Hikin' Historical Hysterical TRIP 9/30-1 0/2!!!

“Reno is done, gone, bye-bye (well maybe next spring!!) :-)

As of right now I was not seeing this replacement trip listed on the trip page, BUT I guess there should be a link with the thread title, right? right.....

OK, Reno is cancelled in favor of this location and cool, little "extra"...

I think this will be at Yellow River State Forest. I'll get details out on that (could possibly be a different unit of Yellow River OR Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor)

Route to be announced but, c'mon, ya know lizs plans mighty fine trips!! :-)

The "extra" is a moonlight hike at Effigy Mounds National Monument Saturday night. Take your headlamp and/or flashlight and be ready to hike in the dark. And you never know who you might run into in the woods!??!? Maybe a fur trader? Maybe a tobacco-chewin', stinky soldier of around the Civil War era?!??!

The listing (ironically, it is NOT listing on the Effigy Mounds website, DORKS! It is on the Prairie du Chien website)--

October 1: Moonlight Hike: Effigy Mounds National Monument, three miles north of Marquette, IA. Presented annually, these popular activities can include walks along the Yellow River Bridge Boardwalk Trail and hikes along the Fire Point Trail to the top of the bluff. Featured are: Effigy mound building culture, the impact of the historic settlement period and moonlit views of the Mississippi and Yellow Rivers, reservations required, 563-873-3491.

The moonlight hikes begin 7 to 7:30-ish. Should be free, yes FREE, but I will double check that. We will need reservation for it, which I will take care of arranging.

Following that, we'll share our own tales around the campfire. Mooooooooohahahahaha!!”

“And here's the original UNEDITED version of a story I did on this Effigy Mounds hike that appeared in freakin' 1999 in the Des Moines register!!! The story also marked the monument's 50th anniversary.

copyright lizs!

The air is thick, perfumed with the essence of DEET as the group of hikers readies for the switchbacked trail leading to the blufftops at Effigy Mounds National Monument, between Marquette and Harpers Ferry.

Part of the National Park Service, Effigy Mounds was established in 1949. A number of events mark the 50th anniversary this summer.

On this evening, July 30, in addition to the blood-thirsty mosquitoes, the group will encounter a fur trader, a soldier from Fort Crawford across the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and an archeologist sifting through artifacts left by the prehistoric Effigy Mounds builders.

This evening is set apart in its offering of the annual moonlight hike. Twilight tours take visitors by some of the 191 known mounds, dating as early as 450 B.C. The mounds created in the shapes of birds and bears – or effigies -- were believed to have been created beginning around 350 A.D.
Participants on the popular moonlight hike will learn even more.

Chief Ranger Mardi Butt-Arce said, “The regular tours focus on the pre-history of the park. In the moonlight hike we look at the pre-history through the eyes of another historic time … of people who were here 100 or 200 years ago … and see what they thought. Plus, you get to be in the park at night.”

This hike seems to be a labor of love for the volunteers and staff involved.

Michael Douglass, director of Villa Louis historic site in Prairie du Chien, Wis., is the first character to encounter the tour group. As a fur trader he vehemently opposes unfair company trading tactics, all while letting children in the group catch a glimpse and touch of beaver, mink and even –could it be!?!? -- civet cat pellets.

Warning the visitors to leave the hillside before dark is Ranger Bill Fratzke, who calls his character a “historically correct, politically incorrect” soldier from the 1830s, as he spits out tobacco juice that still almost makes him sick.

Fratzke enjoys the interaction with the crowd and dialogue with the leading rangers. He said the ranger who started the hikes in 1991, Don Wollenhaupt, would talk to him about preserving the mounds and he would shoot back, puzzled, “What? You mean like pickles?”

Jim Langhus, a science teacher at MFL/Mar-Mac Community School, is the last character tonight, divulging how he was roped by Allamakee County Archeologist Ellison Orr in the 1930s into “hunting for artifacts” instead of the turkeys he was promised. The kids hang on his every word and arrowhead held up in the lamplight.

The final stop this night would be a view of the Mississippi from Fire Point overlook. (Sometimes there are even two more characters on the tour, including a woman who chases rattlesnakes, but they must be absent today because of a wedding.)

The visitors sat or stood, obviously in awe of the scene unfolding below them: twinkling lights; the wide, mysterious waters; and the dark bluff shadows. They were also treated to Native American music performances taped at the American Indian Heritage Festival, held in June.

That festival was one of a series of 50th anniversary events. Butt-Arce said of that June 11-13 weekend focus on Native American arts, culture, music and food, “We knew it would be popular, but surprised at how well it went over. It was estimated 4,000 attended and everyone had a good time.”

People are already asking them if it will be held again next year, she said, noting it depended on receiving grant money. Federal funding is not allocated for that event.

“We hope to receive grants to do it again,” she said.

It was a cut in federal funding that also saw the moonlight hikes fade to once a summer. They used to be offered during the full moon weekend each of the months of June, July and August.

The premier 50th anniversary celebration will take place Saturday, Aug. 14, with a full schedule of events beginning at 9 a.m., including music, speeches, children’s programs, a symposium, a special postal cancellation and hiking. Park entrance fees will not be charged this day.

Speakers and guests will include flute music be Pat Medina of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and remarks by Iowa Lieutenant Gov. Sally Pederson and National Park Service Regional Director Bill Schenk.
Miller pointed out National Park Service Chief of Ethnography Muriel Crespi as a special guest, as well as Iowa State Historical Society Director Tom Morain.

Butt-Arce added, “It’s nice that the dignitaries are visiting. When people like that come, it’s confirming you are a special place.”

“This is the culmination of more than a year’s worth of programming and temporary exhibits. It’s a day to enjoy, whether as park staff, people visiting who haven’t been here in 20 or 30 years to first-time visitors. We’re all really looking forward to it,” she said.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday evenings through Sept. 3: Chautauqua at the Visitors Center with various guest speakers, 7 p.m.
Aug. 14: Effigy Mounds 50th anniversary celebration beginning at 9 a.m. A symposium on archeology and the history of the monument will follow opening ceremonies and last until noon. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. there will be musical performances by area groups and a keynote address by Iowa State Historical Director Tom Morain. The day’s events conclude at 3 p.m. For more information, call the Monument at (319) 873-3491.
Aug. ????? Archeology Week.
Sept. 25-26: Hawk Watch including raptor programs, viewing stations and more.”

“yo lizs - fix the year on your trip - I am assuming it is for this year not next year - not that I'll be there but for the rest of the hikers”

“You're hysterical! ;-)

When you coming to Colorado?

And why do I get the feeling that when we finally meet you are going to smack me???
last edited: 9/17/05 8:24:09 AM”

“THANKS about the year. That's me, just always thinking ahead! ahahahahahahaa

Adventurist, maybe next year. I keep thinking hopping the train and going to the Winter Park area and hiking would be great! But we'll see.... tsk tsk.

And I'll not only give you a smacker, I'll hit ya too!


LOLOL! ;-P”

“don't worry Adventurist, as long as you stay close to Bebo and her water gun, liz won't take any chances.”

“LOL... afraid of a little water, is she?”

“Oh THAT BEBO??!? A little hired gun, I tell ya!!

And for the hike... if it looks like pretty much all new people, I'll use a route we've used before because, hey, it's NEW to YOU! :-)

If not, I was bushwhacking down there Saturday and Sunday. I have some good ideas (and sticky things on my clothes!) -- and even an idea for a canoe trip next year on Yellow River. It sounds like there's a canoeing outfitter and a new campground on the river that could work well.”

“Sticky things on your clothes??? Don`t`cha just hate that?LOL”

“YOH! Bigfoot lives!!!

Come on my trip! LOL!

Hey, your ears must have been ringing, LOL, how coincidental!!! You must have heard me thinking about that canoe trip yesterday. Check this out, lol:

http://www.bigfootcanoerental.com/

AMAZING!!!! BUT TRUE!!! >8-O”

“I'm signed up.. finally!”

“Tom's in. First backpacking trip in the great "up North".”

“Plan on having some orange on. Various hunting seasons will be on. FYI, here is Deer hunting info:

Regular Gun Season
December 3 - 7, and December 10 - 18, 2005

Bow Season
October 1 - December 2, and December 19 - January 10, 2006

Early Muzzleloader Season (IA residents only)
October 15 - 23, 2005

Muzzleloader Season
December 19 - January 10, 2006

Nonresident Holiday Muzzleloader Antlerless-only
December 24 - January 2, 2006

Special Youth Season (IA residents only)
September 17 - October 2, 2005

Disabled Hunter Season
September 17 - October 2, 2005”

“*SCREAMS*

My karaoke buddies are now signed up. We will sing and not worry about hunters!! LOL!”

“LIZ!!!! you had to schedule this on the first weekend of Oct when I'll be at a Iowa football game. I got my list sent out for the November Yellow River trip I hope you can make it. elementary1 I sent you and invite also.”

“This is the hike I had already scheduled and you couldn't make. :-) I just moved the location. Just today I realized the first day of the bow deer season is the Saturday of this trip. Hmmmm.... am thinking about that...”

“Gotta pass on this one, Lizs.

My folks are blastin' in from PA to celebrate my 4 decades of watchin' this pile of rock spin around the sun.

Somehow....40 doesn't seem that old anymore.LOL

I just rolled in from the Ozarks and I'm getting ready to paddle Sylvania Wilderness after my parents visit.

anyway...wish I could have made it.”

“Awww... you oldster, YOU! LOL!

Remember, Flash has a trip in November! :-)”

“bump....”

“Lets bump this puppy up!

So far the list looks like:
jwinger
hikrpaddlr
elementary1
novembertime
superbee
lizs

Anyone else?? The forecast looks fabulous!!

Supposed to get down in the 30s tonight, which should help pop those hardwood colors some.

While it's brisk now, the weekend is looking wunnerful, wunnerful! Take a gander (and I'm not talking geese!, lol)

(per usual for this year, I go on a trip and it's unseasonably warm.. but.. I'll take it, long as it's not 90! :-)

Sep 28 Wednesday night
Mainly clear. Low 39F. NW winds at 15 to 25 mph, diminishing to 5 to 10 mph.

Sep 29 Thursday
Mainly sunny. High 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.

Sep 29 Thursday night
A mostly clear sky. Low near 45F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Sep 30 Friday
Abundant sunshine. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s.

Oct 1 Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 50s.

Oct 2 Sunday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the upper 50s.”

“Looking great out!”

“Here's the link for the Saturday night hike:

http://www.nps.gov/efmo/current.htm

We'll hear about/meet people like Zebulon Pike and Jefferson Davis since they'll be doing the Yellow River walk. Cool, that's **U.S.** military/explorer history!

Starts at 7. We need to be there by 6:45. It's FREE!!”

“"KICK BUTT HILL" has a new name... I think it goes something like "FRIGGIN'A HILL" now, huh Liz?! We had a great trip! Speaking of trip...How's the ankle?”

“Speaking of trip...How's the ankle?”
elementary1
4:21:08 PM

What? Report to the Injured Reserve thread now! Hope it's not serious.”

“I should get a trip report up tonight. I was a very bad, BAD girl with my ankle yesterday. Hey, I met you guys as you were leaving Cabela's, did ya see me? I did a second geocache....”

“We had burgers on or minds... Tried out Pete's burger shack (trailor). Pretty good! Hiked Wyalusing after that. Got back a little late for the church campfire thingee. Oops!
Oh, You're not the kind of gal who'll let a little thing like a bad sprained ankle stop you from pursuing a new cache.”

“Any pics yet???”

“hmmmmm... what did I do with that card??!? I shot Lanesboro homecoming Monday night and put a new card in. Hey, did you hear who got it??? Nice story.... it was Jenna Sveen.”

“That's awesome!”

“Marty Butt-Arce?
Hmmmmm.....


Could it be just a cowinkydink that I'm currently at a computer in the public library of Butts County, GA?”

“TRIP REPORT (finally!)

Photos yet to come (but yes, I have found the right card and SEEN them! lol)


It all began Friday, Sept. 30, at Yellow River State Forest. Trip host lizs had problems with her starter in the Jeep at home, but it ended up being cables and a fairly inexpensive repair.

Knowing those gathering might not expect me till late – or even Saturday morning due to this – I snuck away as I headed to YRSF and hiked back in a mile to a trout stream where Brookies naturally reproduce for a geocache placed by TT’s own Outamatches (thanks for the heads up, dude!). I scored the first “first time find” I’ve had in ages. Stumbled out with two sources of light in the dark, from the lonely, remote stream. I took remote backroads through the boonies to head east, all the while guided by Waukon’s football lights at the high school. TG for Football!! lol

Arriving at Heffern Hill Camp around 9 or 9:30, I quickly located hikrpaddlr and jwinger, up from the Quad Cities area. We all yapped a bit, freezing and then hit the sack (I had to put up the tarptent yet, which by the way, had ever so much condensation as the Zeuz Exo. Phhht!~)

We arose late. Elementary1 and novembertime rolled in around 10 a.m. We shuttled cars and then elementary1 and I were stuck in a tractor ride/parade, going 15 MPH all the way back. Never underestimate the excitement of being stuck in a tractor parade! Good thing elementary1 had her cool, old Ford Galaxy to strut along with the putt-putts. Superbee never showed, although e-mailed Sat. morning saying he had a bad sore throat, so stayed home, dangit.

So we started hiking. Nice, good and steep uphill to start the day. On top, near the fire tower, we ate lunch at Cedar Point overlook. Then we headed down what lizs always calls “Kick Ass Hill” (usually we go UP it). It kicked my ankle this time! My ankle has been turning all the time, usually not bad. This was sorta bad. (A big rock rolled under my foot and crack, kaboom, I just dropped. Yes, Richter scales were reading small tremors.) I hobbled to the bottom of the hill and we sat. Elementary1 and novembertime went to get her car by Heffern to haul me to the Sat. night campsite at Camp John Schultz. Soon I was hobbling in there, but not after first grabbing a small cooler from my Jeep parked near there (toward the fire tower) – and grabbing beer from a BIG COOLER, oh yeah, ice, too, to put in it. I was surviving quite nicely, putting up the tent and all, despite the ankle. I tied ice around it in an orange hankie, not wanting the first-day-of-deer-bow-season hunters to put an arrow in my swollen ankle! LOL!

Hikrpaddlr and jwinger went around through Brown’s Hollow and on up to the camp. All was soon set up and meals being eaten. We met a couple of backpackers from NW Iowa (and later a dad taking his two boys out for their first trip, all from near Des Moines).

But alas, we got around and ready and left for Effigy Mounds National Monument for the historical, nighttime hike. It ran 1.5 hours on a mile boardwalk (still not sure if that was one way or RT). Very interesting. My head almost exploded with all the local knowledge she picked up. It seemed everyone else really liked it, too. (course hikrpaddlr mostly really liked the cider and cookies served afterward at the visitor’s center, while jwinger and elementary1 and –gasp- even lizs really liked the running water in the restroom.)

Then it was back to the campfire where the conversation turned to wax lips (I think that was for dressing up for tractor parades!) That jwinger has a wonderful, strange sense of humor. Had us rolling.

Saturday night was probably 20 degrees warmer than Friday night. I happily slept warm in the tarptent with the beak pulled back for full ventilation. Niiiice!

Up around 8 a.m. (well, that was me and I’m the late one), we hung out by the fire and yapped. Then we scattered to the wind, since I didn’t think I could do a rough hike on Sunday with the ankle (which, BTW I PROMISE to finally have a doctor look at. It turns way too much!)

I ran into elementary1 and novembertime at the old bridge overlook at Marquette, while doing a second geocache. Then went on to do another at La Riviere Park in Prairie du Chien and shopping at Cabela’s. Then all would be shocked to know I hiked across the Mississippi River on the spillway north of Harpers Ferry. A fisherman on the spillway said it was 2 miles across to the lock and dam on the WI side. DOH! And my ankle held, well, it almost turned going down an embankment of rocks by the dam. (I’m a dolt, eh??? LOL!) I’ll go see about it. The ankle never did turn the expected black and blue. **sigh**

Well, it was another good trip. There will have to be a “Revenge of lizs’ ankle” trip in the future. Bring your own wax lips and we’ll see what we can do about the tractors.”

“FUN photos with FUN, CRAZY captions are now posted! :-)

See lizs' ankle!! See the tractor parade!!
Come one, come all!!

http://community.webshots.com/album/470385490GdWuoE”

“So, I finally found the trip report! bummer about your ankle but congrats on first find cache score...now, I will go look at pictures...”