Canyon Park Cabin

The botany of Canyon Park is definitely part of the attraction. There are little ecosystems throughout and the plant life varies noticeably. There are the sandy edges of the cliffs. The swampy areas in the canyon that can change overnight. The steep sides of the canyon vary from loose soil to bare rock. Some of the cliff sides have water on them and reflect brightly in the sunlight. The springs run constantly and the pond never stops. Each habitat is different and supports a different plant set.

In 1995 we were pleased to receive a note and a long list from Mr. Woerpel. He commented that he remembered seeing lady slippers just north of the big bluff on the east side of the canyon. But it has been many years though, maybe I just wasn’t there at the appropriate time.

The list itself is a copy of the typed field notes (with the common names penciled in) from an original survey of plant life at Canyon Park conducted UW-Madison.  In 1958, researchers from the UW, W. Adamson, E. Temby and J. Gates, undertook a study of the flora at canyon park. There also some records from 1968 and data was gathered in 2000 by A. Hipp.

It’s nice to have the list and it’s really cool to be able to look at it online. You can go to the WBIS, the Wisconsin Botanical Information System and find information pertaining to plant life all over the state. If you follow these few steps you can see what type of plants exist(ed) at Canyon Park.

Go to Wisconsin Herbaria Plant Specimen Database (link provided below) advance search and fill out the form like this:

Location: Canyon

Township: 6

Range: 4

County: Iowa

Click on search!

This should bring up the database for the canyon.

http://www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora/specimen/index.asp?type=1

A couple of postings and we’ve gotten some business. More than we anticipated. So we have been very busy keeping up with all of the demands of opening up the cabin for visitors.

Everyone seems to have enjoyed their stay. We have had return visitors, some great comments, a couple of great referals and rebookings.

We have also been contacted by some folks that had been at Canyon Park back “in the day”. We received great comments from the previous visitors, how the park has always been a part of their memories and wish that their kids could get some of the same experiences. They have expressed thanks for saving and reopening the park, although with a different plan.

We know that we have always had fond memories of Canyon Park (ask Lynn about the lynx) and we have always tried to find the best ways to share the park with others. Because of the recent support regarding the cabin we realize that our idea is a good one. You have confirmed our vision and made it all worthwhile.

We are in the process of realigning some of our operational stuff, including communications, and will soon be contacting everyone that has visited Canyon Park. We just want to say “Thank You” to everyone that has helped.

We are having a blast and most of you have, as well.

Thanks Again.

Jeff and Lynn Martin

Late summer/early fall is the best time for getting fresh whole shrimp. Of course, get the best shrimps that you can and try this recipe! Guaranteed! You’ll get raves. This is a great meal to have on the deck. It can be cooked on the stove or over a low campfire and delivered to the picnic table. It’s rustic, served right in the cast iron pan, it’s a bit messy - so dress casual and bring paper towels. It’s absolutely great.

2 sticks butter

3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic

2 teaspoons fresh minced onion or shallot

2 lbs. fresh jumbo green or white shrimp in shell

4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

8 ounces Lake Louie APA beer

1 teaspoon squeezed lemon juice

4 tablespoons Wun-Doe-Mus

1 loaf crusted French bread

Melt one stick of butter in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Add shrimp, Worcestershire, beer, lemon juice and onions/shallots. Sauté for three or four minutes constantly stirring. Sprinkle Wun-Doe-Mus over the shrimp and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Add the remaining stick of butter and stir until melted. Serve immediately with ice cold beverage.

Peel and eat shrimp.

Tear bread and dip into sauce.

Wun-Does-Mus is a seasoning developed in Platteville, WI. Check em out at Wundo dot com. This is a spice blend not a seasoned salt, it utilizes many flavors and has just enough heat to keep bringing you back for more. You just can’t stop, the bread will be gone, too.

And check this site, be sure take some Wundo with ya’.

Here’s a fun and fashionable way to view the countryside and the studios of local artists. A drive from Mineral Point to Spring Green (we are centrally located) is a pleasant experience, well worth the trip and is about 25 miles. Stopping at the studios can make this an all day expedition. This is a three day event, so you could make the entire weekend an art expedition! A broad array art-forms, styles and interpretations are available. Some of our favorite artists are on the tour. Check it out.

Fall Art Tour

This will be a collection of our favorite family recipes and the best dishes we’ve enjoyed cooking at Canyon Park Cabin. Pretty simple fare, but rich in flavor and tradition. Lots of cast iron cooking and campfire recipes that we use all the time. Enjoy!

Our beautiful pond in the canyon was named Diana’s Mirror many many years ago by Mr. Woerpel. In Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the hunt, and also of the moon. Images of Diana.

They are around. You’ll hear them, anytime of day or night but usually just after the sun goes down. There can be a few or a bunch. They can be close or distant or close and distant. It’s an ancient call and kind of thrill especially when someone from “town” hears them for the first time. But do not fear, we have been here many years and only actually seen two. They will leave you alone, they’re as anxious as you and a little craftier.

More info here.

The cabin is located just to the west of Canyon Park Road, not at the end of the road but an end of the road (some old maps show the canyon road extending to the north, probably merging with Evans Quarry Road). Originally the cabin was used just in “season” and was designed as a park ranger station.

When you enter the original cabin area one of the things you’ll notice is the inscription over the fireplace, it states By Nature All Men Are Brothers. The rest of the fireplace is constructed of stone that is native to the park. These stones have been arranged symmetrically and some hold fossils. The oak floor in the same room was milled from trees on the property. The logs in the original cabin area where manufactured and delivered from Door County, Wisconsin. The logs have been milled with a concave edge and tongue and groove, so they are tight and sit properly. There is a sample sitting on the mantel. Check it out.

But why is the cabin here? Just take a look around. There are giant white pines, spectacular cliffs, 15 or twenty springs, a pond (dam; circa 1933) and a little cave. All of these features combine to make the park a destination in itself. You can take a walk on the Loop and down through the canyon and back in about an hour. We recommend it!