Sorry about not posting more over the past year. I've been a bit preoccupied with other areas of life.
Yes, there will be another Paddle UR Stuffing Off trip this year. Details are just like last year (see entry from last year), only on Friday the 23rd this year.
2011 Paddle UR Stuffing Off Details....
21st Annual Paddle UR Stuffing Off
Date: Friday, November 25th - 10 AM.
Put-in: at 11 Mile between Jewell & Grange Roads
Take out: Park at the Dam in Rockford (behind Arnie's Restaurant)
Leave the Black Friday hoards behind you and join us in a fun-filled trip down the Rogue!
For a Map & More Details click [Here]!
We will meet at the put-in at 10:00 AM and shuttle vehicles into Rockford around 10:15-10:20 AM. We'll hope to be on the water by 10:30-10:45 AM. If you do not make it to the put-in in time to shuttle your vehicle, you can most likely beg a ride from someone after reaching the take-out.
Typically the temps peak with the highs in the mid 30's. Dress warm, in layers, and bring some spare clothes to take with you on the river. Spare clothes come in very handy if you or someone near you decides to take a swim along the way!
We'll stop once along the way for a brief snack/pit-stop near Summit and 12 Mile RD. After we make it into Rockford, we'll portage over to one of the local watering holes to warm up a bit with food and libations.
Be aware that there is a possibility that your boat will scrape over multiple rocks or other obstructions. You should be prepared to get out of your boat at least once during the trip to portage around an obstacle in the river. If you're interested in current river levels, You can track the Rogue Rivers flow rate [HERE]. This gauge is downstream from where we will be, but it gives a pretty good indication of whether the river will be running low or high.
Directions to Put-In From Grand Rapids:
Take US-131 to the Rockford Exit (10 Mile RD)
Turn West onto 10 Mile Rd NE (away from Rockford)
Stay on 10 Mile Rd NE (East) for approx - 3/4 mile
Turn RIGHT (North) onto Jewell RD - 1 mile
Turn LEFT (West) onto 11 Mile RD (just before Jewell ends)
Turn RIGHT into dirt road launch area after about 200 yards (If you go over the bridge/river, you've gone too far!)
Date: Friday, November 25th - 10 AM.
Put-in: at 11 Mile between Jewell & Grange Roads
Take out: Park at the Dam in Rockford (behind Arnie's Restaurant)
Leave the Black Friday hoards behind you and join us in a fun-filled trip down the Rogue!
For a Map & More Details click [Here]!
We will meet at the put-in at 10:00 AM and shuttle vehicles into Rockford around 10:15-10:20 AM. We'll hope to be on the water by 10:30-10:45 AM. If you do not make it to the put-in in time to shuttle your vehicle, you can most likely beg a ride from someone after reaching the take-out.
Typically the temps peak with the highs in the mid 30's. Dress warm, in layers, and bring some spare clothes to take with you on the river. Spare clothes come in very handy if you or someone near you decides to take a swim along the way!
We'll stop once along the way for a brief snack/pit-stop near Summit and 12 Mile RD. After we make it into Rockford, we'll portage over to one of the local watering holes to warm up a bit with food and libations.
Be aware that there is a possibility that your boat will scrape over multiple rocks or other obstructions. You should be prepared to get out of your boat at least once during the trip to portage around an obstacle in the river. If you're interested in current river levels, You can track the Rogue Rivers flow rate [HERE]. This gauge is downstream from where we will be, but it gives a pretty good indication of whether the river will be running low or high.
Directions to Put-In From Grand Rapids:
Take US-131 to the Rockford Exit (10 Mile RD)
Turn West onto 10 Mile Rd NE (away from Rockford)
Stay on 10 Mile Rd NE (East) for approx - 3/4 mile
Turn RIGHT (North) onto Jewell RD - 1 mile
Turn LEFT (West) onto 11 Mile RD (just before Jewell ends)
Turn RIGHT into dirt road launch area after about 200 yards (If you go over the bridge/river, you've gone too far!)
Wabasis Paddle on Saturday the 15th!
Due partly to some confusion on my part and the weather forecast, we're changing the Wabasis Color paddle to Saturday the 15th. Sorry for the confusion this has created for anyone planning to paddle on Sunday, but it works out best for Kim and Robert as well has giving us a lot better weather forecast.
Places to paddle tihs weekend...
The West Michigan Coastal Kayakers (WMCKA) is having there annual meeting THIS WEEKEND in Mesick at Northern Exposure Campground. You need not be a WMCKA member to attend. Feel free to come for the weekend or the day! Lots of paddling options. Great location, and event greater weather, friends and food. For more information, go to www.WMCKA.org/events.
Fall Paddling Schedule
Please make sure to mark these two events down on your calendar...
Revel in spectacular fall color while paddling the outlets and hidden ponds of the largest lake in Kent County!
OnSundaySaturday, October 1615th (note the change in dates!), we'll meet at the public access just off Wabasis Lake Road. (See Map - http://g.co/maps/68ex)
We'll meet around 1:15 for a 1:30 start for paddling 3 to 4 hours while
enjoying the splendid fall color. (This is an earlier start as those
late fall afternoons can be a bit chilly.) We hope to have two groups;
one for people who like to work it and get some miles on their paddles
and one for people who enjoy an easier pace.
When the paddling is over, you're welcome to come to Robert and Kim's home for a potluck BarBQ and relaxing around the fires until 9:30-ish. We'll provide pulled pork if you'll help with the side dishes and desert. We will also provide a B.B.O.W. (Big Box 'O' Wine) if you want or you can B.Y.O.B. Bring along an instrument if you are musically inclined. We need to bring back the after paddle party music making.
On
When the paddling is over, you're welcome to come to Robert and Kim's home for a potluck BarBQ and relaxing around the fires until 9:30-ish. We'll provide pulled pork if you'll help with the side dishes and desert. We will also provide a B.B.O.W. (Big Box 'O' Wine) if you want or you can B.Y.O.B. Bring along an instrument if you are musically inclined. We need to bring back the after paddle party music making.
Friday, November 25th
Paddle UR Stuffing Off on the Rogue River - Meet at the usual spot at 10am, we'll do the usual paddle and festivities. (I'll post all the details sometime in October).
A Wild and Crazy Summer
So when I posted my previous post back in June, I had the best intention of paddling at least every other week on Lake Michigan and getting in 10-15 miles of paddling each week.
Well, three months later I can say that plan failed miserably. Family vacations, other obligations and poor timing with weather throughout the summer resulted in not much paddling. For the first time in over 20 years I didn't paddle a stroke in the month of July. However, I can't say I missed paddling that much (gasp!), as one of the vacations was wonderful get-a-way which offered a lot of non-kayaking activities to keep the family active. A second vacation in August did result in a week of getting back in the boat and working on the paddling form. I'm hopeful that the Fall will allow me to continue some regular paddling workouts.
This past weekend I traveled up to St Joseph Island, Ontario (a 45 minute drive SE of Sault Ste Marie), to Gary De Kock's St Joseph Island Rendezvous. The Island is rather large with a diverse assortment of scenery from rock ledges at water's edge, to frog inhabited marshlands to nice sandy beaches. Gary offers 2 days worth of pre-scouted paddling trips to various points of interest on the island.
Saturday morning started out a bit cool, but by the time we were ready to put in, the temps had warmed up into the low 70's under clear blue skies and light to moderate wind from the south. Our group of 18 paddlers were paddling from end of Otter Road along the West side of the Island to the visitor's center at historic Fort St Joseph.
The one-way trip was a little over 8 miles with the option of taking out at the Fort or doubling back to the put-in for an extra workout. This route follows the US-Canada border and the shipping channel, so we got to see lots of freighters (and the occasional Coast Guard Patrol). A light headwind kept the group focused on getting the Fort were five of us stopped for a quick snack break before doubling back.
In the evening, Gary and Linda hosted the Pizza and Pie Party at their cottage (or camp as the locals say). It was a wonderful evening to get to know those from the group that you didn't get to talk to during the day.
Sunday gave us a bit warmer weather, but also a bit more wind out of the SW. Our padding group was down to eight for the route took us from Big Point Park around the SE part of SJ Island and into the old town of Milfordhaven. Once we rounded Big Point we came head-first into the wind. For most of the next couple of hours we paddled with the wind pushing against us. It was more annoying then anything else.
The scenery was still wonderful - blue skies above us and dozens of islands dotting the blue water all around us. Our plans to head across to one of those islands for lunch were swapped for stopping on a small rock-laden beach with a small spit of sand to lay our boats on.
After resting up a bit, we were ready for another hour or so into the wind before heading up a narrow bay to Milfordhaven and out take-out point.
After loading up gear, boats and a brief stop back at Gary and Linda's we all headed over to the restaurant at the Island Springs Golf Resort for a bite to eat. A good meal with great conversation filled with laughter was had by all. Afterward I jumped in my car for the 5.5 hour trip home.
I had a great weekend, paddling a total of 28.4 miles over the 2 days.... well worth the drive!
Well, three months later I can say that plan failed miserably. Family vacations, other obligations and poor timing with weather throughout the summer resulted in not much paddling. For the first time in over 20 years I didn't paddle a stroke in the month of July. However, I can't say I missed paddling that much (gasp!), as one of the vacations was wonderful get-a-way which offered a lot of non-kayaking activities to keep the family active. A second vacation in August did result in a week of getting back in the boat and working on the paddling form. I'm hopeful that the Fall will allow me to continue some regular paddling workouts.
This past weekend I traveled up to St Joseph Island, Ontario (a 45 minute drive SE of Sault Ste Marie), to Gary De Kock's St Joseph Island Rendezvous. The Island is rather large with a diverse assortment of scenery from rock ledges at water's edge, to frog inhabited marshlands to nice sandy beaches. Gary offers 2 days worth of pre-scouted paddling trips to various points of interest on the island.
Saturday morning started out a bit cool, but by the time we were ready to put in, the temps had warmed up into the low 70's under clear blue skies and light to moderate wind from the south. Our group of 18 paddlers were paddling from end of Otter Road along the West side of the Island to the visitor's center at historic Fort St Joseph.
In the evening, Gary and Linda hosted the Pizza and Pie Party at their cottage (or camp as the locals say). It was a wonderful evening to get to know those from the group that you didn't get to talk to during the day.
Sunday gave us a bit warmer weather, but also a bit more wind out of the SW. Our padding group was down to eight for the route took us from Big Point Park around the SE part of SJ Island and into the old town of Milfordhaven. Once we rounded Big Point we came head-first into the wind. For most of the next couple of hours we paddled with the wind pushing against us. It was more annoying then anything else.
The scenery was still wonderful - blue skies above us and dozens of islands dotting the blue water all around us. Our plans to head across to one of those islands for lunch were swapped for stopping on a small rock-laden beach with a small spit of sand to lay our boats on.
After resting up a bit, we were ready for another hour or so into the wind before heading up a narrow bay to Milfordhaven and out take-out point.
GRASP News
So, I've been thinking a lot lately about the status of GRASP. Currently, I'm working towards a trip I'm putting together for next year which will cover 110 miles from Sleeping Bear Dunes to Wilderness State Park taking the route of the Michigan Archipelago. This is going to require that I spend a lot of paddling - and paddling hard.
Because of this, I'm thinking that I'm going to need to suspend my efforts in the recreational-side of GRASP paddles. There are A LOT of groups that do that already (see list below), and I don't feel like spending the effort to organized paddles that are already happening in the Grand Rapids area.
You all are more then welcome to join, but please be aware, that these will be workout type paddles, paddling 4-5mph for most of the allocated time. It will be a good chance to get your paddling muscles into shape! :-)
If you're on Facebook, join the GRASP Group [HERE]!
Hope to see you on the water!
Karl
Other Groups....
Because of this, I'm thinking that I'm going to need to suspend my efforts in the recreational-side of GRASP paddles. There are A LOT of groups that do that already (see list below), and I don't feel like spending the effort to organized paddles that are already happening in the Grand Rapids area.
You all are more then welcome to join, but please be aware, that these will be workout type paddles, paddling 4-5mph for most of the allocated time. It will be a good chance to get your paddling muscles into shape! :-)
If you're on Facebook, join the GRASP Group [HERE]!
Hope to see you on the water!
Karl
Other Groups....
- West Michigan Coastal Kayakers Association Sea Kayaking (Open Flatwater) Group
- Vous Crew Yahoo Group - Canoe/Kayak
- West Michigan Paddlers Yahoo Group - Whitewater/Recreational Kayaking
- West Michigan Kayak Club Meetup Group - Recreational River Kayaking
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