Kayak Week – Gallery
Published June 11, 2007 | 
This must mean it’s time to look at some pictures from
Kayak Week 2007. Click Here!
Bear Paw Destroyed by Tornado
Published June 11, 2007 | 
Cleanup crews assembled at the Bear Paw resort south of Langlade today to try to salvage any remnants of the business demolished by one of at least five tornadoes that swept across the state.
The tornadoes touched down mainly across central and northeast Wisconsin overnight Thursday, sending at least two people to the hospital and leaving thousands without power.
The National Weather Service believes at least one tornado touched down for an extended period, ripping through parts of Langlade, Menominee and Oconto counties.
Wisconsin Emergency Management spokeswoman Lori Getter said inspection crews were out today trying to compile damage reports. As of midmorning, no local authorities had asked for state help, she said.
“We’re fortunate no one was killed,” she said. “That was the big thing.”
Some of the worst damage was at the 25-acre Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort. The resort runs along the Wolf River. Its 10 buildings included cabins, a restaurant and a store.
The complex was to be the home for a gala weekend of activities.
In fact an advertisement scheduled to run in the Antigo Daily Journal today carried the headline “Bear Paw = Fun!”
On Saturday and Sunday a weekend of kayak and canoe demonstrations were scheduled on the Wolf River and the event traditionally draws a big and fun-loving crowd. But on Thursday afternoon, many things changed.
“Our restaurant’s totally gone. There’s maybe two walls standing,” said co-owner Shirlee Roshe. “Our entire retail shop was blown across the road. Most of the merchandise was between the highway and the field on the other side of the highway.”
At least one kayak was thrown more than 30 feet into the remnants of snapped pine trees.
“Most of our buildings are gone. I was just sickened,” Roshe said as she headed to the property to direct volunteers’ cleanup efforts.
She said one employee on the property when the storm hit suffered minor cuts to the head.
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All of our hopes and best wishes for the future go out to them.
Iceland Update 3 – Found Them!
Published June 11, 2007 | 
At about the same time I type this some big, buff, Icelandic Coast guard officer is walking up to a tent to talk to the occupants. He’s going to tell them a story that I’m sure will surprise the both of them. Yep, Just a couple minutes a go I got the call that Freya and Greg’s campsite was found and everything looked just fine. Boy are they in for a surprise!
Suffice to say we are very thankful to everyone with the Icelandic Coast Guard who took the time and effort to search for them. And thank you too guys for keeping us up to date. I can’t express enough how we appreciate having the Coast Guard out there. Thank you!
Now, let’s re-evaluate that communication plan team!
Iceland update 2
Published June 11, 2007 | Hi guys,
Just a quick follow up. It’s 11:13 here and about 5 am in Iceland. Remember that in Iceland now they have 24 hour daylight which makes the search a bit easier. I just got off the phone with the Coast guard in Iceland. Right now I don’t have much I can really share, but there was a bit of good news in that the weather has been incredibly good the last couple days. The search is active and on-going at this time. Again right now the main thing we need to do is have contact with them.
You can watch the weather forecast for Reykjavik here.
Iceland Update
Published June 10, 2007 | 
Hi Guys,
I just got back from Kayak Week in Two Rivers Wisconsin. I want to share some troubling news from Iceland. We have not heard from Freya Hoffmeister and Greg Stamer now since yesterday morning. I’m informed that a full Search and Rescue Operation has been active for about 9 hours. Suffice to say, everyone’s a little concerned at this point, but there is no reason to think they are not fine other than the lack of contact. I will keep you posted as soon as we learn more.
Kayak Week 2007 – day 1
Published June 9, 2007 | 
Why? Well to show you a picture of the friday night paddle crowd of course! Well, I’m told that the last few days have been pretty knarly on the lake, but of course when I get here it’s sunny and calm. Nice relaxing paddle, but I’d rather have soup!
So there is my rather short, unimpressive post for the day. Besides, my head is swimming! I think it was those last few Jello shots!!!!
* I should credit someone for the photo, but I’m not sure who had my camera at this moment. . so let’s credit this one to…………….oh……….I don’t know…………………..let’s say……….Phil!
Weekend Fun & Vacation To Hell
Published June 8, 2007 | 
In the dark night, see the ships on the sea
they are afraid of the coming storm
mankind lives on the flat land called earth
but they never think of the coming storm
-lone wolf
Meanwhile if you are looking for a big paddle vacation I think you need to sign up for Immersion Research’s 2007 “Vacation to Hell” contest. Here is what they say;
The “IR Win a Vacation to Hell” event is a unique contest where by teams of 4 paddlers apply to win a travel grant to an exciting and exotic destination. The catch is that the teams do not decide where they are going- an independent team of veteran expeditionary kayakers decide- and the destination is kept secret until the winning team is announced. At that point, the team has one year to complete the “mission”.
“This contest is exciting on many levels” says Penstock Chief John Grace. “First, the teams who apply have no idea where they are going. It could literally be anywhere in the world. Secondly, the destination is picked by a team of experts in the field, who really put their heads together to find a unique and exciting destination that they feel needs to be explored. This event is a great combination of an exciting contest and practical exploration”.
The IR Vacation to Hell (IRVTH) is an annual event that switches between sea kayaking and whitewater disciplines every year. The 2006 IRVTH is a whitewater trip, and the winning team is being sent to the Rio Huallaga in Peru, to descend one of the last un-run tributaries of the Amazon. Their trip is slated to leave in July of 2007. This year’s IRVTH is a sea kayaking destination, and the winning team and destination will be announced at the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium on Sept. 15th.
The contest was developed in conjunction Immersion Research (IR), the kayaking gear company based in Confluence Pa. “The great thing about this event” says IR president John Weld. “ is that its not only a great marketing idea, but we honestly feel that this is a great thing for the sport, too. Our goal is to create a history of well-documented exploration under the IRVTH name. The IRVTH is more than just a contest, it is the best-funded travel grant in paddlesports history”.
Another twist to the contest is that the applications must be submitted in video format. This allows a team to not only to be uniquely expressive in the application, but also allows the application and selection process to be shared amongst a huge audience via the web in a very compelling way. “Teams can put together what ever presentation they see fit to tell their story” says Grace, “ and also can see what the other applicants are doing as well, and the audience can watch the whole process from the sidelines”.
For more information, and to see the video applications for the 2006 IR Vacation to Hell, visit www.irvacationtohell.com. Or contact John Grace at penstock@mac.com or 828-225-5895
Well, I’m outta here. If for some strange reason you want to see a couple more pics that Mary took of me yesterday just go here. Of course, if you WANT to see more pics of me, you are a sad and lonely individual!!
Have a great weekend!
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