Twelve paddlers endured the smell of a dead raccoon at the start to enjoy a PERFECT day on the upper Pine River. We are writing this trip report from the perspective of new paddlers and members of the club.
This was our second paddle club trip and our first time on a river where we encountered “rapids”. We are not sure if that is the terminology for a small bit of white water……The trip itself was problem free, as everyone was accounted for at all times…….except where was Jack Kurtz? ? Way out in front most of the time!
We saw no other paddlers on the river, Kathy saw a mother deer and her fawn drinking at the river and they didn’t run as she went by. The temperature and the company were perfect. We are so appreciative of the friendliness and helpfulness of the members of the club that we have met. Everyone has made us feel welcome and has offered us useful tips; and more importantly your love of paddling and the water!
We wish Dean and Diane a good trip as they set out soon for Montana and a stint as campground hosts in Glacier National Park. We learned about Wal-Mart camping from Marlene and Marv who will be setting off soon for a trip through Canada into Alaska! (This means that RV’s can park in WM lots overnight!) We were glad to hear they have reservations in many more scenic campgrounds along their way.
We paddled through six miles of riverfront owned by a private club, where no trespassing signs were posted. Fortunately no one had to do any “trespissing”; a new paddling term we learned about.
We were very proud at the conclusion of our trip when Lois told us that we could come on any cleanup with the group. We asked if this meant we had “passed” and Lois said that we had!
Thank you all for making our experience with the TAPC such a positive one, we look forward to more adventures with those we have met, to meeting other members and to paddling on new waters.
Written by Carol Smith & Kathy Semeyn; photos by John Heiam