[Gutwrencher]

Just a short post to say thanks to the paddlers who showed up for the first of what will become a weekly get-together at Blue Heron Lake in Raccoon River Park.

GravityGuy, it was awesome to finally meet you! Thanks for coming down and paddling that short boat of yours around the lake with us. . I look forward to learning some ww yaking and having you show me the ropes. I'll be in touch.

Danman(Dan), sail8(Gary), James Weeks in his ww kayak just like GG, was there also performing rolls and cartwheels.

We had a new guy show up with his son. Thanks Bruce! He has been trying to get onto PI but has not been activated yet. Maybe Brian can get that going. It was nice to have you and your young son there, Bruce! Thanks for coming!

Also ran into Theresa at the tail-end of the evening. She has an Impex kayak and has paddled the everglades and Apostle Islands. She knows Diane Lowery well and is connected to CSO with Jeff and Casey. She may be planning a solo trip to the A. Islands. Anyway, she was just out there on her own and we all ran into each other and chatted. She might be checking out the PI forums and will try to get down there for more Tuesday nights. Thanks, Theresa!

Met a few other "non PI and CIP" paddlers who were out to just enjoy the evening. Great to make new paddlin' friends.

The winds were strong and waves from the east kept us busy as we paddled to the rear of the lake. We had a great time. Hope to see more people next Tuesday!
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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)

[sail8]

Fuzzy pictures of some of the participants




Through the reeds

[Gutwrencher]

Thanks for sharing those, Gary!

It's nice to have the water high so we can paddle "through the reeds" and back marsh.

You can see "new guy" Bruce and his son in the red kayak, and of course GravityGuy in his white water kayak. This was a good showing of paddlers. Can't wait until next week. You don't get big waves like that at Gray's....or.....20' gar fish.



For those who don't know the story....my first paddle ever was in the 17' coleman my father-in-law gave me in 2005. I took it to Blue Heron. A gar surfaced beside my boat and was as long as the boat itself....and it was not even stretched out full length! I remember the beast looking right at me....with teeth coming out the side of it's mouth the size of my pinky finger. I kid you not. This lake should be re-named..."Lake of the Lost".

Don't let it scare you, though. . This is a GREAT urban lake to paddle......come see for yourself next Tuesday.
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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)

[Danman]

It was nice to see everyone come out and float.

Thanks, Gary for the photo. Voila, it's an avatar.

I look forward to seeing everyone next week.
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“Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true.“ - Bodhi

[beavis]

As the "new guy" mentioned above I just wanted to thank everyone for the warm welcome to the Tuesday night Blue Heron floats and that I am hoping that everyone will continue to get out and spend some fun Tues evenings at the lake again this year.

I am getting real sick of the ice and snow and can't wait to put the snow shovel away and get the kayak out on the water again. I hope the Tues evening gatherings at Blue Heron will continue. It is a perfect location and a great bunch of people to spend an evening paddling with.

[Gutwrencher]