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September 2017 Newsletter

Published on 9/6/2017

For a downloadable and complete version of this newsletter: September Skiddoo 2017

President’s Message

 

Whew!  I don’t know about you, but I could use a breather.  We’ve kept up the tempo with summer activities.  I counted no fewer than six East Iowa Ski Club activities since Post Party last April.  And, while the Hawkeyes, Cyclones and Panthers all “kick off” on September 2nd, the ski club “kicks off” on September 16th.  We’ll get a chance, then, to see the new and improved Red Cedar Lodge at Squaw Creek.  It will be nice to have everyone in the same room, rather than have one group off to the side and another group hidden behind a limestone fireplace/wall. That will also be an opportunity to sign up for the Lutsen Mountain bus trip.  With Steamboat already close to a sell-out, I anticipate a lot of excitement around this trip as well.

 

Stay active my friends!

-Mike Buckman, EISC President

Nothing Nights – Wed Eve – CJ’s Bar and Grill 7:00 

 

A long time tradition is to socialize on Wednesday nights, since there is nothing going on!   We will meet for supper and drinks at 7:00pm and see what’s going on.  By popular demand we have moved back to CJ’s Sports Bar and Grill, 62 17th Ave SW.  CJ’s has a varied menu and good prices.  Most of the time we are in the back room.

 

CJ’s is close to the trail, so join your friends for a bike ride starting at about 5:30 and riding south, weather permitting.

 

Watch here each month for the location or check the East Iowa Ski Club website calendar. 

Come on down!  You don’t want to miss out.

Corn Roast Report

 

Another Annual Corn Roast party in the books!  A great turnout of members and friends attended the event.   Even had a couple neat old Model A’s show up.   The corn, the weather, the company was at its best.  Thank you to all who helped.  Thanks to Kim Betts for searching out the best sweet corn and as always, thanks to the Langhoff’s for the use of their grill.  A big thanks to Sally Williams for letting us use her farm for this event!



Takes to the River

 

A great time was had by all!  A big thanks to Kathy/Jim Takes for the use of their farm and the awesome eats!





Heritage Trail Bike Ride - September 30th


Click here for up-to-date info on this bike ride

Contact Marty Stimson if you are interested in going. 

 

How about an early fall one day bike trip through the picturesque valleys of Dubuque County?  The EISC is planning a day trip bike ride on the Heritage Trail north of Dubuque on September 30th. The group plans to meet at the Marion Walmart parking lot @ 8:00 and car pool up to Dubuque. The trail starting point will be the eastern trailhead, Heritage Pond, and Trail Interpretive Area located 3 miles north of Dubuque on US 52 at Rupp Hollow Road. The trail runs west through some very scenic country and small towns all the way to Dyersville. Ride at your own pace as far as you want, then turn around and ride back to the trail head. The trail is 26 miles long, made of smooth compact limestone and is very flat with a max, of 1% grade.  For lunch, the bar at Durango, called the "Handle Bar" just off the trail is a pretty good spot. It serves your normal pub grub, including pizzas. The bar is 3.7 miles from the Sageville trail head. It's a fine watering hole.   For more information on the Heritage trail, checkout their website at:

Heritage Trail

 

Make sure you let Marty know if you are planning on going.

 

 

Kickoff  -  September 16th


Click here for up-to-date Kickoff info

Come out and enjoy a nice afternoon in Squaw Creek Park’s new Red Cedar Lodge and catch up with all your ski club friends.  And if you’re new to the club, come out and see what we are all about.   The park is in Linn County at the SE edge of Marion at the corner of Highway 13 and Highway 100. The entrance to the park is on Highway 100.  Watch for the EISC signs that will direct you to the Red Cedar Lodge. The lodge is brand new in a true lodge open floor plan style.   Bring a  side to share.   We will have pork burgers grilled on site along with buns and condiments, beer, pop and wine.  It’s the first meeting of the  2017-2018 ski season so come and check out all our winter trips and activities.   Cost is $5.00 for guests.  Membership dues are $30 for singles and $47 for households.  The lodge will be open at 2pm, with pork burgers grilled at about 5pm.  Donations for the pork burgers will be accepted.





Sundown Mountain December 27, 2017


Click here for more Sundown Day Info

Put December 27th on your calendar. This is a great occasion to prepare yourself for that big ski trip or to try out skiing and see how you like it.  You can always expect great snow conditions at Sundown because of its expansive snow making and grooming equipment.  Bring everyone who is interested, you don’t  need to be an EISC club member to join in the fun.  The full group package includes lift ticket, equipment rental, and a ski lesson for an economical $52.  Group lift ticket is $34.  The trip goes on sale at the September club kickoff meeting. I’ll see you at the kickoff meeting! Chris Kalmar at phone. Duane Grote will be helping me with the trip. Thanks and see you there!

Chris Kalmar,  Duane Grote  

 

Steamboat by the Numbers  Jan 13 to 20, 2018


Click here for more Steamboat info

Only 1 space remains available for the Steamboat trip scheduled 1/13 to 1/20/2018. If you have been putting off making a decision about going, now is the time to get on board!

FULL PKG $1498: $375 due July and August, $374 due September and October

W/O AIR $936: $234 due July, August, September and October

W/O LIFTS $1219: $305 due July, Aug and September; $304 October

LAND ONLY $656: $164 July-October 

CANCELLATION DATE IS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

 

Here are some interesting numbers about Steamboat:


1 Gondola (8 passenger)

3 the longest run in miles (also the number of 

   “dispensaries” located in Steamboat)

4 local breweries

16 lifts

46 days of powder last season

88 Olympians

100+ bars and restaurants

150 natural mineral springs

161 inches of snow in one storm is the record

165 ski runs -14% beginner, 42% intermediate, 44 advanced

352 inches is the average annual snowfall

799 area ranches

2,965 skiable acres

6,900 feet is the base elevation

10,568 feet is top elevation

12,100 population

41,025 skiers per hour lift capacity


 

TRAVEL INSURANCE: The contract that the club has made with Ski.com for this trip includes some information regarding trip insurance. Trip insurance through this source is 6% of your package price. The insurance through this source must be purchased PRIOR to the final payment the club makes for the trip which is due 11/9/2018. Information can be gotten from www.trippreserver.com.  Members are advised to do their own research and comparison of insurance in order to make an informed decision.

 

Any questions on the trip, please contact the trip coordinators.

Mike Monroe, Ruth Van Tol

Lutsen, Minnesota Feb 9-12


Click here for more Lutsen info

Looking for the perfect winter getaway?  How about making it a family affair?  Lutsen is a New England look-alike resort that gets rave reviews for scenery, thanks to its spectacular views of Lake Superior.   It is located on four separate peaks of the Sawtooth Mountain range and has trails on 1000 acres of skiable terrain, 90 runs, 1088 feet of vertical, 10 feet average snowfall, and the region’s ONLY gondola. Recent upgrades include an 8-passenger gondola, 6 passenger high-speed chair, and $9 mil in snowmaking equipment.  

A deluxe motor coach will leave the morning of Feb 9th from Cedar Rapids to travel along the scenic North Shore Drive of Minnesota and arriving at Grand Marais.  Lodging is at the Best Western Superior Inn on the shore of Lake Superior for three nights and returning home on Monday, Feb 12.  The hotel includes a hot breakfast along with a large hot tub and giant indoor whirlpool.  The bus will provide transportation to the picturesque Lutsen Resort and other nearby areas including trails.  Lutsen is quadruple the size of most Great Lake ski resorts. 

Non-skiers can do many things in and around Grand Marais.  There is a vast trail system for cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and hiking.  Or how about taking in the village shops and museum, riding the Lutsen gondola up to a resort restaurant with a beautiful view, and taking in a guided nature hike or tour?

 

There is no added cost for children to stay with two adults/room.

The adult package includes:

  • Round trip bus from Cedar Rapids
  • 3 nights lodging at the Best Western Superior Inn in Grand Marais
  • Wine and Cheese Party
  • Optional lift tickets

for $450 w/o lifts.  Add $105 for a two day lift ticket.

The children’s package is $192 w/o lifts. 

Your sign-up is available at the September club kickoff meeting.  Club pricing is:

  • Adult full pkg -$185 Sept, $185 Oct. $185 Nov
  • Adult w/o lifts-$150 Sept, $150 Oct, $150 Nov
  • Child full pkg - $99 Sept, $99 Oct, $99 Nov
  • Child w/o lifts - $64 Sept, $64 Oct, $64 Nov

Cancellation date is November 18, 2017

 

At your service,

Your three fantastic trip chairs:

Ruth Van Tol, Mary Day & Jeff Owen