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Wisconsin Camptacular - Nelson Dewey - Oct 9ish

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:35 am
by sped372
There's been some interest from other northern parties in a get together. Let's start congealing our thoughts. Personally, we're pretty well booked up for the main part of the summer already (gotta get reservations on those good sites). But as far as early (May) or late (September, October) we usually just fly by ear and take what the weather gives us.

Input welcome from any and all interested.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:45 am
by hambone
I always wanted to go to Lake Superior, Rhinelander, Hibbing...have no idea why I never did. It looks very exciting up there, Midwest wilderness. So that's my vote, for you.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:18 am
by Ryno
We would be down for a weekend deal. Name the time and place(except for the weekend of Sept. 18).

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:30 pm
by BellePlaine
What about somewhere in the La Crosse area? It's beautiful there and it's a good mid-point between Chicago, Minneapolis, and Des Moines.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:46 pm
by sped372
BellePlaine wrote:It's beautiful there
Sure is. This is from Perrot state park near Trempeauleau last year. It's a nice spot but I don't think they have any group sites.

Image

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:55 pm
by sped372
Just to throw another idea out there Wildcat Mountain is over in that direction. Not much at the park other than nice views and a helluva awesome drive up the hill but the campsites are nicely adjacent. Just a thought.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:59 pm
by yondermtn
I'd be down for this.

Some suggestions:

Wildcat Mountain State Park(as mentioned)
Wyalusing State Park- Prairie Du Chein
Governor Dodge State Park
Yellow River State Forest(in NE Iowa)

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:17 pm
by sped372
yondermtn wrote:I'd be down for this.

Some suggestions:

Wildcat Mountain State Park(as mentioned)
Wyalusing State Park- Prairie Du Chein
Governor Dodge State Park
Yellow River State Forest(in NE Iowa)
Wyalusing is awesome. However, you must plan early to get one of the bluff-top sites in the Wisconsin Ridge campground. Those sights/sites are the main reason IMO for camping there. Awesome for sure but little space to get together with others.

Image

Governor Dodge is nice and I'm pretty sure they have group sites.

Can't speak for the Yellow River.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:27 pm
by BellePlaine
For me, I believe that the first and last weeks of both August and September would work for my family. Sped372, I nominate you to be our leader/organizer. :flower:

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:50 pm
by chitwnvw
BellePlaine wrote:Sped372, I nominate you to be our leader/organizer.
Hear, hear! I second the nomination. :king:

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:58 pm
by yondermtn
I 3rd that nomination.


sped- ever been to Buckhorn SP?

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:08 pm
by sped372
Based on those interested ranging from the Twin Cities to Chicago I'm leaning towards Devil's Lake. It can get a bit crowded but it at least has some interesting geography and is somewhat centrally located. There are enough sites there that we should be able to reserve a few in a row too.

Last weekend of August is out for us. First one in September might be ok and overlaps with BellePlaine.

If we want to make a go of this we should probably lock down the reservations before too long or else we'll lose our shot at being right next to each other.

Otherwise we cross our fingers for May or October (campgrounds are quite empty and you don't need reservations) and play it by ear. We won't be able to plan on the weather but depending on how much notice everyone needs it might work. We could shoot for May and if nothing materializes hold out for October?

There's another bus and a few guys here in Lodi that I'm sure would join us as well. If you think you know of someone else that might be interested direct them to this thread so we can get their input.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:36 pm
by chitwnvw
I vote for the fall, spring is nymph deer tick time, those suckers are too dang small, wife got Lymes at Devil's Lake.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:30 am
by yondermtn
http://www.youtube.com/user/jjwanser#p/u

This guy has some great videos of Wisconsin State Parks. I've found it an excellent resource for scouting out the nice sites as many of his videos show each site in a particular park/campground.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:02 pm
by Vdubtech
I vote all you folks man up and make the drive to The Dixie Bus Gathering in Columbus, OH in August. All the cool kids are doin it. :geek: