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.

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.

July 13, 2008 Return To Grass lake

Well if you read the previous entry you know that Kay and I volunteered to meet Jeanne Fromm from Dakota Water Watch back at Grass Lake at 9AM to finish collecting date and water samples that were lost the day before. I was a much nicer day and the paddling was great. Jeanne had three locations she wanted us to get for her, two in the middle of the lake and one along the north shoreline. Again as we did the day before Kay and I worked as a team. She did recording and I did testing and collection. It was a much more pleasant experience. After 45 minute on the water we had the three done and were back on land. I am anxious to see what the samples tell us. Kay and i loaded up and headed home. It was time to get some work done around the house. I do think we might try to put about twenty on the bikes yet today. I'll let you know how that goes.

July 12, 2008 Grass Lake / Dakota Water Watch

Today was an interesting and eventful day. It was a beautiful morning with clear skies, light breezes and low humidity. What a wonderful day to paddle a kayak. And to make even more special the SDCA had offer the assistance of a group of us to collect water samples and data so they could begin to build a history on the water quality of Grass Lake, which is located just south of Humbolt, South Dakota. Once everyone had arrived at the lake, Jeanne Fromm of Dakota Water Watch gave us some background on their efforts and instructions on how to collect the data and water samples they wanted from twenty preselected locations on the lake. The mission was to test air and water temperatures, water clarity, water depth, and the collection of two samples of water from all locations. One sample for testing for bacteria and one for testing for nitrates. By the time the instruction was over and we were all assigned our two spots to collect data the weather had changed dramatically. The wind had picked up there were whitecaps forming on the lake. Well ,Kay and I were given four locations on the eastern end of that lake. This was soon to considered a good thing as the winds continued to build. Kay and I decided to work as a team and go to all four of our points together. This seemed to make the most sense since that way she could do all the recording of the data while I did the actual testing and water sample collection. It was difficult to do. We were continually paddling back to our original location after each test because of the speed of our drift. We were trying to make sure the data was as accurate as possible. I soon found it was impossible to measure the water depth with the tools they had given to us because of the conditions so I devised my own method. I used my paddle, sticking it straight down until it hit bottom, marked it and the measure the paddle itself to obtain the depth, worked great. Kay and soon had our data and samples collected and headed back to shore. As we were heading back Jeanne and the others on shore were yelling out to us. With the wind it was hard to hear them, but finally I heard her say as she pointed out into the middle of the lake that a canoe had tipped over. My wife continued into shore with the data while I headed out to see if I could be of assistance., As I paddled out to them I was lucky enough to see one of their paddles floating along and was able to grab it. Once I got to them it was obvious they were not going anywhere the way they were. Well ,here is where my thanks to the SDCA and their training day at the YMCA comes in. Having done several assisted rescues in the pool I decided it would probably work with a canoe as well as a kayak. So the first thing I did was instructing them to swim under the canoe and push it up and over. After a couple tries they were successful. I then used my pump to pump the excess water out of the boat. By this time the lady in the boat was making her way to shore, floating with the current. The next part I was not sure about. How it would work with a canoe, but I pulled up beside it, laid myself across it to stabilize it and the gentleman was able to crawl in. It worked just like it should. It was actually easier with the canoe than it had been with the kayaks in the pool. Again thanks to SDCA for the training day. When they have their next one and if you did not make the first one try to make it. I am not sure what we would have done otherwise. Something I am sure, but just what I do not know.. So once we were all back on shore Kay and I decided to call it a day, but not before offering to meet Jeanne back at the lake the next day to collect the samples that had been lost when the canoe tipped. I could not help, but wonder how everyone else was doing back on the lake on my drive home.

June 26,2008 Update.

I have heard from a couple of you out there that we have not added any updates for a while. Well it is not because we have not been out there peddling and paddling, but rather nothing out of the ordinary. This weekend we will heading out to some heavy riding and kayaking so hopefully on Monday we will have something to share.This weekend we will be heading up north to the Big Stone area where I have not been since I went to Camp Teppetonka at around age 10. So until Monday have a great weekend. By the way picture is not me. Do you recognize this Specialized bike fan?

Let me know. Just click on comment below.

June 17, 2008 Relaxing Ride

It is not often that we take what I call a relaxing ride. One where we are not pushing ourselves to achieve new goals, fast speeds, better speed averages etc. Tonight we decided to take a nice comfortable pace and enjoy the great night. Nancy joined us at Sertoma Park and we road to the north doing a clockwise ride of the bike trail. Smooth, relaxing and a wonderful way to end the day. I was happy to see that the city has begun filling cracks in the trail with tar. They have done from the bridge at the north end of Elmwood Golf Course to the water control station alone Highway 38. When we got to Falls Park we got off the bike trail and rode up through the park so we could get out on Main and head for Brick House BBQ. We made a pit stop there and then head out. We arrived back at Sertoma Park without incident. We were however met by a group of Knights with swords, axes and full armor. No we had not peddle our way back in time. We had run across a group who obviously enjoy the medieval time period. To each their own. Never know what you might encounter on a nice relaxing ride.

June 16, 2008 Beaver Lake, SD

well another Monday of work behind us Kay and I decided to try out Beaver Lake. Beaver Lake for those of you who are not familiar with it is just south of Humbolt,SD. Its a fairly good sized lake and there was just enough breeze to bring a few waves lapping over our bows as we took off from the dock and headed east. It was quiet and we were the only ones on the lake or anywhere to be seen for that matter. The water was really murky and there was a fair amount of algae. We paddle east for a fair distance before turning north across the lake. There was not sign of any wildlife to speak of. A couple ducks and one lone pelican was about it. It was a nice relaxing paddle. The warm sun was great. Once on the north side we followed the shoreline to the west . It was interesting how the smallest of land mass in the right place would turn the lake into a very smooth and tranquil place. Small oasis of calm. I wanted to head over and explore the island, but we decided to save that for another time. As we approached the dock I could see we were no longer the only ones enjoying the evening. Two young men were fishing of the dock. As I slide my boat up to the dock one nice young man asked if he could be of any assistance. I assured him I was fine, but thanked him for asking. Hard to find strangers that willing to help anymore. Well we loaded up the boats and head home. It is so nice to have time to relax and there is no better way than paddling through the water. Oh by the way didn't post Saturday , but we did get our normal 20 miles in on our bikes. Thanks to Daryl for joining us.

June9, 2008 Anyone interested?

Just wondering if anyone would be interested in starting a group to get together once a week for a group bike ride. I am thinking we could ride the bike trail or just pick out a destination to head to. I think it would be fun. Also if your interested when would be a good time for you? On a weeknight after work, on Saturday morning or some other time? Let me know if your interested and what your thinking. This would be for a fun ride, not a race.

Ride Your Bike To Work Day May 16, 2008

It was a great morning for riding to work. Cool, no wind and not alot of traffic, well at least till I got into SIoux Falls. I left home at 6:30Am thinking it would take me longer than it did to get to Starbucks on 41st Street, where I stopped for some morning coffee. The ride in to Starbucks only took 31 minutes (10.2 miles) so I had a bit of extra time to sit out on their padio and watch the cars go by and enjoy the morning. It was only another 2.5 miles to the office and it included the fun ride down Kiwanis hill by the zoo. Now that I now that it only takes about 45 minute to ride I just might do it more often.

Garrestson Bike Ride May 4, 2008

It was about 10:30Am when we arrived in Brandon, SD our starting point for our days ride to the Palisades State Park. Not a bad day with temps around 60 degress and fairly light winds out of the NE. Our goal for the day was to ride what is called the Three Waters Tour. We parked at the scenic overlook tower on the south side of Brandon and headed east on county road 264. We went to till we hit 484th and then turned and headed north. The next 11 miles was a good work out. Rolling hills and a good bit of breeze made you earn your way. When we hit highway 11 we turned right and head east to 255th Street and then on to the entrence of Palisades State Park. Pretty quite with a handfull of fisherman, one man taking photos and a coupleof guys driving through with their kayaks. Won't be long and the place will be hopping. When we left we headed into Garretson so we could get a small snack and I cold check the air in my back time. After our little break it was back on the road and heading west on highway 11. Highway 11 is a nice road to ride. Although it has pretty heavy traffic it also has nice wide shoulders. So it was west 5 or 6 miles, then south into Corson and acroos the bridge to Brandon. All in all it was a good ride, about 30 miles. It once agina proved to us that there aren't to many flat roads and the wind always blows in South Dakota.

Grass Lake May 4, 2008

Well we finally decided to take the plunge and headed out to Grass Lake late on Sunday afternoon. After our 30 mile bike ride we decided we needed some relaxation. It was about 70 degrees, light wind out of the NW and clear. It was our first trip to the lake and we were pleasantly surprised by its quiet and secluded location. There was only a father and one small child there fishing. We unloaded and set out on the west side of the access and headed west. It was a bit choppy, but nothing to severe. We paddled for about an hour just following the shoreline and enjoying being outside in the sun. There was not as much animal and or bird activity as I assumed there would be. A few geese and ducks was about it. Next time I do want go ashore on the islands to photograph some of the nesting going on there.

After unwinding we headed back loaded up and hit the road. By the time we left we had been joined on the lake by another gentleman and his dog in their kayak. It was a great way to end a long day.

Peddle & Paddle South Dakota

Welcome to our brand new blog where we hope to share our adventures on the rivers and lakes of South Dakota as well as the bike trails and roads. I suppose the first thing to do would be to introduce myself and my wife Kay.
Born and raised in South Dakota the two of us still love it here and have no real desire to leave this area although as we get older we do dislike the winters more and more. My name is Ed and I was born in Sioux Falls, went to school here and my wife and I raised our family here. My wife Kay was born in Lake Preston, South Dakota and graduated from Augustana College. Our kids are all raised and now that we are empty nesters and we have turned our time to exploring South Dakota by bike and by kayak, thus the "Peddle & Paddle" title of this blog. Since this is really new please be patient as I finish putting our first pictures etc. on here.