Chippewa Flowage

The Chippewa Flowage is an outstanding early season kayaking destination. I had the good fortune of being invited along this year to enjoy some quiet time on the flowage. No fishing at all is allowed on the flowage until the normal fishing season has begun in Wisconsin. Consequently, we had over 15,000 acres and 230 miles of shoreline to explore with virtually no boater traffic to be seen. With the nice weather we could have easily had our choice of campsites. However, this time of year we could easily have had snow and or cold rain, so the cabin was a good choice.

Spring time on Superior

I look forward to the first paddle of the season on Lake Superior. This year an early April trip was especially nice for a couple reasons, the early snow melt and warm weather, plus Dave offered up the deer camp for sleeping and an evening sauna after the days paddle. Couldn't have made for a nicer weekend! I tried some fishing for Coho on the lake this time, no luck, but I hope to change that in the near future. Some hiking throughout the trails at the deer camp to check out the latest forest management efforts on Sunday rounded out the weekend.

Apostles

This latest satellite image is showing the Apostles relatively ice free! Looks like an early April paddle to the islands could be in the works.

Recovering the Skin on Frame

The SOF is getting a new cover this week. Last Fall I removed the old covering thinking I'd have all winter to get some fabric, and have a go a the recovering job. Well here it is mid March and nothing happening on the boat ... until yesterday. It's a job I probably could have muddled through, but having someone with some experience could save a lot of time and mistakes. With the St Cloud Rolling Demo/Clinic fast approaching I needed some help. After a few emails Jeff Bjorgo ready to teach me a little about re-skinning a kayak. Jeff did a few minor repairs to the frame, and we were quickly getting underway, by about midnight last night we had the covering complete, and the combing attached. I need to order some color and the boat will be ready for some good years of service. I'll get a few more photos up soon.

First Roll!

Just a quick congrats to Sherri for her first rolls at the pool session this afternoon. It's always fun to get someone rolling for the first time. Now we need to wait for the lakes to thaw out .. 62F today! March in Minnesota!

Transitions

It's that time of year when its hard do much of anything outside. The lakes are still frozen solid, and the ski trails are closed. This has been the one of the quickest snow melts I've seen in a long time. I know a few people that will still get out and ski around the shorelines of the local lakes, but I have a hard time trusting the ice. Besides, it's starting to look wet along the shorelines. It is starting to get nice enough outside where I will have to quit going to the gym, and start running outside. Now just get the motivation to get on it! I took the camera along on a tour of the local lakes this afternoon to have a look, and start thinking about some paddling. I know a couple guys who have headed up to the Minnesota North Shore of Superior for some paddling this weekend. After checking the satellite photos of Superior it looks like the Apostles are still pretty iced in. Maybe I can get an early April trip to Superior in this year .. I tried last year but was pretty much iced in.

Spring Skiing

The ski season here is starting to come to an end. With daytime highs well above freezing, the snow will be gone soon. Our small group of skiers headed up to Mora today to try and get in one last run at the Vasaloppet Trails, and we hit it early this morning and had a great day of skiing. There were a few spots we had to remove the skis and walk through, but for the most part it was one of the best days of skiing all winter.