The Sept. 22-24 Turkey River Canoe Outing was blessed by high and fast water due to earlier rain. We didn't have to step out of the canoes at all while on the river. The Friday evening trip from Elkader to Motor Mill went from 5 PM until 6:20. One highlight was seeing a fox along the shore. A huge black snake greeted us crossing the road by the Mill as we shuttled back to Elkader! The Motor Mill campground and campfire was quiet and peaceful.
After a morning shuttle on Saturday, others arrived from across the river for the trip from Motor Mill to Garber. Soaring eagles provided an aesthetic escort among the towering White Pines along the river. Later, after shuttling back to Motor Mill for a second night of camping, GPS was used to locate a geocache "treasure box" on the edge of the quarry up the trail above the Mill. A woodland hike beyond the campground provided a pleasant conclusion for daylight activity. A dinner-in-foil over a fire highlighted this starry evening.
See an Oct 27-29 Halloween Activity Campout report with the Turkey Dinner fundraiser review.
The Nov. 18-19 GPS Geocaching Outing introduced many youth to this healthy outdoor activity. Eighteen youth and adults from Roosevelt Middle School with adviser and Sierra Club member Barb Anderson participated at Swiss Valley on Saturday forenoon finding several geocaches following Barb Cooey's training session and well-coordinated search scheme for teams using rented and personal GPS units. Beats 4-wheeling!! Far fewer adults participated in the geocaching and camping at Yellow River State Forest later on Saturday and on Sunday. Four geocaches at Yellow River and two at Pikes Peak Park provided exercise and unique "treasures".
After a morning shuttle on Saturday, others arrived from across the river for the trip from Motor Mill to Garber. Soaring eagles provided an aesthetic escort among the towering White Pines along the river. Later, after shuttling back to Motor Mill for a second night of camping, GPS was used to locate a geocache "treasure box" on the edge of the quarry up the trail above the Mill. A woodland hike beyond the campground provided a pleasant conclusion for daylight activity. A dinner-in-foil over a fire highlighted this starry evening.
See an Oct 27-29 Halloween Activity Campout report with the Turkey Dinner fundraiser review.
The Nov. 18-19 GPS Geocaching Outing introduced many youth to this healthy outdoor activity. Eighteen youth and adults from Roosevelt Middle School with adviser and Sierra Club member Barb Anderson participated at Swiss Valley on Saturday forenoon finding several geocaches following Barb Cooey's training session and well-coordinated search scheme for teams using rented and personal GPS units. Beats 4-wheeling!! Far fewer adults participated in the geocaching and camping at Yellow River State Forest later on Saturday and on Sunday. Four geocaches at Yellow River and two at Pikes Peak Park provided exercise and unique "treasures".