Eastern Iowa Weekend

[ShawnR]

@Wildland Outdoors , @SteveR , should we plan a camping weekend somewhere in Eastern Iowa around the beginning of May? I know Steve has a camper, and I'm purchasing some new camping gear. I'm thinking a weekend of fireside chat and the wife and I trying out the new gear. She's not big on camping, but I'm hoping it goes well so she won't be so edgy when we go to Indiana. Let me now if this would work for you guys.

And of course, anyone else in Iowa or Western Illinois would be welcome to camp with us as well.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

I'm good with it. Maquoketa caves is a decent spot. Also has bathrooms so that might help with the wife. Plus they have RV sites as well

 

[ShawnR]

I'm good with it. Maquoketa caves is a decent spot. Also has bathrooms so that might help with the wife. Plus they have RV sites as well

That would be a good spot. A guy I work with, his grandpa has a couple hundred acres up there that they hunt. He wants my help to clear some trails this Spring. Maybe we could utilize the land while we're there and do a little bit off road. Possibly do some target shooting as well.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

Sounds good to me

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

@JTmoney065 figured we should get you in on this. In fact we should all meet up in the near future. @ShawnR and I have met up a couple times

 

[Mike W]

So.. when and where exactly? I am nearby. Need to get the gear out this year. Already have a few trips planned for later that month.

 

[ShawnR]

So.. when and where exactly? I am nearby. Need to get the gear out this year. Already have a few trips planned for later that month.

We don't have anything concrete. We had talked about Maquoketa caves. Do some hiking and fireside chat. My wife isn't much of a camper so this would be to get her acclimated. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

 

[Mike W]

Weekend? 1 night? Sat/Sun thing? May 7/8 or 14/15?

EDIT: May 7/8 is out for me.. if its 14/15 I would love to meet up.

 

[ShawnR]

Weekend? 1 night? Sat/Sun thing? May 7/8 or 14/15?

EDIT: May 7/8 is out for me.. if its 14/15 I would love to meet up.

Ok, let's shoot for that weekend. @Wildland Outdoors, would the weekend of the 14/15 work for you?

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

Oh twist my arm lol works for me

 

[ShawnR]

Oh twist my arm lol works for me

Cool. And I just downloaded the app and am trying it out on my phone. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Overland Bound Talk

 

[Mike W]

So... poking around on http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/map_of_Maquoketa_Caves_State_Park/r/campgroundMap.do?page=map&search=site&contractCode=IA&parkId=610127

For May 14/15... looks booked. Or at least says not available online. Are we trying to book some spots all next to each other?

 

[Mike W]

That would be a good spot. A guy I work with, his grandpa has a couple hundred acres up there that they hunt. He wants my help to clear some trails this Spring. Maybe we could utilize the land while we're there and do a little bit off road. Possibly do some target shooting as well.

I love the sound of this. I shoot and would love to do some mini-exploring somewhere. If that camp ground is booked, could we just camp somewhere also?

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

There are open spots for walk ups. I think have the camp ground is RV sites and those are whats booked. I just checked and there are a bunch of walk up sites open

 

[Mike W]

There are open spots for walk ups. I think have the camp ground is RV sites and those are whats booked. I just checked and there are a bunch of walk up sites open

I'm in a 10x10 ground tent.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

Similar here. The walk ups are more of a park and walk 10ft in less you get the real walk ins which are roughly 50yds from parking

 

[ShawnR]

I love the sound of this. I shoot and would love to do some mini-exploring somewhere. If that camp ground is booked, could we just camp somewhere also?

I'll check with Jordan tomorrow at work. We're suppose to be clearing some trails this Spring. Only problem with camping there is my wife won't camp without facilities. Frustrating, but I love her so I'm keeping her. lol

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

If he needs someone to run a skid steer or similar equipment let me know :) I'll gladly help out

 

[Mike W]

I'd prefer to be able to setup next to my vehicle. I'm setup to live out of my rover. If I have to I can haul things in though.

This sounds fun guys, we need a catchy OB trip name for it.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[ShawnR]

I'd prefer to be able to setup next to my vehicle. I'm setup to live out of my rover. If I have to I can haul things in though.

This sounds fun guys, we need a catchy OB trip name for it.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

There's a couple other people on here from Eastern Iowa now as well. Maybe we can get them to come along. I'm looking forward to seeing your set up in person. I've seen the pics, but in person is better. I need to buy some gear. lol