Hello.... I am expecting to drive out to St. Paul for an international soccer tourny with my 15 year old's team... I have 9 days to get there and then 5 days for a tourny.... does anyone have a suggestion for a place to paddle, perhaps on the great lakes (or anyway along the way is also great...). I was thinking perhaps a side trip to the Apostle islands... Any extremely scenic places to see on the water ? I will have my three boys... ages 15, 17, and 18... all fairly athletic but with limited paddling experience themselves.... A guided trip, since they will be there is fine with me... I have only one boat myself... thanks... all suggestions welcome whether practical or not!! :) The boys have never been to the great lakes, but have all done a little lake type paddling... and some rafting. Mike Orchard Vancouver, Wash.... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Michael, You don't say when you plan to visit Minnesota; that makes a big difference in the temperature of Lake Superior. Early summer on Lake Superior, for instance, a dry suit is highly recommended, whereas by early August in the Apostles the water temperature is usually in the mid-60s. I definitely recommend the Apostles, if you have the time to visit. It's about a 4-1/2 hour drive one way from St. Paul. I strongly recommend Living Adventure on the south end of Red Cliff (a few miles north of Bayfield) for instruction, rentals, and guided tours. Be sure to visit the sea caves in Squaw Bay if conditions are right. There is camping on the islands, but you will need a reservation if you don't use Living Adventure. In the Twin Cities, the Inland Sea Kayakers meet every Wednesday evening between 6:00 and 6:30 pm at Thomas Beach on the south shore of Lake Calhoun to paddle and practice. You are welcome to join them. Lake Calhoun is in Minneapolis, and it is joined to three smaller lakes via channels, so there is quite a bit to see. Unfortunately, highway reconstruction currently makes it a little hard to get to Thomas Beach from St. Paul at the tail end of the rush hour. The best route might be to take I-94 from St. Paul west to the Hennepin Avenue/Lyndale Avenue exit just before the tunnel, and then go south on Hennepin to 36th Street, take a right, and then a left at Lake Calhoun. St. Paul isn't as well-equipped with lakes as Minneapolis. Lake Phalen is the only one I would recommend within the city limits. However, the northeastern suburb of White Bear Lake has a large lake called -- wait for it -- White Bear Lake. The county park on the north side has picnic grounds and fairly easy access. Currently, the lake is about three feet low, so getting to the water might be a chore, but a few good rains could bring it up again. East of St. Paul is the St. Croix River, which has a Scenic designation. The lower part has a lot of motorized traffic. I prefer to put in at William O'Brien State Park and then paddle upstream to the north end of a large island just south of the Soo Line bridge. There are beaches there suitable for picnics and overnight camping. Though it's a little more effort to paddle upstream, it is quite doable unless the water is high, and the trip back is quite easy. The Wisconsin side is mostly wild in this stretch, and the river typically too shallow for large boats. In the metro area, you can rent sea kayaks at Midwest Mountaineering and R.E.I. Hope this helps. Chuck Holst __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4023 (20090420) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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