June 9, 2007 - REI paddle demo days

Fairly lame way to extend the consecutive month kayak streak but kayaking is kayaking and this counts as a float (I will kayak again in June at Door County so the streak would continue regardless).

Lisa and I headed to Lake Arlington to "test drive" a kayak or two. Lisa initially wanted to go in a tandem but I convinced her to try a solo. We both took out a 'yak and took a leisurely paddle around the lake. There was quite a few people taking advantage of the beautiful weather and access to free boat usage. When we returned the boats (recreational, been there done that) I got back in line to try a sea kayak. This was noticeably quicker and less stable but I really enjoyed it. A sea kayak and a whitewater kayak would complete the fleet quite nicely.

Memorial Day float

No pictures today to commemorate our tributary float to all the men and women who have served over the years. The rain on Saturday revived the river from its death march and the gauge hit a whopping 5.30. This was enough to allow us to float leisurely (i.e. very slow) from Community Park to Royce road. A distance traveled many times but different each trip.



As Kent and I traveled in our singles we enjoyed a few Red Stripes and some homemade, fresh- off-the-smoker beef jerky. A fairly uneventful trip but any trip on the river is better than no trip on the river.

May 12, 2007 - Lonely trip, but streak hits 18

The recent Yakima rack sale at REI has allowed me to have rack possibilities on both vehicles. Loading kayaks on their side on the SUV is very challenging and this will allow a much easier double kayak transport situation.

This trip really accomplished two things: trying out the new rack and extending the consecutive month kayaking streak to 18 months. I loaded my solo and my bike and headed down to Warrenville road (a first ever put-in spot). I locked my kayak there, drove to Community Park, left my car and rode my bike back to Warrenville road. With all the solo logistics accomplished, I became one with the Duper. The gauge was at 5.24 and I did get stuck in one area due to low water level. As I passed by a group of "breaking" I-88 construction workers one yelled out: "Do you need a job?" I am not sure if they were that desperate for a warm body or that a lonely kayaker radiates the "I need a job and think I may find it out on the river" vibe or what.

I declined the offer (I wonder what the reference to the wind was with that job offer?) and took out at Community Park. After loading the kayak, it was back to get my bike and end the excursion.

April 29, 2007 - a "maiden" voyage

As mentioned in a previous entry, Kent seems to be living a charmed life. There was no news of any more new toys, yet today's float gave him the first ever kayaking trifecta......yes, 3 days in a row on the river. When this fact was pointed out Kent couldn't remember how long ago he had done anything fun 3 days in a row (your honeymoon was how long ago?).

As the title of this entry states, this was a maiden voyage. We all took our lovely brides for a float on this perfect day with the temperatures in the upper 70's and the river over 6 ft. Pat and Mary rode in "Big red" the Mad River canoe, Dan and Lisa took the blue bomber kayak and Kent and Tracy were in the orange peel kayak. We put in at Pioneer Park with the destination of Knoch Knolls. Although this section does not give you the "thousand miles from nowhere" feeling that some sections do, it does provide quite a scenic view of some million dollar plus homes. The "ladies" all drooled over which was their favorite and secretly wondered why they hadn't met the guy that could afford a house like these. Just kidding girls, we all did a little drooling.

This was a day we saw numerous other kayaks and canoes, either in transport to the river or just finishing or beginning. We did not actually pass or get passed while we were on the river (maybe due to the fact we were 3 abreast...easy boys!). It may be the "magic" of the Duper that takes a hold of people and allows the mindless chatter to spill out since the fairer sex had no problem easing into participating. This was a fun day that we will need to repeat in the near future.

April 27, 2007 - a quickee

The recent rains had the river flowing with the gauge at 7.5. With Pat and Dan in the tandem and Kent in his solo we put in at Hidden Lake with the destination of Community park. The river starts out fast here and we knew this trip would be quick. The blooming plants (not onions) made the trip through the Arboretum a visual and aromatic adventure. The weather was 50'ish and cloudy but we had to get Pat his April float.

You may wonder why I have a picture of Kent from January with his wool hat and helmet but this is what he actually was wearing at the end of April (double quick on the picture for better detail). He may have misunderstood the weatherman and heard "it is 15 degrees" instead of "it is 50 degrees". All in all, a short trip with fast moving water and the usual mindless chatter.

April 22, 2007

Kent's new toys just keep flowing in like the Duper after a 2" rainfall...this time a new car with a 2 kayak, car-top carrier. A nice upgrade from the "cram one kayak in the back of the car" technique we have used many times before.

Kent and Dan put the 2 solo kayaks in at Royce Road with the destination of the DuPage River park way. The Naperville gauge was at 5.5 feet and we had no issues with low spots. The weather was in the 60's with a strong south wind, although it did not affect us much at all. The major blockage a short distance past the trout farm still exists and is bigger than ever. Our exit from the river was a little interesting and difficult as we had to climb a tree out of the river. The portage was not that far and we were back on the river in no time.

With the warm spring weather it was obvious love was in the air as we saw 2 large turtles (shells like dinner plates) mating or playing piggy back (turtle back?), we are not sure. From Kent's description, I believe he thought it was the former, not the latter. I never would have thought that turtles that large would be in the Duper, but I am always being pleasantly surprised at the wild life we get to witness. It is shame more people to do not realize what a little gem we have in our own DuPage county backyard.

April 1, 2007 - the streak hits 17, no foolin'

The recent rain increased the river to just under 6.0 feet on the Naperville gauge and although it was windy and rainy the river conditions were right to stretch the consecutive kayak-month streak to 17. Oh, yeah, it was also ideal for Kent to try out his new kayak on the river after only using it in the pool practicing Eskimo rolls. I do believe Kent realizes the Duper is only about 1.5 ft deep in most areas and I am pretty sure he will get a face full of river bottom if he attempts this new skill around here!

Inspired by the Saturday night showing of "Deliverance", we put in at Community Park in hopes of finding some adventure. As we ventured through the golf course we observed some crazy golfers out in the wind and the rain. They probably thought the same about us but we were already surrounded by water, what did we care if it was raining? Our first golf ball of the year splashed 40 yards in front of us and Kent experienced his first true riffles in his new kayak. We took out at Hidden Lake Trout farm without being blocked by the downed trees that had impaired our last trip down this stretch.