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This is a copy of an article written for a regional Vernon Electric Coop magazine in 2004.
Steer Straight Into
the Crooked River Resort
Leona is 101 years old this year. Any one who has been alive that long deserves
some special recognition. Of the six cabins along Read’s Creek, near
Readstown, WI, “Leona’s” was the first. Susan & Warren
McCurdy, who own and operate Crooked River Resort, honored Warren’s
mother, Leona, by naming this lovely cabin after her.
When you call or arrive at Crooked River Resort, the first person you talk
to will probably be Susan. Her husband, Warren, however, happened to be standing
nearby when I arrived. He chuckled when he referred to himself as, “the
slave”. He reminds me that even though he and Susan have come a long
way with this resort, they are in perpetual construction. And indeed they
are, as I look down the valley and notice men working on the framing of a
new and sixth cabin.
Susan and Warren’s hard work is paying off. Crooked River Resort has
become a preferred family destination for people all over the Midwest, as
well as the world. Susan says that most of their customers come from Chicago,
Milwaukee or Madison. However she also related stories to me about memorable
visitors she had from such countries as Russia, France, Kenya and Vietnam.
“Because of our proximity to some big cities and our presence on the
world wide web, we get people from all over the world looking for some adventure
in the heart of America” Susan said.
Susan and Warren spent many years as a cross-country truck driving team. And
in the off-season, they still do. You’ll see their big semi-tractor
trailer near the registration office. They also use their big-rig to haul
in wood for their cabin construction as well as other things needed for the
resort.
The registration office is the first building you get to when you pull into
the resort. The registration process is designed to be user-friendly. Since
Susan is usually working on something around the resort, you can find her
easily by using the phone in the registration office to call her cell phone
that she carries with her at all times. Within a few minutes she will be there
to help you. Or, if you catch her out and about, she’s also a walking
registration office. She has everything with her to get you registered and
on your way quickly.
The Boats
If you’re looking for a canoeing or kayaking adventure, Susan can arrange
to have you outfitted for trips varying from a few hours to up to 3 days on
the Kickapoo River. Several vans with canoe/kayak trailers are ready to go
when you are. The resort offers a variety of trips of differing lengths or
you can create custom trips if you like. Crooked River provides all the equipment
you need to make your trip enjoyable and comfortable, including canoe or kayak,
paddles, life vests, seat cushions, shuttle and river maps of the trip. Reads
Creek, which runs right through Crooked River Resort, flows into the Kickapoo
River allowing you the option to start your river trip right at the resort
using their special dock for canoe/kayak launches.
Safety is a major concern for Susan. She is constantly monitoring the water
level in the river to make sure it is safe for novice or experienced canoers
and kayakers. Sue is able to use both traditional and modern methods to monitor
river levels. She can go down to the dock to see how high the water is on
the dock supports, or she can log onto the USGS website to check out the water
level at a monitoring station near La Farge.
Here is a poem sent to Susan from a long time customer preparing for another
visit to Crooked River Resort. He always calls ahead for updates on both the
trout fishing and the river heights:
Susan,
I bow down and pay homage
to the Mighty Queen of the Kickapoo.
We will bring offerings and good tidings this Monday and seek your blessing
and good water!!
All hail the Queen of the Kickapoo!!
May she reign in peace and with no floods or low water.
May her canoes and kayaks float free and easy for eternity.
May she grant me the power to control and catch the mighty fishes that populate
her stream and give me the strength to haul them in to feed my poor and humble
family!!
Your most humble subject-
Lord David
The Cabins
Imagine a place where you can lay back and just watch the moon making faces
at you all night. Let an evening campfire work its quiet magic on your heart.
Take time to visit a place where sometimes you can hear the haunting sound
of a red tail hawk on the wind or the 'pop' of a trout breaking the surface
of the water.
If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing get-a-way, you can choose from
several custom-built cabins, RV sites or tent campsites along Reads Creek.
Of the 6 cabins, you can choose from The Rustic, Leona’s, 3 Bears, Sleeper
or the Log Camper. The new cabin under construction will be called Wildwood
and will be able to sleep eight when completed.
All four of the largest cabins have indoor plumbing, which includes flush
toilet, bathroom sink and kitchen sink. They offer coffeepot, fridge, microwave
and 2-burner hot plate. All bed & bath linens come with them. Cabin rental
on all 6 cabins includes free showers in the new shower house. All cabins
have plenty of windows to let in the fragrance of the meadow and the view
of the misty hills or the fog shrouded sunrise. Each cabin has a fire pit
for your evening enjoyment, and wood is available on the premises. Bring your
own cooking and eating dishes and utensils.
The 3 Bears
Susan says, “This is our best cabin yet”. The 3 Bears can sleep
up to ten. It is a generous 20’ x 24’, with a huge loft. It also
features a chainsaw sculpture of three bear cubs. Susan has added bear bed
posts, bear doors and bear chairs for a fun look. 3 Bears has a bathroom and
kitchenette with a microwave, coffeepot and fridge. Other amenities include
a gorgeous pine table, gas fireplace, a double bed and pullout couch downstairs,
and two double beds and two singles in the full loft. You can relax on the
24’ x 8’ covered porch or enjoy the view from inside through the
many windows. Only $99 per day for two; $20 additional person 16 years and
up. $10 extra kids 10 -15.
Leona’s Cabin
Leona's is a roomy 20’ x 24' delight, which sleeps six. It includes
a cathedral ceiling, deck, and kitchenette with sink, microwave, coffeepot,
2-burner hotplate and a full size fridge. Leona’s offers a gorgeous
knotty pine octagonal table with built in seating, and a second table on the
three-season porch for playing cards, games for kids or for extra seating.
The downstairs alcove bedroom and loft bedroom have built in double beds and
a pull out couch on the four season porch that sleeps two more. and a 12'
deck. Only $88 per day for two; $20 each additional person 16 and up, &
kids 10-15 only $10.
The Rustic
A compact beauty, the Rustic is a chalet styled cabin that can sleep up to
six. It features an alcove bedroom with a new built-in double bed and two
small lofts with two singles in each, plus a catwalk connecting the lofts
(The kids will love it). The Rustic offers a microwave, small fridge, 2-burner
hotplate, coffeepot, a beautiful handcrafted octagonal table and chairs, and
a comfy couch. There areplenty of windows to bring the outside in and a 12'
deck to sit on and watch the stars roll by overhead. Only $60 for two. $20
each additional person, 16 and up, & kids 10-15 only $10.
The Log Camper
Completely transformed, from the addition of rough cut log siding on the outside
to the knotty pine lined walls on the inside, the Log Camper is a whimsical
get away that is a combination of a camper and log cabin. Susan and Warren
have custom built two double bunk beds, crafted benches, table and stools,
counters and storage, creating an airy, rustic and charming pine get away
for up to four people. It features a microwave, small fridge, coffeepot, bottled
water for drinking and washing up and a clean port-a-potty for only $40 per
night.
The Sleeper Cabin
An 8’ x 12’, cozy, knotty pine, chalet-style, camping cabin. Relax
in either of the two rustic bunks. Provided are mattresses, pillows and bedding
plus shelves for gear, and windows for keeping an eye out for those elusive
whitetail deer or perhaps a sandhill crane. It also has an 8' deck. Since
there is no electricity in this cabin, you will need to bring your own lights
and cooking utensils. This cabin goes for only $30 per night.
Enjoy!
Get away, by yourself, or with good friends. Float the river in a silver canoe
or a candy colored kayak. Laze back in your inner tube on the stream. Match
wits with the wily German Browns in the Class A trout stream, Reads Creek,
or in over 200 miles of excellent streams in the area. Hike to the ridge,
pedal the back roads or try the established bike trails at LaCrosse, Richland
Center and Sparta-Elroy. Of course you don't want to miss the agricultural
and ethnic festivals held every weekend in the area, the unique Round Barn
tour, or the Amish neighbors and their crafts. For a memorable, relaxing get
away, come to the hidden Kickapoo Valley. Come to Crooked River Resort. You
deserve it.
Crooked River Resort is open in April and into November and deer hunting season.
You can find them on Hwy. 61, 1/4 mile south of the Hwy. 14/61 junction. As
you turn onto Hwy 61, go 1/4 mile south, and as soon as you come to the end
of the bridge rail, turn right into their driveway. Crooked River Resort’s
address is S 8019 Hwy 61, Readstown, WI 54652. Their phone number is 608-629-5624
and you can explore their website at www.crookedriverresort.com–
Dave Maxwell