Morning molasses

Girls were shuffling around like it was the weekend or something and we had nothing to do. Laura and I got in an hour run and a 1/2 hour blast in the Bell Mystic before the rain came in. Girls were moving like molasses on a cold winter's morning.


Setting up the boat.


Mounting the GPS.


Laura takes the Captain's seat.


Laura back in the Stoker seat.


Out playing on Rock Lake.

Went back to WallyWorld (Walmart) and picked up a new digital camera. My little Samsung is just too fuzzy with the scratched lens and moisture in the lens.

Somebody alert the media

I received the rough cut DVD of the 2007 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge in the mail yesterday. Pretty excited to see the tribe in action, I popped it in. Daughters Emily and Marissa where there for the viewing. Thanks Stan for taking the time to get the tribe in action and sending me a copy... most appreciated!




To my amazement, my oldest daughter (Emily) was completely taken in by the DVD. ( she has told me time and time again she doesn't like paddling... Clarification Dad - paddling in circles on our lake going nowhere. )

I may need to re-think my adventure-paddling strategy for the summer. It would appear she has been re-bitten by the adventure bug. Here is a picture of Emily paddling the Sun Velocity.



Now "Boo" - she is ready to go any time anywhere for any reason. She reminds me (allot) that I have not taken her on any of PEAK Camp's International Adventures. She would have gone to Belize last year on the Eco-tech camp, if she had not dislocated her knee ( in a immobilizer for 3 months - how soon they forget ).

I reminded her, tough to hump a pack in the jungle with a hip to toe brace on. Here is a picture of her on the Vermillion River working a checkpoint during the Mid-America Xtreme MAX race. Best volunteer I ever had!

I am so mis-understood - The Capt'n

My Little Paddler "Boo"

Traded paddle for violin

My paddling partner (daughter) "Boo" is also a very accomplished violinist. Almost didn't recognizer her out of her suplex nylon paddling shorts and carbon paddle in hand.



Double trouble "Boo" and "Hoo" a rare photo op.

Getting ready to tear up the orchestra pit. A very late night but a very nice concert.

Both "Boo" and "Hoo" will be paddling this year during the PEAK Hardcore Adventure Camp on the Wisconsin River.

"Boo" and I start our training for the Callie Rohr Canoe Race on Saturday. (weather pending). She is stoked. We are using the Bell Mystic ( no child jump seat this year). "Boo" will be trying out the Captain seat and steering as I take the front stoker seat. We're going to try different paddling configurations, trying to get the boat balanced out.

It's all good - Tommy Grow

MadCity Paddlers - New Look - New Website

Been working diligently with Chris from the club to up date the website. Basically Chris scrubbed the old site and built a new. I really like it. Hope others do too, as Chris has hundreds of hours in to the project.

I managed to introduce a piece (blogger) to the website that will allow quick summaries of paddling trips and also an opportunity to post pictures rather quickly. I love filmloop.

Check it all out at MadCity Paddlers.

Thunderstorms - lightening - cool temps. Spoiled rotten with the 75 degree weather of late. Play it safe today. No paddling.

Red skies at night sailors delight... Red skies in the morning sailors take warning. - Unknown

Warm Water Cometh

Directly after work - I dashed to the put-in on Rock Lake. I have been first on the water for the last two years running. In such a hurry I forgot the camera!

Not this year! :-/ It was 79 degrees, all the ice was gone and it looked like an early summer day on the beach.

Kids playing in the sand while parents watched. Fisherman, boaters, canoeists and kayakers where all out to play.

I put in on the South end of the lake as we had very windy conditions. Paddled the glass till the wind died down a bit. Made my way around the lake hugging the shore for an hour and a half. Gorgeous day to be out on the water.

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. - Annie Dillard

Behold - Ice

Great afternoon walk down by the lake. The ice will soon leave us. It is pretty magical to watch the transformation.

Cascading falls, nature's splendor,Waves crashing, rocks surrender. - Rachel

Oconomowoc River and Fowler Lake

Outstanding day! Spring has arrived!! Blossoms appearing on the river!! It's in the mid 70's right now!! If you are viewing this from the mid-west; you know what I'm talking about! Spent a couple hours on the Oconomowoc river and Fowler Lake this morning.




Paddled the Bell Yellowstone, poking around the shoreline of Fowler Lake and the Oconomowoc River.



Much slower then yesterday's blast in the Sea Wind. A completely different paddling experience.



No Carbon paddles today... going old school; the elegance and the feel of wood. I love down river paddling with an otter tail.



Put in on the Oconomowoc river and headed out to the lake before heading up stream. Hoping to beat the wind. Very glassy now, but wind to switch out of the southwest, gusting to 35mph.

Spent many a day by this bridge as a kid. Brings back lots of memories, big game fishing for the elusive monster carp.



It's no Snake Island (WaterTibers will get it), but an island non-the less



Here's the deal on these two girls. Mom and Dad are a sleep or not home, cause it is 40 degrees during this picture and they are barefoot and no jackets swinging over 34 degree water at 8:00am. They sure were having fun! I think they'll be paying dearly later for it.



Paddled into the marsh grass as the Oconomowoc river was pretty swollen. This is a great little section of river.

Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe - Bumper Sticker