Pioneer Ridge officials hope new cabin will draw visitors

By SCOTT NILES Courier staff writer

November 30, 2007 11:17 pm

— Editor’s Note: Courier Staff Writer Scott Niles was invited to spend a night at the new cabin at Pioneer Ridge Nature Center. Here’s his story:

OTTUMWA — A rustic log cabin nestled in the woods, nature’s glory all around.
Sounds like a place in the mountains, doesn’t it?
Well it’s not. Instead, the cabin is just off U.S. Highway 63, six miles south of Ottumwa
The Wapello County Conservation Board recently finished construction on its new log cabin at Pioneer Ridge Nature Center.
The facility was built by the Yoder family from nearby Drakesville.
This week, I was fortunate enough to spend the night in the new facility.
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s nice to have a place to get away to, even if it’s only six miles away from home.
The new facility features a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, microwave and sink. There’s a combo living and dining room, wraparound front porch, an upstairs loft with twin bunk beds, aqueen-size bed and dresser, as well as two handcrafted rocking chairs and outside fire pit.
With a supply of fresh-cut firewood, I started a fire in the pit to cook up some dinner. While I waited, I relaxed on the porch in one of the handcrafted rocking chairs.
When the cooking was complete, it was time to sit down to dinner at the hand-carved wooden table inside.
With full heat and air conditioning available in the cabin, it was easy to adjust the temperature for a toasty evening inside.
Dinner was over and it was time to use the pull-out futon for a little rest.
After a brief rest, I took a nice hot shower. The bathroom at the cabin had all the essentials — a toilet, shower, shelves and storage units. It even had towel racks created from deer antlers. The only thing that is not provided are the bath products and towels.
Then it was time to do the dishes.
Rules at the cabin include cleaning up after yourself. They provide scratch pads, dish soap and a broom and dust pan for the floor. They even furnish the pots and pans, dishes, bowls and glasses, as well as silverware. So the only thing I had to bring was my food and appetite.
Then it was time for bed. Visitors should remember to bring their own bed linens, pillows and comforter.
It was a great night of sleep. The cabin provides a comfortable environment, especially as the wind whistled outside.
Wapello County Conservation Director Kurt Baker has high hopes for the new cabin, currently priced at $60 a night or $360 a week.
“If it goes over well, then we do plan on building more cabins,” he said.
When the project began last June, it was estimated to cost around $65,000. However, $10,000 more was spent to include electricity, septic and plumbing.
“We are really hoping that people are going to want to come out here,” Baker said.
Pioneer Ridge Naturalist Annette Wittrock said they have already had 10 reservations since the cabin opened last week.
“I think that is a pretty good sign,” she said.
Wittrock thinks the cabin will attract more visitors to the nature center.
“I know I would love to stay here,” she said.
Scott Niles can be reached (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.

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