The December 9-11 2005 Winter Solstice Outing at Eden Valley Refuge west of Maquoketa was really great! Had the best snowshoeing and x-country skiing conditions of the entire winter. Trail and off-trail treks and bluff climbs provided great exercise and unique perspectives of snow clad scenes. Two night hikes as well as the daytime variety, one during the aesthetic appeal of falling snow, provided opportunity to explore every trail on the property. The bunkhouse was toasty warm due to the high output wood-burning stove and air circulation fans. Backpack tenting was not a bad alternative as deep snow was shoveled back and the ground was not yet frozen for tent stakes. A big campfire provided outdoor camaraderie and tasty cheesy brats and s'mores. A super event!
By January 27-29, for the Backbone State Park Cabin Outing, the snow was virtually gone and lake ice looked too dangerous to test, but the attendance was better than ever. The two-cabin capacity of 22 was filled each night with some overflow using camping facilities. Four who stayed in one room for just Friday night were conveniently replaced by three who came only for Saturday night. An optional Friday night campfire dinner was enthusiastically attended by nearly everyone. Nearly 30 attended the soup, salad, and pudding pie lunch on Saturday. Hiking was fine with only little patches of ice here and there while cave exploration and the crevice slide provided unique variety. Evening games, including the often hilarious revelations associated with the game "Imaginiff", were quite entertaining. Some high school and elementary youth as well as enthusiastic preschoolers added a homey, family atmosphere. THANKS to all who made it such a successful event. A $50 profit was even added to the Group treasury! Another super event.
However, the sub-zero temperatures for the Fayette County Outing, February 18-19, didn't stir up much fire! Some did participate in RSVP option snowshoeing at Backbone and at Elgin's Gilbertson Conservation Education Center on Saturday, but only one, editor Dick Worm here, weathered the tenting Saturday night by a small shelter in the camping area down the hill at Echo Valley State Park just east of West Union. A -20 degree down sleeping bag helps! Echo Valley trails and the entire exterior Lima Trail Loop at Volga River Recreation Area on Sunday completed the "cool" outing. Brrr!
By January 27-29, for the Backbone State Park Cabin Outing, the snow was virtually gone and lake ice looked too dangerous to test, but the attendance was better than ever. The two-cabin capacity of 22 was filled each night with some overflow using camping facilities. Four who stayed in one room for just Friday night were conveniently replaced by three who came only for Saturday night. An optional Friday night campfire dinner was enthusiastically attended by nearly everyone. Nearly 30 attended the soup, salad, and pudding pie lunch on Saturday. Hiking was fine with only little patches of ice here and there while cave exploration and the crevice slide provided unique variety. Evening games, including the often hilarious revelations associated with the game "Imaginiff", were quite entertaining. Some high school and elementary youth as well as enthusiastic preschoolers added a homey, family atmosphere. THANKS to all who made it such a successful event. A $50 profit was even added to the Group treasury! Another super event.
However, the sub-zero temperatures for the Fayette County Outing, February 18-19, didn't stir up much fire! Some did participate in RSVP option snowshoeing at Backbone and at Elgin's Gilbertson Conservation Education Center on Saturday, but only one, editor Dick Worm here, weathered the tenting Saturday night by a small shelter in the camping area down the hill at Echo Valley State Park just east of West Union. A -20 degree down sleeping bag helps! Echo Valley trails and the entire exterior Lima Trail Loop at Volga River Recreation Area on Sunday completed the "cool" outing. Brrr!