Communique


Message from the President:



This time of year, I have a couple of paddling rituals tat don’t directly involve spending time out on the water. Like many others, I’m just back from a great weekend in Madison at Canoecopia with inspiration from presentations attended and new gear to try out. Though once again I remember thinking “ I don’t need anything” as I walked through the door, I once again did not emerge unscathed.



Another equally important ritual is making sure that the boat and all other gear is ready for the first trip of the season. Fore me that list includes double-checking that the state registration is still current, along with cleaning and organizing gear, and anything else I had intended to do over the winter. One of these years I’ll even get to the “annual maintenance” procedure on my backpacking stove. I try to keep my gear as ready to go as possible so the night-before packing goes as quickly as possible and this is a good time to get into that habit.



It’s hard to imagine any paddler not having a case of spring fever this time of year, but please venture back out on the water carefully. Soon we’ll have a few tempting warm summer-like days, but do remember that water takes much more time to warm up. Right now Lake Michigan is still in the 30’s and it’ll take a lot of warm days to change that. Sometimes taking the day off from paddling isn’t a fun decision but it may be the safest one.



Finally, as many of you already know, we’ve made some changes to the distribution of the Communique. This first issue will still be printed and mailed, but the other three editions of the year will be electronic. New secretary Joe Carey will be posting these to our new blog at http://prarieiepaddlers.blogspot.com/. You can also renew your membership when the time comes at the same place with Paypal. Joe has also set up a Facebook group which you can see even if you’re are not a Facebook member, just search for us at face book.com.



Hope to see everyone out on the water soon!

Steve

Fox River Paddle

April 17th, 9 am

One of the first paddles of the season will be held April 17th on the Fox River. Meet me at Cornish Park in Algonquin, Illinois, at 9 am to offload paddling gear. Be ready to do the car shuttle at 9:30 so we can be getting onto the river by 10:30. The plan is to paddle to the Carpentersville Dam and portage around it on river right, eat lunch there, then paddle on to Voyegeur's Landing in Elgin. This is close to an 8 mile paddle and is open to beginners and experienced paddlers in sea kayaks, recreation kayaks, whitewater kayaks, and canoes. Dress for cold water.

To get to Cornish Park from I-90 in Elgin, exit at Rt. 31 north and drive to Algonquin. I n Algonquin turn right at Washington Street and turn left on Harrison. You'll find parking for the park along Harrison. Another parking area is to the south of the park. To get there, stay on Washington to La Fox Drive, turn left and you'll see a few spaces for cars there.

We should arrive at Voyegeur's Landing at least by 3 pm. Bring your lunch, snacks, water, and rain gear. Rest room facilities are located at all 3 locations. Great Blue Heron, White Egrets, Green Heron, hawks, geese, ducks, and a variety of perching birds have been seen along this stetch of the Fox, although it may be a little early for some of them to be there. Deer, muskrats, beaver, and even river otters are seen in this area as well.

Let me know if you're coming so I can notify you of any changes that may happen. Last year, you may recall that the DNR had closed the Fox to all boat traffic due to high water. We lucked out as they opened the river the day before our scheduled trip. Hope to see you there.

Dan Leigh

847-226-4020

d.leigh@att.net







Secretaries report:



A pretty slim Communique this time. Updates about trips, trip reports and pictures will be on the blog site. Looking forward to seeing my favorite people out on the water. The season calendar only has PCP paddles the yahoo Calendar has extra non PCP events.



Joe Carey