Plans

Just back from an introductory trip to the Apostle Islands. I've done this trip for the last few years as one of the instructors, and the trip always proves to be rewarding to see people get on the big lake for the first time. Lake Superior can be intimidating, but with the right gear, and some good decision making, Superior can be one of the best kayaking destinations around. That's what this weekend was all about. Wind, weather, navigation, making the go-no go decisions, and using that information to get out and see the Superior is all about. The key is starting with small inner island trips with the right people, sticking your nose in the wind and waves a little bit at a time to gain the experience to take on the longer more advanced trips.

This was the last trip up for me until August. This time tomorrow I will be en route to Alaska for the month of July. For a guy that's never been further north than Thunder Bay, this trip is a big one for me. I will be working on planes while I'm there, but the location will give me some good opportunities to get some training myself on the ocean. I'm not a stranger to wind, waves, and cold water, but the tide thing adds another whole dimension. After some searching and asking friends, the Alaska Kayak School in Homer was recommended to me every time. And it looks like they have some classes I can sign up for this July.

Also, soon as I get settled in, I'll introduce you to the bear guy!

Some photos from last weekend

SKOAC Intro 2010

I was up around 5:30 am checking weather for the day ... predicting a high of 70F and a 5o/50 chance of rain showers for the day. A cloud ceiling of only 500ft, and a quick look at the radar showed a large band of rain headed our way, looking like it would arrive the cities around 10am. A quick breakfast, load some boats, pick up Chris, we are at the lake by 8:30 ready for the day. A quick discussion among the instructors and we had our doubts about everyone showing with the predicted weather, we had some extra warm paddling gear if someone needed it. Hopefully everyone would show.

We did the class at Shady Oak Lake this year, on recommendation from Michelle from ISK, and turned out to be a great place teach the class. A nice covered picnic area for the classroom portions, the lake was clean and small, perfect for keeping track of 12 new kayakers.

After a morning of teaching subjects on boats, paddles, and proper gear, and some dry land rescue demos, we are on the water just as the light rain starts. One on one for the initial wet exits and everyone comes through without a hitch, in what can be a tough part of the class. Most people are ok in the water, but put them inside a kayak with a tight fitting spray skirt, tip over, and it becomes an entirely different matter! Doing a few clean wet exits can add a lot to someones confidence when they start working on the rescues and taking time to be sure everyone is really ready, will make the whole day go much better than if this portion of the class is rushed.

We had an intrepid bunch this year. Everyone showed for the class, and held a positive attitude all day, right though the wind, rain, and cold. It never did get above 60F for the entire day. Every time I help teach this class, I end the day feeling like I got as much out of the day as anyone who participated in the class. Feeling the highs as someone completes their first wet exit, or gets the confidence to finally go out on a lake alone knowing that if they go over, they can safely do a self rescue, is as rewarding to me, as it is to them.

Thompson Island

Finally getting a few photos up on SmugMug from the weekend. I'll keep adding to it as I go through them.

Moon Set

4am looking out of the tent on Thompson Island on Lake Superior. Four days just wasn't enough ... gotta go back and spend some more time along the Canadian shores of the lake. Maybe this Fall.

First Apostle Sunset

A late start to the islands this year. Usually I've been up camping in the Apostles by the first or second week of April, this year I'm well into May for the first overnight. Maybe I was just waiting for one of the nicer weekends.

Rather than drive two vehicles this time, we decided to cram everything in my Jeep, take the Skoac three place trailer and head out on Friday evening for the drive to Superior Wisconsin for a pizza dinner at one of the finest brew pubs around. The Thirsty Pegan has been a stop on the way up to places north for a few years now, and I've never been disappointed in the service, pizza, live music, or the beer. I recommend them anytime you're going through the Duluth/Superior area. The key for an enjoyable dinner is bar area seating rather than the dining area .. the older I get the harder time I have picking up conversation in an area with lots of background noise. Even though the band was playing I can hear better without the dining room noise. I don't know if it's just me, but I've heard the same comments from other 50+ individuals. The next morning after breakfast at the Egg Toss in Bayfield we meet Chris and Cathy at Boreal Shores Kayaking and look over the two kayaks they have set up for us. The black over black NDK Explorer I've had my eye on since way last year is loaded up on the Jeep, along with a nice NDK Explorer HV, and we are off to the islands. Lots to do this weekend in only a short two days. We need to make it to Manitou for Saturday night, but even though it's now a noon departure, we still need to spend some time meandering around some of the islands, maybe stop for a late lunch on the way. Manitou has been closed all last year due to bear activity, we found some tracks on the beach, but never saw any bears.

We did check out the collapsed "hole in the wall" on Oak Island the next day as we made our way around the back side of the island for an extended paddle back to Red Cliff. A nice first weekend on the islands, some new boats, and I'm ready for the next few weekends coming up. Its going to be the Skoac "Spring Fling" on Sand next weekend. Then a group of us are headed up to Thunder Bay for some time at the "Saunas". I've not made it to the Saunas yet so this one I am really looking forward to.

Catching Up .. boats and stuff.

Getting behind on the posting thing again .. A great trip up to Superior last week, spent some quality time in one Chris's demo Explorers from Boreal Shores Kayaking. I think he needed a new demo for the season and just grabbed one of last years new boats off the rack and let me play with it for the weekend. Well, I've not a great deal of time in Explorers until last week. So, after a great deal of thought on the subject, when I returned I decided to put the Nordkapp up for sale and go for the Explorer. My paddling buddy Dave may be thinking the same thing because he spent a good deal of time in the boat too last week. We've a small group going up this weekend for some much needed time on the islands, I'm sure we will discuss the matter and come up with some solid boat plans!

On another matter. I've been arranging a month in Homer Alaska this summer. I was able to get a month leave from work, and have some friends in great places! More to come on this subject!