Volume One Outdoor Adventures 2010

EDITORS: TREVOR KUPFER & KINZY JANSSEN CONTRIBUTORS: HEIDI KRAEMER & JAMES SWANSON PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREA PAULSETH, JIM MISHEFSKE, NICK MEYER, & JAMES SWANSON DESIGN: JOSH SMELTZER

WHILE THE SUMMER HEAT MAY HAVE RESTRICTED YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, THE GLORIOUS FALL WILL ALLOW YOU TO GO GUNG-HO. IN THIS SPECIAL SECTION, FOLLOW A LOCAL MAN AS HE TREKS TO BAYFIELD ON A BIKE; TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WISDOM HE GLEANS FROM HIS EXPERIENCE. LEARN SOME VALUABLE (AND QUESTIONABLE) TRICKS FOR PICKING UP YOUR CAMPSITE. AND WE DIDNʼT FORGET ABOUT THE HUNTERS OUT THERE, WHO WILL SURELY APPRECIATE OUR IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THE USEFUL SHADOWSHIELD. YEP, WHETHER YOUʼRE SHOOTING DUCKS, GRIPPING ROCKY OVERHANGS, OR DROPPING A LINE IN A PLACID POOL, FALL IS FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. DOGS LIKE IT, TOO.

Shadow of a Doubt

local hunting product may sound weird, but it’s picking up momentum

BY TREVOR KUPFER

There’s no shortage of infomercial gimmicks for hunting apparel and products nowadays. With their clever names and hilarious advertisements, they suck you in for only $19.95 plus shipping and handling. You use it once and either break it, throw it away, or sell it at a garage sale for 75 cents (marked down from $3).

Though it’s easy to make a blanket statement about all of these “gimmicky” products, some have sold like crazy and worked surprisingly well (think of Steady Ready or Butt Out). Well, believe it or not, a familyowned company from Chippewa Falls has created a product that falls in that very category.

Maybe you’ve heard about The ShadowShield, a blind-like device that camouflages hunters by reflecting their surroundings, no matter the terrain or vegetation, using a series of lightweight portable mirrors. The Chippewa business is Pine Harbor Holding Company,

and The ShadowShield is its primary product, sold in several varieties and for several interest groups.

It all started with Steve Prock, an avid goose hunter who was frustrated with his results in the field. With several members of his family also hunters, Steve had them try out his strange new invention with great success. So they figured why not sell it to other hunters?

Now, five years later, the ShadowShield has taken off as a hunting accessory and even moved into the realms of law enforcement and military.

“It’s not just a new type of camouflage,” said Gail Prock, Steve’s wife and company CEO. “We’re an entirely new concept for hunting. It doesn’t matter what terrain you’re on or where you are. You can actually stalk animals, which is unique. There are a lot of blinds where you sit in one spot and hope to get lucky, but this allows you to get in close range for a higher likelihood of success.”

The Procks have primarily gotten the word out about ShadowShield through print and internet advertising, plus a plug on a hunting show, but the product got its biggest push last fall from renowned big game hunter Jim Shockey, who tried it all over the world.

For hunters, ShadowShield comes in two varieties.

The small portable model is about 10 pounds and breaks into three pieces, making it easy to carry in a bag or backpack. The larger shield is about 16 pounds, making it more difficult to stalk at great distances, but providing full coverage. They range from $160 to more than $300.

“I’m always careful to tell people to use caution, because other hunters aren’t going to see you. You’re

Aquatic Center includes Whirlpool and Sauna

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truly going to be concealed,” Gail said, adding that they haven’t had any accidents with their product, and don’t anticipate any. “But it’s really effective, and not what people are used to seeing,” she said.

Like some other products out there, the concept of lugging around a big mirror with a viewing portal is a bit silly and looks funny. (If you don’t believe me, just check out the website.) But that doesn’t change the fact that it works, unlike loads of the infomercial gimmicks out there.

For more info, visit www.TheShadowShield.com or call 726-8714. You can order it online or find it at Scheels and other retailers throughout the nation.

Multi Floor Workout Areas

4

Wacky Hunting Gear Items of Questionable Effectiveness 1

The DeerView Mirror

When deer hunting, how many times has that big buck sneaked up behind you gotten away? Well not anymore thanks to this bendable mirror.

2

Gum-O-Flage

3

Form-A-Grip

4

CORNouflage

Chewing gum with pine oil and chlorophyll to eliminate the scent of breath.

A specially formulated molding compound that enables you to custom fit your bow grip to your hand.

A fabric cutout that ignores the sense of smell and looks like a pile of corn, meant to be thrown on the ground near a decoy and tree stand to attract animals.

4

Over-theTop Hunting Gadgets No One Probably Needs 1

Walker’s Game Ear

2

Scent-Lok

3

TKO: Total Kill Option

4

Proton Pack

An earpiece to enhance hearing your surroundings.

Odor-control and scent-eliminating hunting apparel. That’s right. Clothes that steal your scent and hide it. Goes well with invisible deodorant.

Heavily promoted in the 80s, the TKO was a gadget that allowed you to shoot two arrows at once. I wonder why it’s not around anymore …

Famously used to hunt ghosts, this thing has a shelf life of several hundred years. Just don’t cross the streams. It would be bad.

Aging & Disablity Resource Center of Chippewa County,Aging & Disabiity Resource Center of Eau Claire County, Alternative Home Care Solutions,Alzheimer’s Association, Grace Lutheran Foundation, Harbor House Memory Care, Home Instead Senior Care, Orchard Hills Assisted Living/Rutledge Home Assited Living & Memory Care, Our House Memory Care

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Make Like an Outdoorsman and Leave No Trace tips to minimize your impact in the bush

BY HEIDI KRAEMER

Leave No Trace is not just for outdoor hippie extremists. The national and international program educates outdoors-lovers about the impact they have on nature as well as provides tips on how to prevent and/or minimize such impacts. There are seven main principles that the program details: plan ahead and prepare, leave what you find, travel and camp on durable surfaces, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, dispose of waste properly, and be considerate of other visitors. For those who wish to have a fun, safe outdoor experience and care about the health of our green and blue, these are some valuable tips (with a smidgen of sarcasm) to take along with you when you leave the comforts of home and venture into the woods.

BEGINNER

• Know the regulations and restrictions so you don’t camp in a flash flood area.

• Avoid creating huge bonfires or bringing fireworks, despite the excitement they incite.

• A fire is not a garbage can.

Bring bags to throw your trash into.

• Bring Mad Libs, guitars, laser pointers, or other fun games for campfire jollies.

• Check the weather before you go. Ever hear of the movie The Perfect Storm? That started out as a weekend camping trip. True story.

NOVICE

EXPERT

• Avoid introducing or transporting nonnative species. Especially invasive species like zebra mussels, garlic mustard, and Natasha Henstridge.

those unsightly (and unnatural) white smudges on the rock.

• Navigate by using the stars like your caveman ancestors.

• Use biodegradable soaps and cleaners.

• Pick up trash. Leave your site like you found it.

• If fires are allowed, use existing fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

• Do not build structures, dig trenches, erect religious temples, etc.

• Gain knowledge of the area you plan to visit from land managers, maps, etc.

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Take a lesson from Timothy Treadwell (a.k.a.

Grizzly Man) and try not to get mauled.

INTERMEDIATE

• In popular camping areas, stay on the beaten path. In unpopular areas, beat what paths there are.

• In rural, pristine areas, try to disperse in order to prevent wear and tear.

• Don’t feed wildlife. If you do your Pudgie pies right, you’ll want them all for yourself anyway.

• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. This ritual likewise keeps the zombies away.

• Camp 200 feet from any lake or streams, so as not to contaminate the water or disturb the prehistoric freshwater crocodiles raised

by Betty White.

PSYCHO

• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

• Cover and disguise human waste in holes 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 ft from water, camp, and trails.

• If rock climbing, be sure to use “EcoChalk” – a powdery substance that improves grip while leaving none of

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• Wearing organic gloves, place the rocks, leaves, and twigs in your area back exactly as they were upon your arrival to the site.

• Seal human waste in organic glass jars.

Bring it home with you. Wash. Reuse.

• Dirty? Use (organic) bark to rub yourself down. Organic pine needles are perfect for fresh scent.

• Wear an (organic) body bag to prevent the inorganic elements from your immediate person from ruining the purity of nature.

• Wear only Bon Iver-certified, Leave No Trace (organic) flannel.

There and Back Again a four-day biking trip from Menomonie to Bayfield

BY JAMES SWANSON

It happens every mid-August; panic sets in. I realize that summer is almost over, three-fourths of the home projects are not even started, the garden is overflowing with veggies that need canning, and there’s a ton of yard work to be done.

This year when the panic mode struck, I sat down with a cup of peppermint tea to contemplate the situation. After a bit of thought, I went to the garage and strapped the saddlebags on my trusted Surley Long Haul Trucker bicycle and headed for Bayfield. Four days later, the bike and I were enjoying the ferry ride from Madeline Island to Bayfield at the conclusion of the trip.

My route began in my hometown of Menomonie and meandered on several county and town roads to Chippewa Falls. I rode on portions of county roads: E, M, and N, pedaling down a few town roads to connect the dots. This route was fairly hilly, but it was also one of the most scenic parts of the entire ride. The countryside was a mixture of farms and woods, and most hills had great vistas at the top and long glides on the back side.

In Chippewa Falls, I connected with the Old Abe Trail and rode that to Cornell and camped at Brunett Island for the night. My wife drove to Cornell and we had great burgers and cold beer at Turks BBC in downtown Cornell. Burgers and beer were a constant theme for supper.

I theorized that the burgers supplied the protein necessary for tired muscles to recover, and the beer was a rehydrating nectar.

Day two I rode north on Highway 27 and then Highway 70 and ended the day in Winter. Highway 27 is not the most pleasant biking road. It’s not terribly scenic, and there is a lot of traffic. However it is straight and has wide shoulders, so it’s safe. Also from Cornell to Winter there is nearly a 300 foot gain in elevation. Heat indexes this day were also off the charts, so this was the “tough guy” day. And I toughed it out. I also opted not to camp at the Ojibway campground, and instead stayed at a motel in Winter – air conditioning was irresistible.

On day three I rode from Winter to Washburn. I got an early start and rode east on Highway 70 to County Road GG, which took me to Mellen. GG runs through the heart of the Chequamegon National Forest, and was the highlight of the trip. There were very few cars, the quiet was intense, and the scenery was great. GG also runs through the heart of elk habitat, but I didn’t see any this day.

In Mellen, I connected with northbound Highway 13, where I had a couple of harrowing collisions with big pick-up trucks, so I took the BART (bus service) back to Washburn, where I camped for two days at Memorial Campground. I concluded the day with a monster burger at Patsy’s and mugs of rehydrating nectar. Day

four, I rode to Bayfield, took the ferry to Madeline Island, and rode around the island. Madeline Island is very bikefriendly and flat, in contrast to County Road GG. Most of the routes I rode on this trip are suitable for day trips. When I was taking a lunch break in Chippewa Falls on the first day, I realized that with a slight change in the route I could easily have ended up at the famous Leinie Lodge.

GG should be on every biker’s “to ride” list. This county road is about 40 miles long, so it can be ridden in its entirety in one day. And with Clam Lake as the halfway point, it could also be broken down into several shorter rides. Plus two national forest campgrounds are located just off of GG, so this road could be the core of a “Bike the Chequamegon” trip.

Destination biking is all about having fun while biking. Riding a pleasant route with some fun stops is the best way to bike. No need to worry about how fast or far one is going. The best plan is to ride an hour or two, stop, eat, rehydrate with nectar, chill out, and then ride some more. Fall is a great time to get out because the weather is, hopefully, cooler and less humid and the colors are great.

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Valuable Biking Resources

Dunn County Biking Guide

Available at two local bike shops and from the chamber

WisDOT

Color-coded bicycle route maps for each county (red = more dangerous, green = friendly)

Google Earth

Street view can verify shoulder width, landmarks, and distances. Under the “more” tab, one can expand the “places” tab and find bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Moving the cursor over road will show changes in elevation.

Wisconsin Atlas and Gazeteer

Country roads depicted in amazing detail.

Map My Ride

Shows bike routes and distances.

Outdoor Listings EQUIPMENT/LICENSES

Ace Hardware 2618 Birch St., Eau Claire • 836-7788 • www.acehardware.com • Camping accessories and fishing equipment available.

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

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 (hunting, fishing, DNR approved).

Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • 8350088 • This aptly-named riverside shop carries canoes, kayaks, bikes, and hockey skates. Repair service available as well.

Rodd-N-Bobb’s 630 Lamplighter Court, Eau Claire• 8338030 • 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.

RENTAL

Beaver Creek Reserve Highway K, Fall Creek • 877-

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

Environmental Adventure Center 105 Hilltop Center,

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), mountain bikes, 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.

TRIPS

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

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Outdoor Listings

geocache at Beaver Creek Reserve. Register by Oct. 20.

education to snowshoe making and holiday craft making for kids.

Festival Foods Turkey Trot Nov. 25, 8:30am • Location

TBA • Before Nov. 1: $17/$12 under age 18; Nov. 1-18: $22/$17; Race day: $25/$20 • The Festival Foods Turkey Trot is a family friendly fitness event taking place on Thanksgiving Day morning. The event will offer a 5 mile run and 2 mile run/walk. The 5 mile run will offer chip timed results. The 2 mile run/walk will not be timed. Awards will be presented to the top five overall finishers and the top three finishers (male and female) in each ten year age bracket. Race day registration begins at 7am.

Gander Mountain 6440 Sculy Road, Eau Claire • 833-

7500 • 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-

Make Your Own Snowshoes Every Day from Dec. 4

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

to Dec. 5, 9:30am-3:30pm • Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 County Road K • Call for cost • 877-2212 • Snowshoeing has become an increasingly popular winter activity.

Make your own snowshoes in this two-day workshop.

Choose from three styles of snowshoes. Bring to class: PATIENCE, bag lunch, tape measure, pencil, scissors and matches or lighter. Registration and full payment required by Nov. 11.

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

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

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

Wakanda Sunday Disc Golf League Every Sunday from

Oct. 3 to Apr. 24 2011, 1-4pm • Wakanda Park, Pine Ave, Menomonie • $2, $1 ace pool • 21+ • 233-3493 • Two person best shot doubles. Played all winter long.

CORBA Mountain Bike Group Ride Every Monday, 6pm

• Lowes Creek County Park, S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau Claire • FREE • 894-7429 • 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.

Oaklawn Acorn Dash Oct. 9, 8-11am • Oaklawn Ele-

mentary School, 500 21st Street, Menomonie • $50 Family In Advance: $20 , $40 Family • 556-2642 • 5k/1 mile run/walk open to public as a FUNraiser for Oaklawn Elementary. Live music by The Cutaways. Start times: 9am for the 5k, 10am for 1 mile. Registration required, deadline: Sep. 25.

CROP Walk, Rock & Roll Oct. 10, 1-4pm • Our Savior’s

Lutheran Church, 910 9th St, Menomonie • FREE • 2359377 • Our CROP Walk, Rock & Roll builds community as people of all ages and faiths come together with their commitment to stop hunger. All who are able participate in the one-mile Hunger Parade, and those who really want to “Walk Because They Walk,” continue on to walk a 6-mile route. Other options are rocking for 1 hour or bicycling 10-mi. Registration at 1pm.

3rd Annual Harvest Hustle Oct. 16, 9am • Eau Claire Orchards, 6470 Balsam Road, Eau Claire • $15 before Oct. 1; $20 day of race • info@ecct.org • 839-8877 • The Eau Claire Children’s Theatre hosts a 10K road race and a 2K run/walk. Registration starts at 7:30am. The 10K race begins at 9am and the 2K run/walk starts at 10am. Medals will be awarded to the top two male and top two female finishers in each category for each race.

The hilarious Mascot Race, featuring mascots from area

Kayaking on the Eau Claire River.

businesses take place immediately following the 2K. Other activities planned.

6th Annual Blue Devil Run/Walk 5k/10k Oct. 16,

9-10:45am • University of Wisconsin-Stout, Sports & Fitness Center, Menomonie • $15 • 232-1378 • The Run/ Walk will be along the beautiful Red Cedar River and Lake Menomin. At 8am, packet pick-up and race day registration. At 9am the 10K run and 5K walk begins. At 9:15am the 5K run begins. Award ceremony at 10:45am.

Introduction to GPS and Geocaching Oct. 23, 9:30-

11:30am • Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • FREE • 877-2212 • Learn the basics of using a GPS unit to navigate and to find hidden geocaches.

Geocaches are typically waterproof containers that contain a logbook and small trinkets or toys. Basically it’s hide and seek for people of all ages using a GPS unit.

Discover how to use a GPS unit using the Reserve’s units. Course instruction includes a “hunt” for an on-site

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41st Annual Frigid 8 and Thermal 3 Dec. 4, 10am • Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1300 Mansfield, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin • $17 before Dec. 1, $20 day of race, $15 students 18 and under • bkmcalister@hotmail.com • The oldest, cold race in the Chippewa Valley. The race is held on the first Saturday of December and coincides with the Christmas Parade held in downtown Chippewa Falls in the evening. Weather ranges from sunny in the mid-40s to snowy, blustery winter winds with temperatures in the teens. The race generally draws between 160 to 180 runners and walkers.

2010 Jingle Bell Run/Walk Dec. 11, 9am • UW-Eau

Claire Davies Center, Eau Claire • $20 individual, $22 team member • 800-283-7800 • Be there with bells on.

Get in the spirit this holiday season at the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Eau Claire.

Wear a holiday themed costume and tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving.

Registration at 8am.