MO: Gateway Winnies

Greetings!

Are you ready to go camping? Mark your calendars for the weekend of April 14-16, 2023! Plan to join fellow campers at Pere Marquette State Park just north of Grafton, Illinois, on the Great River Road. The campground was renovated just a few years ago. Sites have been leveled, electric hookups have been upgraded, and new dump stations were installed. All sites have electric hookups, and water spigots are available throughout the campground. A paved biking/walking path goes on for miles in either direction along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Hiking trails behind the Lodge lead you to beautiful lookout points. Grafton is a short drive away with shops, eateries, and wineries. The Lodge, built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is just north of the campground.

All sites are reservable. My family has reserved Site 52 starting Thursday, April 13. As of February 7th, quite a few sites are available, specifically Sites 53, 56, 59, 60, and 62 in the same loop. Additional sites are open throughout the campground. Nightly fee is $20 with a $5 reservation fee. The website is: Pere Marquette State Park - Parks (illinois.gov), or just Google Pere Marquette State Park. Campground map - PereMarquetteCampMap.PDF (illinois.gov). Be sure to read the cancellation policies and other information on the website.

Don’t delay – reserve today! And please let me know if you plan to attend. No specific plans have been made other than keeping it simple – campfires, hot dogs or bratwursts cooked over an open fire, roasting marshmallows, and good camaraderie! Hope to see you there!

2023 Schedule: Come to the April campout and help plan the schedule for the rest of the season. Bring your ideas on where you would like to camp. We will discuss how our group will look going forward and whether we are to remain a club under Winnebago. Here are the upcoming events thus far:

April 14-16 Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, Illinois

April 21-23 Winnie-MO-Tasca Club (This is the state club.) Lazy Day Campground, Danville, MO

July 16-20 Grand National Rally (GNR), Forest City, IA

September 22-24 Winnie-MO-Tasca Club - location to be determined

Destination Travel: Paul Jensen has drafted an itinerary for a trip to Spring Green and possibly The Dells, both in Wisconsin:
Dates: If the group wants to include The Dells, then perhaps early June. Later in the season and there are more bugs to deal with. If the Touchstone Theatre is on the agenda, we need to check the schedule. Also, if The Dells are included, it would be better to camp in that area. Camp first near Spring Green, see the sights, and then travel to The Dells and camp there.
Schedule might look like this:

Sunday: Arrive at Wisconsin Riverside Resort - Spring Green,Wisconsin
Monday: Tour House on the Rock, parts A and B
Tuesday Morning: Return to House on the Rock for part C
Tuesday Evening: Attend American Players Theatre
(Outdoor and indoor playhouses)
Wednesday: Visit Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home (There are a variety of tours from short to long)
Thursday: (optional) Travel to campground by The Dells (Approximately an hour away)
Thursday Evening: Attend show in The Dells
Friday & Saturday: Tour The Dells (Shows, restaurants, water cruise, shopping, etc)
Sunday: Depart for home or destination of choice

Sights in Baraboo (about halfway between Spring Green and The Dells) could be included, such as the circus. House on the Rock and the Wright Home are lots of walking.

Please notify Paul Jensen or Janet Foss if you would be interested in taking this trip. Thanks!