Chippewa Moraine Chapter
Ice Age Trail Alliance
Ice Age Trail Dispatch
Mid-July 2010
In this edition:
Potluck, Chapter Meeting July 19, featuring Special Presentation by Photographer Kristen Westlake
Sunday Hike, August 1
IATA's New Website Goes Live
Corridor Planning Update
July Chapter Picnic, Special Presentation by Karen Westlake, July 19
Our annual July chapter meeting and potluck picnic is always a highlight of our year. This year we are being joined by professional nature photographer Kristen Westlake, who is making a stop on her hike of the full IAT this summer. She'll have a program for us titled "The Ice Age Trail Adventure - Miles and Stories to Date", with some stories from her current journey on the IAT and other trails that have captured her imagination. We can expect some great photography and be inspired by seeing the trail through the eyes of an artist.
You can see some of Kristen's Ice Age Trail journal and some of her photos from the trail here, OR visit her full web site to see other stunning photos she's taken throughout the US and in many of the national parks.
Don't miss this special program at the Chippewa Moraine Visitor Center on Monday, July 19. Picnic at 6, the program will follow. Bring a dish to pass for the potluck, as well as your beverage choice, plates, and utensils.
Kristen enjoys company as she hikes the trial through our county. If you'd like to join, please let us know! Call 715 967-2164 or emailchapter@iatchippewa.org.
August Sunday Hike on August 1
Area cyclists are known to cycle for pie. In August, we will hike for pie as well, but this time it's pizza. After our August Sunday hike on August 1, we'll be ready for a trip to nearby Max's for pizza and cooling refreshments and breezes on the shores of Long Lake.
Meet at the Chippewa Moraine Visitors Center at 1 PM for this hike, and by all means, plan to stay for the pizza! Bring water and your bug repellent strategy of choice, and plan for a hike of 4-5 miles. Did I mention the pizza?
Redesigned IATA Website Goes Live!
The IATA web site has been redesigned and has gone live! So far, the content hasn't changed too much, but you may find it easier to find what you are looking for. As time goes on, new features will appear in the new format. One thing has not changed: the URL:http://www.iceagetrail.org.
Note the Quick Links menu in the upper right corner. Chances are this will take you where you want to go. Easier still, note three big buttons: Hike, Volunteer, Donate on the right side. One of those three will probably steer you in the right direction.
For information about our chapter and the trail in Chippewa County, start with the big Volunteer button, and then click on Volunteer Chapters (on the left or center). Finally, click on Chippewa County on the map (it's a test of your geographic skill!). Our chapter area's three pages (Chapter Home, Hike the Chapter, and Chapter Events become the top buttons on the left side.
When you wish to visit a section of trail elsewhere, first go to the Hike button, then click on Trail Map and Current Conditions. You can mouse around and double click to find the section you are interested in. Known issues are posted here, such as trail re-routes, high water, or other trail disruptions to be aware of.
You can join or renew your membership (note the new money-saving 3 year option) in the Support the IATA button. The Store has shirts and other merchandise you can order.
Corridor Planning Update
Our chapter's Corridor Planning Team met in July with our National Park Service partners to continue to discuss the corridor planning effort. Part of the focus was on the region west and north of the current trail at the Chippewa Moraine to Rusk County; the other focus is from Cornell to Taylor County in the east. They are in very different stages of consideration.
We have a great team of chapter members, NPS, DNR, and Chippewa County representatives. Our next chance to meet with residents of the areas will not occur until 2011.
Where To Find Information
Here's where to look for IAT and IATA information:
IATA Information in General: www.iceagetrail.org
Chippewa Moraine Chapter Information: www.iatchippewa.org AND www.chippewamoraine.iceagetrail.org/home ANDwww.twitter.com/iatachippewa (subscribe!)
Calendar of Chapter and Alliance Events: www.chippewamoraine.iceagetrail.org/chapter-events
Hiking the trail: www.iceagetrail.org (check the options under the "Hike the IAT" tab)
National Park Service Information about the Ice Age Trail: www.nps.gov/iatr/index.htm
See you on the trail,
Richard Smith
Chippewa Moraine Chapter Chair
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The Ice Age Trail
A Walk Through Time