2010 DDC Drive Schedule
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DATE in 2010
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NAME OF DRIVE
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LOCATION
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April 11
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Old World Wisconsin
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Eagle
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May 16
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Black Hawk Unit - Lower Wis State Riverway
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Sauk City
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August 15
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Walking Iron
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Mazomanie
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September 26
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Old Plank Rd
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Green Bush to Plymouth
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October 3
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Harry Radtke Memorial Drive
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Port Washington
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The major focus of the Dairyland Driving Club is to provide safe, scenic and enjoyable pleasure drives throughout the driving season. We think the following are all excellent driving opportunities. This year, you can invite a friend to ride along in your carriage by purchasing a “guest” membership for them for $5. This will satisfy our DDC insurance policy.
Your 2010 Coggins Test must be brought to all sites. Debi Radtke will accept your copy prior to the first drive. If you fail to get your name on her list, then you will be asked to provide a copy at the drives. State trail passes or county trail passes may be required. The common courtesy of cleaning your parking spot before leaving is expected; this includes manure. In case of inclement weather, check your email or this website.
THIS YEAR WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ARRIVE AT 10:00 AM, STOP DRIVING AT 12:15 AND HAVE LUNCH TOGETHER AT 12:30 PM. (Unless otherwise specified, bring a picnic lunch). THE AFTERNOON DRIVES START AT 1:30 PM.
1. April 11th, Sunday: Old World Wisconsin, Eagle, WI [Bad Weather date is April 25th, Sunday.]
This drive has a long tradition for Dairyland Driving Club members. Many years ago, former President Carol Pasbrig made special arrangements for our club to use the facility. Over the years, others have taken over the responsibility to host this event. Our current Old World Wisconsin hosts are Roger and Dana Houk. We are privileged to drive the many miles of scenic and safe trails within Old World Wisconsin prior to the official opening of the historic site in May.
Results: Many DDC members attended and enjoyed an absolutely perfect day with sunshine, no wind and temps in the upper 60's. Most members drove the trails around the various ethnic settlements and then gathered for lunch in the central part of the spacious parking area lined with pine trees. The Director of Old World stopped by to say hello and welcomed us. She invited us to attend the many events there during the summer that call for horse-drawn carriages. Several new members attended and Dan Soby brought his Haflinger team. Here are photos of the event.
2. May 16th, Sunday: Black Hawk Unit, Sauk City, WI
The Black Hawk Unit is now part of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. The Black Hawk Unit Drive will feature a new clinic on trail driving. Come at 9 AM for coffee and a free clinic in the Log Cabin, lead by DDC Board Member Myrna Rhinehart and others. They will present proper preparation, harnessing and hitching, trail safety and trail etiquette. Then, hitch up your horses and enjoy the wide, well-drained trails, stretches of woods, open meadows and scenic vistas overlooking the Wisconsin River Valley. There is a huge outdoor pavilion that can be used to park trailers and put to in case of inclement weather. Everyone can get together for lunch in the log cabin, or if the weather is warm, in the open air shelter across from the outdoor pavilion.
Results: The Trail Clinic was well attended and participants listened attentively to Myrna's fine presentation on various aspects of the horse and getting a horse fit for driving trails, appropriate harness, the carriage vehicle and maintenance, the tow vehicle and horse trailer, packing lists, safety practices and trail etiquette. Wayne Schutte talked briefly about the trail system at the Black Hawk Unit of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Then Myrna pared up inexperienced members with veteran drivers. DDC members really turned out for this event and all did such a nice job of mentoring the new folks.
There were lots of smiles as new people rode along with mentors and many even got to take over the reins if they comfortable doing so. Jane tried to get close up photos of all the new members. After our morning drive, we unharnessed our horses and had lunch in the open air shelter across from the horse pavillion. Quite a few people brought extra snacks, salads, and desserts and no one went hungry! Several turnouts and new members stayed for another drive in the afternoon. Here is a link to photos of the event.
Black Hawk Unit is located approximately 2 miles south of US Hwy 12 on State Rd 78. Here is a map of the area.
3. August 15, Sunday: Walking Iron, Mazomanie, WI
Walking Iron is a jewel of a park in the northwest corner of Dane County. Once you experience it, you will want to come again. There is a special equine trail head with parking for trucks and trailers, but you will need to bring water for your horses. The trails are plenty wide enough for carriages, and the park will be especially beautiful this time of year. County trail passes may be purchased at the park for $7 daily.
Results: Sunny, breezy and cooler weather made this day perfect for driving. Nine rigs and 18 members attended, including new members Kristi and Jim Slovik who used Wes Licht's Buckskin Morab mare, and Bob Erickson who drove his pair of mammoth donkeys. Most folks arrived for the morning drive but Rod and Jackie Sale had a flat tire so they called their friends Ingrid and Carlo Krause to come to their rescue. The Sales and Krauses joined us for our picnic lunch. We all sat in a big circle and each couple or individual explained how they came to drive horses and join Dairyland. Many stayed for the afternoon drive. The hoards of mosquitoes, especially fierce in the woods, make us think that Walking Iron Park is a better choice for Spring or Fall and not during the height of summer. Here are photos from the drive.
4. September 26, Sunday: Old Plank Road, Greenbush to Plymouth, WI
The trailhead for this new DDC Drive is located on County Rd A off State Highway 23 in Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit. This is just south of Greenbush, home of the famous Wade House, a stagecoach inn built in the 1850’s, and the Jung Carriage Museum. This Sheboygan County multipurpose trail goes for about 5 miles to Plymouth, also a stagecoach stop in the 19th century. If you want to visit the Jung Carriage Museum and Wade House (located at W7747 Plank Rd, Greenbush WI) after your drive, remember that they close at 4 PM.
Directions: Take the most convenient Interstate Highway to State Highway 23. At Greenbush, take County Road A in a southerly direction (if headed East it would be a right turn. If headed West, it would be a left turn.) The Old Plank Road trail head is on the East side of County Rd A.
5. October 3, Sunday: Harry Radtke Memorial Drive; Port Washington, WI.
This drive in honor of long time DDC member Harry Radtke will be held at a favorite spot, the lovely farms of the Didier Family. Bring something for the chili dump lunch. This drive has it all – lovely scenic trails, a bridge and water crossing, some old hazards from the American Heritage CDE for you to try if you wish, plus an area for practicing dressage and cones. Our thanks to Pat and Pete Didier for all the preparations they make for this event.
Directions: Take I-43 to the State Hwy 32 turn off. Instead of going into Port Washington, take County Road H north. Almost immediately after crossing the bridge, you will see County Rd KW. (H and KW form a “Y.”) Take KW north and drive about 1.8 miles. There are Didier Farms on both sides of the road. Take the drive on the right and continue right past the older farm house, other buildings, barns, and park in a field designated for that purpose.
2009 Black Hawk Drive photos
2009 Menomonee Park Drive photos
2009 Walking Iron Drive photos.
2008 Donald Park Drive photo album.
2008 Didier Drive photo album.
