The adventures of a cedar canoe
Now that I am back in The Netherlands I have a bit of time to reflect on my trip last month to Minnesota. Once I finally dipped my kayak in the water at Big Marine Lake I spent the last few days I had of my visit exploring the areas around the Southern edge of the lake.
The hubby was back to work this week. I am back on my own for the last week of my stateside visit. The last week is always filled with cleaning out the storage unit, preparing the car to put back into storage, and last minute purchases. Always a ton of things to think about, last minute visits to friends, and how to fit those purchases I made into my suitcase for the trip back to Europe.
My Pungo and Outback back into storage waiting for my next Minnesota Adventure.
Yesterday, I made time to meet a kayak/canoe friend and ACA instructor Jeff Pilgrim at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis for the Midwest Mountaineering annual kayak/canoe demo.
Demo days are a great way to try to various kayaks and canoes for free. This is also a great time to network with other paddlers or inspiring paddlers.
Canoes, kayaks, and paddlers all having a great time at the Lake Nokomis Demo Day
I was interested in trying out a couple of kevlar solo canoes from Northstar canoe company. Made in Minnesota by Ted Bell and his team, these lightweight canoes are perfect for someone who would like a light weight easy to portage canoe.
The selection of Northstar canoes that were available to demo.
I tried several of these wonderful canoes and would love to own one at some point in the future. The Northstar staff were easy to talk to about the canoes. I felt comfortable and safe paddling these lightweight canoes.
The Demo Day was only part one of the Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo with activities running all weekend at their store located in Minneapolis. I would recommend stopping by and checking out this event. Talk with any of their professional, down to earth sales staff as they are all outdoors people and knowledgeable about the products they sell.
Canoes on Lake Nokomis on Demo Day
Enjoy your weekend outdoors!
Copyright The Cedar Journal, 2019, all rights reserved.
Vacation finally, for the hubby, after two weeks working with his team of Dutch co-workers here in Minneapolis. It seems the weather was also going to cooperate with vacation as the snow finally melted, ice off of most of the lakes, and a cleaned out storage unit (one whole day of vacation blown on that).
My prospects of getting on the water for the first time this season this weekend looked great.
Besides catching a Minnesota trout, kayaking was the only other thing on my to “do list” this trip and so far the weather has been a huge hurdle.
The temperature hit 74F yesterday and the lake where we are staying had ice out a few days ago. Imagine the smile on my face at checkin when I knew I would be able to now get my kayak out of storage and onto the lake.
It wasn’t long before I had my kayak ready to head to the lake.
The short walk through the Veterans Rest Camp drew some odd glances from the none walking, golf cart riding seasonal residents. One veteran even stopping as he rolled by in his car asking if I was really planning on taking it out on the water.
Really ? I thought. No, just wanted to see how many stupid questions I would get rolling it around the campground.
Instead I answered that yes, I was taking it out and it wasn’t too cold. I did look at the hubby and rolled my eyes which the hubby instantly understood.
As we approached the beach, there were several workers busy placing the docks back into the water. A loon was close to shore just watching all the activity and not the least bit upset I was about to kayak into his territory.
I got my gear ready.
Then headed out onto Big Marine Lake for my first beautiful kayak paddle of the season. Thanks to the hubby who provided the camera shots for this blog.
©️ The Cedar Journal, 2019, all rights reserved.
I have been reading the book Between The Waters, by Larry Luukkonen this fall. It details the northwest trails and the portages from Lake Superior at the mouth of the St Louis River to Big Sandy Lake and the entrance into the Mississippi River. The first major portage for loaded canoes was the Grand Portage.
Read More "Walking in the Grand Portage footsteps; Minnesota"
This is sometimes a very fine line and personal journey and sharing it means I open doors to my readers that can’t be shut once opened.
I slip out of bed as I watch the sun peek up over the ridge of the lake and the light starts to flood the lake with early morning light.
Drone images from North Holland bulb fields.
