Friends of Wyalusing Concession Stand

Closed for the Season

2011-10-10T15:37:00.003-05:00

Thank you to all of our new found friends and established friends for helping to make this another good season at the Friend of Wyalusing State Park Concession Stand.

Each and every day the staff looked forward to visiting and serving our park guests. Our guests are number one. We strive to do out best.

We were pleased to introduce a new polo short design as well as a levi work-style shirt this year. These shirts will continue to be stocked, again, next year. The two style of T-shirts, featuring Point Look-Out and the forest were almost sold out! These will be restocked as well for the next season.

Schwan's ice cream and food products were also a hit this year. Our guests enjoyed the new items which included hot pretzels and chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches.

The good folks at Adam's Ice Service brought ice to help keep our guests food items cool. Many times, they brought additional ice on Sundays so that our guests' food would not spoil on the trip home.

Scott Rush continued to bring wood and kindling to the park. This year, Scott added the small egg carton fire starters to help build that perfect campfire.

Pepsi products helped quench our guests thirst.

We are indebted to all of our suppliers. However, without our guests, the concession stand profits could not be used to help the Friends of Wyalusing State Park support assist, and promote the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with interpretive, scientific, historical, educational, and related visitor services at Wyalusing State Park, Grant County, Wisconsin.

The Friends of Wyalusing have started to plan events for the next year. Join us.

2011 Top Ten Questions Asked of the Concession Stand Staff

2011-08-28T17:11:00.000-05:00

Question #10: Are all of the trails uphill?

Answer: The first half of most of the trails are downhill.

Question #9: How long have you worked at the Concession Stand?

Answer: I have never "worked" at the Concession Stand. This isn't even a job. All of the profits from the Concession Stand are returned to the park. Can you imagine have a place like this to come and enjoy people and the park and get paid at the same time?

Question #8: How do I get to the boat landing?

Answer: Getting the map out, follow Long Valley Road down hill. Stop before you hear the splash.

Question #7: Does the Concession Stand have bread (or milk)?

Answer: Sorry. The Concession Stand used to have bread but people stopped buying it because it had little fuzzy spots of green around the edges. (The same with the milk). Let's not even talk about eggs!

Question #6: Does the Concession Stand have fishing bait?

Answer: Yes! The Concession Stand sells night crawlers. The first 11 are free. You only have to buy one.

Question #5: Where are the showers?

Follow the road on the far side of Wisconsin Ridge Campground. The showers are located on the end of the red brick building.

Question #4: Is there really treasure in Treasure Cave?

Answer: If there was no treasure it wouldn't be named Treasure Cave.

Question #3: Is that lookout close to here?

Answer: Looking at the map, the star is the location of the Concession Stand. Walk along the road toward the playground until coming to Lookout Point parking lot. At the end of the parking lot, follow the blacktop path downhill about one block.

Question #2: You sell wood here?

Answer: Yes, the Friends of Wyalusing State Park sell only 100% natural wood. It is locally harvested and free of Emerald Ash Borer.

Question #1: There is a tie. Is there a bathroom in here?

Answer: The bathroom is located across the road from Peterson Shelter.

Question #1: Is this where I can rent a canoe?

Answer: Yes. We have canoes with only one hole in them. (Think about it........If there wasn't a hole, it would be long pointy aluminum bar.)

@ The Concession Stand

2011-05-27T07:28:00.000-05:00

The canoes and kayaks are set to go. Enjoy the marked water trail this weekend. Eagles have been sighted in the back water. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the concession stand located at Wisconsin Ridge campground.

Rates are for one hour, four hours and all day. Rental includes life jackets. Wyalusing State Park has a 4.9 mile, marked canoe trail starting and ending at the boat landing. The canoe trail does go into the Mississippi River for about a mile. The remainder of the trail is in the back waters. Generally, it takes between 2-3 hours to leisurely paddle the marked trails. Maps are available at the park office and the concession stand. A detailed map along with various flora and fauna is available online. (Click here)

During the week, when the concession stand is closed, campers and park visitors can rent canoes from the camp hosts on Wisconsin Ridge and Homestead Campgrounds.

Special Treats

The concession stand features Schwan;s ice cream treats as well as other delectable snacks. While they last, the concession stand will be featuring chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches.

In addition, the concession stand has the favorite Schwan's Vanilla Sundae Cones, regular ice cream sandwiches, ice creme bars, and Popsicles. Candy treats and pop is also available.

If you're hungry for something hot, the concession stand has personal size pizzas, cheeseburgers, and hot pretzels. The pretzels are also new to the concession stand.

New Apparel Available
The concession stand has new shirts available this year. The blue denim button shirts has an embroidered eagle just above the short pocket. Sizes and quantity are limited.

The concession stand has special sales on other t-shirts as well. Supplies are limited. Get them while you can.

QR Code
What is that square symbol that looks like a crazy crossword puzzle?
The symbol, below, is called a QR Code. It is similar to a bar code seen everywhere. A QR code is a special two dimensional code which can be read by an app on a smart phone. Almost all QR Code reading apps are free. Chances are, the smart phone you are using has a QR Code reader and you are not aware of it. If you use a blackberry the app is found in the 'Blackberry Messenger' folder. Open the folder and look for 'Scan a Barcode'. Open up the bar code scanner, point the camera of the Blackberry at the QR Code. When all is in focus, the Phone will beep. The QR Code has been read by your phone.
You should see the message on the screen. Sometimes, your settings will direct the image to another folder on the blackberry.

Scan QR Code

If you need the scanning software installed on your Blackberry, iPhone, Android or other smartphone, go here…
From your PC: http://www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software/

From your phone: http://analytics.percentmobile.com/device_qr_code_readers/

Weekends at the Concession Stand

2011-04-06T12:22:00.002-05:00

The concession stand manager, a retired teacher, has worked at the Bluff Top Shop as a volunteer as well as paid staff. Randy and his wife, Kathy, have also spent many enjoyable months as camphosts at Wyalusing state Park. Both love the area so much that they moved to Prairie du Chien a couple of years ago from the Milwaukee area. Both are active members and office holders for The Friends of Wyalusing State Park He always looks forward to meeting park visitors and the challenges of operating the Bluff Top Shop. Randy loves to share stories about Wyalusing State Park almost about as much as likes listening to others' stories.

“What a terrific way to spend the summer!” exclaims Randy, “In what other place does one get to enjoy the outdoors, meet terrific people, and have the best scenery in the United States.?”

The staff of The Bluff Top Shop recognize their role as enthusiastic greeters and provide visitors with up to date knowledge about Wyalusing State Park trails, and map interpretation. The Bluff Top Shop provides a majority of funding for The Friends of Wyalusing State Park.

The schedule is posted in the display case next to the concession stand.

The Bluff Top Shop offers souvenir post cards, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Special Post cards featuring Wyalusing State Park views and lookouts are featured. The concession stand also offers ice cream treats, snacks and liquid refreshment. Emergency camper supplies such as insect repellant, first aid materials, tarps, and rain gear can also be purchased. Wyalusing State Park visitors can also rent canoes and kayaks during concession stand operating times. The canoes and kayals are used on the 5.9 mile water trail which starts and ends at the Park's boat landing.

This year, the concession stand is hoping to offer new denim work-style shirt featuring an embroidered eagle. This style short has been offered in the past and has been a favorite for campers as well as a great gift idea.

Stop in for a visit. Share your stories. Here, at Wyalusing State Park, you're among friends.

Thanks for the Memories

2010-10-17T07:28:00.006-05:00

Another season at Wyalusing State Park concession stand has come to a close. Thankfully, a warm, unseasonable October extended the season by 2-3 weeks. It has been a summer of extended rain periods and hot-humid temperatures. In between, campers and park visitors enjoyed all that Wyalusing State Park has to offer.

Who knew that the season would be marked with a late fall flood! Due to high water around the canoe racks, canoe trail access was suspended for two weeks. Parts of last year marked too little water along the canoe trail. Passengers had to get out of the canoe and push it through a few areas of the trail. However, paddlers still saw eagles, muskrat, birds of all kinds, and, maybe, a harmless water snake or two.

The Friends of Wyalusing, who operate the concession stand, have always made a priority of offering wood free of insects and as dry as possible. Campers wishing to burn wood for the 'true camping experience', could always purchase wood without getting into a vehicle and leaving the park. This was not a record season for wood purchases. However, visitors did purchase over 5000 bundles of wood and over 300 packages of kindling. Next summer, the wood supplier will have firewood that meets or exceed the U.S. Governments standards. All of the firewood will be kiln dried before it enters the park.

So, thanks for the memories, see all of you next year!

The Friends of Wyalusing have operated the concession stand for the last few years (Has it been five or six years?). All profits from the season have always been returned to Wyalusing State Park for special projects which enhance the visitor's outdoor experience. The Friends of Wyalusing extend an open invitation to join the group. (Click here for application information.)

The End of the Season - Almost

2010-10-04T20:28:00.000-05:00

Another season of the Friends of Wyalusing Concession Stand is drawing closer. The coming weekend - Columbus Day weekend - leaf colors promise to be near peak.An interactive, county map of Wisconsin leaf colors can be found here. An early fall frost has accelerated the color change. A drive along the country roads leading to Wyalusing State Park, along the bluffs of the Wisconsin and Mississippi River, reveal Maple trees with deep reds, and Oaks just turning to a golden brown.
The Concession Stand Schedule for this weekend is:

Friday - October 8, 2010 - 3pm-8pm
Saturday - October 9. 2010 - 8AM-7PM
Sunday - October 10, 2010 - 8AM - 7PM

Hopefully, the flood waters will have receded and canoes will be ready to rent. At this point, it is unknown weather the canoe trail will be ready for paddling. Park staff will be checking on the canoe trail later this week. Please call the park office for information. Also, the latest information will be found on Twitter(fowsp) and Facebook . The rates for canoes are:

1 hour - $10.00
4 hours - $25.00
8 hours - $35.00

The selection of items for sale at the concession stand is very limited due to the immanent end-of-the-season. There are a few selections of ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches, Popsicles, and Drumsticks still for sale. Five pound and 20 pound ice cube bags will be available while the supply lasts. A few candy bars are also available.

Dry wood will also be available for the weekend.

All profits are returned to the park for future park development.

Thank you one and all for your continued support.

Celebrating the Fall season

2010-09-14T11:40:00.000-05:00

The Friends of Wyalusing concession stand has completed the summer season and looking forward to cool fall days. The concession stand is operated by the Friends of Wyalusing and all profits are returned to the park.

The hours of the concession stand are Friday, Noon - 8PM, Saturday 8 AM - 8 PM, Sunday 8 Am - Noon. The campground host, site 153 on Wisconsin Ridge, has generously volunteered to sell wood and ice while the concession stand is closed.

The fall season marks a limited amount of items for sale. The concession stand will have plenty of wood and morning coffee to keep the camper warm on the outside and inside. Soda pop and ice sales will last until the current supply is gone. The concession stand also has a limited supply of sweatshirts and t-shirts for sale.

The staff at The Friends of Wyalusing concession stand are always happy to serve you and offer friendly advice on the best hiking, and birding trails that Wyalusing State Park has to offer.

Newly designed T-shirts now available at Concession Stand

2010-08-18T19:16:00.001-05:00

Brand new T-shirts featuring Point Lookout now available at Wyalusing State Park Concession Stand. The full-color image is printed with a special ink jet process that imprints the ink directly into the fibers of the high quality T-shirt. The image will not peel, chip, or fade with washing.
The T-shirts are 100% pre-shrunk cotton. It comes in three sizes, medium, large, and extra large.
Don't leave the lark without a look at this t-shirt. It is only available at Wyalusing Concession Stand.

August

2010-08-08T18:31:00.000-05:00

It has been quite a summer season at Wyalusing State Park Concession Stand. The weather has often been one of the main topics of conversation...It's HOT!, Have the air conditioning on? What kind of Slushies do you have? and so on...

With the abundance of rain, people renting canoes and kayaks have not worried about going aground on the sand bars. Along with high water levels, some people taking the water trail have missed important turns and ended up on the Wisconsin River just below the railroad crossing. Almost all are able to 'go with the flow' crossing the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Sometimes the concession stand receives a frantic cell phone call asking if they are supposed to be near the railroad crossing and what they are supposed to do. The normal response is, "Oops!, just continue going with the flow of the rivers, enjoy the extra mile or two and be careful at the confluence." All renters of canoes and kayaks are encouraged to return on or before the time of the rental period. During heavy use times, others may be waiting to experience one of the best state park water trails.

With the hot weather, items that were cold have been very popular: ice cubes, ice cream bars and vanilla sundae cones have been very popular. Slushies, aka Slush Puppies, have been the favorite drink. What flavor is the favorite? Black Raspberry! The concession stand has a new flavor: Bubbly Bubblegum! Tastes just like bubble gum. No bubbles, though.

Within the next two weeks the concession stand will be introducing at least one new design for a t-shirt and new post cards depicting scenes from Wyalusing State Park.

Stop in for a visit.

May, 2010

2010-06-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

May brought about a few operational changes at the Bluff Top Shop: a new manager, new staff, new hours, and a lean budget.

The manager, a retired teacher, has worked at the Bluff Top Shop as a volunteer as well as paid staff. Randall Paske is an active member and office holder for The Friends of Wyalusing. He is looking forward to meeting park visitors and the challenges of operating the Bluff Top Shop.

The staff of The Bluff Top Shop recognize their role as enthusiastic greeters and provide visitors with up to date knowledge about Wyalusing State Park trails, and map interpretation. The Bluff Top Shop provides a majority of funding for The Friends of Wyalusing State Park.

The Bluff Top Shop opens at 10AM on week days and 8AM on weekends. It closes at 9:00PM each day. The later closing should help late arriving campers an opportunity to purchase wood and 'forgotten' supplies.

The Bluff Top Shop still offers souvenir post cards, t-shirts and sweatshirts. It also offers concession stand treats and drink. Emergency camper supplies such as insect repellant, first aid materials, tarps, and rain gear can also be purchased.

In late June, the Bluff Top Shop is hoping to offer park visitors with new T-shirts featuring printed scenes from the park. The photos are not stencils. The ink becomes part of the cloth. The photo will not wash out. The printing process will be done by a local printer.

The concession stand is hoping to provide a limited supply of postcards featuring Wyalusing Park scenes.

Concession Stand Hours

2010-05-03T18:54:00.002-05:00

June-August

Mondays-Fridays: 10:00 AM-9:00pm
Saturdays & Sundays 8:00am-9:00pm

Wood
Camp Supplies
Schwan's Products
Candy
Rent Canoes
Souvenirs
Information

Friends of Wyalusing - The Bluff Top Shop

2010-03-05T13:07:00.000-06:00

Job Application Form

2009-03-29T16:04:00.002-05:00

Summer Canoe Trail - 2009

2009-03-06T19:22:00.000-06:00

Sandbars along the Wyalusing State Park canoe trail slowly appear from the depths in Mid-July. (Sections 2 and 3 of the map on the left. See this photo album for maps.) In July, one doesn't necessarily float the entire canoe trail at Wyalusing State Park located in Bagley, Wisconsin.

Shoving the blade of the paddle into the sandy bottom, then pushing the canoe along, might dislodge the canoe from the grips of the sandbar. Most of the time, however, one must get out and pull or push the canoe along parts of the trail. Luckily, the sand bar is, as its name implies, sandy! This is the canoe trail after all! And, one usually hikes on a trail.

Low water levels expose many secrets of life along the backwaters. Fresh water mussels lie along the muddy shores. During the night, raccoons dig into the muddy shore, searching for a tasty snack. Finding one, they open the yummy morsels, wash the sand away, and consume the insides leaving only the shells. In the morning, the empty shells are strewn along the muddy shores.

Wading into the Mississippi River backwater of the Woodyard slough, during a hot summer day, may be a pleasurable experience....for some. On the other hand, this canoer keeps thinking of the water snake which appeared a few feet away. Oh, and where do snapping turtles go when they disappear under water?

After a short tug off the first sandbar, keeping a lookout for water snakes and snapping turtles, one jumps back into the canoe. Imagination can play tricks on the unwary canoer. Playing hop-scotch with a canoe occurs at least two or three more times. Each time, a little of the sand bottom makes its way into the canoe.

The trip meanders around the bend passing exposed beaver house entrances along the banks, now visible because of low water levels.

Another sandbar! More pushing and pulling, watching for snakes, turtles and now, beaver! Are beaver really nocturnal?

The canoe needs to be pulled through a few more shallow areas. Great Blue Herons fly from their fishing activities as the canoe is loosened from the sand bar. The familiar Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America. It is a large bird, with a slate-gray body, chestnut and black accents, and very long legs and neck. In flight, it looks enormous, with a six-foot wingspan. Adults sport a shaggy ruff at the base of their necks. A black eyebrow extends back to black plumes emerging from the head. Juveniles have a dark crown with no plumes or ruff, and a mottled neck. In flight, a Great Blue Heron typically holds its head in toward its body with its neck bent.

When foraging, they stand silently along the banks, waiting for prey to come by, which they then strike with their bills. They will also stalk prey slowly and deliberately. Although they hunt predominantly by day, the Great Blue Heron may also be active at night. They are solitary or small-group foragers. They nest in colonies. Males typically choose shoreline areas for foraging, and females and juveniles forage in more upland areas.

Once passed the sandbar area, the canoe skims along. Fortunately, the area of sandbars is found in the northern part of the canoe trail.

When the water levels are low, it is easy to identify wapotato. Wapato (Sagittaria latifolia) is also known as arrowhead, arrowleaf, duck potato, and Indian potato. Wapato loves shallow ponds, swamps, slow moving streams, and the margins of quiet lakes. It requires a rich muck that is submerged in water for most or all of the year. In good conditions, wapato can grow in huge abundance. During pioneer times, Indian women collected wapato in shallow water from a canoe, or waded into ponds or marshes in the late summer and loosened the roots with their toes.The roots would rise to the top of the water where they were gathered and tossed into floating baskets. Today, the tubers are harvested with a hoe, pitchfork, or rake. Tubers are baked in fire embers, boiled, or roasted in the ashes. Tubers are skinned and eaten whole or mashed.

Looking closely, you will see a few of the Wapoto stalks eaten away by muskrat. The chewed off tops are carried into the water, to find a place on the muskrat 'table' of goodies.

Just before we enter the Mississippi River, whirligig beetles zip around in curious circular patterns. Whirligig beetles are found in the calm backwaters of the slough. They congregate in large numbers and scurry about the water surface in a random pattern. When handled, these beetles give off an apple-like odor. Whirligig beetles are unique in that their compound eyes are divided, giving them a four-eyed appearance. This eye division allows them to see above and below the water surface at the same time. A whirligig beetle swims in small circles. This motion gives them their name because they seem to whirl on the water’s surface. This whirling behavior confuses its predators.

The beetle swims with half its body out of the water and half its body under the water. Their short, paddle-like back legs are used for swimming. Their long, slender front legs are used for grasping and gathering prey. Adult whirligig beetles are carnivores as well as scavengers. They prey on other aquatic insects and dead or dying insects that fall into the water. Adult Whirligig beetles have well-developed wings. This means they can fly from one pond to another if a water source dries up.

Female whirligig beetles lay their eggs in masses on underwater plants. The eggs hatch into larvae in about two weeks’ time. Whirligig beetle larvae are aquatic and carnivorous.

Adult Bald Eagles along with their brown, mottled, fledglings are perched in trees, A few Bald Eagles may also be seen flying along the backwater, looking for a fish dinner. The upper Mississippi River is home to one of the most magnificent birds in the world, the great bald eagle. Bald eagles are very plentiful along the shores of the upper Mississippi and continue to thrive in regions of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The only 2 states that contain more bald eagles are Alaska and Florida. These magnificent creatures can be viewed year-round in the area as they continue to nest more rapidly. The upper Mississippi River valley also contains many other endangered, rare and threatened types of wildlife along its beautiful shores.

Once in the Mississippi River, the trip resumes in a more leisurely paddle. Weekends brings more pleasure boat traffic along the main channel. This, in turn may produce wakes which have to be negotiated carefully in a canoe. A passing towboat usually creates less of a wake than the smaller boats.

The Towboat Day Marker appears along the East shore, signaling a left turn in about three tenths of a mile. Safe navigation channels on the Mississippi River are marked by floating buoys or permanent day marks. When traveling upstream, green can buoys or day marks will mark the left side of the channel. Red nun buoys or daymarks will be on the right. Day marks may be lighted and are usually signed with the river mile at that location.

Rounding the bend, we are eager to reach the boat landing. Pleasure boats and fishing boats use this part of the backwater to reach the main channel. Most will slow to no wake speeds. Some will not. Be prepared to make evasive maneuvers. Finally, we return to the boat landing. Want to go again?

Special Note:
Northern Water Snakes are common along the Mississippi River and its backwaters (and throughout the state near water ways). Unfortunately, they are often believed to be venomous Water Moccasins and dangerous. Stories by misinformed individuals who swear that they were aggressively chased by a water moccasin while swimming "up north" during a vacation. Nothing could be further from the truth for Water Snakes are non-venomous and completely harmless. Yet, this mistaken identity can result in many water snakes being wrongfully killed by swimmers, boaters and fisherman. Furthermore, they are killed by fisherman who believe that they reduce game-fish populations (which is not true). In fact, it has been suggested that Water Snakes may be beneficial to fish populations by consuming the sick, dying, or deformed individuals.

These can be aggressive snakes if cornered, and will not hesitate to bite when threatened. However, if left alone, they pose no threat to humans whatsoever. Furthermore, they will readily dump their cloacal fluid (or defecate) on the person who has captured them. This is incredibly unpleasant. Very few snakes in Wisconsin have a more offensive smelling "musk" than the northern water snake.

Building 2672 - The Peterson Shelter

2009-03-06T09:29:00.000-06:00

The Peterson Shelter began as "the most noteworthy project since the Civilian Conservation Corp(CCC) arrived in the park". The "Combination Building", as it was known in the mid 1930s, replaced "two inadequate structures that were used by park (then Nelson Dewey Park) visitors". The original design called for a building measuring 113 feet by 55 feet.(1)*

The construction began in the mid 1930s under the direction of Harvard Peterson, CCC engineer. The combination building design would "accommodate future visitors with a recreational building fitted both for their aesthetic pleasure and physical comfort. It would be built in harmony with the natural park surroundings.

Natural stone walls began to take shape during the cold months of the mid 1930s. "Stone work progressed slowly during severe weather because the mortar had to be kept warm in canvas and board enclosure." Each time a section of wall was completed, the structure had to be disassembled and moved.

The building was to be completed in 1937. "It had four divisions in which space was provided for 1) a concession stand, 2) an enclosed portion with display cases for a museum and historical exhibits, 3) a large central portion with a fireplace at each end, and 4) a smaller end portion with open cooking for use by smaller family groups."

--------------------------------
Source:
1) Camp Nelson Dewey Conservation Corps Newspaper. See link