SIW "Exploring Odessa Water Trail" May 30, 2009

GStarkCR · Joined: 04 Jan 2005 Posts: 389 Location: Cedar Rapids

REPORT ON THE MAY 30 "EXPLORING ODESSA WATER TRAILS" EVENT:
Breakfast in Wapello resulted in a slight delay at Sand Run Access, but 13 boats & 15 paddlers (plus "Cosmo") finally hit the water for a day of paddling with excellent water & weather conditions. Odessa is a maze of channels and islands, and a map & compass should be an absolute minimum for anyone not familiar with the area. The area is normally drawn down 1 to 2 feet below the current level to encourage the growth of forage for waterfowl, but the high level of the Mississippi is currently making this impossible. This situation allowed us to paddle almost anywhere and take several shortcuts not normally available. Of course, we would not have known about the shortcuts without the assistance of Executive Director Julie Ohde and her "assistants" Bob and Steve.
We saw a number of ducks and blue heron, some of our fishing members caught a very nice catfish, but the wildlife highlight was probably the bald eagle, bald eagle nest, and clearly-visible head of an eaglet. We look forward to visiting again sometime when the water level is down and the water lilies are in bloom. Thanks again to Julie, Bob, and Steve for showing us the sights, and getting us back to the launch site.
You can follow Julie’s adventures on her Red Kayak Blog: http://www.littleredkayak.blogspot.com/
& check out the latest Naturally Louisa County newsletter: http://www.naturallylouisacounty.com/pdf_files/newsletters/nlcnews-winter09.pdf

Gutwrencher · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 1812 Location: central Iowa

Thanks for the post. After we spend a few days on the UIR, we are driving down to Lake Odessa to spend the final few days of our vacation and wedding ann. by paddling the trails. We won't have a guide, but I'll take along the GPS and we intend on hitting a few trails and exploring. The off trails should be fun. We have 2 days there......so we should get in some serious paddle time. By time we get there on Thursday, the weather is supposed to be quite nice.

I should be bringing back a nice report with many-o-pic.

I'm packing for our departure tonight and can't wait to hit the road Monday morning and get to the cabin north of Decorah.
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Paddle Plannage(next 20): Beaver Creek 8-4 (Polk County), Rathbun, Middle Raccoon (Coon Rapids), South Raccoon Overnighter (2nd week August)

kgassman · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:12 am Post subject:

Being a SIW member I really wanted to make this event but schedule conflicts ruled it out. Sonds like a great experience! You're right it would be a great time to visit when the water lilys are in bloom. What would be the time frame to catch this? I would love to kae it happen later in the summer.
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Some Things This Side Of Heaven Are Just Cooler Than Hell.

Gutwrencher · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 1812 Location: central Iowa

Hey SITW.....I have a report up with that nest, Eagles and otter posted in "trip reports".....check it out. I think Julie might be using some otter pics for pluggin' Odessa to the public. Sweetness.

Odessa was as awesome as awesome gets. Going back soon. Many miles to explore.
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Paddle Plannage(next 20): Beaver Creek 8-4 (Polk County), Rathbun, Middle Raccoon (Coon Rapids), South Raccoon Overnighter (2nd week August)