The Minnesota Paddling Opener is a series of canoe and kayak races held in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. We decided to take our paddling team up there for the events. Did I say team, yeah, that is right. Scott and Dot Merritt plus Danelle and I. We’re racing a C4 (canoe four person) in this … Continue reading “Minnesota Paddling Opener – 6/12/2025”
I love having an active paddling group. While we’re often connected by racing, we also just have a love for outdoors. Mark organized a weekend camping trip. Danelle seemed excited so we decided to load up the boat and make room to help others. We were off to the river! The general plan was that … Continue reading “November River Camping – 11/1/2024”
I purchased a Northstar Landick2 canoe from Some Beach Outfitters earlier this year. I’ve paddled the boat a few times and I enjoy its potential. Part of its potential is outfitting it the way that I enjoy best. Not being a purist and focusing on paddle racing, I realized I didn’t enjoy the boat without … Continue reading “Landick 2 Rudder and Dad – 10/12/2024”
Danelle and I volunteered to be a safety boat for the Mississippi River Rendezvous. This is a new event put on by the Mississippi River Water Trail(MRWT). The general idea was to get a large group of paddlers of different skills out on the water together. There were a few different distances of paddling. Danelle … Continue reading “Mississippi River Rendezvous – 9/21/2024”
When you’ve been married for a long time, your partner can tell when you need something. Today, Danelle could just tell that I needed to get out. She sent me out for my normal Tuesday night 5K paddle early. Tonight I started early with a unicycle lap around the lake first. I set a personal … Continue reading “Landick and Unicycle – 9/3/2024”
Danelle went to a Mississippi River Water Trail Association meeting on the educational barge belonging to Living Lands and Waters. These two groups are true powerhouses in education and stewardship of the Mississippi River! The barge was parked just downstream of the Mel Price Lock and Dam in Alton. One highlight of the event was … Continue reading “Living Lands And Waters Barge – 8/29/2024”
We’ve started getting involved in the Mississippi River Water Trail. Today, they were hosting a sunset paddle leaving from Piasa harbor. I drove up from St. Louis with a canoe. I brought dinner as a surprise for Danelle. Unfortunately it was too much of a surprise. She was later than me and we didn’t have … Continue reading “Sunset Paddle – 8/21/2024”
My favorite boat dealer, Andrew of Some Beach Outfitters brought a NorthStar Landick 2 canoe out to the lake for me to demo. Its only the second one delivered to Missouri and I decided I wanted it before even paddling it. I brought out money to the lake. Danelle came with me as well and … Continue reading “Landick 2 – 8/20/2024”
We’ve been running the Sunset Race for many months/years. Occasionally we change up the format to keep things fresh. Last month we wanted to go downstream to Meramec Marina, but were flooded out. This month was a rematch against a now low river. We had a larger crew than normal with 8 boats. The paddle … Continue reading “August Sunset Race – 8/9/2024”
I brought Danelle out with me for the weekly Creve Coeur 5K paddle. She was meeting her co-worker, Hannah. They would paddle our C2 and I was paddling our C4. I dropped Danelle and the C2 off and went to a different part of the lake to meet/unload the larger C4. The day was windy, … Continue reading “A rough Paddle – 8/6/2024”