Swiftwater Rescue Course

My peace of mind

My peace of mind can be found in my garden. There is nothing like sitting next to a pond listening to the water flow. Right now the only thing blooming is my Bleeding Heart but there is so much more to come. My back yard borders on a wild hill and I like to continue the feeling as it blends into my yard.

Rainy Weekend

Friday morning I went up to Banning State Park early so I would get one of the 3 non reservable electric sites. When I got there the temp was 39 degrees along with ice cold rain and wind. Earlier I had hoped to paddle on friday while waiting for Brian to come after he got off work. Between the weather and the fact that I was freezing cold... curling up with a good book and 2 pugs looked a little better. Saturday I still had chills only with a slight fever so we opted to head up north and check out the North Shore creeks. We stopped and took a look at the lower St. Louis at 14,000 cfs...WOW...just incredible power!!! After that, we checked the Lester and thought it looked like it would be a fun run...until we got to the first falls and then it was another WOW. People have run the falls but from what I heard, not many. We went further north and took a look at the French, Sucker, and Knife. I wish we would have had the time to go further up. Everything Brian and I saw was amazing. I have nothing but wild respect for the kayakers that run these rivers. The only kayakers we saw this weekend were class 5+ boaters. John and Paul on friday at the Kettle and Zinger, Chad and Greg today at the Kettle. I am just amazed at the ease that they run the rivers. Having started to learn this sport at my age it makes it a bit harder. I know I don't have the muscle and reflexes that I had 30 years ago and that I have to rely on muscle memory aquired only by doing things over and over. Lucky for me I really enjoy the practice! Watching Zinger and Greg surf on Warmup Wave was an education on text book technique with a whole pile of fun thrown in. Well it's back to the Verm to try out some of those moves I saw today!

Sunday Kettle

Paddling today was Brian, Bryan, Dennis, and I. The Kettle was around 1200cfs and a beautiful sunny day. I did my first seal launch on the Kettle and Brian and I did our first run of Wolf Creek Falls. Both were a blast!!! Should we do it again next week??

Thursday Vermillion

Just two of us this evening but we still got an hour and a half paddling in. The Railroad Hole Beaver was out...people I don't think she likes kayakers. If looks could kill...anyway watch for her in the grass on river left in the pool. I'm guessing she has some little ones to be concerned with.

We all got stoned on the Vermillion today!

Yep... the kids were throwing stones from the bridge again. Paddling today was Bryan, Dennis, Ed, Graeme, Paul, Spot and I. The river level today was 186cfs.

Sunday Kettle

Adam, Brian, Bryan, and Dennis spent Sunday at the Kettle. I spent the weekend working. Bryan sent these photos to me. They were taken by Bryan or Brian. Nices shots! It looks like it was a great time. NOW the next two weekends I'm OFF WORK! LOOK OUT! I'm paddling ;-)