MEANDERINGS

• Speakers John Pearson, Heidi Rieck, Karl DeLong, and Mike Smith, and the staff of Canoesport Outfitters in Indianola for making the 2001-02 Armchair Paddlers Series a great success. We enjoyed slides and stories from Voyageurs National Park, lessons about trespass and getting along with landowners, the Leave No Trace program, and water safety. It was nice to see so many of you through the winter months.
• Phyllis Goodman for organizing the 2002 season planning event at the Lodge at Walnut Woods State Park. Thanks to those who attended and brought food, we enjoyed a delicious potluck meal.
• John Pollak, John Pearson, Greg Vitale, Rick Dietz, Bob Johansen, Mike Smith, Mark Metelman and Jim Dodd for volunteering to coordinate events in 2002. Check out the season calendar at the back of this newsletter.
• John and Eileen Holzmueller, Steve Parrish, Bill Graham, Leonard Tinker, Randall Wilson, Bob Johansen and Mike Smith for greeting visitors and providing information about the club at the 2002 Paddlesport Expo in Indianola.
• Jerry Kemperman for providing his support since the club's beginning.
• All of you who lead paddling trips, join paddling trips, participate in stewardship events, provide feedback, submit trip reports, present programs, support us with your experience, and care about our water resources.

RIVER TRAILS - AN INVITATION

Gerry Rowland

I've paddled the length of the Des Moines River (404 miles from Estherville to Keokuk) twice, and many sections a half dozen times. After I completed the first run in December of 1998, the river spirits with whom I commune moved me to speak out for the establishment of a water trail. My friends in many river towns encouraged me to get moving, and I was amazed at the positive response. There are so many good reasons to do this that the 17 counties along the Des Moines signed a resolution of support, and the Iowa DNR and the Greenbelt Commission concurred. There was a trail dedication in June of 2000, but little has been done since then to move our Des Moines River project along, mostly due to a lack of funding.

Why water trails? Why not just let people drag their boats through the mud and scramble down steep embankments? There are roughly 25,000 canoes and kayaks in Iowa. The people who own those boats deserve well planned, well marked facilities so that they can enjoy their recreation just as much as those who enjoy walking trails or bike trails. Most disturbing, I have seen some of my favorite river places spoiled or put off limits due to abuse or neglect. This need not happen. Water trails are recognized by the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and, thus, they are included in the Iowa Trails Plan 2000.

By establishing water trails on the 3,000 miles of rivers and streams in Iowa, we recognize their value as a recreational resource. We make a positive statement that these waterways are a precious natural resource, not drainage ditches. By posting attractive signs with the Iowa water trail logo on major highways and at every intersection right down to each access point, we raise awareness about the availability of water recreation and we invite paddlers and other boaters to appreciate the scenic beauty of our rivers.

I am a recent appointee to the federal RTP grant advisory committee. I was asked to serve on the committee as a water trail user so that I could stimulate public agencies to apply for grant money to establish water trails. These water trails will have appropriate signage to get people to the river and safely down the river. With help from the Iowa DOT, we'll have signs on all bridges that cross our rivers designating the highway or road to help boaters (motorized and non-motorized) navigate the river. We will make the boat ramps accessible to all, with adequate comfort facilities. There will be an abundant supply of maps and brochures that show the course of the river, the access points, all roads leading to the boat ramps, directions, and attractions near and along the river. There will be adequate supervision of the river and the access points so that all will feel safe and comfortable being on the river. Where possible, new boat ramps and facilities will be developed to shorten the distance between access points.

How will river recreation be different once water trails are established? I believe that a lot more people will be out on the water. This will have an economic impact on towns all along our rivers, and will mean a great improvement in the quality of life in Iowa. There will be more outfitters, more campgrounds, more tourists, and more people who will be outraged if something is not done to save our rivers and streams.

Who will make this happen? I see our County Conservation Boards as the lead agencies. Union and Marshall counties have led the way in water trail development along the Iowa River, and the Des Moines River counties are not far behind. To assist in the development of our water trails, I organized the Iowa Water Trail Association and our first meeting was on February 16 in Indianola as part of the Paddlesport Expo. The association will support the development of water trails and assist in fund raising.

I have been so moved as I've watched paddlers on river clean-ups and educational floats put in and take out on muddy hillsides. People love the river so much, and they deserve better facilities. I've had people ask me over and over for directions to remote and scenic areas such as the Boxcars Access at Lake Red Rock, and they deserve good signage. I've talked to dozens of groups and hundreds of Iowans who have no idea that there was a Civil War battle at Croton in 1861, or that there are remains of an extensive lock and dam system in Van Buren County. But most of all, I love the rivers of Iowa with all my heart. I have found such peace and so many adventures out on the river. I want all of Iowa to see, to experience, and to treasure our rivers and streams.

Iowa is the beautiful land, and our rivers are the most beautiful places of all. Please join me in making Iowa water trails a reality. Federal funds will reimburse sponsors for up to 80% of eligible expenses. Project sponsors must be public agencies, such as a city or county conservation board. The sponsor is responsible for coordinating the project's development, paying the bills, submitting the bills for reimbursement, and the project's maintenance. Sponsors agree to maintain their project open to the public for at least 20 years after its completion.

A LESSON IN HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS

By Ames Tribune Editorial Board
December 14, 2001

A little-known committee that doles out federal dollars for trails in Iowa met in Ames earlier this week. Uncharacteristically, it filled the room with people. They were for the most part polite, but it also can be said that the meeting dragged on with at least some tangential filibustering, came head to head with some parochial stereotyping, and petered out in the end more than it came to conclusion. It also provided a good lesson in how government works.

The committee is led by two officials from the state Department of Transportation, who are joined by a half dozen citizen advisors. It administers for Iowa the money available from the National Recreational Trails Fund, set up by Congress in 1991 and reauthorized in 1998.

According to the fund's Web site, the dollars are supposed to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized uses. Examples include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding or four-wheel driving.

The issue that packed the room is the proportion of dollars spent on motorized versus non-motorized trails in Iowa. By law, in any given year, 30 percent of the money available from the federal fund is supposed to be spent on non-motorized trails, 30 percent is to be spent on non-motorized trails, and 40 percent is to be spent on trails with diverse use. And, in fact, the Iowa committee has met that requirement. Since it first started granting money, in 1993, the committee has funded 25 projects totaling $2.7 million. Last year, non-motorized trails received $463,340 and motorized trails received $304,160. But some in the audience at Wednesday's meeting argued that the funding percentages don't reflect the numbers of actual trail users in Iowa. According to Iowa Department of Natural Resources figures, the greatest use of Iowa trails happens within state parks, which get more than 13 million visits per year. The people making those visits are by and large foot-powered.

The numbers admittedly are imprecise, but using that basis, the DNR documents calculate that from 80 to 85 percent of trail users in Iowa are hikers. Bicycling accounts for another 10 percent. And all other uses - horseback riders, kayakers, skiers, snowmobilers or motorcyclists - account for roughly 5 to 10 percent.

The lesson in American government came then as people who told the committee they were variously bird watchers, canoeists, hikers or other non-motorized trail users made a case for more representation and funding. They, of course, were met with still others who were snowmobilers or off-road vehicle users, with a vested interest in developing their own trails. And, as can be expected, when birder met biker, a few feathers flew. But by and large the meeting was cordial. A few points might be made:

1. The volunteers who serve as advisors on this committee should be commended. They put in their time to score project proposals and they do their best to represent a variety of interest groups. But the advisory board might be better served with added members who more formally represent user groups. No one from the state Audubon Society chapters, for example, sits on the board. Nor does anyone from the Sierra Club. Also, board members sit for indefinite terms. The upside is that it takes some time for members to learn the process and become comfortable in their roles. The downside is that without terms of office, members may sit in perpetuity. Some steps toward remedying this situation were taken by the committee, as Des Moines resident Gerry Rowland, representing primarily canoeists and kayakers, was invited to join the group.

2. The existing funding structure can't be changed by this group - that would take a federal initiative. But working within the 30-30-40 percent funding formula, non-motorized users might be better served if the 40 percent designated for diverse uses is intelligently applied, and therefore added to the 30 percent already designated for non-motorized users. Of course, there are some uses that are inherently incompatible. It is not safe to put cross-country skiers traveling between 5 and 15 mph on the same trails as snowmobilers traveling 60 to 70 mph. But the committee itself provides a good model for how diverse uses can coexist. That thrust should be extended to trail use, as well. Many uses, through trail design and a little tolerance, can be accommodated in the same area. And not all user groups are mutually exclusive. Not all birders are non-hunters, for example. And some bicyclists may also be snowmobilers. If government could help us all get along better, it would be noble, indeed.

3. The committee could advertise its availability of funds better. As it is, word of mouth is the main way that grants are solicited. A more representative mix of grant applications could be received - and consequently, a better mix of trails could be funded - if more people knew about this particular fund, how it works, and how it relates to other sources of funding out there.

While the meeting might have stretched the limits of the little room deep within DOT offices, it also stretched the scope of the committee. People making themselves heard is how government works in America. Everyone who attended should commend themselves for at least that.

Editor's Note: Formal meeting minutes are available for the Federal Recreational Trails Public Information Meeting held on Wednesday, December 12, 2001. Contact Robin at 515-277-1763 if you want a copy. Here are some sites giving information concerning trail funding:

FIRST AID/CPR CLASS HELD

Thanks to John Pollak, central Iowa paddlers had an opportunity to take a First Aid/CPR class this winter. Due to the inherent dangers of paddling and distance from help, John figured that paddlers would be well served by improving our ability to respond to accidents and other emergencies. Fourteen paddlers came together on Saturday, Feb. 9, for a one-day training class provided by the American Red Cross. Contact the American Red Cross at 515-243-7681 if you want to take the course. Outdoor folks can better support one another if we know we can help out in an emergency.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

NOTES FROM THE TAKE-OUT

TRIP REPORTS

Please send highlights of your trip to the Newsletter Editor as soon as possible after your event so we can all enjoy hearing about your adventures!

Eleven Point River

Robin Fortney

I had two days of vacation left and wanted one last big adventure in 2001. I talked to my paddling guru, Al Foster, about a trip south and he recommended the Eleven Point River, a National Wild and Scenic River in southeast Missouri. Below Greer Spring there's always water since the river is mostly spring fed. Al gave me maps and information, and I invited paddling friends to join me. John and Kerry were available on fairly short notice and, over dinner on September 10th, we agreed on a plan. We'd drive down on Thursday, September 13th, paddle from Greer Spring to Riverton on September 14-16 and drive home on Sunday, the 16th. You know what happened the next day - the evening of 9/11 we touched base and decided to go ahead with our plan. I drove down U.S. Highway 63, listening to news about the terrorist attacks almost the whole way. It was good to see John and Kerry's friendly faces waiting for me in Alton.

We made arrangements with Eleven Point River Canoe Rental (417-778-6497), located at U.S. Hwys 160 & 19 in Alton, to ferry our cars to the take-out, found the campground near Greer Access, made a good fire, and settled in for a leisurely few days. On Friday morning, we packed our boats and set off down river. The Eleven Point River is mostly an easy Class I-II river. The water level was low, but adequate, and the outfitter warned us about a couple of places where we'd need to pay attention. Mary Decker Shoals is a line of big boulders rolled into the river during lumbering in the early 1900's (stay to the right). Halls Bay Chute is located on the right side of an island where the river bends around quickly and flows violently over a rocky shelf. I got out and walked my Kevlar canoe around the chute, while the guys took the left turn. Kerry came back for a run down the chute.

The amazing thing is that the water is perfectly clear. We could see everything in it - fish, snapping turtles, aquatic plants, rocks and deep blue and green colors.

On Friday, we saw only two other people, but river activity picked up on Saturday. Jet boats zoomed up and down the river, shooting loudly over riffles where water was minimal. At night, we could hear the boats coming long before they arrived lighting up the river valley with 4-5 car-sized headlamps across the bow. Local folks like the fishing.

The area is home to the beautiful Mark Twain National Forest. The river valley is steep and forested with lots of rocky bluffs. Red cardinal flowers bloomed along the shore. River campsites are designated, and we stayed at Horseshoe Bend on Friday Night and Boze Mill on Saturday night. Both were great locations. We had plenty of time to set up camp, look for firewood, and explore the area. We ran the menu gamut from gourmet (Kerry) to minimalist (John). Thankfully, Kerry shared his venison steaks and other tasty dinners with us. On Sunday morning, we paddled our last 3 miles at a leisurely pace. Saw may first diamondback rattlesnake at the Riverton Access. I was impressed with the litterbags provided by Missouri DNR. The Eleven Point River is a gorgeous stream and I heartily recommend it.

Des Moines River - Estherville to Keokuk

Gerry Rowland

I took my new (ok, slightly used) GMC Jimmy out for a spin on the river on 12/15. Where the Mazda van was really pushing it, the Jimmy is right at home. The tow car was barely felt as I drove along, so my comfort level getting to and from the river was much enhanced. I chose a stretch that starts about 10 miles north of Saylorville (near Madrid) which is one of the most isolated and remote areas of the river, being underwater for about 8 months of the year. It is also challenging because there's not a lot of current and the river meanders in and out of wetlands and along high sandstone bluffs. The downstream point is at a county park, Jester Park. The road to the boat ramp is new, and the signage is great. I noted fire pits right near the river, great for overnighters. I left the Saturn there, but noted wind and waves would be contrary and challenging. On to Madrid, where I put in at about 11:30. Wind and waves were variable, and I made my way around islands and hugged the shore to stay in calmer water, but I averaged about 2 mph. It was a hard paddle, maybe the hardest I've done. For 6 hours I was fighting wind and waves. When I paused for even a few seconds, I was blown upstream. I took one 10 minute break, otherwise continuous hard paddling. As I came into the lake just at sunset, the big rollers started breaking over my bow, so I got in close to shore and stayed there until I made it to the boat ramp.

It was a glorious day. Coming into the lake, three bald eagles circled me and flew along. To have open water in the middle of December is wonderful. A full trip along a stretch that has been more that I wanted to tackle is just the best. My new super light paddles were just the thing for this kind of challenge. The GPS is my constant companion, and I keep it tucked into the pocket of the new life vest. All in all, it's what I live for.

Red Rock Reservoir

John Pearson

I kayaked on Red Rock Reservoir this morning (10/21/01). Yesterday's winds had died down and the temperature was mild. Even though the sky was overcast and somewhat gloomy as I loaded the kayak onto the car, the sun was breaking through openings in the clouds by the time I arrived at the lakeshore. I drove to Whitebreast Creek east of Knoxville instead of my usual put-in spot by the Mile-Long Bridge. Whitebreast Creek is farther away from home (33 miles instead of 21), but I visit the Mile-Long Bridge area so often that I worry about losing appreciation of its beauty through habituation.

As usual, the 13,000-acre reservoir was deserted on a Sunday morning. The still-rising sun was hidden behind a bank of low clouds at 9AM but its light illuminated the landscape of calm, blue water and forested bluffs splashed with fall colors. I pushed off from shore and paddled east until the sun rose above the clouds and dazzled my vision with its blinding spotlight and myriad of eye-piercing reflections. I swung west and retraced my route (stopping briefly at the car to fetch my sunglasses and visored cap). Continuing westward with the sun at my back, the view ahead was brightly lit and colorful.

A black line on the horizon between blue lake and variegated land became a raft of about 500 milling coots, their white bills contrasting sharply with their black bodies. Although the nearest ones skittered nervously at my approach, the majority of the flock stayed calm as I veered course and passed to one side. I passed two more flocks of this size, making a total of about 1,500 birds. At one point, one flock behind me panicked at some unseen disturbance and splashed noisily as they ran horizontally across the water surface prior to taking flight. It sounded like a crowd of people erupting in applause at the entrance onto the stage of an awaited emcee. Now in the open lake away from shore, I soaked in the expanse of space uncluttered with houses, trees, power lines, and cars. Distant cliffs beckoned. Placid water waited. Time paused.

Resisting the temptation to strike out across the water for the opposite shore (and committing myself to a many-hour outing in conflict with the start of my son's soccer game), I angled into a nearby bay and paddled toward bluffs made picturesque by slanting sunlight. Sandstone, shale, coal, gravel, and loess formed layers that spoke of geological history written by streams, swamps, wind, water, gravity, and limitless time.

Rounding a point to rejoin the big lake, I encountered a gentle east wind that had cropped up during my side trip in the bay. Flocks of coots scooted out of my path as I glided through shallow water, where a view of sunken rocks gave me a sense of flying. A man stood on the shore, admiring the view. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he called to me as I passed.

The final mile back to the car passed smoothly. After loading the kayak, I scanned the azimuth one more time, then drove home through an October landscape.

Des Moines River

John Washburn

Des Moines River Cleanup Project

Gerry Rowland

Thanks to those who joined us for a cleanup project at the Des Moines River Harriet St. Access on Saturday, 2/23/02, it sure looks a lot better. We even had a bald eagle fly over as we were finishing up.

I have been griping about the condition of this little park for years. Many of us have used the boat ramp to go downstream to Yellow Banks. It's a prime eagle watching spot in the winter. It also has a bad trash problem, and I would like to do clean-ups here several times a year.

At the urging of some friends who had heard enough, I contacted the new city action center. I got a very quick response from the volunteer coordinator, Jodi Heuberg. We set a date, and the rest is a wonderful success story. Jodi brought her Americorps volunteers and community service workers. Central Iowa Paddlers and Sierra Club had 10 or so. We had a full-size garbage truck at our disposal for 3 hours, and we really scoured the whole area, even along the river and the road coming into the park. There were about 25 people working on the area for most of the morning. Leonard Tinker brought along his canoe and went for a paddle afterward. A person who had come down to view the eagles was very pleased that the trash was gone.

Jodi and her volunteers work regularly at Birdland Park and Prospect Park. They would like to do a river cleanup and float with rented canoes this summer, and I'm thinking that we could help them have a really positive experience.

Boone River Cleanup

Robin Fortney

Last fall, Mike Smith told me that the Boone River was looking trashy and he wondered if we could do something about it. That's easy, said I, just set a date and starting place and I'll put out the word. So, the morning of September 9, ten people showed up at Briggs Woods to make the river nice again.

Mike supplied us with trash bags and shovels. Tires, siding, fencing, cans, and more tires had been dumped or blown into the river, and we had plenty of work to keep us busy. Fortunately, the water level was low and trash pickup was generally easy - except for the large tires half buried in sand. Unfortunately, there was so much trash that we had difficulty maneuvering loaded boats over the riffles.

We dumped loads of trash at three points along the way. Mike had contacted the county conservation board ahead of time and arranged for them to pick up and dispose of the tires and garbage. It was very satisfying to leave the river valley looking better than we found it. Brian Holt of Hamilton County Conservation Board sent a note of thanks to Central Iowa Paddlers in appreciation of this effort.

Upper Iowa River Cleanup

Robin Fortney

Diane Ford-Shivvers, volunteer coordinator for the Iowa DNR, called last fall and requested the assistance of the Central Iowa Paddlers in removing sweeper trees from the Upper Iowa River. Apparently, somebody had been badly hurt by a sweeper and the family complained to a legislator, who asked the Iowa DNR to respond. I told Diane that I could make the request known to paddlers, but tree removal is a dangerous proposition on land, much less in water, and it seemed to me that the canoe outfitters should take some responsibility. [My personal feeling is that paddlers, even those who rent equipment, must take responsibility, too.] Further discussion within the Iowa DNR focused on the importance of downed trees within the stream as habitat for aquatic organisms. It would not be appropriate or desirable to remove every obstacle and sweeper tree.

Diane eventually arranged a stewardship event on October 29-30 that involved both trash pickup and removal of the most offensive sweepers. About 18 people assisted in the effort, including two area canoe outfitters (Chimney Rock Canoe Outfitters and Randy's Bluffton Store), Iowa DNR staff, Americorps volunteers and Central Iowa Paddlers. Chimney Rock folks offered their campground to us free of charge. Saturday began overcast and cool. We divided into two groups, each taking a section of river. Each group included an outfitter who transported us and handled a chain saw. The rest of us picked up trash or used handsaws to cut tree limbs. We would up trimming maybe 8-10 trees altogether.

A working trip like this allows the paddler to slow down and really notice the sand and gravel bars, rock outcrops (we discovered a huge fossil of a sunflower coral), overhanging trees and currents. We gathered that night for a fabulous potluck dinner and listened to stories of the day (like how Jerry stripped down so he could trim underwater limbs without getting his clothes wet) and of adventures like alligator wrestling experienced by our Americorps comrades. Sunday dawned sunny and warm and we decided to float again. This trip was easy, and none of us wanted it to be over. Not only had we done several good things that weekend, but we had joined forces to do it. Randy Logsdon of Randy's Bluffton Store said he rarely gets out on the river any more, but he enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside people who care about the Upper Iowa River. I did, too.

Thanksgiving on the Des Moines River

Robin Fortney

John and I got out twice over the Thanksgiving weekend. The day after T-Day was cool and rainy, but we drove north to float the river from Fraser Dam down to Highway 30. We put in at the boat ramp located just below Fraser Dam. We floated past forested hillsides and the YMCA Camp and enjoyed eagle watching. The river was low, which made the portage around the Boone Waterworks Dam fairly easy. As we stood at the Waterworks boat ramp eating lunch, it started to rain again and I said to John, "You can't have this much fun with just anybody!" Actually, it would have been more fun with a better rain hat.

Temperatures continued to cool down and we were glad to get to the take-out and warm up in the car.

Sunday after Thanksgiving was sunny and a bit warmer. We put in at Sycamore Access and paddled up to Saylorville Dam. I had not paddled this section, nor had I paddled upstream in quite a while. It's a great workout. Since the river was low, we could see huge sand bars. Fishermen were working the fast water where the river narrowed. Eagles watched the activity from their high perches. Eventually we turned around and floated downstream to Prospect Park.

The Chippewa River

Greg Vitale

It was a late start for the long drive to Dave's getaway on the Chippewa River. On arrival, it was hard not to notice the custom door handle as part of a paddle that will see no more paddling. The "cabin", complete with electricity, heat, hot water and flush toilets, was not hard to like. After starting a fire and a brief tour, we headed out for a late night supper at East Bay, a large restaurant and bar nearby.

Back again at the cabin, now warmed on the inside by our supper and on the outside by the wood burning stove, we relaxed a bit, telling stories over beer and Old Crow, and listening to an American Indian public radio station, WOJB. Volunteers often bring in their music to share and that night we enjoyed Cowboy Dan's collection. We awoke to a bright, still, and cold morning of about 37 degrees. Mist was rising from the lake. The sun glinted from the wet birch trunks. A Blue Jay and some Nuthatches worked the trees nearby. Dave whipped up his one pan special, Duck Camp Eggs, in one of his well-seasoned cast iron pans. First came the sizzling diced potatoes and spices. Chopped sausage was added, followed shortly by whipped eggs. Toast with homemade jam, tea and coffee were part of our morning repast too.

Without hurrying, our lunch was packed and the dishes were cleaned, dried and put away. We headed out to scout our trip and to drop our shuttle vehicle, thoughtfully left for our use by Dave's Dad. Paddlers use the rule of 100 to guide them. If the sum of the air and water temperatures is less than 100, as it was that day, you are dealing with challenging conditions. Under those circumstances, extra attention to gear, skill levels, and the proposed route are warranted. With this in mind, we dressed, packed, and carried the boats past the totem of the Deer, Bear, Fish and Hawk to the water's edge behind the cabin. The Hawk on the top of the totem pole was the maiden name of Dave's mom; the fish and deer were depicted because they are a part of this place. The bear is about a honeymoon a long time ago. Apparently it was a slower time, when romantic people went to the dump to watch the bears.

The water was calm enough in the bay behind the cabin where we began our trip, but picked up as we left its shelter. Ostensibly, we were paddling downstream all day. But, with the two dams that were part of our route, minimal water flows, and the backwaters that we sought out, it was pretty much flat water paddling.

After about a mile or two, we came to our first hydroelectric dam run by Excel Energy, formerly Northern States Power. Pretty much we paddled up to the dam on river right. That was the easy part. The put in on the downstream side of the dam was tough, even by Boundary Waters standards. We had to pick our way over a rock and boulder laden area. In retrospect, maybe the longer portage on river left would be better next time. We saw a deer just as we were about to head downstream again. We also saw Golden-eyed Ducks, Canadian Geese, and a Bald Eagle that watched us from a comfortable looking perch. About the only sounds I heard while we were paddling were crows or Black-capped Chickadees. But, mostly this time of year, it was pretty quiet. Part of our paddle was so quiet that you could not even hear the sound of traffic.

After heading downstream for while, we stopped for lunch in a sunny spot by the water. Our sandwiches of hearty bread, turkey, and olive lunchmeat with horseradish and butter sustained us. Sodas and cookies hit the spot too. Fortified again, we paddled in the backwaters of Brunet State Park.

As we paddled around looking for a way around the island, I practiced speaking "Wisconsin". With some guidance from a fisherman, we soon found our way around the backside of the park and returned to the main channel, where we were again exposed to the wind. By now, the sun was already starting to feel cooler. Soon after we entered the main channel, we saw our landing, near the dam at Cornell where we ended our 8-mile paddle. Our appetite whetted, we checked out portages around the next dam, and a couple of potential whitewater play spots further downstream.

But we still had a bit more left to this adventure, including ice cream at Albert's, a treat we couldn't resist. We then enjoyed a Leinenkugel at the cabin as we packed and shut down the cabin until the next adventure. Before we hit the road back to Ames, Rick took a particularly good picture with his digital camera of the family outhouse in the land of many outhouses. With that business behind us, we were on our way.