Peddle & Paddle South Dakota

OK SO I AM SLACK

2011-01-30T08:26:00.002-06:00

Well I just thought a note was called for to try and explain me neglect of this blog. After much thought I realized there is none. I could say I have just been busy or that I have been involved in some new adventure which all would be true, yet I could have found time if I had tried. I am going to be throwing alot of back articles and information on here all at once as I want this permenet record to be complete, so if you get tired fo the up dates feel free to just click DELETE.

October 16, 2010 Alone?

2010-10-18T15:55:00.002-05:00

Cool, quiet and with a hint of dust in the air I stepped out of the door and into a world that I had not visited in some time. The air was filled with a light haze that lay in layers across the horizon. Everything seemed completely foreign to me and I felt as though I was the lone survivor in a world that once was filled with life. The sun was just breaking over the tops of the trees that surrounded a lake to the east of me and at it was apparent that it was the beginning of another beautiful day. The winds were light and there was not a sound to be heard except for an occasional bird chirping here and there. The quite was somewhat surreal and seemed to surround me. As I ventured out and began looking for other signs of human life I could not help be think about how different this place had been the last time I was here. The hundreds of people that were here, the dozens of barking dogs and the sounds of kids playing had once filled this place with a kind of life to be envied. What had happened? Where had everyone gone? Was I alone in this world? Was I dreaming? The buildings were all there right where they had been, an empty swing moved ever so slightly on the playground where children once played and there were signs of the past presence of life everywhere. Rows of canoes someone once used to paddle the nearby waterways lay in long rows, empty dumpsters where people once disposed of their garbage lined the streets, a small pile of firewood someone had left behind reminded me of the late night fires that had burned here and an empty amphitheater all showed signs of a past presence of life. Now there was no one. Alone I walked along looking for any signs of life I could find, nothing. On I went in quest of another human being. As I walked I could not help but think back to a trip I had made to New York some time back and how different the two places were. In New York I was surrounded by tall skyscrapers, here only big old Oak trees. Cars were everywhere and the smell of the exhaust and the blare of honking horns were your constant companion, here nothing but quiet and crisp air. In New York I was shoulder to shoulder with people all in a hurry to get someplace, here I was only accompanied by my own shadow, two different worlds existing on a singular planet. The question still reminded though, was I all alone. Was I the sole survivor of some catastrophic event? Then out of now where a familiar smell filled my nose, bacon, fresh hot sizzling bacon. I was suddenly filled with a new hope. I followed the aroma of to the west and there just around a bend was a welcome sight. There was a family sitting down to breakfast, together enjoying each other and their breakfast. I was relieved to know I was not alone and that my original evaluation of my situation had been accurate. I was not the sole survivor of some catastrophic event. No it was just another day at a South Dakota State Park in the middle of October.

October 7, 2010 Change We Can Count On

2010-10-18T15:52:00.003-05:00

There are many things I like about fall including the beautiful fall colors, the cool temperatures, the lack of humidity and the knowledge that winter is on its way. Yes, I said and the knowledge that winter is on its way. Kind of twisted I know, but when you live here in the great north you know it, winter, is coming and we can’t get to the next big summer of activities until it is over. It is the start of fall and winter activities. It is the return of football and the end of camping, at least for most people. It is not however the end of outdoor activities. There is still a lot of good riding, paddling and one of the best activities in the fall is hiking. Walking along with the crunch of the brittle leaves under foot and taking in the increasingly different view of the world one has once the leaves are off the trees. Sometimes we see things we never knew existed, things once hidden by the dense foliage on the bushes and trees. It is like a new awakening, the dawn of a new cycle in Mother Nature’s wonderful bag of tricks. I know that many of us, me included, from time to time whine and complain about winter and lust for a place where it is 75 degrees year round. It is nice to dream about, but I am not sure that the reality would be as rewarding as we think. Having lived here all my life I am not convinced that I would not miss the annual changes in the seasons that announce the beginning of so many things in our lives. The coming of longer days the melting snow announces, the promise of new flowers the spring rain promises or the family picnics and outings the warmer temperatures motivate us to share. The blossoming of the trees foretelling of the sweet fruit we can look forward to in the fall, the smell of freshly turned dirt indicating the start of new life and the bountiful crops we all pray for. The shortening of the days letting us know that is time to head back to the gym and the first snow bringing us thoughts of Christmas. I am not sure how I would feel if the seasons did not change? I am not sure I would feel the same, appreciate the same things or look forward to things the same way. There is a very common saying you have probably heard. There is one thing you can count on and that it change. So what changes do you make when fall and winter arrive? Is it time to enjoy relaxing more and watching your favorite television shows? Is time to catch up on your scrap booking or organize your summer photos? Is it time to spend some time in your woodshop with some other hobby you have neglected all summer? What ever your plan is make sure to include some time for some outdoor fun. Some time getting a little exercise while enjoying the great outdoors. Maybe it’s just a walk around the block or maybe it’s flying down a hill on a set of downhill skis. What ever your choice you will be better for it. For me it is time to start planning my schedule for next summer. Time to dream.

October 3, 2010 It Will Be OK, I Promise!

2010-10-06T14:44:00.005-05:00

Well as much as it pains me I guess it is time to think about heading back to the gym and slowly getting myself back into my winter mode. This is a difficult time of year for me for a couple of reasons. The obvious one is I will have to give up kayaking and biking outside for the most part until spring. Second, although I hate the thought of winter I do like the change of seasons due to the fact it forces me to change what I do and it allows me to catch up on some things I tend to let go all summer. So let’s look at this change a bit more closely. Like anything else getting started with a new routine is more of a mental challenge often than a physical one. One must be ready and able to concede defeat to Mother Nature, to give up ones control and accept the reality of change. After feeling sorry for myself if I just take a moment to sit back and really think about it I realize just how good this annual change is for me. It helps me re-establish a bond with my couch and with my refrigerator while not having to worry about washing and lubing my bike or making sure I have enough water proof snacks for my kayak. Yes it is a time to just relax and veg out. Well that’s the way it used to be, before we realized how much more fun can be had even in the winter. One of the best parts of winter is heading back to the gym. Yes I know I have complained about having to be inside, but I did not tell you how much fun it is to see our instructors and fellow gym rats again. To find out what everyone has been doing all summer and to set goals for the winter. It’s nice to experience once again the energy in the spin room, the enthusiasm of the circuit training class and the support of everyone around you. The only down side to heading back to the gym is realizing that no matter how active you were all summer there is a whole set of new muscles you must not have been working very hard, oh the pain of it all. And when not in the gym there is ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, or hiking. There are all kinds of winter things you can try. A good place to experience some of these is the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls. Give them a call or checkout their website to see what they have to offer. As for myself I think the one new thing I want to really explore this year is snowshoeing. There is something about this age old practice that intrigues me. What a way to experience the outdoors and see it from a whole new prospective. I keep imagining the Mickelson Trail by snowshoe. I guess my advice is this. If you have not ever tried enjoying the great outdoors in the winter give it a shot. Who knows you might just surprise yourself and like it.

September 25th, 2010 All for One, One for All

2010-10-06T14:43:00.005-05:00

Saturday we made our annual fall pilgrimage to Spirit Lake, Iowa to take part in the nineteenth annual Oktoberfest Ride around the lakes of Okoboji. Our thoughts as we drove over were entangled in a web of optimism and disappointment that the rain seemed to be following us all the way with not an apparent end in site. As Bruce drove I kept very close watch on the National Weather Service Radar on my phone and kept encouraging everyone with my analysis that predicted the rain to end before our ride began at 10AM. I must say I was not winning them over very easily as the outward signs all indicated no end to the rain in sight. Well for the sake of keeping this article short I will only say move over Jay Trobec. The rain ended at about 9:45AM and we headed out on what was to be a beautiful fall ride. One thing about rides like this one that I love is the diversity of people they attract. As I was standing there straddling my bike waiting for our police escort to start the ride I could not help but look around and smile at the individuals making up the riders. Next to me was an elderly lady dressed in her sweats and in front of me a young man, obviously very athletic in his spandex shorts and riding jersey. Across the way was a family of four, mom, dad and the two children maybe 10 and 12. There were couples on tandems, mountain bikes, hybrid and the sleekest of road bikes all poised to embark on the one thing they had in common, the love of riding. It is one of the things that makes this past time so wonderful, it can be enjoyed by people of all sizes, shapes, abilities and ages. It can be enjoyed on a $50.00 Huffy to a hi-tech bike costing thousands, it really does not matter. And the one thing that binds all riders together is the ride and the support they have with each other. Just get a flat tire and see how much help you are offered. Not a bike goes by without the rider asking, “Got everything you need?” “Need some help?” “Got a pump?” everyone willing to do their part to get you back on the road. How comforting to know you are in such capable hands if you need them. If only the whole world could learn from this. It is one of the great benefits of riding in these organized rides, meeting new people and making new friends, riding along enjoying the fall colors and the feel of fall in the air. Riding along and coming across a cluster of wild turkeys and a bit farther down the trail a couple of deer. Stopping to watch the deer as they stand ridged starring at you trying to decide if you are a threat or not, exchanging eye contact until they wonder away looking for another place to graze. It is nice to know I will have another small brief connection with nature and its amazing beauty to be stored in the back of my mind to be pulled out some long cold winter night when I begin to become impatient for spring and hitting the trails again. Yes the end for this year is in sight and our return to the gym is at hand. It is time for us to pack away our summer riding gear and exchange it for our thermals and stocking caps, finding some peace in the knowledge that it will soon be time to start planning our rides for next year. Hey, hold on a minute. Sorry I drifted off into my self pity there for a moment. We are not done. We have lots of rides left this year. We will have nice weather. We will be riding for another two months. We will have time for making more memories on the trail. There I feel better now.

August 20th, 2010 Up Hill and Then Some

2010-10-06T14:42:00.004-05:00

I remember watching the old westerns on television and seeing the train robbers riding along side a train looking for that perfect monument to jump on it and rob it. That’s how I felt as I rode along Old Hills City Road to Keystone our first stop on our way to Mt. Rushmore. The 1880 train with its black smoke billowing out of its smoke stack runs almost parallel to the road and crosses it about 13 times, so it was fun to race it to the next crossing sometimes winning, sometimes loosing. Although you never really lost because you got to enjoy all the people on the train waving and taking pictures as they went by. It was Sunday morning and the weather was beautiful as the four of us ventured out on this ride. Up one hill and down another we rode trying to make the best of the down hill momentum to get us up the next hill. Using ever gear we had to climb some of the more robust inclines. I soon realized what we call hills around Sioux Falls are really only bumps in the rode. Past glass blowing shops, antique stores and even an old mine we rode. No traffic to speak of so we were able to really enjoy the morning. We could hear the trains whistle as it approach each crossing and see the smoke from the engine raising above the trees even when the train itself was out of sight. As we crested a fairly big hill we caught or first glimpse of Keystone and knew we were about to have to make a big decision, continue to Mt. Rushmore or not? Well as we stopped and enjoy a break and some cold water we went back and forth, tossing around the options, all of us knowing we wanted to do it, but not sure we were up to the task of the three miles of 10% upgrade to get us there. In the end there was no real decision made we just found ourselves doing it. Now if you are familiar with this road you will understand or plight. We began the upward climb doing pretty well, but as we reached about the half way point we began to struggle. Between not having enough gearing and the altitude we were, well let’s just say not having much fun. We pushed as hard as we could until yes, I will be the first to admit it, we had to get off and walk for a while. So the last half of the ride was walk a bit, ride a bit, walk a bit, and ride a bit. We were very humbled by the mountain. The mountain had won this one. That said we did finally reach the main gate to Mt. Rushmore to find out that our efforts were not totally in vain, admission to the memorial if you’re on a bike is free. So we rode up to the entrance found the bike rack and headed in. Now the bike rack should tell you something. It had only places for six bikes, think it might be an indicator of how many people actually ride bike up to the memorial. We spent some time enjoying the grandeur of Mt. Rushmore and having some Almond Praline ice cream before heading back. The ride down the hill back to Keystone was not without its challenges. It would be a test of our breaks and our grips to keep ourselves under control as we descended. Riding our breaks we headed down. Letting up for only and instant and you were thrust into warp speed and back on the breaks. It only took a few minutes to make the trip down the same road that almost took its toll on the way up. At the bottom we stopped to collect our thoughts and noticed right away the break dust all over the front forks of our bikes. We had put them to good use. We headed back retracing our morning ride, up one hill and down another. The sun was much warmer and the ride seemed much longer than it had in the morning. Back in Hills City we headed for some food and water and found ourselves already looking back at our decision to ride to Mt. Rushmore. It was easy now that we had done it to sit back and enjoy our accomplishment. Something we will always remember, something we almost past up. It was another adventure, another great ride, a great day to be alive, and most of all, another great day with our friends.

August 28, 2010 Cool Deadwood Nights Here We Come

2010-10-06T14:41:00.004-05:00

The third day of riding in the Black Hills began early as we had planned to do two rides in one day. It was brisk and the sun was just beginning to warm the air when we reached Custer where we were leaving my truck for our son Chase to pick up and take to Deadwood for us. The plan was to ride from Custer to Hills City, shuttle to Rochford and then ride from Rochford to Deadwood in time for Cool Deadwood Nights. The first ride of the day is one I look forward to as it is one of the easiest. A short four mile climb takes you out of Custer and to the entrance of Crazy Horse Memorial. It is a spectacular ride with Crazy Horse in the background as you catch glimpses of it through the trees as it is slowly unveiled at the top of the hill. Then from the main gate of the memorial the fun begins, it’s all downhill the rest of the way into Hills City. It is one of those times you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Not long on exercise, but long on fun. It does not take very long at all and before we are back in Hills City and sitting down for breakfast before we began ride two. Nothing like some eggs, bacon, hash browns and pancakes to get the fuel take filled up and the energy levels back into riding levels. For leg two or our ride we had engaged the services of a shuttle service to haul us and our bikes to Rochford. Loaded in a cargo van we made our way through the trees on a ruff gravel road. It was not long before I noticed it was getting harder to breath and the road dust was sifting through the van. It was a miserable ride all in all. It was like being reborn when we stepped out of the van and back into the fresh mountain air. Back on the trail we went headed for Deadwood. The ride from Rochford to Deadwood is a pretty stead climb the first 12-13 miles and once at the crest the views are magnificent. This is a very pretty section of trail with dense trees and some rock cliffs. There are spots where you can see forever, passing creeks with people panning for gold, old mines on the side of hill and always looking for the animals that inhabit the area, hoping to see an Elk, some deer, maybe a mountain goat or two yet hoping not to see a Mountain Lion. We have seen one lion from our car that was good enough.

August 27 2010, 100 Years Of History, Mickelson Trail Part 2

2010-09-09T15:55:00.002-05:00

Can you imagine what stories could be told by a 100 year old saloon in the heart of the Black Hills? The people who have been through its doors, the events that have taken place and the deals and things that have been made around its tables. On the second day of our ride I had plenty of time to think about these things as Kay, Nancy, Bruce and I rode the 23 miles to one of our favorite destinations in the Hills, the Moonshine Gulch Saloon in Rochford. When we left Hills City the morning was very inviting, warm temps, no winds, blue skies and nothing but the trail and fresh air ahead. If you have ridden or walk even part of the Mickelson Trail I do not need to tell you how beautiful it is as you meander through the tale pines and the sheer rock cliffs. The trail was in good condition and fairly hard packed with only limited spots where you had to be careful of the loose gravel. Even then the trail sometimes takes its toll and sure enough today it decided to do just that. As I was cruising down a hill I heard that sound we riders all hate, the sound of air escaping from your tire at the speed of sound. Well it was only a short stop and the repairs were made. We were back on the trail. Soon we came around a bend that follows a small clear stream and there is was, the Moonshine Gulch Saloon. Like an oasis in the forest it welcomes you with the promise of good, food, good drink and world class hospitality. We were all looking forward to saying hi to Betsy, the proprietor of this fine establishment, but unfortunately she was off doing some errands. We did how ever get to enjoy our hamburgers, some of the best you will ever have, and relax in an atmosphere that one can not appreciate through my words. One must experience it to truly understand the appeal of a place that is 100 years old and may not have been cleaned in 50. Now I say that with the utmost of love as this atmosphere is one of the things that draw us back. There is something amazing about the simplicity of it all. And if the saloon is not enough then a stop at the Rochford Mall is probably in order. Sitting right across the street from the saloon this five or six hundred square foot store has a bit of everything, thus the mall in its name. From antiques to ice cream it is there, need an air pump they have one, need a can of beans or maybe some ice it is there. One stop shopping at its best. Well after enjoying our time in Rochford we began our trip back to Hills City. Remember how I said it was so nice when we left for Rochford that morning? Well things had changed a bit. It did not take much time into the ride back to figure that one out. The temperature on my bike computer read 110 degrees. Each peddle stroke took on all new meaning as we made more frequent stops along the way to wipe the sweat from our eyes and drink as much water as we could knowing what water we had needed to last until the next trailhead where we could refill. Now anyone that knows me knows I love to ride. I will ride in the winter snow, spring rains whatever, but on this particular day you could have just shot me, it would have been more human. I was as struggle all the way as I watched my heart rate climb on the hills in equal proportion to the heat. All I could hope for was to survive until we reached the crest of the hill and could coast back into Hills City. Well as you can guess, since I am writing this, I made it, forty six miles of Black Hills adventure. We had made it to our favorite hideaway in the Hills. What could be better? Well that first ice cold adult beverage came in a close second.

August 26th 2010 Edgemont Or Bust, Mickelson Trail Part 1

2010-09-09T15:53:00.006-05:00

One of the great assets of the State of South Dakota lies hidden in the Black Hills, one hundred and nine miles of trail made up of line stone, quartz and the red iron laden soil. A trail that takes it’s users through country steeped in history, a trail that takes you through country once the home of Crazy Horse, Wild Bill Hickok, Potato Creek Johnny and many more colorful individuals that helped settle the area. A trail that takes one through deep pine forests onto long open rides through prairie grass. On Thursday morning, August 25, we pulled into Custer, South Dakota, ready to begin our trek. The ride would take us, Kay, Nancy, Bruce and I south to Englewood. This 45 mile ride was one we had not done before and so we were anxious to see what it had to offer. The sun was warm on our faces, the gravel under our tires was grinding and you could feel nature’s energy all around you. It was a freedom and peacefulness hard to describe as you peddle along as chipmunks, squirrels and an occasional deer runs ahead or across the trail. To ride between the huge pines and shear rock walls that line the first part of this ride is an awesome experience. One thing you can be sure of is that you experience a huge variety of terrain on this leg of the trail. By the time we had covered the first 20 miles we knew we were in for a long hot second half to this trip. Through the heat you can count on one of the best things about riding the trail, the other people you meet along the way. The first people we encountered was a family from Wyoming. This family of four had stopped to enjoy one of the many wonderful trailheads along the way. To celebrate their ride they had found a unique way to celebrate their ride by attaching yellow rubber ducks to the top of their helmets. After exchanging taking pictures for each other we headed on our way. The heat was building and we were seeing the writing on the wall as they say. The last half of this ride was going to take all our energy and plenty of water. By now the sweat was starting to run in my eyes and they began to burn from the combination of sweat and sunscreen. All we could do was look ahead and hope to see Edgemont soon. Soon we were coming out of the high ground and onto the much flatter terrain of prairie grass and open skies. I must say this is the least rewarding section of the trail to ride although there is something to be said about cruising along in the middle of the prairie with clear blue skies surrounded by nothing but open space as far as you can see. Then there it was, Edgemont. We were almost there. Suddenly an all too familiar side effect of riding happened, Nancy had a flat tire. The heat was getting unbearable. The sweat was running and we were going through water quickly. Nothing stirred anywhere. No life to be seen, we were all alone. The good news is we were prepared. Bruce and Nancy told Kay and I to ride ahead and they would meet us in Edgemont. A new tube and soon Bruce and Nancy were back on the trail. As Kay and I rode by the bank on Main Street the sign said 101 degrees. AS we rode up to our pickup which or son had left there for us we dismounted our bikes and collapsed in the shade. Nancy and Bruce soon joined us and we headed for the local watering hole, the only thing open I think, and began to recover and plan our ride for the next day, Hills City to Rochford and back, but that’s for next week.

August 19, 2010 No Cafe?

2010-08-19T14:32:00.009-05:00

Last weekend our bike riding took us to the east of Sioux Falls. After setting up camp at the Big Sioux Recreation area, on Friday, Kay and I decided a short ride was in order. Well a short ride it was. We made it to the Dairy Queen in Brandon and that was it. A mini Blizzard and we headed back. How far you might ask for those Blizzards? A whole 5 miles made up the round trip. I don’t think I made any head way on my calories on that one. Bright and early on Saturday morning we got up walked the three dogs, yes we have three and that is another story of another time, and we headed east our destination Valley Springs. Now not having been to Valley Springs I was not sure what to expect, but as long as I could get a cup of coffee someplace I figured we would be fine. We soon discovered that there are no flat roads in that area. It was a constant up one hill down the next, up one hill down the next. Yuk! Oh I am sorry that is right, it is all about the exercise. When we rolled into Valley Springs we were saddened to find that there was no café for us to have a bite and mingle with the locals. We did however find a gas station and convenience store that had coffee. So we got our coffee and headed outside to sit and watch the cars go by. It was then that we notice a jewel hiding in this small town. There across the street was Aadland Pipe Organ Company where they make some of the finest pipe organs in North America. Wow who would have guessed? We had just found another example of the many wonderful things to be found in the small communities of this country. Well it was soon time to peddle on and so we headed south toward Larchwood. Again it was up one hill and down another until we reached our turn to head back east. Thirty miles later we were back on camp relaxing and planning our ride to Garretson the next morning. We were joined by Bruce and Nancy on this ride and it always nice to have friends along for moral support and rode side service; we will get to that in a minute. It was a beautiful morning as we headed north on Highway 11. The wind was light, but increasing as we made our way north. It was not long and we were at Devil’s Gulch and sight of Jesses James’s jump, a place of folklore and history. We spent a little time exploring and then it was off in search of a café. See a trend here. Was there one? Well if there was we failed to find it and again we settled for a cup of convenience store coffee and a couple cookies, I was so hoping for eggs and hash browns. It was only a few miles down the road and we were riding through Palisades State Park. This is a beautiful park and so we spent some time just enjoying the area. As we headed back the wind had increased to a level that made riding west a bit of a struggle, oh yeh the exercise thing. As we headed back to Brandon I really had only one thing on my mind and that was lunch. I was really starting to feel the toll the ride was taking on my fuel supply. We were getting closer and closer and soon we were within three or four miles from camp. Boom! An all too familiar and unwelcome sound had just pierced the otherwise quiet ride. Yes I had blown out a tire. Now we do carry extra tubes, air etc., but this was one of those times they would not help. The tire was shot. Well as I mentioned earlier that’s why it is nice to ride with friends. Bruce took off and rode to get the pickup and come back and get me. I had been saved from a long walk back to camp with my bike over my shoulder, thanks Bruce. Soon we were in camp enjoying lunch at long last. There is something special about eating after a long ride. From now on though I will do my homework, I will look for towns with a café before we decide on a ride. So if your enjoy riding get out and visit some of the small towns in South Dakota. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

August 2, 2010 Don't Be Foolish

2010-08-03T14:16:00.005-05:00

Those of you who may have read my previous articles know how much I love kayaking. This last week has been hard on me from the stand point of knowing that the river was prime for an experienced kayaker, I did say experienced. Yet even an experienced person knows when it is foolish to follow their desires. I have ignored my desires to hop in my kayak and head down the river for several reasons, but the biggest is just the fact that the city has asked people to stay off the river and the fact that right now we do not know what all may have contaminated the water. While biking the other night I came across two teen boys floating in the river on tubes. I was amazed, although I should not have been, to see them after all the warnings. Therefore I would like to spend a bit of time talking about why one should stay off the river at this point. If there is no other reason there is the fact that the water levels are very high and it is easy for an individual to get swept into a tree or some bushes and causing their boat to overturn. This can be very dangerous as it is easy to get hung up and drug underwater. The other and to me maybe even bigger reason right now is that we do not know what is in the water. Right now there is an excellent chance that the water may be contaminated with sewage, farm runoff, feedlot run off and other things due to large amount of rain we have received. These things together or even singly in large enough qualities and human exposure can cause some real problems. Although there are many potential symptoms a person may show after exposure to contaminated water, gastrointestinal illness is the most common, and was found to be significantly associated with water fecal contamination. Viral Gastroenteritis is the most common illness associated with swimming in polluted water although the symptoms are usually minor, they may present in a variety of forms that can include one or more of the following: chills, nausea, diarrhea, stomachache, headache or fever. Other minor illnesses can result from swimming in polluted water including diseases affecting the eye, ear, skin, and upper respiratory infections. In highly polluted water swimmers may be exposed to more serious diseases like Amoebic dysentery, Cholera, Guardia, Hepatitis, Intestinal parasites, Norwalk Virus, Shigellosis, and Viral Respiratory Infections. Small children, infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are most likely to develop illnesses or infection after swimming in polluted water. The bottom line, stay out of and off the river until they have determined it to ok. Why risk getting sick or possibly even dying. Let’s all pray for a bit less rain so things can get back to normal.

July 18, 2010 Freind or Foe?

2010-07-20T14:08:00.015-05:00

Mother Nature is responsible for so many wonderful things in our lives. She gives us warm summer days with bright blue skies, clear mountain steams bubbling through the trees, majestic mountains, oceans full of wonderful creatures and much, much more. Yet she can be vicious and destructive showing little regard for anything or anyone when she sees fit. This last Saturday night we experienced the angrier side of her while camping at Oakwood State Park. After a hot and very humid day it was not a surprise that the weather service was predicting some possible storms, that’s just something we become rather accustom to. Yet sometimes we become too complacent and do not take Mother Nature seriously enough and she has to remind us of what she is capable of. At 7PM on Saturday night she did just that. I have never seen such a huge wall cloud as it rolled in from the southwest. It was like a tsunami wave about to smash us. As it move closer people began to scramble to secure what they could. They tried to make sure everything was safe. As they worked the staff of the park came through giving everyone instructions and options. Letting them know the shower and bath house was the recommended storm shelter. As for myself I am one of those, stupid me, that prefers to go down with the ship.
When Kay and I should have been at the shelter we were in our camper and this time we were lucky. When the wind and rain subsided enough for us to get to the pickup we began to drive through the park. Just four campers down from us a camper had rolled on it side. Inside a mother and four children, all ok. Just down the road a popup camper was folded in pieces. And then we entered the older part of the park. What was once a beautiful, shaded park area was now more like a war zone. To even get into the park a few feet we had to drive around a huge pine tree that had been uprooted and was lying across the main entrance. We soon figured out that we were going nowhere and so we retraced our steps out of the park and found a place to park so we could walk in and get an up close look at the destruction. There was a car smashed under the weight of a fallen oak, there was a Tahoe with its back window broken out, there were tents in bushes and trees and there were broken tree limbs everywhere. It was a miracle no one had gotten hurt. The power of the storm was unmistakable and there was no doubt as to what Mother Nature is capable of. Yet the people once again showed their resilience and spirit as they began to pick up the pieces. I did not hear one person who was angry, out of control or vowing never to camp again, instead they were rejoicing in the fact that everyone was alright and that they only had material things to fix or replace. Many began to pick up the park making piles of tree branches and sticks doing their part to clean up. I could only think about how much clean up there was to be done. I did not know how they would accomplish it, yet the staff of the park felt confident that they could have things pretty much back to normal by Wednesday with the help of members from three other state parks. The optimistic nature of the human spirit was in control. Although Mother Nature had gotten or attention and gained or respect one more time, she did not break us or would she deter us from doing what we enjoy most, exploring our own backyard.

July 5th, 2010 The Birds Of Oakwood's Bird Island

2010-07-20T14:07:00.007-05:00

For the last several years Kay and I have made an annual pilgrimage to check on the nesting birds on the lakes of Oakwood State Park. For those of you who are not familiar with Oakwood State Park it is situated about four miles north and twelve miles west of Brookings. There are actually several lakes that make up the waters of Oakwood State Park and the one we will be referring to is the east lake. There are few people on this lake; as a matter of fact I have never encountered anyone while paddling on this body of water. We always put in on the north end and begin our paddle by heading south and on this morning the water was calm and fairly green with algae stirred up from the heavy winds of the last couple of days.. There is a point just a half mile or so out that once you round it and head west you can see the first of the two islands that the birds of the area use to nest and raise their young. As you get closer and closer you can hear the birds and begin to take in the magnitude of the islands bird population. Hundreds of adult birds and their offspring cover what seems to be every tree branch on the island. Herons and Egrets stand guard over their young still confined to the nest. Each time I visit the island I slowly work my way as close to the shore as I can to get as close a look as possible without getting under any of the overhanging branches, as that is asking to be covered with bird droppings. Now this is not for those with a sensitive stomach as the ammonia smell from the birds waste is extremely strong. My wife waits for me about 100 yards from the island that is as close as she cares to get. Yet to me getting to see the birds up close is worth it. It is amazing to see the young still covered with down stretch their necks skyward in hopes of getting something to eat. To see the beautiful adult birds as they fly on and off the island is something to behold. As I said earlier there are two of these islands on the lake, the second being about a mile straight east of the first. The second island is a bit bigger and has much higher cliffs surrounding it. This island seemed to be a bit less populated than the first and seemed to have more green vegetation. Between these two islands there were hundreds of new young birds ready to enter the ecosystem. These islands are major links in the survival of these birds. Without the protection from most predators the mortality rate would be much higher. The adult birds are beautiful and so majestic as they sit in the trees protecting their young. These kinds of wonderful areas exist all around us, they are just not always in plain sight. Nature and wildlife are everywhere. A bit of planning and getting of the beaten path sometimes pays big dividends so don’t be afraid to go the opposite direction of the crowds sometimes. You never know what wonders are hiding out there.

June 27th, 2010 Iowa Here We Come

2010-07-20T14:06:00.016-05:00

It was 6:15AM when we hit the road last Saturday and headed east. Yes east. I know go west young man, go west. Well in the first place I am not young and secondly we were headed to Okoboji so east it was. It was time for the annual University Of Okoboji Campus Ride. This ride is by far one of my favorite rides. The rides are well organized, the bike trails in the area are awesome and well, it’s a good excuse to get out of town. As is tradition we stopped in Rock Valley, Iowa for breakfast. It was 8:30AM when we arrived at the park in Milford, Iowa. It was buzzing with people. People of all ages and with all kinds of bikes were preparing to ride. There were road bikes, mountain bikes, recumbent, tandems and even one bike built to three. Every one was ready waiting impatiently, and then at 9AM the ride was officially underway. Four hundred and fifty plus riders heading off to ride either25, 50 or 100 miles around the beautiful lakes of Okoboji. One of the things that make this ride so enjoyable is the diversity of landscape you get to travel. The ride includes winding streets along the beautiful beach front homes and their beautiful landscapes. It includes miles of bike trails around the lakes with deer and wild turkeys and miles of out in the open highway riding. It includes hills and valleys, shady rides through trees and flat out miles of sun. The ride was fun and better than I thought it might be since the wind was blowing fairly strong and the heat index was 103 degrees. It was not bad as long as one rode and used the air movement to help cool, but once you stopped for any reason the heat set in. Drinking lots of water was critical and I always ad a few electrolyte tables to mine. The rest areas that had been set up along the way were like mini oasis complete with a free banana or a cookie, maybe a Power Aid or just a cold drink of water. A small rest and then it’s on your way once again. It is always amazing to me to witness the fortitude of the people riding. To see individuals push themselves beyond their limits in many cases and to see the power of the human spirit as it takes over so that a rider might find the strength to finish, to see the support of one rider for another. After about three hours of peddling we finally could see the light at the end of the tunnel as they say. We were headed back into Milford and to the city park where burgers and cold beverages were waiting. It was only a few more miles and we would have another great ride in our memories, another victory over the terrain and the elements. A quick shower was then called for before enjoying a relaxing evening in the lakes area. With that said I would highly recommend anyone who is into biking and is looking for a great place to ride, take a look at the Okoboji Lakes area. The trails and the area have a lot to offer. I must take a moment to acknowledge the people of Little Rock, Iowa and to express my sadness for the destruction they experienced from the tornados that passed through that same weekend. On the way home from our ride we witnessed total farms that had been leveled and while we were out playing these families and their neighbors were cleaning up, hundreds of people pitching in to help one another. To me it was another reminded of how fragile our lives are and how quickly things can change. I wish them all the best in their rebuilding efforts and count my blessings everyday.

June 21, 2010 Food Is At The Heart Of Camping

2010-07-20T14:06:00.015-05:00

When many of us think of camping we think of enjoying the great outdoors. Getting away from it all, enjoying our family and friends and communing with Mother Nature.
Fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, playing bean bags or many other activities come to mind. Yet one thing that is part of making camping the experience it is, is cooking.
Everything from grilling to smoking, using a Dutch oven or using Pie Irons, roasting hot dogs on a stick to maybe the most infamous of all cooking marshmallows over an open fire. All of these are a part of making the camping experience what it is, making camping unique. Some of these methods of cooking are pretty common and need no explanation, yet others might be rather foreign to some. It is these methods that for me offer the most fun and exciting way to cook while camping. Dutch oven cooking is my favorite. It is simple, doesn’t require a lot of preparation and the clean up is a breeze. Oh and the food is awesome. Dutch oven cooking goes back in history along ways. The name by some accounts comes form the Dutch traders who introduced and sold them to the early colonists. It was a staple piece of equipment on the early wagon trails as the made their way west. So what is a Dutch oven? They are heavy cast iron pots with lids that one heats with coals or embers from a fire. Being cast iron they heat fast and hold heat for a long time. So what can you cook in a Dutch oven? Well everything from stew, to pot roast, chicken, pork chops, cookies, brownies, apple crisp etc. Anything you can cook in an oven you can cook in a Dutch oven. Just set your oven on a few hot charcoal briquettes, place what you’re cooking inside, place the lid on top and add 8-10 hot charcoal briquettes to the top. Sit back and relax and enjoy the wonderful aromas that fill the air as it cooks. Best of all when you’re done just scrap, rinse out with water and your done. A well seasoned Dutch oven never requires soap, just wash with water, let it dry and whip it down with vegetable oil to keep it from rusting. And if that’s not enough I just last weekend cooked Coca Cola Pork Chops, potatoes and brownies all with one set of coals, pretty efficient. My favorite meal to cook in a Dutch oven has to be breakfast. I like to start by frying some bacon chucks, adding a bag of hash browns, some onion and at the very end a dozen eggs. MMMM nothing better than Dutch oven egg bake. Just the aroma will have your mouth watering. So next time you go camping think about trying something new and hey if you don’t camp, well I have used my Dutch oven on the patio too. There a many books available at local retailers if you want to learn more or of course there is the internet. And keep you eyes open if you are a camper for the Dutch oven cooking demonstrations at a State Park near you. Only warming. It’s addictive.

June 2010 Mini Adventures Abound

2010-07-20T14:05:00.007-05:00

It was late afternoon on a cool summer day when five paddlers slid their boats into the water. Light breezes made their way through the trees and bushes, just enough to keep the mosquitoes at bay. The river was swollen due to heavy rains and the current was swift. Swift enough to make them have second thoughts about whether or not they should take on the trip down stream. The river had escaped its banks and had flooded many areas along its path. The shore line was gone, hidden from view. Carefully they guided their boats around fallen trees and worked to plan ahead, to out think the currents ahead of them. One by one they followed each other downstream, quietly slipping through the water no one aware they were there. The sounds of the rushing water, a bird chirping now and then and the sounds of their paddles slicing through the water were the only things that broke the otherwise peaceful silence. Paddling along they encountered squirrels, turtles, deer and various waterfowl. The deer standing motionless along the bank as if she stood still enough we would not see her. The large snapping turtle sunning itself on a log slipped into the water as we got closer. A squirrel played in the trees high above and still most of the trip lacked of any sight of human intervention. Farther downstream there were finally signs of human presence along the way. Deep in the trees they came across and old abandoned airplane. Torn and rusted it looked like it had been there for along time. Had it crashed there years ago? What was its history? A bit farther down stream the paddlers caught small glimpses of several Indian tepees hidden back in the trees. Was it an old abandoned village? Who lived there? Anyone? There were signs of human presence here and there, but no humans. The five paddlers floated on not working hard at paddling as the current was doing most of the work. Keeping their boats on course was another story. The river curved in all directions. Over small rapids they navigated their way along. By now the sun was getting low and it was blinding as it reflected off the water and into their eyes. At times it was like paddling blind, hoping for the best. They knew they were getting closer to their destination, a small sandy area hidden in the trees along the bank and they started to make plans for their exit. The last thing they needed was for the current to take them past their exit point. One at a time they maneuvered their boats onto the small landing until all five were on shore. Their journey over and all were safe and sound. Had they made the right decision to make the trip in the first place? This time yes, everything was fine. Sound like something out of an adventure novel, well a pour one maybe? No it was just Kay and I and three friends paddling on the Big Sioux one night after work. We put in at 57 Street across from Bracco and ended our cruise at 14th and Cliff. Yes we did see all of the things above, check it out for yourself sometime. It was just another mini adventure in our own back yard.

June 19, 2010 Beresford Rib Fest

2010-07-20T14:04:00.003-05:00

Last Saturday Kay, Nancy, Bruce and I headed to Beresford, SD for one of the many organized rides we participate in each year namely the Wheels‘n Squeals. Some rides are just for fun and others are fundraisers for various organizations. The proceeds from this event all went to the Shanna Rae Memorial Scholarship Fund. I always enjoy a ride a bit more when I know it is for a good cause, it just makes every peddle stroke just that more rewarding. As with most rides we started the morning off with a good breakfast. In my case that means eggs, hash browns, meat and pancakes, protein and carbohydrates to wake up the muscles and see them through the ride. Timing is important to me and I like to eat an hour before the ride begins so that I have time to take advantage of the foods full benefits.
The ride began at 8AM and the sixty or so riders, young and old, took off in a pack. The weather was perfect for riding, cool, a bit over cast and light winds. Side by side, row after row, each with a different goal and or reason for being there the riders took off and headed out of town, a rainbow of color streaming down the street. Some had chosen the 5 mile ride, others the 18 mile and we of course had signed up for the 45. Some the pack began to spread out and soon everyone had their own space and could peddle at their own speed. Some deciding on a nice relaxed pace, some rode a bit faster and yet others chose to ride aggressively. I am one that likes to start strong. I like to get out of the pack right away where I can ride at my own pace. I guess you would say that we fall into that more aggressive group most of the time averaging between 15 and 20 miles and hour. The course wound us through parts of Union, Clay and Lincoln counties. Up hills and down. It is so much fun riding along taking in the sights, watching for wildlife and hoping that everyone along the way has their dogs under control. Nine miles into the ride the wonderful volunteers had set up the first pit stop complete with water, Power Aid and snacks. Some people stopped and others just waved as they went by. I for one think its rude not to stop and have a few snacks, after all we would not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. LOL The ride took us in a nice big square so we got to enjoy the light winds in all their varieties, cross winds, head winds and of course our favorite, tail winds.
About three hours later as the sky was starting to clear we rolled back into Beresford another ride behind us, satisfied with our journey and ready to head downtown to check out the rest of Beresford’s celebration. Thanks to everyone who made this ride one to remember.
If you have never tried one of the many organized bike ride you might want to consider it. They are fun, you get to meet new people, ride in new areas, get some significant exercise and hey in most case you even get a t-shirt. If you are interested in finding these rides check with the local bike stores or check out my blog, peddlepaddlesd.com, as I try to list some of the main ones there.

Opps!!!

2010-07-20T14:01:00.003-05:00

This is just a note to apologize for falling so far behind on updating this blog. I am not sure why I am apologizing when the only reason I am behind is because I have been enjoying what I like to do...peddle and paddle. Following this entry I will attempt to bring you up to speed.

June 5th, 2010 Annual Canoe & Kayak Fair

2010-06-06T08:44:00.013-05:00

This year the South Dakota Canoe & Kayak Association held their annual fair at a new location, Family Park in Sioux Falls. Having never been there I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was and how much it had to offer. The site of an old quarry it has been stocked with trout and many renovations have been done and continue to be worked on. The annual fair is our way of trying to expose more people to the joys of paddling a canoe and/or kayaking. A way for people who are curious to find out what it is all about and to get some hands on experience. A way for us to teach the basic and to instruct them in the safe way to paddle.

Although it was a rather cloudy and at times rainy day, there was a great turn out. I did not count the boats, but there were probably two to three dozen available for people to enjoy. Small ones, big ones, long ones, short ones there was something for everyone. A great time was had by all and it was fun to see the smiles on all the faces of those trying it for the first time. Thumbs up South Dakota Canoe & Kayak Association.

May 30th, 2010 Baltic or Bust!!!!

2010-05-31T16:06:00.010-05:00

The sun was just starting its journey across the sky for the day when we unloaded our bikes and made ready to ride. Kay, Nancy, Bruce and I had decided to do something a bit different today and ride from Sioux Falls to Baltic. It was a perfect morning for riding. There was no wind, the air was fresh and the air was bit crisp.

We headed north enjoying the rolling hills. Using the down hillsides to generate some momentum to carry us up and over the next hill. There was not much traffic and the dogs along the way were all on restraints so they could not chase us. We made good time to the Baltic corner where we decided to ride east into Baltic and stop for something sweet and to use the restrooms. It was a short, but sweet time to stretch the legs. Sometimes stopping can be almost worse than riding on, but in others its a welcome respite.

Heading east once again we rode to the highway out of Dell Rapids, Cliff Ave, where we turned and headed south back towards Sioux Falls, but not without a stop at the Northern Links Golf Course to say hi to some friends. It was a busy place and we soon realized we need to forge south.

Once back on the road we crossed Interstate 90 and began to zig zag our way south west looking for an easy way to get back on the bike trail. Soon we were on very familiar turf and only a short distance from where we started. Now usually there are not to many people on the far north end of the trail, but today was different. We passed more riders than I think I have passed in all our rides this year. Soon we were on the last leg. I arrived back at the truck followed by Nancy. Soon I could see Bruce coming, but no Kay. Well a long story short she had a flat tire about a half mile back. So not feeling like fixing it on the trail Bruce took the front tire of Nancy's bike and took it and put it on Kay's bike so she could finish the ride.

So another 37 miles under the belt. Another chance to enjoy a wonderful summer day in South Dakota. What else could I ask for.

June 3, 2010 The South Dakota Kayak Challenge

2010-05-31T16:04:00.005-05:00

This should have been post a week ago, I apologize.
Yesterday, May 29, 2010, was a historic day in the history of canoeing and kayaking in South Dakota. It was also a mile stone in the history of the Missouri River and all the river traffic it has seen since before and after the days of Lewis & Clark. Yesterday was the first South Dakota Kayak Challenge, a race from Yankton to Sioux City on the Missouri River.
Eighty boats from all over the country began their journey with the sound of a gunshot at 7AM, seventy two miles of river, heat, and wind ahead of them. Full of excitement and energy they paddle out of sight one by one headed south east to the first of four check points. Each boat had a person or people in the case of tandem boats with many different reasons for being there. For some it was the race, to be victorious, to be first across the finish line. For some it was to challenge themselves and their physical and mental endurance and for others it was just what seemed to be a great way to spend a day or two on the river. They had maximum of 36 hours to complete the trip.
By the time the adventurers began to reach the first check point, 17 miles downstream, they were already feeling the effects of the high winds they were paddling into and the summer heat which was building rapidly. They had already had to navigate sand bars, whirlpools and heavy currents. They had already done more than most. As they shouted out their registration numbers to the officials so they could be clocked in, most paddled right by. A few however stopped and got some fresh water before moving on, their spirits still high.
Check point two was another 11 miles and by the time some of the paddlers reached this point they were beginning to show some ware. The river, the wind and the sun were taking their toll. It became a bit harder to decide to go on, yet most got fresh water, reapplied the sun screen and away they went to check point three which was a bit over the half way point. Their arms feeling like rubber bands and their legs numb from sitting in the small boats called the paddlers to work just that much harder. Back and forth across the river trying to find that perfect spot where current and wind were in harmony.
By check point three the race had lost several racers, the river getting the best of them. The rest of the paddlers arrived sporadically and for most they were looking for some time out of the boat and to think about going on. They were hot, red, a bit dirty and tired. Some had blisters on their hands and some cramps in their legs. Yet they all had stories. They had stories of the river, tales of seeing Bald Eagles and tales of supporting each other along the way. Once again the question was to go on or call it quits. It was amazing to watch as most of them dug down, regrouped their thoughts and decided to take the rest of the trip head on.
Check point four meant that the paddlers only had sixteen miles to go, easy for me to say. By now we had lost eight paddlers to the brutal elements of the trip. Eight people who although they did not finish had done something few others have ever done. They had had the opportunity to test their limits to push themselves to limits they had never dreamt possible. As for the rest most headed on, but a few decide to camp on the shoreline and finish in the morning.
By noon on Sunday most had arrived at the finish only a couple was a short ways out. Those that had made it were filled with pride and excitement which briefly hid the fatigue. They were winners, all of them. They had beaten the river, the wind and the heat. They had overcome the sore muscles that seemed like they would quite working at any moment. They had done something no one else had ever done nor will ever do again. They had completed the first ever South Dakota Kayak Challenge. College students, fathers and sons, professional business people, mothers and housewives all had dug deep into their soles to complete the 72 miles. They had all learned a little bit more about themselves. They had learned a lot more about the power of the human spirit.

May 31, 2010 SO MUCH TO DO!

2010-05-28T12:46:00.008-05:00

It finally arrived, our first camping weekend of the year. After what has seemed like an eternity we got the camper back on the road last weekend. To make it even more exciting we headed to our favorite place to camp, Chief White Crane, which is part of the state park chain at Yankton and sits just below the dam on Lake Yankton.
The weather when we arrived was awesome. It was warm, light breezes and sunny, all the right ingredients to welcome us. Upon our arrival I must say it took a bit moretime to set up camp than normal as it seems I had gotten a bit rusty over the winter. It was not long though and things fell into place and we were ready to begin to enjoy all of the many attributes of the Lewis & Clark area. Now, what to do first? There were so many choices, biking, kayaking, geocaching, hiking, fishing where to begin.
With our decision made and a quick change into our bike gear away we went, our mission being to ride to the far west end or Lewis & Clark and back. We were welcomed by a new addition to the area, a bike path from the camp ground to the dam. It was great. Smooth and fast. We were still a bit ahead of many of the camper’s arrival so the traffic on the paths was light. I knew were not alone though when I could smell grilling burgers or other camping delicacies being prepared. The ride through Lewis & Clark was beautiful as we rolled past the marina, through the trees and along the river. With slight hills and valleys it is an easy ride.
Back at camp it was time for one of my favorite part of camping, cooking dinner in our Dutch oven. If you have never tried a Dutch Oven you should. It is easy, the food is great and there is no real cleanup, but more about that in another article. Friday night’s dinner was Coca Cola Pork Chops. Heat up the Dutch oven; throw in some pork chops, a can of Coke, some BBQ sauce and a bit of brown sugar. Toss in a few potatoes, cover, sit back and in 30 minutes we had a great dinner.
When we got up Saturday it was a whole different story. We had entered a wind tunnel of major magnitude and it seemed as if our day was going to be ruined. Our kayaking on the Missouri with some friends, cancelled. Riding bike, well only if you were going north. But that is the beauty of a place like Chief White Crane, there is always something to do.
Our choice was to do some geocaching. If you have never heard of it or done it you should check it out. It is fun and can be some great exercise too. People all over the world have hidden small treasures and have logged there location online using GPS coordinates, The challenge is to use your GPS to find them. Seems easy? Well some are and some are not. Again I will go into the sport of geocaching in more detail in another article. By the way there are quite a few hidden right in Tea.
Then it was of to a Pie Iron cooking demo, something new to learn, another way to cook when camping. Seems there is a lot of eating going on when camping. We made pizza and apple pies and they were good, easy too.
Sunday we awoke to a much nicer day. We could not wait to get on the bikes and head out on our favorite ride in that area. We headed out with calm winds, blue skies and rapidly warming temps. We headed west and over the dam and into Nebraska, At the top of the dam the view is awesome. If you look west you can see the sail boats on Lewis & Clark. Look to the north and you are over looking Chief White Crane. A gander to the east and you see the river winding alone into Yankton. East we road until we hit Highway 81 then it was north over the bridge and into Yankton. Once we hit Highway 52 we headed west and this part of the ride it sweet with an almost mile long down hill. Then past the fish hatchery and back to the park. Now this is a 20 mile plus ride, but one that almost anyone could do.
So see, I have already over stretched my boundaries of length with this article and I have barely touched on all the things to do and see at Chief White Crane. Whether it is a daytrip or an over night trip you will not be let down, South Dakota State parks deliver. To find out more goggle South Dakota State Parks, geocaching, Dutch ovens, Pie Pans or Yankton, then plan a trip and see for your self. Get out and explore, see all the wonderful things life has to offer.

Desert Diving May 17th, 2010

2010-05-17T15:17:00.007-05:00

The flat, white terrain of the salt flats just west of Salt Lake City, Utah is probably not the first place anyone would think of going to scuba dive, yet hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean there are a series of geothermal springs of salt water. Bonneville Seabase lies just of Interstate 80 and is almost unnoticeable from the road. If not for the big signs at the entrance one would surely drive right by.
Last Thursday we, Kay and I, arrived at Seabase at about 10:30AM and after chatting with the manager and watching a brief video on the layout of the facilities we got geared up and developed a plan of attack. We decided to dive in the deepest spring first. At 80 feet deep we were excited to get going. Once in the warm 85 degree water we each took a moment to check our equipment and weighting one more time. Then it was time to secure or masks and take our first peak under the water. We were both surprised to find that the visibility was only about two feet. Now this was kind of scary as we had never dove in this low of visibility. After reassuring each other and committing to forge ahead we began our decent. It was the most eerie thing I have ever experienced. Drifting down a line that was anchored to the bottom we went, with the only reassurance that we were together being the air bubbles from each others regulators. Down we went until we hit the first platform at 25 feet. There was a light there which gave off an ominous glow. Down we continued using the rope as our only guide. At 45 feet we encountered another light and platform and at 60 feet we decided we had gone far enough. It was like being in a water filled container with the lid closed. Knowing that there was sea life all around you, but not being able to see it. The only connection with the real world being each other.
Slowly we began our ascent, trying to stay as close as we could. Making sure we were still together. As we got closer to the surface we could begin to see the glow of daylight above us and were reassured that we were ok and that we were almost done. Breaking the surface we both felt feelings of relief and of accomplishment. We had made it.
We then headed over to the other two springs to find the same kind of conditions. We did however spend some time on the bottom feeding the fish and searching for the Nurse Sharks. We never did find the Nurse Sharks, but we knew they were there. They could see us I am sure. We spent some time in the first spring and them we swan through a tunnel connecting it to another. The only way through the tunnel was by feeling the sides of the walls, otherwise there was no way to tell where you were. On the other side of the tunnel we explored some more until we had finally had our fill. Back through the tunnel and out of the water we went.
Now I would not suggest this was a great diving experience, yet it was very worthwhile.
Now we know that we can dive in these conditions and that we can depend on each other in any situation. We grew as divers and strengthened our bond as dive buddies. It was not the Caribbean, yet it was still a great experience. Another memory for sure.

April 20th 2010 Ten Dives In Cozumel

2010-04-20T16:27:00.008-05:00

We just got back last night from our first dive trip to Cozumel, Mexico and I am ready to answer the question I posed last week. Would diving be as exciting as we anticipated? The answer is a big “Yes” and then some. There is no way to fully express the experience of our journey into the new underwater dimension.
Once we arrived at Scuba Club Cozumel, got some organizational things out of the way, the morning of our first real boat dive was upon Kay and I. We both were full of excitement and apprehension. Our nervousness was hiding just behind our smiles of joy. We were there ready to take the big step off the boat and into a world of the unknown.
After an hour boat ride we got geared up, had a short briefing from our dive master and we were ready to take that big stride in the water and away we went. As we began our decent to the bottom it was amazing how quickly all of the anxiety melted away and was replaced with an awesome feeling of calm and serenity. Looking around yourself in the turquoise water you were comforted to see your fellow divers drifting slowly to the bottom along side. Seeing the surface disappear and the bottom drawing closer. Soon we were all on the bottom and everyone was signaling to our dive master with big ok signs letting him know we were ready to explore.
With around 150 foot visibility we one by one headed off drifting in the strong current that runs south to north, floating weightless over the tops of the reef and down the sides enjoying all the spectacular sea life and looking for some of the more exotic creatures. There were hundreds of multicolored almost fluorescent schools of yellow and blue Grunts, there were huge Groupers, jumbo craps and lobster hiding under the reef ledges and in the crevices that abound. Deeper we went until we hit 65 feet where our dive master lead us into a series of caves and tunnels in the coral. It was here we saw our first of many Nurse Sharks and the evil looking Moray Eels. There were thousands of small creatures hiding in every corner. Little Drummer Fish, delicate and fragile looking, small sea worms, urchins and many unidentifiable fish were everywhere. It was like being on another planet, like having left the earth to explore a new frontier. It was easy to get lost in the moment, but reality always brought you back to make sure to monitor you air supply and other vitals.
As I got more comfortable with every minute that passed there was always something that got the adrenaline flowing again, like reaching the edge of a huge deep wall. There we were gliding along the edge looking down into a big black hole, a hole with no bottom or end in sight. A hole that made you wonder what marvelous creatures lived below and yet knowing you had no real desire to find out, maybe someday.
As with all dives the time finally comes when your dive computer lets you know you have only enough air to begin your ascent, do your safety stop and return to the surface. As I broke through to the surface, inflated my BC and settled back to wait for the boat to pick us up I could only begin to think of the next dive coming up. Kay and I did ten dives while we were there, each one different, each one offering us the opportunity to discover another wonder of the sea. We even did a night dive, but that’s a story for another day. So now we are back and it is time to get the camper ready for a bit more local exploration.

April 16th 2010 Under The Surface

2010-04-20T16:04:00.006-05:00

There is something very unnatural about being completely submerged in water and having to put all your faith in your knowledge and skill to be able to do what we do the rest of the time without thinking, breathing. To acclimate yourself to a world that is totally foreign to what comes naturally to all human beings, to enter a new dimension.
For twenty or more years it has been my wife’s desire to enter this world and to experience the world of scuba diving. Although not apposed I just was never really very motivated to give it a shot until just recently. So what changed? Not sure. I guess knowing it was out there to be explored and that it fit into our active way of life just made it a natural.
So where to start? What to do? Well these questions were answered by doing a bit of research online and by discussing our options with some friends who already know the ropes. Classes, pool dives and then four open water dives were the keys to becoming certified open water divers. A weekend of condensed classroom and pool training were soon on our schedule.
Now after having experienced this training I found myself asking if this class was meant to scare us to death. We spent hours talking about all the things that can go wrong. Wow, it really is serious business. What happens if you run out of air? What happens if your mask fills with water? What happens if you get lost underwater? What happens if your dive buddy panics? All of these things and more were thrown at us and all for good reason. We needed to know what could happen and that we would be able to handle it if it did. That we had the skills to survive.
So how much fun could diving really be? Well once armed with some knowledge and practice we discovered what the fuss is all about. We discovered the serenity of being underwater. The only sounds are that of your breathing and the air bubbles from your regulator fighting to get to the surface as you exhale. One really becomes in tune with their breathing in a way I do not believe can happen in any other way. Once under the water and having obtained neutral buoyancy we experienced the feeling of be weightless. The only movement is a slight rising of your body in the water when you inhale and a slight settling when you exhale, suspended there relaxed and ready to explore. We discovered all the small cracks and crevices in the bottom of the pool. We got a close up look at the things people had left behind like earrings, money and more. Now there was only one thing to do. Plan a trip to put our lessons to use and to see what it is like to swim with the creatures of the ocean. To put to use what we had learned and to see if it would be as exciting as we dreamed it would be.