Hot weather

The forecast for the next several days is for highs in the mid 90"s.......so as you can guess the phone is going pretty wild with reservations.........this Saturday is not booked out but getting closer so don't delay in making your reservations........let the fun begin!

Finnnnnalllly it's SUMMER!

It took a while for summer to really get here didn't it........and I hope I am not jinxing the weather by even posting this........probably not.......temps are up there where many like them for this time of year and the sunshine puts a whole new take on life for a lot of people........sure helps my attitude .........

I feel horrible for all the folks along the Missouri River........I go to Nebraska City to see family pretty regularly so I know the area along highway 2. Saw pics on facebook taken at that area and it's major flooding......ugly........we certainly had a belly full of the similar mess in 2008 and 2010 so we can appreciate what they feel on the west side of the state.......

Speaking of facebook.........make sure you check out the Seven Oaks giveaway that was posted yesterday..........who knows......YOU might be the winner........and it is pretty cool to read the comments others have posted and are posting.......

The Independence Day Holiday weekend was busy........all the routine fun on the river was in full force and the campground was busy too. Had a wedding anniversary in the lodge Monday the 4th and it sounds like it went well for them......

Had a paintball group on the books for today, had an online reservation for a group that wants to paintball this morning when we came in and I even answered the phone moments ago........which I never do.......and took another reservation for this evening...........must be paintball day.......

Working today on everything that needs done for the State Fair, which will be here before we know it........speaking of which.......I can not believe the number of schools that resume classes in mid August.........right in the middle of the fair...........and family vacations..........I don't get it!

All the ski trails and tubing hill got their first haircut of the season last friday night........sure looks different when everything gets mowed and it looks good too. Most of it got done friday night during our Friday After Five............had a good crowd here.......and Big G's BBQ did the meal ...........with a lot of compliments.........and had a good turnout of classic and vintage cars for the fourth annual car show .....thanks to our friends John and Sharon Tuttle for doing the organizing for the show...........

okay.........I better get to working more on the state fair stuff..........have a good one and be safe......remember the GOAL.........Get Outdoors And Live!

Mid June Busy Time

When the temps increase this time of year so does the activity here. Paintball groups here yesterday, today, Saturday and Sunday. People floating on the river every day this week and this coming weekend is busy too. Wedding rehersal dinner in the lodge tonight and a large outdoor wedding with reception on site Saturday.

In the meantime we have finished the new barricades (posts and ropes) in the campground to keep vehicles from driving into the camp sites.......had to do it in our minds for safety........don't need some youngster having an accident with a vehicle........I am sure you agree. Our new camp host Josh is doing a good job too.

We have also been discussing what differentiates us from other things people can do with their discretionary time and money .......and came up with this short list.......do you agree?

• We provide outdoor recreation



• Guests are participants and not just spectators



• Many of our activities are unique to Iowa



• Our activities are a means to socializing



• Our activities are mentally and physically healthy



• Our activities are for a diverse age group



• Our activities are beginner friendly



• Many of our activities are a sport for life



• We serve individuals, small groups and large groups



• We are family owned and family operated

And I could have added but didn't cause so many do say this but often fall short........Seven Oaks is a very friendly team that will do everything possible to give our clients a memorable and favorable experience........and I really think we do just that as is expressed time after time from our clients that send us a written comment, an email or stop on their way out to praise one or more of our team members that in their opinion went above and beyond the call of duty.........and of course we like that!

......so as we are rapidly approaching July and August......our BUSIEST months for river floats, don't hesitate to make your reservation as soon as you know a date and how many watercraft you need so you won't hear us say "sorry we are sold out that day"..........seriously it does happen especially on Saturdays........

......see you soon......

It was HOT

Man, the temps did rise this week didn't they.....which had a lot of folks wanting to enjoy the cool river in order to combat some of the heat. We have had people floating every day this week and unlike the Missouri River, we have levels that continue to drop on the Des Moines River. Looks like we should see all the major sand bars exposed by this weekend at the rate the river is falling right now.

I am writing todays blog from Oskaloosa where it has been raining since 3 am this morning. Heard a couple of good rumbles about then so I got up to check the radar and saw it was headed our way down here. Looks like just a little tip of a cell caught Seven Oaks and that was confirmed in this morning's conversation that the rain was almost enough to get the concrete wet.

Speaking of HOT, I think Monday was the warmest it has been this year and warmer than any day we had last year.........so we utilized the day to set about 30 posts in the tent campground to define parking from camping. It was sooooo hot........you didn't have to do much to break into a good sweat.........and when you did physical labor like we were doing it sapped the energy quickly.......but we did hydrate frequently........ahhhhh..........cool water does quench the thirst.......

Tuesday we had a lot of canoes on the water when it was about as hot as Monday.........the paintball group that was scheduled to play cancelled and I couldn't blame them........I have to believe with the clothing most wear during paintball games would have made it pretty unbearable...........being on the river sounds a lot more refreshing.........so they rescheduled for a different day........

Had another company book the lodge for their meeting in July complete with two meals and break out snacks..........it continues to be a busy place..........if I remember correctly Friday night of this week is a wedding rehersal dinner in the lodge then on Saturday a different group is using the facilities for their wedding reception.......

I think it's going to be a great summer to do some full service floats with us. Get your family or friends together and book your date sooner than later so you don't hear us tell you that we are sold out.........okay........and remember it's always more fun with family and friends........

See you soon........

Let the Summer Begin!

As the temps increase for the summer so does the activity here. We will be floating again this weekend and the phone is getting active...........it certainly is nice to see the eight day forecast for day time temps all in the mid to upper eighties........it seems like it has been a long time coming.

Of course last summer really didn't happen with the non stop rains and persistent flooding. What a mess. Glad it is nothing but a distant memory now.

Have our annual Jimmy Buffett night for the theme for the June Friday after Five.......Coal Creek Lounge opens at 5 pm and you can order food beginning at 5:30...........Have Tim from Indianola coming to DJ the event.........he has a big business doing special events with as many as four or five of his units doing gigs on the same night........you'll have to come check him out......I am pretty confident he knows what tunes to play for the Seven Oaks gang.......that's this Friday night June 3........

Hope you all had a safe Memorial Weekend..........first honoring our veterans and second having some fun with family and friends. The weather got better each day with Monday temps right where we want them for the kick off to the summer.......we gathered for a grand daughters NINTH Birthday........great time with family.......few games.........enough food for everyone, plus a few more.......very relaxing......

Did you know Brandie has joined the Seven Oaks team?? She started a couple weeks ago handling a lot of the inside sales and is training for the Seven Oaks Event Coordinator position as well.......She will do a great job........Carol has decided to leave her happy family here to pursue a new career with her own business and Dee has needed time to care for her family for some months......but I think you will see Dee some this summer on weekends when it is really hopping and this winter as well..........and Austin who worked in sales this past winter will be helping in sales this summer too........great team as usual......


Red is out mowing the lawn for the fiftieth time this year already....well maybe not that many times but.........man, the grass is really growing but it looks so good........

Had a really neat wedding reception here last Saturday night and another one this Saturday night......in fact there are like seven more here in June.....a lot of Friday nights and then a different group on Saturday night...........


Here is a shot of the lawn in front of the lodge just before all the guests arrived.......




As usual, the lodge was transformed into another look which was again really cool........here is a pic of the inside ........


.....had the opportunity to visit Jester Park down by Saylorville Lake for my first time two weekends ago for a birthday picnic.........for my wife........and I was pretty darned impressed with the park. Nice picnic areas, shelter houses and our shelter house had a nice view of the lake too.

I think our summer commercials start airing on Channel 8 and Channel 13 next week.......right in line with HOT weather.......which is RIVER weather........whether you CANOE or KAYAK or RIVER TUBE...........Let the Summer begin!

Seven Oaks Patroller Ben Upah Recognized

Last weekend Ben Upah was presented with the highest award that a patroller can get. He was presented with the PURPLE MERIT STAR at the Southern Region awards banquet last weekend in Lake Geneva WI. Fellow patroller Jerry Massengale submitted Ben for the award last winter after finding out that while Ben was on vacation in the summer of 2010 he was accentual in the reviving a 4 year old little girl that had drowned. The little girl is alive and doing well today thanks to Ben. This is why we strive to keep our skills up, you never know when they might be needed. Several fellow patrollers and family members were in attendance including Ben's parents John and Mary Jo, Ben's wife Bev, Patroller Jerry Massengale and his wife Missy.

Congratulations Ben and thanks for doing what you do!!

From one season to the next

Yep, the snow from the 2010-2011 winter season officially all melted late last week.....by now it should be well on it's way to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River! ....so all the winter equipment has been cleaned, painted, stored, put away, removed, and so on.........and paintball is underway........here are a couple pics of a group that played late last week at Seven Oaks....... .....and while the paintball has been in action and the lodge has been used for meetings and the like, the team has prepared all the buses, vans, canoes, kayaks, trailers, paddles, life vests and such ready for the summer river business.........which will begin in earnest in a couple short weeks........you ready? ......we are! ......and today the last of the river tubes are being inflated by Frost and Red.......getting ready for multiple trips down the river when the water temp and air temp increase some more........ we are really happy this year with the water level already.......

......people are making reservations for their river floats now.......call soon to insure you get the dates you want.........

.....see you at Seven Oaks.....