Forthcoming Upper Miss Trip

[Stray Cat]

It's been 5 yrs since we have been as far north as Lake Pepin. Probably over 8 yrs since we have been on the St Croix. We have decided to make a run at it during the week of August 17th.

Is there anything I should know regarding zebra mussels coming off the Mississipi to the St Croix at Prescott?

Is there any restrictions where you can or cannot anchor overnight on the St Croix?

In the past we stayed at Port Sunnyside Marina, other than the municipal dock, is there a better transient location that is closer to downtown Stillwater? There's a marina just above the bridge, but I thought it was private only...we may be looking for a place to tie up just for the day.

Are there any restraunts or other new points of interest you recommend north of La Crosse?

Last, what are you guys paying for marine fuel lately?

Thanks for any input. :thumbsup:

 

[270SLX]

Stray, you absolutely positively must eat at the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin, on Lake Pepin. For desert, get the Georgian Walnut Pie. Doesn't sound all that good but take my word for it. The Harbor View is about our favorite restaurant in the whole western hemisphere. They're not open every night. I think they're closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Maybe more.

Nosh, a new restaurant in Lake City is good but you'd be better off eating a second night at the Harbor View. There's also a great bar/restaurant in Lake City that has great burgers and other menu items. Can't remember the name of it; starts with a "B".

We were on Pepin a couple of weeks ago. Four days of 25 to 30 mph winds. You can imagine the chop. Because of the winds, we didn't get to go further up to Prescott or up the St. Croix. Have a great trip. Come back and tell us all about it.

Dennis

 

[Stray Cat]

Thanks Dennis, my new Quimby's arrived today and there is now a few restraunts listed. We visited Harbor View in 2005, it sounds like they have kept up their reputation....it will certainly be a stop again.

Despite the wind, hope you had a memorable trip.

 

[r_moss]

We just made the trip last month, but started all the way down in LeClaire, IA. Lake Pepin was a blast with 35 MPH head winds! Swells up to 5 feet. We made it through there in less than 2 hours. Lots of nice places to drop the hook on the St. Croix. Just beware, that if you anchor on the WI side within some blasted state partk, they come a knocking looking for $15 per boat!

We covered almost 750 miles in 9 days. Our turn-around was Stillwater. Ready to go again!

 

[270SLX]

Stray: Plan to fuel up at the casino dock in Marquette. $2.74 /gal. and two free bags of ice. Gas was $3.29 at the Wabasha marina, $3.09 at the Lake City marina.

Dennis

 

[randerson]

It's been 5 yrs since we have been as far north as Lake Pepin. Probably over 8 yrs since we have been on the St Croix. We have decided to make a run at it during the week of August 17th.

Is there anything I should know regarding zebra mussels coming off the Mississipi to the St Croix at Prescott?

Is there any restrictions where you can or cannot anchor overnight on the St Croix?

In the past we stayed at Port Sunnyside Marina, other than the municipal dock, is there a better transient location that is closer to downtown Stillwater? There's a marina just above the bridge, but I thought it was private only...we may be looking for a place to tie up just for the day.

Are there any restraunts or other new points of interest you recommend north of La Crosse?

Last, what are you guys paying for marine fuel lately?

Thanks for any input. :thumbsup:

Just above Lock 3 is Treasure Island Casino, very nice marina and reasonable place to eat. They usually have entertainment on weekends.

If you do get up to the St. Croix, fuel is in the $3.70 range in Prescott as of today. Further up the Croix usually sees a little higher prices. Prescott has some nice night spots (Muddy Waters, Monkey Bar, Boat Drinks etc), I suggest eating at Muddy Waters.

6 miles up the Croix is the Kinnikinic State Park on the Wisconsin side. They charge $15 per evening to anchor or beach in their park. Very nice with fire pits but you must bring your own firewood.

Hudson has plently of places to beach and stay overnight on "beer can" islands in the no wake zone between I-94 and the Railroad bridge. You can also transient at St. Croix Marina and there are plenty of great places in Hudson for dining or entertaining.

Try Wolf Marine, it's about 1 mile north of Stillwater and they have plenty of transient slips and nice showers and restrooms. You can take a cab into Stillwater or walk (we've done both). A lot of great night spots in Stillwater.

 

[Stray Cat]

Thanks for the input guys. We are looking forward to this trip, trying a few new places and revisit a few too. I really like river cruising during the week, the weekends lately have just been nuts in our pool.