Outdoor Adventures 2010 (A Trip Down the Chip)

Outdoor Adventures 2009 a Volume One special section

A FIVE-DAY OUTDOOR ITH W E R U T N E ADV , G N I H S I F , G CAMPIN ND A , G N I E O N CA BIKING

PREFACE:

A FICTIONALIZED ACCOUNT

By Matt Ledger EDITORS:

Trevor Kupfer & Kinzy Janssen PHOTOS:

Andrea Paulseth MODEL:

Chris McDonald DESIGN:

Brian Moen

VolumeOne.org 28 April 22, 2010

I don’t get out enough. There, I said it. I’ve been living in the Chippewa Valley now for thre e years, and I’ve seen only a pittance of it. I haven’t gone cam ping or fishing or canoein g or even really biking here. So this winter, while I was huddling cold and alone under a pile of blankets, I made myself a promise.

A promise to have a Mega-Awesom e Nature-Loving Yokel Trip and River-Inspired Passage or, as I’ve shor tened it for brag ging pur poses, a MANLY TRIP. The most epic jour ney any Chippewa Vall eyan has ever had. I would set mys elf afloat down the Chippewa Rive r and tame the beast that pow ers the Valley.

Now, having had little to no prior canoeing experience (outside of my cousin and myself turning ourselves back ward on the Baraboo River once) I deci ded that maybe attempting to conq uer the entire river was aiming just a little high. Two days of extr eme researching and itinerary planning later, I set my goal: I wou ld drive from Eau Claire up to Lake Wissota, where I would take a day or two to embrace my inner outdoorsman, and then brave the almost 20 miles of paddling nec essary to make it back to Eau Clai re.

What follows is something I’ve come to call the MANLY TRI P Log, a diar y of my jour ney.

DAY ONE: It’s a beautif ul Friday mornin g, and I’ve

driven my Subaru, loaded with canoe, paddles, campin g necessities, and fishing accoutrements to just outside Wissota Marina on 197th Street in Chippewa Falls (A). The marina is close to a great launching spot for Paint Creek, a small river that feeds into Lake Wissota. My plan is to ease into the whole paddlin g thing today while I slowly make my way towards Lake Wissota State Park. With any luck, by the end of the day I’ll be able to steer effectively. I’m pretty sure that

could come in handy.

Eventually, I crossed under the Highway X

bridge (B) and into Lake Wissota itself. There’re some pretty great rock formations there, and I saw what I’m fairly sure was an otter. At least that’s what he told me. Eventually, I pulled ashore upon the beach at Lake Wissota State Park (C), where I was greeted by a plethora of white-t ailed deer, badgers, beavers, and redtailed foxes. Unfortunately, this did not turn into one of those scenes out of Snow White where we all frolicked and sang throughout the forest. Instead, the woodland animals demanded my registration fee, which I had apparently forgotten to pay. It’s good to know that the animals are looking out for themselves at least.

Lake Wissota State Park itself isn’t exactly

roughing it. The campsite has flush toilets, showers, and electricity, so thankfully I could plug in my nightlight. My plan for tomorrow is to hit some of the hiking trails and see if I can identify all of the more than 200 species of birds that reside at the park. If this goes anything like my attempts to catch all 150 original Pokémon over the winter, I’ll be giving up by bird number six.

DLE: MORE GREAT PLACES TO PAD

Half Moon Lake

Eau Claire Braun’s Bay Pavilion in Carson Park,

Glen Loch Lake

Bridgewater Avenue, Chippewa Falls

Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area Cty Hw y M, New Auburn

Eau Claire River

between Harstad Park in Augusta and Big Falls in Fall Creek VolumeOne.org 29 April 22, 2010

DAY TWO:

ay – ile hik ing about tod I spied 13 bir ds wh

tty pre my expectations. I’m more than doublin g tcas I’m w no t as a win. Righ sure that qualifies ck up sto to g pin ho r, pie hin g ing off the park’s fis ght two far so good – I’ve cau for the journey. So pin g to ho I’m ss.

-mouth ba walleye and a small e I take for be ll egi blu or ie, snag a perch, crapp e has quite a few. off; I’m told the lak orr for tonight and tom I’ll be makin g dinne

n I hope the d an , lls gri s rk’ row on one of the pa s down. im before the sun goe to go for a quick sw rat her. le dd pa or l, sai lly set Tomorrow I’ll act ua along ed tir lized that if I get I have just now rea ger lon es tak y rne ow’s jou the way or if tomorr to stop. I ce pla no ve ha lly than expected, we rea being a problem. feel this may end up

MORE GREAT PL ACES TO HIKE:

Red Cedar

depot on 11th Ave State Trail (Hw y 29), Menom onie

Beaver Creek Res erve Hw y K, Fall Creek

Devil’s Pun

Paradise Valley Ro chbowl ad, Menomonie

Hoffman Hills Stat e Recreation Area Brickyard Road, M enomonie

MORE GREAT PLACES TO CAMP :

Coon Fork Lake County Park County Road CF, Augusta

Harstad County Park

DAY THREE:

SPACE DEADLINE Fri, July 16 PUBLICATION Thu, July 29 Call today for details 715-552-0457 or email mail@volumeone.org

I was right; it was a problem. My arms started to become sore about halfway down the stretch of river I had planned to travel in one day. Fearing intense muscle cramps, I decided that I would paddle no more. So when I came across an island in the middle of the river where one could pull ashore and make camp for the night, I jumped at the chance.

I’m not exactly sure where I am at the moment (B)---, but I’m pretty sure that to the west of us I can see some sort of vineyard and to the southeast of us is what I think is Lake Hallie.

VolumeOne.org 30 April 22, 2010

Near Augusta, take Highway 12 to County AF to County HHH

Brupaddlin net Isla nd Sta The tethe g, along Par with k struggle 23125 255th S., Cornell

Willow River State Park

1034 County Highway A, Hudson to come ashore, has left me exhausted. I am very glad that I caught and cooked enough walleye at Lake Wissota to eat throughout the day today, as I don’t think that even if I hooked a fish I could reel it in right now. I’m now busting out a sleeping bag and preparing to go to sleep. If today’s experience has impressed any one thing upon me, it is a desire for more campgrounds in the Chippewa Valley.

If there had been one along the way, maybe I could have planned for this.

DAY FOUR: I woke up early today to get a head

start on paddling towards Dells Pond, which I guesstimated was over five miles from my current island position.

Today’s plan was to head to the pond and hang out for a bit, maybe get in some Frisbee golf at Mt. Simon Park, and then head back to Eau Claire to meet my friend Mike at Phoenix Park.

We would then drive back up to Chippewa to get my car. Things did not go exactly as planned, and I’m not proud to admit how out of shape I am. My arms are so sore from paddling yesterday that even the simple act of writing this is difficult.

I arrived at Mt. Simon hoping to

see a few other people around, but being that it’s 8 am on a Monday I should have known it would be empty.

I tossed a few Frisbees around and worked the knots out of my arms, enough to paddle around Dells Pond (B) for a bit, an excellent spot for it, I must say. The water level around the islands forces motorboats to stay out in the river, allowing for a fairly open and gentle canoeing experience be-

tween the islands. Being out of fish by this point, I chose to conserve my strength for a paddle across the pond to the Starr Avenue VFW Post, where I was graciously given some delicious fried chicken leftovers.

After feasting on some fowl, I

started the last leg of my journey, the short paddle from Dells Pond to the river confluence in Phoenix Park (C).

As I crossed under the Madison Street bridge I could see Mike, his shaggy hair blowing in the breeze, his hands waving me in. I’m fairly sure I heard the music from Apollo 13 in the background. I parked the canoe and gave Mike the biggest man-hug I think I’ve ever given anyone in my life. My journey was over. … Or at least this portion.

Mike and I sat at Phoenix Park,

fishing for muskie and bass and talking about the physics of Superman moving a planet, until the sun finally faded behind the Eau Claire River.

“Alright,” I said, “let’s take this stuff home and then go to Chip and grab my car.” Mike looked away from me, clearly ashamed. “About that …” he said, “I may have sort of kind of lost my keys.

Which means we maybe sort of can’t drive to get your car.” This news dis-

pleased me. “But I looked online, and we could totally bike the entire way out there tomorrow,” Mike suggested.

“The Chippewa River State Trail goes almost the whole way there!”

I was still just as displeased and sore, but somehow Mike convinced me that biking the 20 some miles back toward Chippewa was a necessary part of my Most Excellent Chippewa

Outdoor Adventure. We carried the canoe, supplies, and fish 10 blocks back to our apartment, earning us some weird glances along the way. As I laid down to sleep, I was horrified to realize that, minus the approximately quarter of an inch of insulation in the walls, I might as well still be sleeping outside at Lake Wissota again. I really need to get a better apartment.

MORE GREAT PANFISH & BASS SPOTS:

Half Moon Lake Eau Claire

Lake Altoona Altoona

Coon Fork Lake Augusta

SPACE DEADLINE Fri, June 4 PUBLICATION Thu, June 17 Call today for details 715-552-0457 or email mail@volumeone.org

VolumeOne.org 31 April 22, 2010

MORE GREAT PLACES

TO BIKE:

Lowes Creek County Pa rk Lowes Creek Road, Eau Claire

Chippewa River State Tr ail south Eau Claire to Caryv ille

Red Cedar State Trail 11th Ave, Menomonie

DAY FIVE: Mike and I got up fairly early and

took the bike trip back to Chippewa Falls pretty slow. Mike bragged that he could have ridden it in an hour and a half by himself, but I wanted to take in the sights. We started out of Owen Park, near the bandshell, and over the course of our about two-and-ahalf-hour long journey we saw some great riverside views. It was definitely worth taking it slow.

We took Galloway Street to West ern Avenue, and followed the Hastings Way frontage (Anderson Drive) to Joles Parkway. The River Trail cut off once we got to 40th Avenue in Chippewa Falls so we had to hop onto Prairieview Road, cut to 50th Avenue, and bike up 195th Street. Eventually we arrived at my Subaru, which stood pristine and had somehow not managed to garner a parking ticket. Mike and I loaded up our bikes, sat down, and cranked the air conditioning to cool ourselves down from the ride. We pulled out of the parking lot and onto the open road, officially bringing an end to the MANLY TRIP. I’m gonna go home and nap ‌

VolumeOne.org 32 April 22, 2010

Outdoors Listings EQUIPMENT/LICENSES

TRIPS

ing, fishing, DNR approved).

Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • 835-

www.acehardware.com • Camping accessories and fishing equipment available.

0088 • This aptly-named riverside shop carries canoes, kayaks, bikes, and hockey skates. Repair service available as well.

Anybody’s Bike Shop 411 Water St., Eau Claire • 833-

Rodd-N-Bobb’s 630 Lamplighter Court, Eau Claire• 833-

Ace Hardware 2618 Birch St., Eau Claire • 836-7788 •

7100 • www.anybodysbikeshop.com • It’s all about the bikes: road, mountain, hybrids, kids, new, and used.

Repairing your bike is their specialty. Choose from a variety of accessories.

Bad Cat Bicycles 327 E Main St., Menomonie • 231-

2453 • www.badcatbicycles.com • Sells custom-built bikes (road, mountain, hybrids) and kids’ bikes, too! All services and repairs are done in-house (safety check, basic tune-up, overhaul) with free quotes.

Bill’s Sport Shop 620 N Bridge St, Chippewa Falls • 723-9033 • Sells primarily fishing and hunting equipment (licenses). Does rod and reel repairs.

Dunham’s Sporting Goods 1501 N Broadway St., Menomonie • 235-0750 • A one-stop shop for equipment related to fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and hunting, with snowshoeing gear available seasonally.

Eau Claire Bike & Sport 403 Water St, Eau Claire • 8326149 • www.bikeandsport.com • Beyond doing repairs, this downtown shop sells bikes, biking accessories, inline skates, snowboards, skateboards, disc golf supplies, and some fitness equipment.

Farm & Fleet 2583 S Prairie View Road, Chippewa Falls • 723-1806 • www.farmandfleet.com • Farm & Fleet carries gear for fishing, hiking, canoeing, golf, kayaking, biking, camping, horseback riding, and hunting.

Gander Mountain 6440 Sculy Road, Eau Claire • 833-

7500 • www.gandermountain.com • This store’s equipment goes beyond its “hunt, fish, camp” slogan, also offering gear for canoeing, snowshoeing, kayaking, and geocaching.

Gordy’s True Value 111 W Columbia St., Chippewa

Falls • 715-726-2510 • www.gordyscountymarket.net • Sells canoeing equipment (life vests, paddles), hunting equipment (rifle scope mounting), and fishing equipment (line winding, live bait year round), and hunting and fishing licenses.

Kmart 2424 E Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire • 834-2938

// 409 E Prairie View Rd # 3735, Chippewa Falls • 7261320 • Kmart has hunting and fishing equipment (licenses sold), camping equipment, and a full line of bicycles and bike accessories.

Menards 3619 S Hastings Way, Eau Claire • 832-3344

// 3210 N Clairemont, Eau Claire • 830-0011 • www.menards.com • Carries ice-fishing and camping equipment, as well as seasonal hunting gear such as deer stands and specialized clothing.

Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn-

Long Lake • www.mizizakkayak.weebly.com • This small, local regional business sells anything imaginable when it comes to paddle sports equipment.

Mouldy’s Archery and Tackle 2863 S Prairie View

Road, Chippewa Falls • 723-3607 • www.mouldys.com • This muskie pro shop is the home of the “Hawg Wobbler” lure. Sells terminal tackle (hooks, bobbers, live bait). True to the name, you can find archery equipment, too (bows, arrows, targets, tree stands). It also offers an indoor shooting range and video target system.

Northern Safari Army Navy 1612 S Hastings Way, Eau

Claire • 833-1942 • www.armynavywisconsin.com • This military outfitter also carries camping, survival, hunting and tactical gear. Some kayaking accessories available.

Outdoor Adventures 9658 151st St., Chippewa Falls

• 869-3129 • www.huntandfishtrips.com • The worldwide hunting and fishing authority. They specialize in arranging customized fishing (freshwater, saltwater, fly) and hunting (big game, upland, waterfowl, turkey) with lodges, guides, and outfitters located around the globe.

Pinehurst Hardware Hank 3031 N Hastings Way, Eau

Claire • 835-7341 • www.pinehursthardwarehank.com • Sells biking equipment, camping accessories, fishing equipment (worm bait, lines, lures), hunting equipment (knives, ammo, cleaners, no guns), and licenses (hunt-

8030 • www.rod-n-bobbs.com • Rodd-N-Bobb’s is simply alluring! A family-owned fishing tackle and supply company operating solely online. The leading manufacturer of lighting devices and day and night fishing products.

Scheels 4710 Golf Road, Eau Claire • 833-1886 • www.

scheels.com • A comprehensive place for all your fishing, hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, biking, camping, geocaching, and hunting needs. Experts in the store will be happy to share techniques and advice concerning these topics.

Simple Sports 326 E Main St., Menomonie • 233-3493 •

www.simplesports.us • Bicycling equipment, snowboards, skateboards, longboards, hockey and disc golf equipment available on site. They can also order supplies for additional sports, including climbing, canoeing, and kayaking.

Spring Street Sports 12 W Spring St., Chippewa Falls •

723-6616 • www.springstreetsports.com • Specializes in bikes (all-terrain, BMX, cyclocross, specialized, Fischer, etc.), bike racks, biking equipment, and accessories.

Sells bike racks for vehicles. Carries skis, snowshoes, and snowboards in winter. Also do bike repairs.

Target 3649 S Hastings Way, Eau Claire • 838-0196 • www.target.com • Target’s sporting goods department carries equipment for fishing, hiking, biking, camping, and geocaching.

Thompson’s True Value and Variety 319 E Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire • 834-1239 • Sells camping equipment.

Wal-Mart 3915 Gateway Dr., Eau Claire • 834-0733 // 180

Cedar Falls Road, Menomonie • 235-6565 // 2786 Commercial Blvd., Chippewa Falls • 738-2254 • www.walmart. com • Fishing, hiking, biking, camping, geocaching, and hunting gear are readily available, and special items such as canoes and kayaks can be ordered online.

Wissota Adventure 19234 74th Ave., Chippewa Falls • 723-1310 • www.wissotaadventure.com • Sells an array of canoes, kayaks, and paddles for your water adventures.

Environmental Adventure Center 105 Hilltop Center,

Eau Claire • 836-3616 • www.uwec.edu/recreation/ EAC/ • Offers many fun outdoors trips for students only.

Outdoor Adventures 9658 151st St., Chippewa Falls • 869-3129 • www.huntandfishtrips.com • The worldwide hunting and fishing authority. They specialize in arranging customized fishing and hunting adventures including pack trips and rafting.

Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn-Long

Lake • www.mizizakkayak.weebly.com • This small, locally owned business offers experienced and fun guides to take you on a wide variety of canoe and kayak tours anywhere in the area from from Baron County to Eau Claire county.

Check out their Fall Colors Eco Tours where you can learn about local plants while in your canoe/kayak.

Riverside Junction Junction of Eau Claire River Bridge

and Highway 27, Augusta • 456-2443 • www.riversidejunction.com • Offers canoeing and kayaking on the Eau Claire River including trip planning and drop off/pick up, and rental.

Stout Adventures 41 Sports and Fitness Center,

Menomonie • 232-5625 • www.urec.uwstout.edu/adventures/equip.html • Offers day trips all the way to three week international trips for backpacking, sailing, dog sledding, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and cross country skiing. Tone your muscles on the climbing wall too.

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS

Beaver Creek Reserve Highway K, Fall Creek • 877-

2212 • www.beavercreekreserve.org • This nature center has workshops on topics varying from environmental education to snowshoe making and holiday craft making for kids.

Gander Mountain 6440 Sculy Road, Eau Claire • 8337500 • www.gandermountain.com • They offer occasional classes on hunter’s safety and fly-tying, to name a few.

Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn-

Long Lake • www.mizizakkayak.weebly.com • Small, local, and friendly: experience mi zi zak kayaks variety of canoe and kayak classes such as there Women’s Wendesdays “the alternative to happy hour” on lower long lake Chippewa County or take one of the Kayak Saftey Clinic.

Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • 835-

RENTAL

Beaver Creek Reserve Highway K, Fall Creek • 877-

0088 • Sometimes teams up with Pure Water Paddlers for educational sessions.

Environmental Adventure Center 105 Hilltop Center,

www.simplesports.us • Occasional bicycle maintenance classes available and a possible snowboard tuning class this winter.

2212 • www.beavercreekreserve.org • A nature center which carries an extensive line of field guides and rents out skis and snowshoes seasonally.

Eau Claire • 836-3616 • www.uwec.edu/recreation/ EAC/ • Maintains largest inventory of outdoor equipment in Eau Claire. Rents tent and camping accessories, canoes, kayak (plus accessories), winter sport equipment (plus snowshoes), and fishing rods and reels. Equipment available on a first-come, first-served, daily, weekend, or weekly basis to UW-Eau Claire ID holders only. The climbing wall, however, is open to the public.

Loopy’s 10691 County Highway X (Bus. Hwy 29), Chippewa Falls • 723-5667 • www.723loop.com • Rents canoes, kayaks, and inner tubes all summer long.

Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn-

Long Lake • www.mizizakkayak.weebly.com • Looking for a kayak or a canoe to take out on an adventure? Get them here at Mi Zi Kayaks.

Riverside Junction Junction of Eau Claire River Bridge

and Highway 27, Augusta • 456-2443 • www.riversidejunction.com • Offers canoeing and kayaking on the Eau Claire River including trip planning and drop off/pick up, and rental.

Stout Adventures 41 Sports and Fitness Center,

Menomonie • 232-5625 • www.urec.uwstout.edu/adventures/equip.html • UW-Stout has an amazing outdoor rental collection! University ID holders and community members with driver’s licenses can rent hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, winter sport (skis and snowshoes), and rock climbing equipment daily or weekly.

Geocaching GPS now available for students.

Simple Sports 326 E Main St., Menomonie • 233-3493 •

Stout Adventures 41 Sports and Fitness Center,

Menomonie • 232-5625 • www.urec.uwstout.edu/adventures/equip.html • Learn about having fun in the great outdoors with the wide variety of classes offered such as kayaking, rock climbing, and cooking.

EVENTS

CORBA Mountain Bike Group Ride Apr. 5, 6pm; Apr. 12,

6pm; Apr. 19, 6pm; Apr. 26, 6pm • Lowes Creek County Park, S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau Claire • FREE • 8947429 • Weekly group mountain bike ride hosted by the Chippewa Off-Road Bike Association. Non-members and members of all abilities are welcome. This is a fun “no-drop” ride. Helmet required. Meet in Lowes Creek Cty Park parking lot off of S Lowes Creek Rd. Arrive a bit early. Visit chippewaoffroad.org for more info.

Chippewa Falls Youth Hockey Ice Bowl Apr. 23, 5pm;

Apr. 24, 10am • Chippewa Falls Ice Arena, 839 First Ave., Chippewa Falls • 720-0189 or 726-9143 • Taking bowling to a whole new level, the Chippewa Falls Ice Arena will be converted into a 16 lane bowling alley for one weekend of live music, food, beer garden, games, silent auction, raffles, and of course bowling on ice.

28th Annual Fun Run Apr. 24, 9:30am • Carson Park,

Carson Park Dr. • The American Marketing Association’s 28th Annual Fun Run is a charitable event where people can rollerblade, run or walk a 5K at Carson Park’s Oak Pavilion. Also, live bands at noon, a barbecue, beverages, competitions and door prizes. The day

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finishes with a party, featuring a date auction that starts at 5:30pm. Check website for more info.

Tee Off for the Arc Eau Claire Golf Tournament Apr. 25,

9am • Wild Ridge Golf Course, 3905 Kane Rd. • 858-7960 • www.wildridgegolf.com Through this Tee Off, Beta Upsilon Sigma hopes to raise money for the Arc Eau Claire while involving the community in a fun outdoor event.

Please visit www.uwec.edu/BUS/ for more information and to register for the event.

Unlimited, All Day Golf Apr. 30, ; May. 4, ; May. 7, ;

May. 11, ; May. 14, • Hickory Hills Golf Course, E4080 Hickory Road, Eau Claire • $23 • 878-4543 • Hickory Hills Golf Course is offering unlimited, all day golf on our scenic course just 3 miles south of Eau Claire on Highway 93. While you’re here, check out our newly remodeled clubhouse and bar area.

Bowling For Bolton: Strike Out Domestic Abuse Apr.

30, 6-9pm • Wagner’s, 2159 Brackett Ave., Eau Claire • $10, $35 pre-registered team of four • 215-1801 • CVTC students organize a “fun”-raiser to support the Bolton Refuge House, plus raffles, silent auction and lots of fun.

Bring your friends and family.

El Fortin 5k May. 1, 9am • UWEC Nursing Building,

105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire • $17, $12 in advance • 836-2637 • UWEC’s Latin American Sustainability Educational and Development Club is donating 100% of the proceeds made from this 5K to the two poorest countries in the western hemisphere, Haiti and Nicaragua. Registration begins at 9am by the College of Nursing building; the race begins at 10am. Register before April 28 for cheaper price.

ROCKnROLLA Climbing Competition May. 1, 10am-

4pm • McPhee, UW - Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Ave Hilltop Recreation Center, Eau Claire • $25, $20 students; $15 if paid in advance • 836-2845 • This event will host all levels of climbers (no experience necessary). Registration before 4/23/10 will include a complementary t-shirt. Prize raffle for all participants. Registration required, deadline: May. 1.

Eau Claire Marathon May. 2, 8am • prices vary • 215-

0442 • Marathon and half-marathon begin at 8am. Two mile fun run begins at 8:30am. Be a part of the most scenic marathon in the Midwest. Enjoy a spring run along the beautiful lakes, rivers, and parks of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Choose to run in our marathon, half marathon or two mile fun run.

18th Annual Nurses’ Walk May. 6, 5:30-6:15pm • Car-

son Park - Pine Pavillion, Eau Claire, WI • FREE • 7171435 • Nurses from several local and regional hospitals, schools and organizations help will celebrate National Nurses’ Week by participating in the 18th annual Nurses’ Walk. This one-mile trek highlights the nursing profession’s commitment to wellness and illness prevention.

National Nurses’ Week is May 6–12. Register by May. 5.

Rec Fest Early Bird Golf Outing May. 7, • Wild Ridge

and Mill Run Golf Course, 3905 Kane Rd. • $30 • 8362176 (Andy) • www.wildridgegolf.com/ Proceeds from the outing will support the Wisconsin Youth Success Program. The Early Birdie Golf Outing is for golfers of any skill level. Fee includes nine holes of golf, lunch and prizes. Games will be held at each hole for a chance to win. Participants must register by May 6 at the Hilltop Recreation Center at UWEC. jepsenan@uwec.edu.

Adoption 5k Run and 2 Mile Walk/Run May. 8, 9-10am

• Irvine Park, Bridgewater Avenue • 651-8716 (Carley) • Lutheran Social Services will host this event on May 8th at the Flag Hill pavillion in Irvine Park. Registration 9-10am.

For more information please call Carley Schnacky.

2010 Stroll in the Park for Epilepsy May. 8, 9:30am •

Irvine Park, Chippewa Falls • 834-4455 • Walk with Bob Gallaher from WEAU 13 News, UWEC women’s basketball coachTonja Englund and UWEC football coach Todd Glaser, plus meet the Bee from B-95, “Trax” from the EC Express, clowns and more. Registration at 9:30am; stroll at 10:30am.

Happy Mother Fisher’s Day, feat. Brad Murphey and Teresa Frank May. 9, 1-4:30pm • Bullfrog’s Eat My Fish Farm, N1321 Bullfrog Rd. • 664-8775 • www.eatmyfish. com/ Featuring folk musicians Brad and Teresa plus pondside fishin’ noon-6pm and hobo chefin’ shorelunch 1-6pm. This event kicks off the Eat My Fish! Farm’s occasional music season.