Hello my paddling friends. As I sit to write this letter I realize it is my last one as chairman. My how time does fly. In a few short weeks we will be gathering for our fall dinner and awards program. You have no doubt noticed that the cost of this event has been steadily increasing. This year is no exception. After much shopping I find the cost of a catered dinner is CHEAP at $20.00. So be it. The PSC coffers were full enough to subsidize and bring an over $20 dinner down to $18.00 per adult. This will not always be possible. No doubt next year the cost will be higher! I have no problem with this. It is expensive, but, we do not do it every week!  For those with children the cost per child is half price [also PSC subsidized]. Any ideas, comments, suggestions should be forwarded to any officer and/or board member.

The P.S.C. web site is a big success. For those of you who have not seen it yet, check it out at www.psc.ctsserver.com  A few more details to be worked out soon will provide a finished product that Kathy & Milt should be proud of[thanks again]. There will be a hot line on the web site along with a phone-in number for those of you without the net that should be working quite smoothly by next spring. The phone number will be mine for now. There will also be a bulletin board page for anything of interest to the club/s membership.

I wish to thank you all for the privilege of serving you as club chairman. It has been a pleasure. Thanks also to the officers and board members, who have made the job so enjoyable.

Bob

    Make the PSC web site your home page.   Kathy & Milt will place trip announcements on the PSC web site on an experimental basis.  The trip announcement section will be password protected.  It is for members only. Please, as a trip leader who lists his phone number and the dates he will not be home, I have a right to protect the confidentiality of that information.  Trip announcements are, in my opinion,“for members only” with occasional release to prospective new members via The Paddler.  So, do not give the password to non-members. The password will be distributed via e-mail to those whose e-mail is in the club directory. (Al Pilgrim maintains the directory apilgrim@wwa.com)
    You can have your e-mail address in the direcory and exclude it from he printed version if you chose.  Anyway, if you have access to the Internet you probably have e-mail.  Therefore, e-mail distribution of the password is appropriate. If you access the PSC site elsewhere please call Rick Fleming at 847-253-9383 to discuss. We need to work something out.  The password will be changed periodically, possibly for every issue.

Trip# 106A                                            Sep 17

Lower Fox

Larry Forgala                                     708-425-0733

Let us hope that Mother Nature gives us some better conditions than last year.  We will paddle through the “Dells of the Fox” and enjoy some early fall colors.  Go south on I55 to Rt52 (Shorewood Exit West). Continue west on Rt52 approx 26 miles to the rivr.  Put in at the NE corner of the bridge. Carshift at 9:30am.

Trip  # 109                  date changed  to Sep 22-24

WI Whitewater          Intermed/adv Whitewater

Bill Barclay                                 708-386-1371

Carole Snowdon                         414-962-0879

Our motto: "We paddle where the water is." Fall color on some beautiful rivers, campfires and good company-what more could you want? Possible rivers include Peshtigo (Roaring Rapids), Wolf (section IV), Pike, Oconto, etc.  Call leaders for camping and other details.

Trip  #110                                     Sep 30-Oct1

Fawn & Pigeon Rivers Preserve                     

Paul Clifford                                815-886-2554

Jerry Emerson                             219-662-1296

We will canoe the Fawn and Pigeon Rivers through an Indiana Wildlife area.  This is a great family trip.  Camping at the Riverside Campground near Shipshewana. Carshift both days at 9:00 AM from the campground. Those who are interested may join the leaders for an Amish dinner Saturday evening. Directions: Take the Indiana Tollroad east to SR 13,Middlebury exit. Go south to SR120 (about 2 miles). Go east (left) 9 1/4 miles to county road 450 West. Go north (left) about 1/2 mile across the river to the campground. Bring dump clothes, PFDs, and lunch for both days. Please call one of the leaders.

Chicagoland Cnoe Base                         Oct 1

Swap and Shop                                             

Vic Hurtowy
vicccb@voyager.ne
773-777-1489.

The Chicagoland Canoe Base will be sponsoring it's 1st annual fall Swap and Shop on Sunday Oct. 1st.The paddling public is invited to bring out their old gear,boats etc. for sale or trade.This will take place on the lawn just north of the store and in the back parking lot. In case of bad weather we'll move it indoors. Simultaneously all items in the store will be marked down %10 with some selected gear and boats marked down as much as %50. The event begins at noon and will continue until 5 p.m. or later. So if you have an old piece of gear or a boat that hasn't seen use in a while why not bring it out and give someone else a chance to give it some life?

Trip  #112                            changed to Oct 7-9

Wisconsin R.                  Intermediate Camper 

Ed Nelson                                 
elncanoer@yahoo.com   
847-382-3372

We will paddle from Sauk City to Lone Rock, spending two nights camping on a sand bar.  Bring enough water for the whole trip. Directions: Take 12 north from Madison toward Sauk City.  Go almost to the bridge to county road Y.  Go left (west) on Y about three miles to the landing on the right.  Please be at the landing by 9 A. M. to unload so we can car shift at 9:30. 

Trip  #112A                                   Wed Oct 11

Nippersink Creek IL                                       

Joan Taylor
TaylorJRS@aol.com
630-495-1565

 Let’s adventure on the Nippersink in the fall and check out rerouting of the Creek  We will paddle from Glacial Park to Spring Grove if water level and weather permit. Take Rt. 12 north from Fox Lake to the intersection of Rt. 31, where Tyron Grove road intersects. Continue west on Tyron Grove road to Keystone Road, turn left go south to the Park on the left, about 1.5 miles.  Carshift at 10 a.m.. Note If the Nippersink does not have sufficient water, we will select another river.  Call the leader.

Trip  # 113                                        Oct 14-15

WI Whitewater             Intermediate Whitewater

Bill Barclay                                 708-386-1371

Carole Snowdon                         414-962-0879

It's getting colder but we can do this one more time.  River selection will depend upon water levels, paddler interests, and weather.  Call leaders for details.

Trip  # 114                                        Oct 14-15

Racoon Creek IN              Advanced Beginner

Bob Kane
paddler@cbcast.com
815-744-8129

Paul & Alice Clifford                    815-886-2554

It's that time of the year again. The  Covered Bridge Festival in central Indiana is upon us. We will camp at the Shades State Park which is located off of IN Rte. 234 west of U.S. Rte.41.  Come join us for this annual fall favorite.

Trip  # 115                                        Oct 14-15

Rock R. IL                   Adv Beginner Camping 

Joan Taylor
TaylorJRS@aol.com
630-495-1565

What a great fall trip! On Saturday, the trip is from Oregon to Grand Detour, (10.6 miles). We begin in Oregon at the Park East Access Area.  This is in Oregon south of the dam and north of route 64 (about one block) on the east side of the river at 9:30 a.m. Paddle on Sunday will be from Grand Detour to Dixon (11 miles). Put in on Highway 2 south of Route 38 and north of Route 64. at the gravel landing just downstream-right from the Grand Detour wayside at 9:30 a.m.  Camping will be at Lowden Memorial State Park – From junction of route 2 and route 64: Go ½ mile east on route 64, then 1 ½ mile north on East River Road.  Call 815-732-6828 for camping info.  It is okay to come one or both days, but please call the leader.

Trip  #115A                                          Oct 14

I&M canal, McKinley Park                  Beginner

Larry Forgala                              708-425-0733

Since they put the gas line across he canal at Channahon the better place to put in is at McKinley Park Woods.  This is uaually a leisurley paddle with some great fall colors, so “ come on down.”  Take I55 S to Rt6, Channahon exit). Turn right/west and continue approx 4 miles to McKinley Pk road on your left. Turn left and continue to the park entrance and down to the lower park area. Put in at 9:30am.

Trip  #116                                    Tues Oct 17

Kiswaukee R                                     Clean-Up

Vic Hurtowy
vicccb@voyager.ne
847-803-4575  

Start: from Belvidere and taking out at Bauman Park in Cherry Valley. This is not an industrial strength clean up,just a lot of bottles and cans with a few tires thrown in. Put in at 9:30.  Call the trip leader.

Trip # 116A                                 Thurs Oct 19

DuPage R IL                      Advanced Beginner

Joan Taylor
TaylorJRS@aol.com
630-495-1565  

We will paddle from Hammel Woods to Channahon (9.5 miles) The Put in is in Shorewood.  The entrance to the Park is from Route 59 just ½ mile north of Route 52 at 10 a.m.  Please call the leader, as location will change if water level is low. 

Trip  # 117A                                      Oct 21-22

Kankakee R IN,

Jasper-Pulaski Game Preserve          Beginner

Fran Almquist                             815-459-8134

Phillis Wells                                815-966-7146

This trip is in the Jasper-Pulaski Game Preserve. Spend a colorful fall weekend canoeing the Kankakee R. in Indiana.  A portion of our trip will be through the Kankakee State Fish and Wildlife area.  An extra bonus will be Sandhill Crane watching on Saturday night at the Japer-Pulaski fish and Wildlife Area. This game preserve is a stopover for the annul migration of thousands of cranes.  When we were there in the past the count was as high as 16,000! We will walk to a platform in the marsh and watch – so bring binoculars, cameras, etc.  Dinner can be a quick snack before walking to the marsh or a late one at the campsite.  We will camp at Jasper-Pulaski. Carshifts will leave the campground at 9a both days.  Directions: from Chicago take I294 to I80/94 east to I65 south.  Exit at US30 east, go to SR421. Go south on 421 to 143, west on 143 approx 1 1/2 miles to the park entrance on the north side of the road. In park turn east at sign into campground. Approx. 2.5 hr drive time from Morton Grove, IL.

Trip  # 117B                                   Sun Oct 22

Pecatonia                         Advanced Beginner

Joan Taylor
TaylorJRS@aol.com
630-495-1565

Chrisina Taylor
Peace4368@aol.com
708-445-0871

The Pecatonica just west of Rockford is a pleasant meandering river with little sign of development. Put in will be at 10 am.  Call a leader for details

Trip  #117C                                       Oct 21-22

Wisconsin Dells

Igyarto’s                                      847-587-7462

Bates                                           847-587-7623

This years dells trip will be back at the beautiful Wisconsin Dells stretch of the Wisconsin River.  In the past, mother nature has handed us cold weather, wind, rain and snao every bit as often as we’ve had 70’s and sunshine.  So, regardless of the forecast, come prepared for whatever she ma hand us.  There will not be an organized dinner on Sat. night.  We will be camping at Mirror Lake State Park and leaving from there both days at 9am.  Drive north to the Wisconsin Dells on I90/94 and follow the signs for Mirror Lake State Park.

Trip  #118                             Thurs. Nov 23-26

Current River MO                   Canoe Camping                                   

June Huffman                              847-872-6836

Celebrate Thanksgiving with friends!  Share turkey with all the trimmings on the Current River. There is no better place to be.  This will be the fourth annual trip.

Trip  #119           Nov. 30 - Dec. 5 (Thurs-Tues)

Northern Florida Rivers

Ed Nelson 
elncanoer@yahoo.com      
847-382-3372

This will be a scouting trip in which we will spend a week exploring the Suanee river and the next week exploring the Santa Fe R.  We will base camp the first week at Suanee R. St. Pk. and the second at O'Leno St. Pk.  You may join this trip and leave it whenever you wish.  Call for details.

Trip # 28                                              Apr 22

Des Plaines River

It was a bight clear day.  After a week of steady rain the Des Plaines was very high, out if its banks, but not dangerous.  Very little wildlife was spotted, apparently driven to higher ground by the high water.  We did se an owl’s nest with two young owlets peering out at us.  They looked amazed.  Our group was well balanced between experienced old-timers and a welcome newcomer.         Bill Kessler

Trip # 73                                             Jun 17

Lower Fox Moonlight

Trip cancelled due to high water, fast current and safety.  Water not conducive to late evening and night paddling as exhibited by the two livery canoes bent around the bridge in Sheridan.                          Larry Forgala

Trip # 75                                             Jun 10

Fox River, WI

Enjoyable stretch of the river, plendy of water, small group, no obstacles, plus we are fairly sure we spotted a great horned owl.  Mosquitoes mad pit stops interesting.  We are anxious to try Jerry Kolars cat tale hors d’oeuvre.                                                         Jerry Kolar

Trip # 79                                             Jun 25

Lower  Fox River

After the heavy rains on Saturday and predictions of more rain on Sunday, a smaller than normal group assembled for this trip.  To our collective surprise, Sunday turned out to be warn and sunny.  The fox had risen about 2 feet overnight according to the folks at Ayers Landing but was runnable.  Needless to say, all tenof us work our PFDs for a quick but pleasant trip.  We finished in about 1:40 with the usual lunch stop postponed (under water!) until the take out.  Many thanks to all who joined us and especially Rick Rothrock who did our carshift.

                                Barb and John Shaw

# 80                                                Jun 24-25

Kickapoo River

Once again, the Kickapoo was beautiful and a ret experience for the group which included two beginners.  A swimming muskrat was sighted, and a family including very young ducks did not like sharing their river.  We did Rockton to LaFarge on day 1 and Ontario to rockton on day 2, thus avoiding the Saturday crowds. Joan Taylor

# 81                                                      Jul1-2

Little Manistee

Great trip on a beautiful river at good levels for mid-summer.  We all got in practice on ferries, draws, etc on the challenging 2^nd dy.  As usual we saw deer and wildlife.          Barclay/Strobel

# 84                                                      Jul 26

Du Page River

It was one of thos days when the people were great and the water wasn’t.  The water was low.  We had a hugh blue heron that stayed just ahead of us most of the day. Joan had her first experience of a fish jumping into her boat.                                                   Joan Taylor

Trip# 85                                         July 29-30

Sugar River WI

We paddled the Sugar River in Wisconsin both days. We had a small but very helpful group. To bad we didn't have a better turnout. This is an idea river for famlies. Thanks to all who took part.

Trip # 86                                              Jul 23

Kishwaukee River

A beautiful day for a canoe trip! Bright sunshing, temperature in the lower to mid-seventies throughout the day and more water in the river than usual for this time of yer.  Besides the occasional great blue herons, we did get a look at a fawn grazing the riverbank. A great group of folks joind us with a good mix of seasoned veterans and new members as well as some guests to share in a beautiful trip.  Thanks to the Keils for sweep, the Alwitts for return carshift and to Mike Czynoka for running carshift.

Trip #87                                             Aug 5-6

Wisconsin River

Trip cancelled, lack of interest. Ed Nelson

Trip # 88                                               Aug 6

Dowagiec River

The day started muggy with a light drizzle and ended for some of us with thunder and a windstorm on the drive back to Chicago.  In between it was great.  The water was cool – so cool that one could not see the lead boat because of the mist.  Then  it got hot.  Saw two herons and a snake.  Because this was billed as a mentoring trip, various paddlers gave and received advice on strokes.  Some boats took out at Arthur Dodd Park; others went down to Kinzie bridge. The log jam that used to be between them is no longer there but the Kinzie bridge access is now posted as private property and the owners stopped and asked us not to take out there.   Bill Barclay

Trip # 89                                        Aug 10-13

Youghiogheny River PA

This trip was moved up a week from what was previously published and the newsletter was later than usual so my apologies to any who might have missed the trip. More so because the water was great!  Bob might even tell you “too great.”  Put-in Thursday began at 2’4” and rose a bit in very heavy rains. That was a nice warm-up. Friday  began at 2’10’ and rising.  Bob joined us  Saturday, missing the warm-up days.  Level 2’10’.  Well, he got lots of free pick-up service (enjoyed also by Steve).  It pays to be club charirman!  Only five paddlers had the energy to paddle Sunday.  We  had club members who had moved south, namely Ed and Roberta Keyes and Frank and Ann Weider and their guest. Camping at Ohiopyle St. Park subpar.  Back to Scarlett Knobb next time. Thanks to Roberta for all those shuttles.                                   Rick Fleming

Trip # 90         Freestyle Training      Cancelled

Trip # 91                                             Aug 12

Fox River

It was a warm summer day, perfect for paddling and playing on the lower Fox. Cliff Swallows darted everywhere and the sun highlighted the beautiful layers of rock in the cliffs.  A few hawks were spotted.  We were at the take-out two soon.  Many would have liked a longer trip.  Thanks to Cathy Maylee for shuttle, Joan Taylor for sweep and Chip Flagg for generous help with boats. Joann Benedetto

Trip # 91A                                           Aug 12

Kankakee

A warm, sunny day with a fast current and high water levels with the wind at our backs made for an enjoyable & typicllay swift trip.  An enjoyable time was had at the Glad Fest in Momence – good corn dogs.  Thanks to Bob Tyler for car shifting. Larry Forgala

Trip # 91B                                           Aug 13

Kankakee River, IL--State Line to Momence

We had a perfect day for this close to home trip!  While the weather may have threatened rain in the northwest suburbs, the skies were overcast with a slight breeze on the river, which made the day very nice. There were 20 paddlers on this stretch of the river, which many were pleasantly surprised by.  In the first half of the trip, the river is small and undeveloped with a sand bottom.  The second half of the trip has more cottages and widens considerably and there were some motor boats.  The current at the beginning of this stretch is faster than on the stretch from Momence to Aroma Park.  But once you get to the backwaters of the Momence dam, it slows down. We saw a lot of birds (swallows and Great Blue Herons etc), Cardinal flowers and wild Hibiscus plants. We had a few sprinkles off and on for about 10 minutes just after lunch but that didn't even count as rain.  It was a great day and we had new PSC'ers on their first trip. Thanks to Michael Perkins and Michael James for car shift and to Frank Smith for driver return. Dave, Sherri, Lanie Johnson

Trip # 92                                             Aug 16

Kishwaukee River

We had a beautiful day, perfect weather.  We had to get out seeral times for solos and kayaks.  We had one portage.  It was a relaxed,  mellow group. Thanks to Jim Deck and Jim Gregory for car shifting.

Trip # 93                                                 Aug

Colorado Rivers

A dead battery resulted in a late start. Friday ( 18 Aug ) found us on the Blue R. at Spring Rd heading toward the Colorado R with many rock dams to create trout fishing pools. Sat., we paddled the Eagle from I 70 bridge; the previous nites rain brought the river up to an acceptable level. This is a trip thru many different types of rock layers;  a few expensive homes are going up along the river.The Roaring Fork on Sunday at the Old Steel Bridge provided an urban boating experience. While scouting the Crystal near Redstone, a bear crossed the road and swam across the river. The Taylor above Altmont was Monday's choice. Tuesday we put on the Taylor at Rosy Lane. Encountered a bridge below Harmel's with a sign warning of severe danger of  death if one paddled under the bridge, while at the same time prohibiting any ground travel beyond the sign. Many rock dams below the sign with large boulders in the spillways made for tricky manuevering. Wed found us on the Arkansas R. at Johnson Village. Thurs., we paddled from Bear Rapid to Flume Rapid on the Arkansas. On Friday we ran the remote canyon below Green Mountain Reservoir on the Blue R.  At one long rapid with large waves we passed a wrapped canoe on river left.           Larry Sobol

Trip # 94                                             Aug 19

Kankakee River, IL---Bird Park to Kankakee River State Park

This trip had a smaller turn out than last week (13 paddlers-many repeats from last week) but it was a great day!  The water levels were low but only presented a problem at the channel we take for our lunch stop.  After viewing the accommodations, the complaints of scraping and bumping bottom were dropped.  We had picnic tables and a toilet at the lunch break compliments of the State Park facility.  Some entertainment was provided by Newfy who was serious about playing fetch with a hard ball found at the lunch stop.  We stopped to view a limestone cave and then again a little further downstream to hike the infamous Rock Creek Canyon.  A couple resourceful paddlers found the ice cream stand in the park and enjoyed a treat.  This stretch is heavily used by the local livery but doesn't deter from a great river!  Thanks to Tom Prenzno for car shift.   Sherri and Jackie Johnson

Trip # 95                                             Aug 20

Du Page Clean Up

Beautiful weather, beautiful people, beautiful river. Lots of trash was picked-up!  Think of don annually the tonage will decrease.  Austin Fenger suffered a pretty nasty gash on the bottom of his foot caused by broken glass.  Hope you are felling better Austin!  Thanks to you, your father (Bob) and brother Charlie, Mike & Anita Budrys and Chip Flagg for a great job.  Bob Kane

Trip # 101                                        Jul 15-16

Mecan River

The first day was easy, not challenging.  Because of the heat, we took out before the marsh.  The second day was much more challenging with tight bends and deadfall to manuever around.  We even had a request that next year we do that second section both days because it was more fun.  We saw

great blue herons, green herons, kingfishers, and sandhill cranes.                                    John Ziegler

 

PSC Items for Sale

PSC T-shirts ($10) and sweatshirts ($20) are available from Christina Taylor at 630-495-1565;  E-mail: peace4368@ aol.com.  Christina can bring your shirts to a trip or send via UPS.

  Next newsletter for December and January. Deadline November 1.

 

To All Chicago Area Paddling Clubs:  On behalf of Paddling In The Park our sincere appreciation to all the members of your club who have contributed to make this year's event an outstanding success. Over 1800 people (at first count) participated in the on-water activities. 479 people took the two-hour introductory classes taught by 32 ACA instructors and aided by dozens of you who helped out as aides, safety boaters and other needed volunteer tasks.

Your collective contribution is what made the event so successful - from getting ice to steering the dragon boat. Space in your newsletter won't allow me to mention all of you by name, so please accept our most heartfelt Thank You for your dedication to paddlepsort, your support, your enthusiasm and invaluable help.

For all who volunteered and signed (legibly) the volunteer form, watch for the next issue of Paddling In The Park News for a detailed summary of the event. And please mark next year's date on your calendar July 28-29, 2001. W e count on your support again.     Sincerely - Alan and Sigrid Pilgrim

 

ACA Midwest Div Meeting, Sunday, October 22, 2-5pm 

All ACA members are invited to attend this meeting.  Prior to the meeting, you can observe and participate (if you chose to get wet) the pool session being conducted at this location.  Free paddling time for kayaks is from 11 am - 12 noon, followed by a Freestyle  Canoeing class that can be watched from noon - 1:30pm.  During the meeting, we will review this year’s activities and talk about next year’s plans.   Please join us and give your input to the officers.   Dinner afterwards at The China Buffet.  Directions:  Naperville North  High School is located on Ogden Avenue (Route 34) and Mill  St.about three miles east of Route 59 or about 5 - 6 miles west of  Route 355.  Use the entrance to the pool (#23) on the north side of the building.

 

Freestyle Canoeing Class.                           Sunday mornings 11:30am-1:30pm beginning October 15, at Naperville N High School. Call 630-420 –6494 to register. Marge Cline is the instructor.   This class will be divided into two three-week sessions.  Basic canoeing skills are required for the first session. Attendance at the first session or previous Freestyle instruction is required for the second session.  Freestyle maneuvers, precise boat control and paddling to music will all be included in the course content. 

Gruman Alum. Canoe  17’ Heavy duty, 13 years old, good shape (no dents or loose rivets) $550 OBO Steve Shapiro  847-253-5875

Blackhawk Shadow  13' $600.  Marie Bohnen  847-991-1618.

Rick Fleming
23 N. Emerson St.,
Mt. Prospect IL 60056,
847-253-9383, fax -5216,
rfleming@netconsulting.com

Al Pilgrim
2750 Bernard Place
Evanston, IL 60201
847-328-0145
apilgrim@wwa.com

Bill Barclay
150 N. Lombard
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-386-1371
wbarclay@chx.com

Patched through from Sigrid Pilgrim.Mitch Beales wrote: Last weekend some tires were apparently slashed at the Red river put in.  I understand that there were problems with tire slashing at the takeout earlier in the season but I had heard that local law enforcement had made an arrest using a sting operation.  The current vandals appear to be a little smarter.  They are cutting the sidewall without puncturing the tire.  The result is that after driving a while the tire goes flat. Presumably the tire could also fail catastrophically causing serious injury. Be sure to check your tires when paddling the Red.  If you have a problem report it to the local authorites.  (Does anybody know who that would be at the Red?) The damage is such that you may not notice it right away and you may doubt that it was vandalism.  I suggest reporting all tire problems occurring shortly after paddling the Red to local authorities and to fellow paddlers.