Two for Tuesday

Two for one burgers and two for one beers tonight at Meegan's Restaurant in Lake Mills. It's only fitting I get a two hour paddle in this morning. :-)

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Paddled the silk, watching the sun come up over the trees. Beautiful morning for a paddle.

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I have a problem with my eyes... can't see going into work today - The Capt'n

It's all about timing

After a week of horrific weather, bad thunderstorms and tornadoes, our 3-day paddle with the MadCity Paddlers saw nothing but blue skies and warm waters. Perfect camping conditions. We timed this paddle perfectly.

Friday was a wonderful evening paddle down the Rock River to dinner. We had 12 paddlers show for day one and followed up the dinner paddle with a few cocktails by a roaring fire. No sing a longs, but some tribal drumming and roasting marsh mellows capped the nights affair.

Saturday was an outstanding day. A paddle and portage up a chain of lakes in and near Oconomowoc. We hit a couple of restaurants along the way and had a few cocktails. Stopping at the Kiltie Drive-in and having frozen custard was a hit as well. Saturday evening found us at a great Mexican restaurant and back in front of the fire before turning in for the night.

Still hitting it hard with the up-coming Missouri 340. I did get up early before the group got moving and got in two hours paddle with some intervals thown in for good measure. There is a great stretch of the Rock River right where we camped. The air was still and there was a light blanket of mist over the water. Outstanding morning.

Sunday was another beautiful day of paddling. We paddled a remote area of the Bark River and ended up in the community of Fort Atkinson. The 14- mile section in between Hebron and Fort Atkinson offers up a remote feel as in meanders through the county side. There are only a couple of houses that can be seen from the river an added bonus for a some what populated community.

We finished our weekend with a tour at the Rock River Canoe Company. There are a 8 different canoes and small dory’s being built at any given time.

Kim the proprietor is a master boat builder and offers support and guidance as your build your own watercraft. The tour was outstanding, as there were four builders on site sharing their experience of building their own watercraft. Tempting for me, but I am not allowed to touch power tools.

Thank you MadCity Paddlers for joining me on this paddling weekend – The Capt’n

ThereAndBackAgain

Ah a wonderful thing just happened

TABA has just started a blog. This is a very cool and very exciting for those of us that follow the progress of individuals attempting great feat by small watercraft.

I don’t want too give to much away about TABA (real name Dexter), but he is a real part of how and why I am into the WaterTribe scene.

“I'm getting ready for the next UFC and have decided to create a blog detailing my progress along the way. I've followed some of the Challengers in the Tribe who write blogs and have found them fun, interesting, and educational. Mine may not be any of those things. With the new ease of blogging (I discovered how easy last night while checking SandyBottom's blog) I'm giving it a try. This is all new to me and my blog won't be up to the standards of most other bloggers but it will show my progress in areas like the portage, my "tent", rudder controls, and my sailing trials coming up this summer.

The address is http://www.thereandbackagain-taba.blogspot.com/.

I invite anyone to check it out. It may be days (even a week) between any postings but I will try to keep the site current with progress and photos. Happy paddling to all and great days ahead to those about to race” -TABA.


So please sit back and follow along as TABA sets his sights on the Ultimate Florida Challenge 2008, a 1200 mile journey around the great state of Florida.

I am off for a paddle - The Capt'n

The Stage is set

3 –day paddle with the Capt’n

Everything is in order for the 3 day MadCity Paddlers paddle that I am hosting this weekend. We might even get some good weather!! The crew at the Watertown Conservation Club are the greatest. They have allowed me to host groups, challenges and adventures from their facility for the past 8 years. Most appreciated!!

If any from the Milwaukee area sea-kayakers group is reading this, you are most welcome to attend!! The water is warm and the frothy beverages are cold!

Hardcore Adventure Camp Update:

Looks like we are at 19 confirmed for the event. We still have four more days for individuals to get their waivers to me.

MR340 Update:

MR340 has a full roster. It looks to be shaping up to be a who’s who of veteran TWS and MR340 challengers. Teams are coming from across the country to participate and watch the event unfold. Check out their website, lots of new features and a new look.

Sweet Judy, it's a busy summer - The Capt'n

Portage Fun and then some

A great little portage aid coming up the Oconomowoc River on to Lac La Belle. The Oconomwoc River slows dramatically in the summer months. Lots of weeds and rock bars between Oconomowoc and Concord. Unless we get heaps more rain, this section will be less then fun until next spring.

Another great little bridge on the Oconomowoc River. Hopefully we will be able to paddle this section with the MadCity Paddlers next weekend. A great section of the river for a social paddle.

A bit of a boat pull up river through the riffs. I probably could have paddled it if I had brought a rock paddle. All I had were a couple of nice carbon paddles with me. No biggie, the water has warmed nicely this past week.

Nothing like taking your Sea Wind for a walk - The Capt'n

Stormy conditions

So much for going for 24 hours. I did get out today for a 6 hour paddle, dodging the rain and the lightening. It was a pretty good paddle up until the point I aggravated my right knee. I strained it as I was portaging from Lac la Belle to Fowler Lake. I came home and iced it to keep the swelling down.

Here is an old bridge I came up on. Built in 1902 - some nice stone work. A couple of times I ducked under bridges and let the thunderstorm roll on by.

Ramping it up - the clock is ticking

DANGER WIL ROBINSON DANGER... ABORT ABORT. 24 HOUR PADDLE CANCELLED DO TO VERY BAD WEATHER. THE CAPT'N LIVES TO PADDLE ANOTHER DAY

As SandyBottom put it in her blog a few days back, "Training Time is Getting Critical " I have the Sea Wind on the jeep and gear packed. The plan is to leave work around 4:30pm, be on the water by 6:00pm and go through the night and all day Saturday for 24 hours.

Weather is iffy so I think I will stay off the Wisconsin River as I have no cell phone service in that area, and safety is a major concern. See SandyBottom's blog on Preaching to the Choir and Paddle Safety. SandyBottom is the real deal, no matter what she tells you. A great friend and an extremely good expedition paddler.

So the plan is to paddle some local lakes that are connected by rivers. I know this area pretty well and it is a safe choices when the weather gets bad. And it looks like it will, but the next 4 weekends are critical to my training and ramp up to the MR340.

Off the couch and on the water - The Capt'n