Pineapple Express

Ever heard of the Pineapple Express?? Sounds like a desert.......or a drink........but it is not either of those. What it is........is.......the name of the system responsible for all the rain we have been receiving this summer.

We contacted Meteorologist Ed Wilson with WHO and he explained to us why we are getting and have been getting the extraordinary amount of rain that keep tracking across our state. He said........"We are in the pattern again this summer. There was talk of La Nina knocking out the rain and really ramping up the temperatures late July through August. It would be devastating if it happens while the corn crop is reaching full maturity. The jet stream is pushing the Pineapple Express from Hawaii. It pushes the storms right over the central U.S. High dew points are the problem this summer. We have had little to block us from the tropical moisture of the Gulf of Mexico. Usually we see fronts set up farther south and block the moisture plume to Iowa."

.......so first........thanks Ed for the explanation........no really........ we do appreciate it........
then I have to say I have lost some of my appetite for pineapple........and finally I guess for those of us who have never ventured to Hawaii...........mother nature has brought a little of Hawaii to us........geez.......

......river is again falling.........so looks pretty promising for this coming weekend to let the floats resume........yippee........let's hope so.........blast the pineapples...........

Krazy

This rain has been Krazy with a capital K........a couple short days ago the river was at near perfect level for our full service river floats........then the Ft Dodge area got about 5 inches of rain night before last.......AND.......about 3 more inches last night..........and it is all coming this way.......

.....so once again we have had to cancel all of our river floats for today, for tomorrow and for Sunday.........dang it.........

.....we'll continue to monitor the level and the predictions as we have been since Memorial Day (which means we either drive to the river or check the water levels via web about every hour or two......cause we are like that).....as we want to get all of you back on the books and on the river just as soon as we can.......

......because of the many cancellations and rebookings.......plus all the new bookings for August and September.........especially on Saturdays.........we are asking everyone to be flexible with your float plans (if you can) by considering a Friday or a Sunday for your weekend float........keeping in mind when the water level is good, Seven Oaks floats 7 days per week.......so even Monday thru Thursday works for us if it works for you.........thanks and we hope to see you on the water soon!

.........one group today that had to be cancelled on the river float, elected to play paintball for a few hours instead........glad they were flexible........ :)

Genie grants wish from yesterday

I said rain rain go away.........well it at least went south.......so that counts.......the Seven Oaks Genie must have granted the wish.........our full service river floats are in full swing.........canoes, kayaks and river tubes.........still some room this week and this weekend .........but don't delay as some weekends are booking pretty heavy.........come see us soon..........

......getting things in order for the Iowa State Fair.........remember to come see us on the north wall of the Varied Industries Building.........just west of the main entrance on Grand.........we're giving activity gift certificates away in our drawing........each day........

........reservations for the Lodge have gone wild.........team is keepin up but busy........lots of corporate meetings, meals and activities..........plus some picnics.........and the normal class reunions and wedding receptions.........in fact 2011 weekends are filling as we speak...........so if you have a class reunion, family reunion, wedding reception, birthday party, company retreat, picnic or whatever else you might have going on......where you need a unique quiet setting for several........check us out as the site for your gathering.........

Rain, rain go away.......

Had a sweet weekend on the river .......busy.......and with campers only to be greeted again today with rain and more rain........but, again I guess that's Iowa.

Up and Down

Here's the news from here.

Up.......temperatures are definitely up from what we have been having......wow.....was yesterday hot or what! Some have predicted we will have a lot of HOT weather for the balance of July and all of August........time will tell.......

Down.....every day the water level on the river continues to go down.........at this rate the sand bars will be exposing themselves in a couple more days.......hope it stays that way.......big weekend on the river starting Saturday........

If temps are up and water is down.......it is time for you to make your reservation for a relaxing river float.......

Have a private party in the lodge Friday night and another class reunion on Saturday night......getting everything mowed today for paintball and camping this weekend.......

We're back

Yep, we are back on the river with our full service canoe, kayak and river tube floats effective tomorrow.......Tuesday, July 13...........hope the really heavy rains are a thing of the past for a while..........we are ready to go and have lots of reservations on the books but there is still room for more.........

Had a family reunion in the lodge last Saturday and a double wedding reception in the lodge yesterday, Sunday........good times........

Paintball, tent camping and hiking/biking the 7 plus miles of trails continues to be available and used by several.............come on hot temps and sunshine........

Let's enjoy the rest of our summer...........

FAF; Classics; Haircut

Yesterday was a pretty busy day........in spite of the river flowing over highway 30.........

.......had our July Friday after Five.........and there were lots of folks out to enjoy the evening........as is evidenced by the patio population.........which was consistent with the lodge population........a good time........

........and the weather was pristine for the Third Annual Seven Oaks Classic Auto Show on the lawn.........lots of cars and trucks.........couple of jeeps......and a couple bikes too.........it was great.......

........and while all that was going on the ski trails were getting their summer haircut.........lots of folks commented they did NOT want to be riding in the huge tractor with the driver.......looks good.........we'll mow once more when the growing is done.........just before we start getting serious about making snow.......

........can you imagine..........in five short months we will be blowing snow??

.......let's hope the rain isn't too significant so the river will get back to normal and we can get some floats going........

Have a great 4th........

I KNOW YOU ARE ANXIOUS.......

I know a lot of you are anxious to enjoy your annual float down the river.........you've had reservations.......had them cancelled due to the river water height........re booked.........just to have the same thing happen again..........sorry..........we are really anxious too........but what can we do........up to mother nature and the Army Corps decision as to the amount of water to discharge and when........geez..........but it sure has been a really sweet week weather wise........blue skies.......sun.........mild breeze............hope it holds...........and it probably will ........so we can get you all on the river when it is ready.......

.......here is a recent picture of our fleet.........ready to go.............

.......tonight is FAF............meal, music, classic car show on the lawn............

enjoy July...............and happy holiday........

Water Water Everywhere

Man it was nice to have the rain quit and lots of sunshine this week.........but the water is so high on the river that we are not able to float again this weekend..........in fact the four-lane highway 30 that runs by Seven Oaks is under water.......as you have no doubt seen on TV........

......but that's Iowa!

.......Have our FAF tomorrow night for July.........includes our Third Annual Auto Show on the lawn.........spearheaded by John Tuttle..........and it's Military night as well.........discounted meals and a free drink for our military friends...........of course I can't forget to mention the great meals from Grand Times as always...........it is really unbelievable the number of people that travel quite a distance to each of our FAF's for their ribs.........

.......have a class reunion in the lodge Saturday night........with catered meal.......which should be fun........

.........in spite of the river, the paintball fields are open and being used each weekend so you might include that in your weekend plans..........call and make a reservation........

.......worked more yesterday on putting the finish grade to the new Quiet Camping Area which should be ready to be used next spring..........

Have a happy and safe Holiday Weekend!