Come one, come all! The three new cabins at Martin's Access, located within the south gate into the park addition (look for balloons!), will be open for public inspection from 10 AM until Noon this Saturday, June 19. This is a come and go event. Staff will be present to answer questions, share information and take reservations, or, feel free to ignore us and take a look on your own! Light refreshments will be available. We just can't wait to show you how they've turned out!

About a year ago, we started to build three rental cabins at Martin's Access. You might say that we were jumping on the bandwagon, following the trend statewide to rake in a little more revenue than a campsite can muster. But it seemed like a good idea anyway. How else to share our beautiful, quiet outpost in the Little Sioux Valley with folks who aren't interested in sleeping in tents? How better could we make families, young and old, comfortable in such a remote environment? Cabins were a great answer!

We have received recent criticism for our cabins' apparent lack of style. No pizzazz, I guess. But I wonder if our critic has spent much time in the cabins. The design and materials we (by we I mean my co-worker and me) used came from years of experience fixing and cleaning and maintaining public facilities. We built a simple cabin with simple utilities, using common sense and durable materials, so that they will outlast our tenure here and hold up to The Public, that mysterious and demanding entity who vex our bathroom cleaners and use our picnic tables for firewood. The cabins are durable, solid, long-lasting, quiet, cozy, vibrant, and easy to keep. Big enough to live in, small enough to be efficient. We didn't cut any corners on materials or workmanship! Please come see for yourself (especially you critics!)!

Finally, before you ask, I will add that we are far from done with the cabin area. Future plans include trees and shrubs, native prairie plantings, modern campsites, equestrian trailer parking, a visitor kiosk, a playground and more. And we value your input! It helps keep our priorities in order. So pay us a visit, or just plan to get away from it all at a cabin in the near future! Call our office (712-225-6709) to make a reservation!

If ever there was a winter for blogging, this has been it. The old timers say they've never seen this much snow on the ground all at once in Cherokee County. And yet, I've hardly spent time at my desk. We've been busy finishing the cabins at Martin's Access, moving lots of snow, keeping the Silver Sioux Lodge ready each weekend for guests, and renting out cross country skis! It's nice to know that even in winter, the community is buzzing, busy and having fun. Snowmobiles on the river, Jazz and Blues in the pubs, and always, always planning for spring and summer. Cherokee is a vibrant place.

Skis! The cross country ski trail at Red Tail Ridge Habitat Area has been groomed. First, it was mowed, summer after summer, until the deer became accustomed to its convenience. Then, once it was covered in a couple feet of dense snow, their hooved feet in great numbers trampled it to a firm icy track. Adventuresome skiers sped along this narrow, icy trail until we came along with a freshly repaired snowmobile to widen and groom the thing. Now, it is firm, fast and well-travelled! I like to ski where no tracks mark the snow, where my skis sink about half a foot into the drifts, which may be three feet deep or more, and my speed is tempered by the friction of loose powder. I tend to fall over if I go too fast. Whatever your preference, we have skis to rent: $5/pair/day. Maybe you should give skiing a try! Before winter ends and it is too late!

Bring your family out to the 18th Annual Friends of Conservation Field Day at Silver Sioux Park Sunday, June 14! Prairie Stew cooked over an open fire with all the fixin's will be served in the Barn beginning at noon. CCCB will provide wagon rides through the Stiles Woodland Preserve, across Silver Creek from the park. Demonstrations of spinning wool, rope making and wood working will give you a taste of history, with a backdrop of live "Crabgrass" country music to make your toes tap. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and join the barn jam!

What better way to entertain your family on a June day? While you are in the park, check out the trails, the prairies and forest, the birdfeeding/watching station, the campgrounds and access to the Little Sioux River. CCCB staff members will be there for the day, too.

What is Friends of Conservation, you ask? Come find out! They are a private organization preserving a beautiful tract of forest, savanna, prairie and cropland for its historic and natural value. We like 'em, and so will you!