All Categories

Kayak Camping Trip

4/26/2011

It's time once again for our now annual Kayak Camping Trip. This year we return to the beautiful Namakagon River in Wisconsin. This has always been a favorite with many of our floaters. Fabulous scenery and spacious campsites.

The dates are Friday, May 13 to Sunday, May 15.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you plan to participate so we can get the appropriate vehicles, trailers, and other gear together.

If you haven't done this before and need information, give me a call and we can chat.

Dan

EDOF March Update

3/14/2011

Minnesota Spokes-n-Folks News
EDOF March Update
Time for another EDOF (Executive Director of Fun) Update.

SPRING IS COMING
No... really... it is. I know it's hard to believe... but it has arrived every year for ages and chances are it will again this year.

GET FIT FOR FUN
With the new warm weather activity season just around the corner, it's time to start thinking fitness. I know that many of our members workout all year round but for those who might have let their workouts slip a bit or who want to improve from where they are, here are some options. As always, check with your doctor for exercise goals and limits appropriate to your current physical condition.

What's with those METS?
No -- not the New York Mets. I'm talking about those METS you see on the treadmill read-out or other fancy exercise equipment. Go to the site below to learn more about METS and how they can help improve your fitness program.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolic_equivalent

Silver Sneakers
Fitness for seniors. Some health plans will pay for your visits to the club. Check with your health care provider and local Y or athletic club for possibilities. Plus, you get to meet lots of other fun seniors.

http://www.silversneakers.com/

FitDeck
These are similar to playing cards. Each card has a particular exercise and each deck is designed for a particular activity. Select a bunch of cards at random to vary your workout for more fun and interest. Check out the web site for more information.

http://fitdeck.com/

SAFETY ON THE TRAIL
We are a couple of ways to keep our recreation activities safe again this year.

First Aid and CPR
We are putting together a class to refresh our members on these subjects. If you are interested, please send me an email message or call and we will put you on the list.

I.C.E.
These initials mean In Case of Emergency and they can be very useful. If you are in an accident and unable to respond to the emergency personnel, they will check your cell phone contacts list. What to do? Put these into your contacts list as ICE-1, ICE-2, etc., for however many emergency contacts you want to enter and put in the appropriate phone numbers. The emergency personnel can then call to inform your contact(s) of the accident and provide whatever information your contact(s) might need as well as get information they might need.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Here's the scoop on the Festival of Lights at Baker Park.

The dates are September 23rd through 25th (2011, of course). Reservations open March 14. Check the Three Rivers web site for information on available sites and registration.

SnF members try to get sites near sites B-1 and B-2, which are the "official" SnF Headquarters for this event.

The judging of lights and events for the kids are all scheduled for Saturday the 24th. Bring your lights, children or grandchildren, and have some fun. Oh... don't forget the FOOD!

ONE RIDE EVERY MONTH
Some of our members pledged to ride at least once every month even through the winter. You have to wonder about some people. Well, so far I have made my goal and I think some others have as well. Let Don know if you want to take the pledge. BTW this is just for fun and you won't get a medal.

RISING GAS PRICES MAY LEAD TO CHANGES
As gas prices continue to climb, we are considering changing how Spokes-n-Folks rides are conducted. In the past we have driven our vehicles to the start point, enjoyed a pleasant bike ride, and returned home in our vehicles. This year we are thinking of reversing the process -- everyone rides their bikes to the designated start point, we all squeeze into a Prius and go for a short ride, and then we ride our bikes back home. Much more economical.

(Okay... so it's not great humor but it's the best I've got today)
That's all for now. Have FUN!
Dan
Your Executive Director of Fun

Kayak Review

6/11/2010

Minnesota Spokes-n-Folks News
Kayak Review
User Report on the Flex Carve 80 (also know as the Spitfire by Emotion Kayaks) Kayak from Dick's Sporting Goods

I recently purchased this "sit-on-top" kayak from Dick's on sale for $199. I plan to use it for lazy floating on the pond out back and exploring local creeks and streams when water levels permit.

I've been out on this kayak four times in the last few days and have enjoyed it a lot. Being able to step right out when the boat needs to be dragged through a shallow spot and then simply sit right back down when past the shallows is a very handy feature. There is no need to bail or pump it out if it takes on water. The water simply drains out through holes in the bottom.

Features

Semi-flat shallow V-hull offers good stability and reasonable tracking and speed
6 scupper holes quickly drain water from cockpit and tank well
Toggle handles and molded-in side carry handles for easy transport
Molded-in foot well for comfortable and secure bracing
Molded-in cup holder
Tank well with bungee system to secure gear
Integrated fold-down seat back
Length: 8'
Width: 30"
Weight: 38 lbs
Weight Capacity: 225 - 240 lbs

My Comments (in no particular pro or con order):

First and foremost this is a "wet boat" - that means that you will need to wear a swim suit while using it.
This is a warm weather boat to be used in swimming temperature water
Sit-on-top kayaks are unsinkable and virtually indestructable
Unpowered boats under 9 feet in length do not need to be licensed in Minnesota
The toggle handles front and rear are fine but the molded in handles on the sides are not very effective
The molded-in drink holder works for a can in a foam can insulator but would not really hold anything else very well
The seat back angle is adjustable and is quite comfortable
Sit-on-tops are usually a bit heavier than open cockpit boats because of the additional material required to make them
There are molded-in paddle rests on both side of the boat - I added a velcro strap to secure the paddle more effectively
Your entire body is exposed to the sun so be sure to use sun block
Unlike an open cockpit boat, you can move around a bit more or sit sideways with your legs dangling in the water
It makes a great swim platform IF you master the technique of getting back in when in deep water AND you have a small anchor to keep it from drifting away while you swim
The boat is quite stable
Can be rigged to be a great fishing platform (see internet for tips on rigging sit-on-tops)
I would not have this as my only kayak but it makes a great addition to the fleet

These will be on sale at Dick's until June 12, 2010. Although I like this boat a lot, you should seriously consider whether it would be suitable for you.

Find additional reviews on the internet. Search "Spitfire Kayak Reviews".

Also -- the seat straps are now secured with screws rather than rivets. Some people had problems with the rivets on earlier models.

HAPPY KAYAKING!

Kayak Camping Trip May 14-16

4/20/2010

Second Notice - SNF Kayak Camp Trip
Hello again Folks. As mentioned before, our Kayak Camping Trip this year will be on the beautiful Crow Wing River. I'm sending this second notice in case anyone missed the first one or if you needed time to think about the trip. I will be driving up on Wednesday to check out the put-in and take-out points and verify the road route as well. Questions I have received so far are:

Q. Where is the section of river we will be floating on? A. Partly north and partly south of the town of Nimrod. This is several miles east of Menagha which is south of Park Rapids. The trips are usually about 28-30 miles total.

Q. Will there be a pre-trip meeting? A. Yes. As soon as I verify the route information on Wednesday I will contact our hosts--Don and Mary--to set the meeting date.

Any other questions? Let me know and I'll get back to you. We will leave town early on the morning of Friday, May 14, so we can get in some river travel in the afternoon. Camp Friday night then float most of Saturday. Camp Saturday night (perhaps with entertainment?) then finish the float and return to town late on Sunday.

If you have not replied already, please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in doing the trip. There is still a lot of organizing to be done and we need an accurate count so that we have the correct amount of food, vehicles, and trailers.

Float Happy! Dan

Tidbits From The Executive Director Of Fun

3/25/2010

2010 Kayak Camping Trip
Good Day Folks. It's time to start thinking and planning. Our Kayak Camping Trip this year will be on the beautiful Crow Wing River. As usual, we will leave town early on the morning of Friday, May 14, so we can get in some river travel in the afternoon. Camp Friday night then float most of Saturday. Camp Saturday night (perhaps with entertainment?) then finish the float and return to town late on Sunday. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in doing the trip so we can get a pre-trip meeting together. Dan

Email Updates

3/15/2010

Minnesota Spokes-n-Folks News
E-mail Address Test
Hi Folks. I have just updated this bulk e-mail template with all of the e-mail addresses from the 2010 SNF calendar. I do this every year when the calendar comes out so that we may quickly send news to all of the members. As the year progresses, some folks change their e-mail addresses and these news messages no longer reach them. If you do change your e-mail address, PLEASE let me know so that I can change it in the template and you can continue to receive news.

What You Can Do to Help Other Members
If you hear of or know of a member who isn't getting their messages, please have them send a message to [email protected]. Also...I sometimes receive "message undeliverable" responses for what seem to be legitimate e-mail addresses. These members may have accidentally classed these messages as junk mail OR their e-mail program might have done so OR their I.T. service might have done so OR their employer might have done so. Their are a variety of ways that message blocking can occur and we can often find ways to resolve these issues. So again, send a message to [email protected] and we will try to fix the problem.