May 31, 2009 Our First Summer Adventure

Well it seemed like it might never get here, but we finally hooked up the camper, loaded the bikes and the kayaks and headed out for the weekend. Friday afternoon when we left about noon it was awesome. Blue skies, warm temps and what, no wind? I don't think I remember the last day with no wind. It was a great afternoon to drive north. Our destination was only a short drive away, Walkers Point, at Lake Madison. We arrived set up the camper and wasted no time in getting the kayaks out on the lake. The water was actually much warmer than I expected and it was fairly calm making for a nice paddle. We headed east, south east along the shore admiring the homes with Hillcrest Resort as our destination. It was only a short distance by car, but by kayak it was a pretty good cruise. We did not see much wildlife, only a woodchuck and a few ducks. The break we took at Hillcrest was rather short and we headed back this time heading out into the lake farther. All in all we were out about two hours and we both knew it was summer once again.The rest of the night we just relaxed, watched some TV and turned in kind of early. we wanted to be up at the crack of dawn to head to Brookings to do some bike riding. We arrived at Brookings with abit of a chill in the air still. The winds was blowing pretty well AGAIN, but the sky was blue and nothing was stopping us. We unloaded the bikes and took off on the bike path headed south. The path was great. It was pretty smooth and it winded through the trees, up small hills and down. We followed it along the interstate and then around the golf course before heading east. We were both commenting on how nice it was. What a great bike trail and then suddenly it ended. No more trail now what? Oh well we decided to just make the best of it and head down the streets of Brookings with a new gaol in mind, the world famous Nick's Hamburger Shop. As we walked into Nick's we both noticed right away that they had done some remodeling and added a whole eight new stools bringing the new total to like 15 or so. We were soon enjoying some of Nick's great burgers and some great conversation with Nick. After more that 80 years in business it seems there is no end to Nick's burgers. Now full we headed back to the truck, loaded up and began our return trip to Madison. Back at camp we fired up the grill and enjoyed some potatoes and green peppers and rib eye steak. What a great way to reward yourself at the end of a day. Then it was some Dominoes, Phase Ten and off to bed. Sunday morning began with sky, nice temps and yes wind once again. A nice breakfast of waffles and bacon got us ready to head out onto the lake in our kayaks to fight the waves. It was windy. This time we headed west into the area called "The Harbor", a very nice area with some beautiful homes. The carp were thick and the water swirled along the shoreline where they were thrashing about. It was hard paddling and at times it was like two strokes forward and drift three backwards. Just kidding, but it was work. By the time we got back we knew we had done some work. It is fun riding the big waves though. We started to kind of clean up once we got back and getting ready for Bud and Doris, Kay's parents, for you outsiders to come for lunch. The arrived, we had a nice lunch and chatted until we had to get ready to head for home. We were suppose to have a bike ride at 4PM, but it got cancelled do to impending weather. The drive home was fun, NOT! Pulling the trailer in the 35 -40 mile an hour winds was interesting to say the least. We made it though, safe and sound. The first weekend had come to an end. So whats next? Next Saturday we are headed to Vermilion, SD to join a group for a Missouri River cruise. If interested in joining us there is a link with the details: www.mnrrwatertrail.org/ The Sunday it is the Canoe and Kayak Fair at Lake Alvin starting at 11:30AM. So if you have ever wanted to try paddling come on out. Here is a link for that event: http://sdcka.blogspot.com/ Well till next week enjoy.

May 9, 2009 Peddle & Paddle

It was only 36 degrees when Kay and I got on our bikes at Sertoma Park and head off to the south. The sky was bright blue, there was not any wind and I believed for a little bit that the cool morning had kept most others home. It was a great morning for riding and things were going well. We we clipping right along around the south end of the bike trail. We were riding along at about 18 miles and hour just enjoying the morning. Until that is we reached the Cherry Rock Paisley Park area. As we came around the corner we were met by hundreds of runners. What was going on? Who were these people who had invaded the bike trail? Well they were all runners participating in either the 5k or 10k Breast Cancer Run for The Cure. Well this added a very interesting twist to the ride. It was slow and hard going trying to make my way through the crowd of runners going both directions on the bike path. I was not sure it was ever going to end, but it did, just south of the the train bridge by Fawic Park. Once I passed the runners and rode another short distance I realized Kay was not behind me, so I turned around and head back to see where she might be. I waited and waited by the turn around point for the runners and she never came. Then my phone rang. It was Kay she was already at Falls Park, she had jumped off the trail and took side streets instead of fighting the runners. So I headed back south to meet up with her. By the time we joined up at the park we had lost alot of time and decided to head straight back to the car. So we headed down Phillips south until we reached sixth street where we turned west. As we approached Minnesota Ave. I realized the sixth street hill was straight ahead of u. Now this hill is a true test for most riders. I am not sure of the grade, but it is like 45 degrees up a street that is all cobblestones at the top. Well we did it although I will say I think I almost lost one lung on the way. The rest of the ride was not bad. We jumped back on the bile trail at 12th Street and before we knew it we were back at the car. The problem now was that we had lost lots of time and we were to meet up with some members of the South Dakota Canoe Association at Lake Marindal at noon.

Kay I had never been to this lake before and were looking forward to our first time out with our kayaks this year. After having to rush to put the racks on the pickup we loaded the boats and headed south. We were only a half hour late leaving, but I figured I could make up some of the time if you know what I mean. Now like I said we had never been to this lake before, but I thought I knew right where it was. Wrong! There were no signs anywhere and it is one of those lakes that you can not see from the road. We could have driven around for days, but we got lucky and saw one of fellow cruisers headed down a road so we followed him. Soon we were there. It was a nice day although it could have been a bit warmer. We got the boats unloaded and Kay and I headed out on the lake. We paddled north passing several fishing boats and a couple other paddlers. The water was a pretty nice with only a few small waves. It was a beautiful cruise and I really enjoyed the scenery. The only wild like I saw were a few Mallards, a couple Teal and one Grey Crane. We finally reached the far north end of the lake where I had hoped to fine an inlet we could paddle up, but I did not. I later discovered that if we had worked our way across the sand bar we could have paddled up the inlet for some distance. Once back at the dock area we watched a few brave, or maybe stupid kids swim int he 45 degree water. Ah to be young and impulsive again. By this time the wind was starting to come up and random clouds were drifting by blocking the sun from time to time. After loading up we headed home. It had been a full day. Nothing better that both peddling and paddling in one day. It was a good start to the summer.

May 2, 2009 It's About Time

Finally some nice weather. Kay and I have been waiting for this all winter. We had a great day. We started with a nice 25 mile ride in the morning. We rode part of the bike trail and then headed off through the city. We rode though downtown and headed west on 10Th street. The traffic was pretty heavy. When we got to Grange we headed south and road over to Sanford Hospital. We actually rode on the west side of the new childrens hospital and I am still amazed at the building. What a wonderful concept. It might just make going to the hospital a little less scary for the kids. Our next stop was at the new Augustana College stadium they are building. Wow it is something. It is huge and the design is breathtaking. Way to go Augie. We then headed south on Lake and as we rode by one of the homes I grew up in I notice that an old neighbor, John Miller, was sitting outside enjoying the son with his little dog in his lap. I had to stop and say hi. John lives alone and is 80, but looks like he is doing pretty well. Then it was off south until we arrived at our car which was parked at Yankton Trails. It was a great morning for a ride. Cool, not much wind and the traffic on the trail at least was light, but as is the case with most good things we had to stop and head for home. There was a lawn calling my name. Later in the day I decided I had not had enough so I called our friends Bruce and Nancy to see if they were up for a ride. I figured another 20 would be good. So we met about 5:30PM and headed down the bike trail with Falls Park and the Cinco de Mayo celebration as our destination. We arrived at the park and I must say I really was expecting more people. There was a band, like 16 musicians, some food and beverage vendors and that was about it. So we hung around for a bit just to see what was happening and watch the people. It is always fun to be a people watcher. We decided it was time to head back so we hit the trail and headed south. We made a couple more stops along the way, but before long we were back at Sertoma Park where we had started out from. What was next? Pizza....well deserved pizza. What a great way to start the summer.

April 29, 2009 YUK!!!

Well the start of the summer season is not much better than it was one year ago. It is still cool and wet with plenty of wind to go around. We have managed to get out once or twice a week to battle the wind and get some miles in. The way we look at it is that if week wait for a day with out wind we will never ride again, at least in South Dakota.

I am rather sad we had to miss the very first big paddle of the year last weekend. It sounds like there was a good turn out and lots of fun had by all. My nephew Greg got married and so we were kept busy will all the events of the day. It was great.

Kay and I have been working on our calender for the summer and there are not many weekends we are not involved in a ride or paddle. There will be no shortage of things to do. Many weekends we have both a ride and a paddle planned, those are the best. They compliment each other so well. So anyway I just thought I should update this with something until we really get going for the summer. I am sorry I have nothing very exciting to report, bu that will change I am sure. Cross your fingers and say a prayer that this weather finally straightens out.

March 29, 2009 Splish Splash

Well the weather is still just not quite where I would like it to be before I adventure out onto the rivers and lakes around here, so we decided to do the next best thing and take part in another and I assume last pool paddle at the YWCA. We arrived at 10AM and unloaded one of out boats. Once everyone was inside we went about paddling, rolling our boats over and practicing self rescues and more. The water was wonderful. There were a few new people again and they seemed to enjoy their first opportunity to experience a kayak. For two hours we just enjoyed being able to dream about the warm days on the water ahead.

March 20th , 2009 First Day Of Spring

Well it is officially here, the first day of spring. I know we have all been waiting for this day and the summer to come. It has been really nice to be able to get out three times already this week and put on some miles. It will not be long before every weekend will be filled with peddling and paddling. I have started to build a list of many of the organized rides and cruises on this blog so if I have missed anything you would like me to add please let me know. I have also added the weather forecast since it is something we all take special notice of. Kay and I have lots of plans for this summer and we are looking forward to putting our boats in the water yet this month. The river is pretty well open and calling our names. I want to take a moment to thank Dana and the guys at Two Wheeler Dealer for hosting the trainer sessions this winter. I can really feel the benefits when I am out riding . It is always more fun to train as a group. If you need anything from a new bike to apparel, tires, service make sure you make Two Wheeler Dealer your destination. You will be please you did. So for now we will ride as much as we can until the first organized ride and we will paddle when we can in anticipation of the Earth Day cruise on April 25th. We hope to see many of you along the way.

March 9th 2009 Red Rock Canyon

I just got off a plane to a weather forecast of a possible blizzard, freezing rain, snow and rain. Now I know that is the norm for South Dakota, but after spending a few days in Phoenix, 80 degrees, and a few days in Las Vegas, 65-70 degrees, it is a bit hard to take. Kay and I just returned from visiting her parents in Phoenix and meeting up with our kids in Las Vegas. I will not go into all the details of the trip, but I would like to fill you in on our time spend mountain biking in Red Rock Canyon right out side Las Vegas. The day was perfect, about 68 degrees, no wind and bright blue skies. Our guide for the day, John, picked us up at the New York New York Hotel loaded with all the equipment we needed. Cannaondale Rushes, gloves, helmets and water. It was about a fifteen to twenty minute drive to the trail head where we unloaded, got the bikes fitted and were given some basic instructions on how to survive the trip. He told us about the terrain we would encounter as well as the dangers associated with the cactus which grow adjacent to the trails. He assured us he carried pliers to pull out and needles we might come in contact with. So of we went. It took some time to get the feel of the bike underneath. The feel of the sand, the rocks and the washed out cracks and groves in the trail. We didn't go far though before we came to our first real test, a ten to fifteen foot drop into a dry creek bed and back up the other side. The trail was ruff and covered with loose rocks some the size of my fist. The path twisted and turn very rapidly and we learned a valuable lesson right away. Don't fight the bike let is go, let it handle the rocks and the bump. Once up the other side we were all pretty proud of ourselves. We were up for anything. On we went zig zagging across the dessert. Down cliffs and up rocks slopes. Dodging cactus and huge boulders in the middle of the trail. We stopped fairly often to enjoy the views and to chat about the next section and what to expect. It was a perfect day for riding. After two and a half hours of pitting ourselves against mother natures creation we made or last pit stop. John gave us two option for the last leg of the ride. One that was almost all up hill and one that was up hill. Well being the wimps we were we chose the almost up hill path. It was the toughest part of the ride. One because we were getting tired and on because much of the trial was up hill on very loose rock. Your back tires was spinning on the rocks, but to stop peddling was not an option. There was no way you would get started again. The last leg was tuff and when we saw the van waiting for us it was encouraging. We had made it and no fatalities. Oh we had a few cuts, scrapes and such, but nothing that required and real first aid, something the guide said we could be proud of. All in all it was a great experience. I must say there were couple of times I saw my life flash before my eyes as I transcended some of the more torturous stretches of dessert. Would I do it again...in a minute. We all had a great time and had experienced something new. A new adventure.