• Skunk River Paddlers' Year Three 2003 Annual Review
   
  
• Brushy Creek Fall Cruise, 9/27/03   Jim had a group of 10 paddlers this year, and as many boats.   Paul and Marge Morris of Cedar Tree Inc. (Des Moines) displayed a large assortment of boat building and repair supplies, and Paul demonstrated a quick repair kit for composite boats.   John Craun brought two beautiful cedar strip kayaks (the oldest still to be defeated in the Iowa Games).   Dave Dejong told of his Prospector flipping end-for-end in the wind while on a Boundary Waters trip.   It was no worse for the wear.   (photo)
• Des Moines River, 9/13/03   We joined Nate on the Des Moines between Kalo and Dolliver as he scouted a scenic setting for the cover photo of his book.   Brian (Iowa Paddling and Camping forum) led an exploration of Woodman Hollow State Preserve, and Peter trolled for smallmouth with his life jacket.   (photo)
• Isle Royale, August '03   Go to Yahoo to read about this great trip to Lake Superior!   (You'll have to sign in as a Yahoo Group Member).
• Lizard Creek, 6/14/03   Spring rains provided many opportunities to paddle this recently "discovered" gem.   We ran the South Fork (which I prefer) & found some playable waves near the 169 bridge.
• Project AWARE, Maquoketa River, June 1-7, 2003
• Iowa River, 5/24/03   We put in at Cross' Ford and floated to the Hardin City access.   While on the shuttle we passed the Eagle City Winery, and made it a point to stop for a tour and wine tasting after paddling.   Nice stretch of the Iowa and a great diversion!
• South Skunk, May 17th, 2003   Comments from Gerry, Photos
  
• Prairie Creek, May 10th, 2003   Report, Photos
  
• Wapsipinicon River, April 11-13, 2003   Reports by Greg and Dick, Photos
  
• Third Annual Ice Breaker Paddle, March 29th, 2003   Report by Greg
  
• Des Moines River March 22nd, 2003   Photos, Reports by Greg and Ben
  
• National Paddling Film Festival summary by Greg, photos at desmoinesriver.org
  
• Service outings, 2002
  
• Apostle Islands, August 2002
  
• South Skunk River   May 18th, 2002
  
• Onion Creek   April 28th, 2002
  -   Unifying and promoting Iowa's waterways, a Tribune Editorial
  
• Little Turkey   April 6, 2002
  
• Des Moines River   March 30, 2002
  
• Gateway Hills Park   March 10, 2002
  
• Chippewa River   November 11th, 2001
  
• Hallett's Quarry - On November 6th, 86% of Ames voters supported the Hallet's Quarry Bond Issue! You can look forward to paddling there in '03, but if you're not already familiar with the project, visit the Friends of Hallett's Quarry and the City of Ames websites for more information.
  
• SRP Fall Service Outing - Skunk River Canoe Trail   October 27th, 2001
  
• The Central Iowa Paddlers picked up trash (photos) on the Boone River between Briggs Woods and Albrights Bridge (9/8/01).
  
• The Skunk River Navy, with some assistance from the Squaw Creek Watershed Council and a few area paddlers, collected IOWATER data at Brookside Park, then picked up trash (photos) to S.E. 16th Street (9/9/01). They hit the river again, this time the Skunk, on Sept 22nd. See Todd's story in the Ames Tribune.
  
• Boone River - Briggs Woods to Tunnel Mill   July 1st, 2001
  
• Squaw Creek - 190th to S. 16th   June 17th, 2001
  
• Skunk River Canoe Trail - Anderson Canoe Access to Sleepy Hollow   May 19th, 2001
  
• Turkey River   May 12-13, 2001
  
• East Indian Creek - E41 to S27   May 9th, 2001 - 2 1/2 hrs @ 340 cfs (Mingo gauge)
  
• Volga River   April 28-29, 2001
  
• Skunk River - Story City to Peterson's   April 14th, 2001
  
• Boone River - Tunnel Mill to Boone Forks   April 7th, 2001
  
• ISU Concrete Canoe Paddling Practice at frozen Peterson Pit - Fools' Day, April 1st;
  On April 7th, ISU hosted the regional competition and Minnesota advanced to the national level. (photos)
  
• Boone River - Tunnel Mill to Boone Forks   March 31st, 2001
  
• Squaw Creek - Mackey to 190th   March 24th, 2001
  
• Skunk River - ice out   March 18th, 2001
  
• Yellow River   April 7th, 2000

Here’s to Tomorrows’ Paddlers,
The rededication of the Story County Conservation Center,
June 24th 2001

The Skunk River Paddlers, along with a few friends, took Sunday afternoon to help the Story County Conservation Board celebrate their tenth year of providing enhanced services, made possible by the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park. Our mission was disarmingly simple: We were to assist paddlers into and out of their canoes and provide any other needed assistance that might arise.

And we had a lot of takers. There were roughly 75 adventurous people who took advantage of the free canoes to try canoeing a bit. Most of the paddlers were under 12, though the youngest was about 15 months old. There were so many children that Dave Kraemer, Don Wall, and Rick Dietz took a number of young paddlers in canoes with them on the lake. This was the first time some of these eager paddlers were ever in a canoe and were quite excited by it all. Some came back to shore only reluctantly.

Piper Wall graciously brought her white-water kayak and would have been the first to reach anyone that got into any trouble while paddling. She spent a good deal of the time in the hot sun, too. The rest of us would often lounge in the shade of a tree swapping stories, jokes and just visiting until we needed to assist someone with the canoes or to take some young paddlers in a canoe with them. Eventually we thought to ask her if she would like to get off the water for a bit, which she apparently thought was a good idea.

I am pleased to say that none of the visitors fell into the water as they entered or exited the canoes. And no one tipped-over while they were paddling. The worst that seemed to happen was that several managed to get stuck where the wind blew them for a bit. A few paddlers thoughtfully picked up litter while they were canoeing. All were gracious and consistently thanked us for our efforts. And, we, in turn, want to thank the Story County Conservation Board and their staff for all of their efforts and the opportunity to lend them a well-deserved hand.

Gregory Vitale

Summertime at Peterson’s Pit June 2001

It was hot. There were a lot of people, maybe a record for a midweek summer evening. About 40 people were enjoying the beach. Scattered all around were about a dozen more people fishing. Others were around with their horses. Before the evening was over, twelve paddlers came by too.

The now cooling evening was perfect for a relaxing canoe paddle exploring the shoreline. Sea-kayaks and white-water kayaks grace the evening waters too. Some first made a short, after-work paddle down the Skunk River. We practiced our rolls and maneuvers in the pleasantly warm waters. We also visited a bit and enjoyed the colorful sunset, darkening sky and the cooler evening air.

Gregory Vitale