Got your Christmas shopping done?

Geez, yesterday we were only three months from Christmas Day.........and last week we officially left summer...........yep, we will soon be riding, skiing and tubing. Only 22 days til our annual swap and season pass sale. A gift certificate might be the perfect gift for someone in your family.......and if it is, October 18 is the day to come to Seven Oaks to get the discounted season pass or browse thru the lodge looking at all the new equipment that might just be the right equipment to purchase for a gift...........shoot, maybe you deserve to buy your own gift.......new board or skis??

We recently sent out one of our Seven Oaks E-news that had a question worth repeating on the blog. As we get close to ordering our clothing is there a color or are there colors you want us to consider this year? Let us know.....soon.

OUR WINTER SCORECARD UPDATE
Groomer - ready for winter
CTEC chairlift - ready for winter
All snow making guns - ready for winter
Riblet chairlift - 80% ready for winter
Snowtubing - 50% ready for winter
Rental shop - 30% ready for winter
Me - 99% ready for winter..........I'm ready to groom!

What's a Dragoon River Romp? Read On

The annual Dragoon River Romp started on Saturday September 19 with volunteers......143 of them.......registering at the Lodge at Seven Oaks before proceeding to the river to spend the morning picking up after others. Believe it or Not, two years ago the Romp cleaned the same section of river that was cleaned this year...........but still collected 4.5 TONS of litter from the river banks, the sand bars and the water itself..........Simply amazing isn't it that we as a society don't care enough to avoid scarring mother nature. After all the education that has taken place for years......people still do it. And this is in addition to what Seven Oaks staff picks up, especially at the boat ramps, all summer long.

I suppose in reality some of the litter is coming from those who enjoy the river thru our full service canoe, kayak or tube floats.......but hey, I don't think any of them had with them the 22 tires that were retrieved, or the two appliances or even the car battery. Yep, that was among the trash that was picked up.

It was a beautiful day for the event and it finished with a meal at the lodge along with prizes and recognition of those who put so much effort in putting it together each year. Maybe you would like to volunteer next year.

Here are a couple pics taken that day.

Thanks to each of the volunteers.......

And thanks to all the event coordinators.......

And thanks to the Seven Oaks staff........

A couple quick reminders.........FAF is October 2 in the lodge with live music by Larry Myer, food from Grand Times and beer tasting hosted by Olde Main Brewery ................and Sunday, October 18 is the annual Season Pass Sale and Swap. There will be more new equipment than ever before brought in for this one day event...priced to sell.......Hope to see you there........

Labor Day Weekend

What a gorgeous weekend we had over Labor Day........let me share with you all that was going on at Seven Oaks.

It all started Friday night with about 200 attending our first friday of the month Friday after Five. Then ........over the next three days we had right at 500 people on the river enjoying tubing, canoeing and kayaking. There were also lots of folks in the campground.......weather was sweeet for camping too.

On Saturday the lawn all around both chair lift bases was covered........no really covered.......with tents, campers, cars and people as the Seventh Annual 24-Hour Mountain Bike Race started at noon. Then at 5:30 pm a wedding reception consisting of about 260 occupied the lodge and the patio for their great party.

Saturday night at midnight was the traditional hour long chairlift rides and pasta feed for all the bikers and their support teams. Breakfast at 7 am for the bikers.........and the race finished at noon on Sunday........followed by the awards ceremony in the lodge.

People were coming and going all weekend and I didn't know if I was coming or going! But it was fantastic, the weather as said before was perfect, everyone had a good time and the Seven Oaks staff did a wonderful job facilitating it all.

Check out our new ski page with changing pics..........I think Joel's intent is to add pics to each page. I like it.

We still have several more paintball groups on the books for this month - one is a group of 50 Marines.....and a lot more wedding receptions in the Lodge too. A variety of other meetings and meals are scheduled as well........so it looks like we'll remain busy. Our full service river floats will continue thru September and October. Several of the staff are going to start sneaking out for some days off as we get in the slightly slower period and before we get into the full swing of winter.

Remember the season pass sale and swap is Sunday October 18 from 9 am to 5 pm.

Enjoy the balance of the summer and fall..........we'll be making snow before you know it. Can't wait.....it's my favorite. Oh yeah, just to clarify.....that was ole man Rick doing the parasailing!

Took one off my bucket list

Strap in, set down, shut up and away I go.........

Getting up there.........great view.........

Now what am I going to do next year??

Season Pass Sale and Swap is third Sunday in October from 9 am to 5 pm........October 18,2009........stop and see us at the State Fair

Busy Busy Busy with river floats........not too late for YOU.

Later

Where were you yesterday????

Don't know where you were but these people were on a full service river float at Seven Oaks. What a great way to spend a few hours.......floating down the river with family or friends........whether in a canoe, kayak or tube...............yeah, check out the new Seven Oaks river tubes..........

Sunshine, relaxing, idle conversation..........what a great afternoon..........

and yes.........you can just float along in your kayak.........not even paddling.........much........just relax and go with the flow........

.....summer.........ain't it great.........

almost eight miles of this view of the river..........enjoy a full service canoe, kayak or river tube float at Seven Oaks..........

more stone........

Here are the pics of the lodge addition with the stone in place. We like it........hope you do too.

You can come anytime to have a look and a visit........in about a week we have our July 3 Friday after Five, which might be a good time for a visit.........or..........

if you haven't booked your river float yet........as hundreds already have......you can give us a call with your date for a float and check out the lodge when you are checking in..........

Been busy with the weather turning summer like..............overnight! But hey, it's great to have some hot days cause it is sooooo cool on the river.......canoes, kayaks and river tubes........all full service.........just come to Seven Oaks, and we provide the labor, the equipment, the transportation and you have the FUN......I know there are some of you winter enthusiasts out there that have not enjoyed the river yet.........

see you soon.......

Geez, where ya been?

Well......let's see.........the stone has been installed on the exterior of last fall's lodge addition......we think it looks great.......maybe I can get Ken to send me a couple pics to post for you who haven't been on site to see it for yourselves........and some landscaping was done after that......still have to lay down some mulch.

And then there is the Friday after Five on June 5th that had about 250 people in attendance for a really great night.......food from Grand Times, drink specials, beer tasting, lots of laughter......oh and the hoola hoop contest......

I shouldn't forget to mention the lodge has been busy on Saturday nights with receptons and reunions.......had a reunion again last Saturday night and another one this Saturday night.......followed by a flurry of wedding receptions.

The new livery operation in Webster City on the Boone River is up and running........Joel with three staff took kayaks on the new stretch last week.......mid week.......and had a blast. It was reportedly a new experience when they engaged the rapids......fun....

Can you believe the month of June is more than half done......wow........and have you seen our ads on the KCCI web site? Before you know it we'll be sending an e-news about the October season pass sale! The new brochures are supposed to be done this week so we can begin using them for next winter mailers.

We are tired of the unseasonably cool days and cloudy skies and rain or the threat of rain. Really looking forward to this weekend with mid and upper 80's for temps and NO rain........but it is admittedly better than this time last year with about five feet of water flowing over highway 30.

Had a surprise visit from our friend Todd a week ago........the guy that engineered the chairlift installation last year. He was in Wisconsin installing another chairlift, had the weekend off and decided to come visit all the Seven Oaks gang. Had a chance to catch up with him and to show him the livery in Webster City.

in closing........enjoy the outdoors..........at Seven Oaks........if you are one of our winter friends, give a canoe, kayak or river tube float a try........we think you will like it........