In a message dated 3/6/00 4:54:07 AM !!!First Boot!!!, pmaun_at_bitstream.net writes: > Hey all, > > I'll be down at Canoecopia on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. The > girlfriend and I decided it would be a nice weekend to take her new > Beetle on a little road trip and B&B action. Anyone have a meeting > place or something in mind? Any idea if they'll be demoing this year? > The weather may be nice enough. We hit (or nearly did) 70 degrees > here in the Twin Cities today. > > -Patrick Patrick & all, As a Madisonian I can tell you if it didn't get to 70 yesterday it sure was darn close. Here are the conditions as of yesterday afternoon: Lake Monona is ice free from 50 - 100 yards around the entire lake. The Yahara river which connects all of the lakes is open on the isthmus (which never totally ices over) as well as the river connector between Squaw Bay of Lake Monona & Lake Waubesa. This is a nice stretch of water which goes through the marsh area called Upper Mud Lake & underneath the "Beltline" hwy. Don't know about Lake Mendota/Waubesa/Wingra/Kegonsa conditions. The ice that is left on Lake Monona is that soft dark blue ice that rises and falls with the wave action. Suitable only for birds to walk around. If it stays warm much longer I can't expect this ice to last. It is cool to paddle around though - gives you that arctic explorer, 10 year old cub scout feeling of excitement. I went out yesterday on lake Monona & people we're freaking out. About 12 bass boats & runabouts cruising on the lake like it was July. & Get this - There was a guy out wakeboarding! Saw a few canoers & kayakers too. Eventhough the ice is free in back of Rutabaga's shop, I highly doubt you'll be able to do demoeing. Not because of the exposure risks, but simply do to the lack of available staff to handle demoes while the show is going on. You could probably show up at the shop on Monday though & demo a boat. When I bought my last kayak, I ordered it at Canoecopia to reserve the color that I wanted, demoed it the next week & took it home that day. So - all of you driving in for Canoecopia - bring the bought along & enjoy the view from your cockpit. The closest place to put in at Canoecopia is Olin Turville Park which is literally across the street from the convention center. There's an official boat ramp there which is access fee free until May 1. From this put in, you can cruise around the downtown area. About 2 miles away from the put in is the yahara river as it slices through the isthmus area. Carl's Paddling is now located on the river about 1/2 through. They'll be running their Paddlers Rendezvous over the weekend as well so you may want to check that out. It's free. They carry different brands than Rutabaga including Bell, Grabner, Necky, P&H etc.. the websites: Carl's Paddling www.paddlin.com Rutabaga www.paddlers.com Isthmus the weekly independent rag to see what's going on in Madison: www.the dailypage.com If anyone has questions about Madison (eat,sleep,drink,paddle etc..) or need directions let me know. disclaimer - I have no affiliation with Rutabaga or Carl's Paddlin - I'm just an avid paddler who's coutning the days to the first seminar. Best, Michael *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Mar 06 2000 - 06:24:45 PST
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