Wisconsin s Hidden Valley Getaway Tue-Thu, Oct. 13-15 & Fri-Sun, Oct. 16-18, 2015 * Bike the 17 prettiest miles of the famous Sparta-Elroy trail * Hike through autumn splendor in Wildcat Mountain State Park * Kayak the peaceful Kickapoo River * Horseback ride through the rolling Wisconsin countryside * Tour Amish country and learn about their culture Explore. Dream. Discover. TrailboundTrips.com 1 P a g e
Weekday Getaway: Tuesday, Oct. 13 1 Pm 1 pm Arrive at Country Inn & Suites, Sparta 2 1:30 pm Choose from two fun adventures: o Bike 17 miles (from Wilton to Sparta) through beautiful countryside and mountain tunnels on the famous Sparta- Elroy trail, the first rails-to-trails path! o Horseback ride through rolling Wisconsin countryside at 3 pm Paddle past bluffs, woodlands, and prairies. 7 pm Enjoy great food at Sparta Family Restaurant, conveniently located next to our hotel Wednesday, Oct. 14 9 am Depart to hike the pristine 1.3-mile Hemlock Trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park 11:30 am Enjoy your trail lunch along the pretty Kickapoo River 1 pm Choose from these three great options: o Kayak the peaceful, winding Kickapoo River o Hike the scenic 2.5-mile Old Settler s Trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park on your own o Explore the countryside, shop, relax, or bike a bit more on your own Meet the Amish and learn more about their culture. 7 pm Dine at Jake s Northwoods in Sparta Thursday, Oct. 15 9:30 am Depart to visit local Amish shops and learn about their community with the local author of Down a Country Road With The Amish 1 pm Enjoy lunch and ice cream at charming Ginny s Cupboard, an old-fashioned local soda fountain 1:45 pm Head back home, treasuring great memories and warm friendships Explore the pretty Wisconsin countryside on horseback. 2 P a g e
Weekend Getaway: (same activities as weekday - different order) Friday, Oct. 16 12:30 pm Meet at Country Inn & Suites, Sparta 1 pm Depart to explore the shops at Down a Country Road. Then tour and learn about the Amish community and culture with a local expert 7 pm Enjoy great food at Sparta Family Restaurant, conveniently located next to our hotel Saturday, Oct. 17 9 am Leave to hike the pristine 1.3-mile Hemlock Trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park Venture through the Sparta-Elroy trail s popular tunnels. 11:30 am Enjoy your trail lunch along the pretty Kickapoo River 1 pm Choose from these three great options: o Kayak the peaceful, winding Kickapoo River o Hike the 2.5-mile Old Settler s Trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park on your own o Explore the countryside, shop, relax, or bike a bit more on your own 7 pm Dine at Jake s Northwoods in Sparta Hike gorgeous trails in Wildcat Mountain State Park. Sunday, Oct. 18 Morning Choose from two fun adventures: o Bike 17 miles (from Wilton to Sparta) through beautiful countryside and mountain tunnels on the famous Sparta- Elroy trail, the first rails-to-trails path! o Horseback ride through the rolling Wisconsin countryside at 9:30 or 10 am 12:30 pm Grab lunch and well-earned ice cream at Ginny s Cupboard soda fountain, a local favorite Ride the nation s first rails-to-trails pathway. 1:30 pm Head home, treasuring great memories and warm friendships 3 P a g e
Enjoy the company of fun outdoor women! Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn t do than by the ones you did do Explore. Dream. Discover. ~Mark Twain Lodging: Sparta s Country Inn & Suites Enjoy the central location, indoor heated pool/whirlpool, guest laundry, high-speed internet, and complimentary deluxe hot breakfast (served at 6 am weekdays and 7 am on weekends). Each room has 2 queen beds, cable TV, coffee maker, hair dryer, alarm clock, shampoo/conditioner, and iron/board. We ve reserved the room block; you can put the room on your credit card when checking in. Below are our discounted nightly rates: Weekday: $79 + tax of 11.5% Weekend: $99 + tax of 11.5% Registration: We can take 24 women on each of the two getaways. Spots fill quickly! Reserve your spot soon: * Online at www.trailboundtrips.com under Hidden Valleys Getaway * By mailing the registration form on the next page Registration cost is $160 per person, which covers: * Two leaders throughout the getaway * Guided hike at Wildcat Mountain State Park * Guided 17-mile bike ride on Sparta-Elroy trail * Assistance on the river paddle * 2.5-hour guided Amish tour * Hot breakfasts at the hotel Registration cost does not cover meals, lodging, and activity costs. * Wisconsin park entrance sticker for drivers * Trip arrangements * Online photos of your adventures * Bike shuttle tip and reservations * Area info, maps, and packing lists Activities: Reserve your spot for the activities when registering; pay for them that day. Paddling: 1-person kayaks: $25; 2-person canoes: $30 (includes PFDs and paddles) Horseback ride: $37.50 per person (plus optional tip) for a 1.5-hour ride Bike rental & shuttle through Speed s Bike Shop: * Bike/helmet rental: $19 per person (or bring your own bike) * Helmet only rental: $3 per person (or bring your own helmet) * Van shuttle to our bike starting point: $15 per person 4 P a g e
Reserve your spot: Hidden Valley Getaway 2015 Tue-Thu, Oct. 13-15 & Fri-Sun, Oct. 16-18 Register with this form, or online at www.trailboundtrips.com 1. Your contact info Name: Address: City: State/Zip: Cell Phone: E-mail: Room-mate: Specify a roomie, or we ll be happy to pair you with another solo lady. 2. Dates you ll join us Weekday trip: Oct. 13-15 Weekend trip: Oct. 16-18 Make friends. Make memories. Make a date with nature. 3. Optional activities Reserve now pay later. We can cancel if the weather is poor. See fees and details on the previous page. These two activities are offered simultaneously. Choose one. I m paddling the Kickapoo (check boat preference below) 1-person kayak 2-person canoe Bringing my own I m hiking the optional afternoon trail (no extra charge) Kayak the Kickapoo. These two activities are offered simultaneously. Choose one. I m biking Sparta-Elroy s trail (check rental needs below) Bike/helmet rental Helmet only rental Bringing my own I m horseback riding 4. Mail this form with your $160 registration to Trailbound Trips, 533 S. Summit St., Barrington, IL 60010. In early September, we ll e-mail you driving directions, a packing list, area info and maps, a roster of your fellow hikers, and more. Questions? Don t hesitate to contact Carol Ruhter at 847-381-9374 or TrailboundTrips@gmail.com Savor the Hidden Valley s autumn beauty. We re glad you re joining us! Happy Trails! Your Guides: Carol Scout Ruhter & Debbie L. L. Lucy Hager 5 P a g e