This afternoon I head back to Canoecopia for my second day hanging out at the Door County Symposium booth. Yesterday was funny in that it seemed everyone that I had hoped to find later in the day seemed to all arrive at the booth instead. That was quite nice actually. Less walking for an old geezer like me!!

I chatted with Bryan Smith who was running around the venue working on a little video of the event and promoting his DVD. Last night of course was the premier bash for “Eastern Horizons” . (I’m going to hold off writing more about the DVD until I can watch it quietly from home.) I didn’t make the big party this year. I opted to remain clean and sober for once!!

I also had a good chat with Mark Schoon about his trip to Norway. A shout out has to go to his partner Mel, who has really taken her lumps recently. It sounds as if Mark almost returned home. Luckily everything worked out ok in the end. Mark will be meeting up with Jeff Allen soon. Jeff  has only about 6 weeks paddle time, after that Mark is looking completing the journey on his own. Ocean paddling solo is always a unique experience. Some people really dig it, and others feel a tad naked out there. Well either way that will be an adventure.

Coming in from shutting my lights off (ah, back story on twitter) I came passed this beautiful pea green boat (back story – The Owl & The Pussy Cat).  This traditional skin on frame Greenland kayak is from Monkraft Kayaks and is 18.6ft long, 21″ wide and weighs about 35lbs.  The owner has it for sale for $895 or best offer.  The number is 920-721-3389.  And yep, I told him I’d post it here.  Pretty kayak!

If I had to pick one product that I was seeing go out the door more than any other it would be these pretty Sawyer Paddles.  Click Here To Visit Their Website.

And for no reason… Here’s one of the Werner Guys…  I gotta ask David Johnston what he’s got that I ain’t got!! (congrats David)

I was invited to take part in an event in June called the Marquette to Burnham Water Trail Expedition. It seems a group of paddlers is working very hard to clean up and promote the southern end of Lake Michigan which has long had a reputation for being a number 10 on the YUK! Scale. The literature speaks of “Boldly” working together and certainly it’s that. This is a part of the country that has begged for a good clear out for probably 100 years or more and quite a task to take on. Kudos go out to the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association for bringing attention to the issue, and the 2 day paddling event (June 13th & 14th) is a great start. Again, I’ll share more info later.

For awhile there was some hanging out going on in the land of Kokatat. I was checking out the cool shirts and hearing all the latest news from northern California. I could tell you more about that but they would probably send the Govenator after me. Hey, great shirt. Nice shirt! I’ll tell you more about that really nice shirt later in the broadcast… (after the Walter Cronkite editorial…)

Every time I run into Gail & Grant of Living Adventure I’m filled with a new enthusiasm for life in general. I’m sure Grant could give some opposing examples but most of the time you run into Gail she is just exuding a joy of existence. It’s catching. Gail is one of the major forces behind the Inland Sea Kayak Symposium which will be held in Washburn (Near Bayfield) Wisconsin from June 18th to June 21st. The headline guest this year is our friend and Mr. Hardcore himself, Nigel Dennis. The Inland Sea Kayak Symposium is coming back after last year’s hiatus and we’re all happy to have it back. Gail, in order to keep her cheer disposition has decide to run ISKS every other year. You know what they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” and in this case it’s certainly true.

Closer to home there will be a “Clean Lakes Challenge” race coming up in Madison on Saturday June 6th. Open to participants of all levels this event is meant to call attention to the decline the Madison lakes water quality which is obvious to anyone who paddles the area. Events include a Long Race, Short Race & Fun Paddle. You can find more information at www.cleanlakesfestival.com

Quiet Water Films makes learning DVDs for the very, very new to paddling paddler. Darren Bush and other Rutababa folks are often featured. I just enjoy seeing my local paddling spot, Devil’s Lake State Park, often serving as the setting to these helpful training DVDs.

So there are some tidbits that come to mind at the moment. I certainly won’t begin to sort through my notes until the party is over. So until then feel free to join me on Twitter (or here as well). I’m still getting a hang of it. “Thanks David Johnston for pointing out that http thang!.” I’ll be tweeting away live from the show floor, event booths, and the scary dark hallway on the way to the restrooms…

Related Posts:

1. Canoecopia Update – Bill Valentine
2. Canoecopia 2005 – Day 1. – The Morning
3. Canoecopia Gallery 2007
4. Canoecopia Update – Cool Factor
5. Riverfest, Wisconsin Dells