Those who wish to participate in the raid will select a camping destination, taking into consideration the wind forecast and other factors, on Sunday (the last scheduled day of the Messabout).  They will spend Sunday night at the group campsite, splitting the $200 campsite fee, and will shove off the next morning. There will be 1-2 (probably 1) night(s) of camping elsewhere either on a beach or in another campground on the lake. Hok-Si-La has agreed to allow participants extended parking in their trailer lot during the Raid at no additional cost. We should consider some effort to coordinate food, utensils, and extraneous camping gear, etc. to minimize duplication. Individual boats will be expected to stow most of their own gear, but Greg's boat has a lot of extra capacity and can help out as needed. (He’ll bring an ice chest, axe and saw, 5 gallons of water, a shovel for burying poop, a 1-burner propane stove and a camp-cook set.)  Motoring capability is not required, but at least half of the boats should have it and all boats should carry line for towing in case of need.

At this point, two possible destinations are under consideration (see maps below).

Possible Destination 1: Chippewa River Delta/Reads Landing

The Chippewa River delta, which partially dammed the Mississippi to create Lake Pepin, is about 12 miles ESE of Hok-Si-La. The delta is a wildlife refuge and provides a huge area for beach camping if the river is not too high. The biggest potential problem with this destination is that the prevailing wind direction in June is from the ESE and it could take 20+ miles of tacking back and forth to get there. My son and I made this trip 20 years ago and the zig-zags that I put on the map are kind of how I remember it. But the right wind forecast could make it a very different story! The Reads Landing Brewery and Restaurant, would be a great place for dinner, but the strong river-current there may prevent most boats being able to return to the delta for camping.

Variations on this trip might include:

1. Depending on our rate of progress, we could make a stop at the town of Pepin, WI (about 2.5 miles from the delta) on Monday. The Pickle Factory restaurant has plenty of beaching and docking space for diners.  

2. Sail back to Hok-Si-La on Tuesday morning, drive vehicles and trailers to landing, walk back to Hok-Si-La, sail boats to landing, pull the boats out, and head for home (expect a late start on the road).

3. Instead of sailing all the way back to Hoc-Si-La on Tuesday, continue on about 4 miles past Reads Landing to Wabasha, tie up at the Izaac Walton Park landing and head back to pick up vehicles and trailers on pre-parked shuttle vehicle(s).  (Wabasha does allow up to 3 days of on-street parking.) Then pull the boats out and say farewell. Optionally, could include a visit to the nearby National Eagle Center.

Possible Destination 2: Rush River Delta and Maiden Rock Village Campground by way of Frontenac

This option is considerably shorter than the Chippewa River delta trip but would also have great scenery and variety (and a wide expanse of water for additional sailing). I’ve mainly explored this via Google Earth so please correct me on any of this. We’d be sailing north from Hok-Si-La past Maiden Rock Bluff on the Wisconsin shore and then make a stop at Sand Point, a renowned kite surfing spot and now a discontinuous part of Frontenac State Park. Then we’d head further north to Florence Township Beach in the town of Frontenac (which is about 4 miles from Hok-Si-La). I’m hoping that we would be able to park our boats there (no lifeguards) and take a hike of a little over a mile in distance and over 400 feet in height to the primary scenic overlook in Frontenac State Park. Then we could cruise over to the Wisconsin side, still heading north, about 3 miles to the Rush River delta. Like the Chippewa River delta it’s a wildlife sanctuary and, if the water’s not too high, it should offer plenty of beach area for landing. The best option for camping is the Maiden Rock Village campground at Maiden Rock, about 1.5 miles to the east.  Tent sites there are $15/night, no reservations, pay the box, porta-potties provided. See this review:  Maiden Rock Village Campground   There are also quality restaurants in town:  Available Dining.  Straight line distance back to Hok-Si-La is about 6 miles.