anyone you feel may enjoy this event.

For more information, contact Dick Worm (563-582-2580), 3680 Echo Hills
Dr., Bellevue, IA 52031 ([log in to unmask]). A park map, directions to the
Lodge, and other information can be included in a packet to be mailed to
all interested folks and registrants.

To pre-register, send $10 to Barb Cooey, 1747 Lawndale, Dubuque, IA
52001 (563-583-8648) ([log in to unmask]).

A similar outing among chapters was held this fall at Governor Dodge
State Park in Wisconsin with favorable reactions from participants. Our
White Pine Group's Outings Chair, Barb Cooey, attended that outing so
could provide some first hand reaction if you'd be interested. Wisconsin
Chapter Outings leaders are enthusiastic about this outing. The
Blackhawk Group of northwest Illinois will help advertise it. Have yet
to hear from the Minnesota Chapter.

Pass the word and check your own calendar.. Thanks. Sierrally, Dick Worm

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