Monday, November 30, 2009

A shout out...

An outstanding weekend!!
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Besides the paddling adventure we did manage to be the first customers in to the new Blue Moon Restaurant down in Jefferson WI. A train depot turned restaurant, very cool with blues music playing in the background.
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Olga Walt Debbie and I surprised Mark and Sherri to wish them well with their new venture. The Blue Moon in Lake Mills is a favorite; we see good things for the new location as well A "Shout Out" to Mark and Sherri; "Nice call on the obscure beers on tap!!"
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This is great for the city of Jefferson and even better for me as it is a short walk up from the take out on the Rock River. This will be an outstanding finish to a day of paddling! It just keeps getting better and better.
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Paddle once, eat twice - The MadCity Paddlers

Sunday, November 29, 2009

We are not alone


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It doesn't get any better then this for a late November paddle. Brian and Judy, Olga and I hit the morning silk and paddled the Oconomowoc River Fowler, Oconomowoc and Okauchee lakes.
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The water is crystal clear this time of year. Vegetation and fish dance beneath us in the current. The Sea World of Wisconsin.
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There is a peacefulness out on the water with the all the piers docks and boat lifts removed. A new look, everything so fresh and crisp in the golden sunlight.
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Packing heavy, bringing all the comforts of home we work our way up river. Brian packed in saws and we clear the portage to upper Oconomowoc lake.
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Stopping for lunch, Olga was punished and was forced to wear those hideous sunglasses; sooo embarrassed she put her hood up and sulked.
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Some how a few micro brews made their way into the grub bags with a buffet of cheese sausage fresh fruit crackers and a cold cuts; to top it off, perfect weather a little slice of heaven for dessert.
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We are not alone, fishermen enjoy the day, energetic youth sneak out the family ski boat for some barefoot skiing, a lone hunter waits for his prey. They get it.
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These are the days and there wont be many like these before the snow flies. - The Capt'n

Monday, November 23, 2009

I must, I must


Milkweed
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Another outstanding day for late November! Mid 50's and the sun shown bright. Big hike with the girls walking new established prairie lands that the DNR / County are restoring. Big push from our county to buy up homesteads and farmland for preservation. Pretty cool stuff!
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Paddling was equally enjoyable. Couldn't get anyone up and moving so I went alone. I must be losing my touch, even my provoking post from yesterday to get some conversation on canoe vs. kayak drew no takers.
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Here's a candid shot of the Pops and cherubs. With teenage girls anytime you can get them to agree on anything and smiling is golden. I must have something going on!!
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Raising teenage girls is like nailing Jell-O to a tree. - (finesse babe e finesse) - Unknown

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Banner Day

A banner day out on the bay. Weather is fantastic with a light off shore breeze. Back in the Kayak single blading it. I was a little rusty yesterday pretty protective of my hernia repairs. Today felt really good, pushing it a bit getting the boat up to speed.
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I'm a heck of a lot faster in a kayak, just wish they were more comfortable. I did have a guy ask me why I wasn't using a kayak paddle when I went under Goose Pond Bridge. My response was easy; "I suck at kayaking, but can hold my own in a canoe" Man I felt good out on the water today!
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Key to single blading a kayak, don't think of it being a kayak, just a really uncomfortable canoe!! No really, drop your paddle shaft length down a couple inches. I throw a 48" around pretty effortlessly.
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Kayak vs. canoe; Kind a like a house, a poorly built live aboard yacht. - The Capt'n

Pays to be skinny



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I was hoping to snake out the Azul Kayak for some paddling. It pays to be skinny when you have to serpentine your way through a maze of boats hanging in the garage.
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Disaster struck, when skinny just wasn't good enough and I had wedge myself and the boat in between the trailer and the lawn mower. (don't ask, but it involved almost dropping the boat and a bit of a slip fall and wedging myself as I went down) Where's a camera when you need it.
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After squeezing myself out of a precarious situation I contemplated my next move.... "The garage door had to be opened"
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Nursing a hernia repair... I carefully positioned myself and lifted the garage door. The mantra, lift with your legs lift with your legs... BINGO!! The boats have been set free!
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Man a great morning on the water. It's been 5 weeks since I have been able to paddle. I'm Back!! The Azul is a responsive craft which keeps the ride interesting. Great boat for day paddling.
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I was thankful for the smooth water, having been out of a kayak for a while. No sense swimming with the fishes in 40 degree water if you don't have to -
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Glass like conditions, outstanding! - The Capt'n

Saturday, November 21, 2009

This just popped up

Jenny alerted me to this picture over in the young paddlers section of Kialoa paddles website of the girls as the prepared for the MR340.
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By the way the custom narrow shaft and tear drop blades worked wonders for the girls. Paddle length was 48"; t - grip, composite paddle.
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A picture is worth a thousand words and their smiles the explanation point!.
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The Capt'n

Friday, November 20, 2009

ready set GO!!


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A lot of hard work and dedication from the Verlen Kruger Memorial Board. Their dream realized. Looks like the dedication will be on June 26th, 2010. Mark your calendars!!
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Up to date information can always be found at the Verlen Kruger Memorial website - Click Here
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Don't know about you, but it makes me feel like paddling beyond the pond - The Capt'n

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Boo Speaks

Got the word early this morning, Boo states it's Team Weber / Weber for the 2010 running of the MR340. Most likely our only competitive event in 2010.
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We had discussed a solo campaign, but after weighing the options. We'll go mixed tandem in a Cruiser - In a newly formed division - unsupported. Registration opens January 1, 2010.
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This is going to open the door for some other non-competitive paddling adventures we have been kicking around for awhile. Lots of water to paddle/sail in the Midwest and beyond.
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Stay tuned - The Capt'n

Friday, November 13, 2009

Local boy makes good

SandyBottom alerted me to the Portage to Portage - a 5000 mile solo kayak journey around the Eastern United States. Pretty much dropped the ball on identifying this adventure right in my backyard. Makes you wonder, do I have both oars in the water?
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On December 5th, adventure kayaker Jake Stachovak will be putting in an hour and 10 minutes away from Casa Weber in the bustling metropolis of Portage Wisconsin. Jake is from Wausau Wisconsin. Local boy makes good.
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Head to his website for all the 411 on a very clean and crisp website.
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The Captain has approved private displays of enthusiasm and self expression. Please feel free to sing in the shower and dance in the rain or paddle your a@@ off where ever when ever. - The Capt'n

Thursday, November 12, 2009

SandyBottom Speaks

Man there is a lot of adventure happening. I can barely pull myself away from the computer for possibly missing an update; the sheer excitement of it all. For an armchair skipper; It's an edgamacation - slang term for being schooled - north woods yacht club.

SandyBottom tells the tale on two fronts - Friends of Eye of the World - click here and her own adventures at - click here Yeah she's one of those smarty pants fun loving persona's... now her work is getting published.... I once took third in a belly button lint rolling contest.

She is going to have her hands full tracking these characters across the globe... The miss adventures of Alan and company. It appears they already ran aground... nothing serious, into the sand. The adventure is on.

If the weather holds, its block and tackle for the garage door, an engineering marvel ; The boats must be set free!! - The Capt'n

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Manitou Speaks

Mark from Kruger Canoes, tells a great tale of adventure and intrigue. The back drop is the epic Ultimate Kruger Challenge - Check it out!! Click here

There is a time in ones life when you must choose to work with or against nature. - The Capt'n

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

For no other reason - Click Here


Photo By John B.
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The proof is in the water! For no other reason you should come and paddle Wisconsin. Check out these outstanding photos from fellow MCP paddler Johnathan Beers. Click Here
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Our paddle club held its annual paddle up by Blackhawk Island which is nestled in the sandstone cliffs of the Wisconsin River. Nursing hernia surgery and with my Dad is in town for a visit, we had to pass on this outstanding trip. Boo had that scrunched nose thing going on! Scrunched nose example - Click here
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The club has really expanded its range of paddling experiences. There has been an influx of extremely qualified persons to run trips. Awesome stuff! being offered! Iowa, Utah, The Midwest... It's all happening with MadCity Paddlers. If you want to join for 2010 or gather more info - Click Here
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I guess there were 52 paddlers on the river - A MCP Club record turn out!
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Outstanding! - The Capt'n

Monday, November 9, 2009

Mail Call!

What a great weekend!! The scrapbook that Hannah's Grandma Gail put together for the girls arrived along with the PaddleBoy Heavy Lifter portage cart.
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A golden moment as Marissa and I went through the scrapbook and relived the MR340 adventure. Thanks Grandma Gail!! Lengthy discussions on adventures for 2010, but haven't charted out anything definite.
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The portage cart is pretty cool. Amazon.com exceeded expectations and had the cart here in 3 days, when they said 5 to 7.
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Marissa was stoked, now she can get a boat down to the water without any assistance. The weather was perfect! Sun shown bright. Sure to be a paddling weekend.
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The only issue is my 300lb garage door broke a tension spring and with my hernia repairs I can't lift anything heavy. Too many boats jammed in there I couldn't get the Sea Wind or Azul out the side door. So we took it to the yard and did some major leaf raking.
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Temperature held well into the night. My dad was in town for some deer hunting. Cousins hosted a raging campfire and cookout down by the lake. A great weekend for most.
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Emily took a hit and sat the weekend out missing seeing grandpa doing her version of Alvin and the Chipmunks. She had oral surgery on Friday and all her wisdom teeth pulled. Sunday was a rough day for her.
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Ain't life grand - Grandma Judy

Thursday, November 5, 2009

I got the nod

Stock photo
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I got the nod from the Doc that I could get back out on the water and paddle... slow and easy as she put it. Which is great, but getting the boat to and from the water is going to be an issue cause I still can't lift anything of significant weight. So loading a Sea Wind or Cruiser on the Jeep is out of the question.
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So I broke down and bought the grand daddy of all portage carts the PaddleBoy Heavy Lifter. It's got a high weight capacity 400lbs. almost double of most carts on the market and had an extremely high rating of consumer satisfaction. I was all in.
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November is a great month. Still great paddling and outdoor activities with some color in the trees to be had and its the ramp up for most that participate in WaterTribe events.
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The WaterTribe website will become more active as people prepare for one of the three events offered this year. The UFC, the EC and the UM. Check out the website to get all the adventurous details. Click Here!!
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It's also time for trip planning and negotiating time off for 2010. I can't wait till the last minute as failure to follow protocol could cost you your all important week off!
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I have a week off for the EC 2010, but still undecided about going. It would be without my kids as they have school. Super Boo would probably have a melt down (not really), but hard to do it with out her.
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Boo is undecided on which events she wants to do next year, we've been talking family trip out west with/without paddling. Decisions decisions... tough on a kid!
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The only for sure thing is the Missouri 340 in early August. Solo or tandem, not sure at this point. But registration opens January 1, 2010. There will be 30 entries by 6am. Some register right at the stroke of midnight to be the first... Bragging rights and all.
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The Capt'n

Monday, November 2, 2009

So much for keeping it simple...



By JAN M. OLSEN, Associated Press Writer Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press Writer – Sun Nov 1, 9:23 am ET

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KORSOER, Denmark – The world's largest cruise ship cleared a crucial obstacle Sunday, lowering its smokestacks to squeeze under a bridge in Denmark.

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The Oasis of the Seas — which rises about 20 stories high — passed below the Great Belt Fixed Link with a slim margin as it left the Baltic Sea on its maiden voyage to Florida.

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Bridge operators said that even after lowering its telescopic smokestacks the giant ship had less than a 2-foot (half-meter) gap.
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Hundreds of people gathered on beaches at both ends of the bridge, waiting for hours to watch the brightly lit behemoth sail by shortly after midnight (2300GMT; 7 p.m. EDT).
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"It was fantastic to see it glide under the bridge. Boy, it was big," said Kurt Hal, 56.
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Company officials are banking that its novelty will help guarantee its success. Five times larger than the Titanic, the $1.5 billion ship has seven neighborhoods, an ice rink, a small golf course and a 750-seat outdoor amphitheater. It has 2,700 cabins and can accommodate 6,300 passengers and 2,100 crew members.
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Accommodations include loft cabins, with floor-to-ceiling windows, and 1,600-square-foot (487-meter) luxury suites with balconies overlooking the sea or promenades.
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The liner also has four swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts, and a youth zone with theme parks and nurseries for children.
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Oasis of the Sea, nearly 40 percent larger than the industry's next-biggest ship, was conceived years before the economic downturn caused desperate cruise lines to slash prices to fill vacant berths.
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It was built by STX Finland for Royal Caribbean International and left the shipyard in Finland on Friday. Officials hadn't expected any problems in passing the Great Belt bridge, but traffic was stopped for about 15 minutes as a precaution when the ship approached, Danish navy spokesman Joergen Brand said.
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Aboard the Oasis of the Seas, project manager Toivo Ilvonen of STX Finland confirmed that the ship had passed under the bridge without any incidents.
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"Nothing fell off," he said.
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The enormous ship features various "neighborhoods" — parks, squares and arenas with special themes. One of them will be a tropical environment, including palm trees and vines among the total 12,000 plants on board. They will be planted after the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale.
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In the stern, a 750-seat outdoor theater — modeled on an ancient Greek amphitheater — doubles as a swimming pool by day and an ocean front theater by night. The pool has a diving tower with spring boards and two 33-foot (10-meter) high-dive platforms. An indoor theater seats 1,300 guests.
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One of the "neighborhoods," named Central Park, features a square with boutiques, restaurants and bars, including a bar that moves up and down three decks, allowing customers to get on and off at different levels.
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Once home, the $1.5 billion floating extravaganza will have more, if less visible, obstacles to duck: a sagging U.S. economy, questions about the consumer appetite for luxury cruises and criticism that such sailing behemoths are damaging to the environment and diminish the experience of traveling.
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It is due to make its U.S. debut on Nov. 20 at its home port, Port Everglades in Florida.
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Five times larger then Titanic - 20 stories high - So much for keeping it simple.

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That's a lot of freeboard (sail area) -The Capt'n