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GRAND EXCURSION BIKE RIDE TO FOLLOW
MISSISSIPPI RIVER FLOTILLA
Grand Excursion 2004 is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will travel up the
Mississippi River from the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa to the Twin Cities of St. Paul/Minneapolis from June 25 to July 5, 2004.
The Grand Excursion Bike Ride will depart Rock Island, Illinois, on
June 27 following the Grand Flotilla steamboats, and arrive in the Twin Cities for the Fourth of July weekend. A bus will return cyclists to the Quad Cities on July 5.
Cyclists for this 400-mile trip will have excellent views of the paddlewheelers while riding alongside the beautiful vistas of the bluffs of the upper Mississippi River. The ride will cover approximately 35 to 70
miles each day over somewhat hilly terrain.
Much of the route of the Grand Excursion Bike Ride follows the Mississippi River Trail, one of 16 National Millennium Trails. The MRT
follows bikeable roads and bike paths from the river's headwaters at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi River Trail Inc. is one of the major supporters of the Grand Excursion Bike Ride.
Overnight stops will coincide with the excursion boats' docking schedules to allow cyclists to enjoy the entertainment and events that will be staged at each port of call -- music festivals, re-enactment programs,
fireworks displays, hot air balloons and much more.
The $225 registration fee includes a T-shirt, breakfast in La Crosse, Wisconsin, overnight camp sites and transportation of rider's luggage
and tents from each campsite to St. Paul, Minnesota. Additional fees will be charged for return motor coach transportation to Rock Island, jerseys and dorm rooms in La Crosse. Riders are responsible for
providing their own camping gear, fees for meals and any admission charges to local events in which they choose to participate.
Overnight campground sites will be arranged in Rock Island, Savanna
and East Dubuque, Illinois; Prairie du Chien, La Crosse and Prescott, Wisconsin; and Wabasha, Red Wing and St. Paul, Minnesota.
The application deadline is June 1, 2004.
For ride details, a map of the route, a full list of community events along the way as well as the registration form, see www.grandexcursion.com. If you have questions about the application
process, call Tom Bolton at (563) 386-7157.
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WORLD'S LARGEST CANOE FLOAT ATTEMPT JUNE 27
Illinois Family and friends serving in a support capacity for Grand Excursion cyclists might consider hauling their canoes and kayaks to East Dubuque, Illinois, a day before the riders arrive on June 28.
Odds are good that among those people are many who will never win a canoe race, no matter how hard they train. But on June 27, by barely paddling, they can help set a canoe and kayak world record.
On that date, an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the largest canoe float will take place in a Mississippi River backwater in East Dubuque.
The record is 776 free-floating canoes and kayaks joined together only by their passengers holding hands. East Dubuque junior high school students hope to see a new record set by rounding up enough people
and vessels for a 1,000-boat float in Frentress Lake Marina.
The entire "raft" of canoes and kayaks must free float for at least 30
seconds without being lashed together or to another craft or jetty. The record is based on the total number of canoes and kayaks (no inflatable boats allowed) and not the number of people involved. Each canoe or
kayak must have at least one person in it, however.
As of late March, only about 30 canoeists/kayakers had registered to take part in the record setting attempt, according to East Dubuque
Junior High School guidance counselor Rick DeSanti. "It's free and preregistration is not mandatory, so we have a feeling people will just show up," he said.
DeSanti estimated getting all the boats in and out of the water would take less than three hours starting at 11 a.m. That will leave plenty of
time for participants to also enjoy Fun Day on June 27, a family-friendly street festival in downtown East Dubuque, featuring live classic rock music, games, food, children's rides and prizes.
That Sunday also happens to coincide with the annual Dubuque Catfish Festival, June 24-28, on the west side of the mighty Mississippi.
So come to set a world record and stay for the fish fry. Then head up
into the bluffs to try the Four Mounds giant swing and ropes course. For a nominal fee, participants will feel the sensation of swinging out over the
river hundreds of feet below. Sound too daring? Then watch others take flight, experience the ropes course, take in the incredible view or walk the trails along the bluffs.
To preregister for the world's largest canoe float, send your name and contact information as well as the number of canoes and kayaks you plan to bring (some will be provided) to East Dubuque Junior High
School, c/o World's Largest Canoe Float, 100 School Road, East Dubuque, IL 61025.
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ESSAY AUTHORS CAN WIN FAT TIRE RACE SPOTS
Wisconsin Perhaps, the luck of the draw left you on the losing end of this year's Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival registration lottery. Well, don't count yourself out of September's off-road action just yet.
After the March 15 Chequamegon registration drawing, the lucky ones found that they were one of the 2,500 selected to ride. Those who fell into the less than lucky category had their entries returned. This year a
record number of over 700 entries were returned to unlucky applicants. Yet, another group of race-day hopefuls may have missed the lottery drawing altogether or may have just learned of the Chequamegon
festivities. At this point they are all asking, "How the heck can I get in this event?"
Don't give up all hope if you are still looking for one of the coveted race
spots. Sharpen your pencils, take out your best pens or fire up the keyboard. Let the event organizers know why you would like to participate in the sold out 2004 event and you may yet get that chance.
The authors of the 50 winning submissions in the "50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon" essay contest will be awarded a reserved registration for the nation's most popular off-road bicycle event September 17-19.
Whether you send along a "Take me please" letter, a short poem, parodied song lyric, photo montage, a story with a two-wheeled topical
flair, personal motivational episodes, top 10 list or the like, you still have a chance to ride in this September's sold out Chequamegon extravaganza.
Essays must be legible, 500 words or less and be postmarked to the Chequamegon office no later than July 1. Shortly after that date, the essay submissions will be judged and the winners selected. All
participants entering the contest will be notified of the outcome by July 15. The decision of the judges is final in this last-chance-at-an-entry-spot essay contest. All essays become property
of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival and may be reproduced at some future time.
To be included in this year's "50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon" essay
contest, postmark your essay to Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, P.O. Box 267, Cable, WI 54821 by July 1.
For further information about this year's event, see www.cheqfattire.com
or e-mail the Chequamegon office at cheqfat@cheqnet.net.
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A CONTEST FOR CHEQUAMEGON COURSE CLEANUP, TOO
Wisconsin Whether your responsible trail use mantra is "leave no trace" or "tread lightly," the concept is similar. After using a trail for any reason, the right thing to do is to leave it cleaner than you found it when you
started. To facilitate that responsible use philosophy at this year's Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, Clif Bar has once again stepped up to support the Chequamegon Clif Bar Cleanup Crew.
Chequamegon off-road cyclists are encouraged to pack out what they pack in. But inevitably after 2,500 riders have passed over the 50-plus miles of the backwoods race course, some debris is left in their wake.
Add that to the already existing refuse from other trail user groups and you have a perfect opportunity for responsible trail advocacy.
Enter the Chequamegon Clif Bar Cleanup Crew. Dispersed in small
teams, the 14-person volunteer crew patrols various sections of the race day routes. Their task is to leave the trail cleaner than it was before the
racers came through. Due to their efforts, when the day is done, you would be hard pressed to notice that a race of thousands had earlier passed through the woods.
You can be a part of the Chequamegon event's effort to clean up after itself. Crew positions are selected via a short essay submission. To be
considered for the crew, complete the statement, "I want to be on the Chequamegon/Clif Bar Cleanup Crew because ...." Written statements should be postmarked by July 1 to the Chequamegon race office. After
that date the cleanup crew chief Irv Berlin will select the participants from among the applications submitted. All participants will be notified
by July 15 of the crew selection and receive further instructions about the race day assignment.
Crew sponsor Clif Bar will reward the volunteer cleanup crew members
for a job well done. Each participant will receive an assortment of Clif Bar apparel, including a Clif Bar cycling jersey and a selection of Clif Bar and Clif Shot products. In addition, guaranteed reserved
registrations will be sent to each crew member for the 2005 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival.
Gain a new perspective on the nation's most popular off-road event,
while you do something good for the trails you use. Join the Chequamegon Clif Bar Cleanup Crew. You'll be glad you did.
Essays should be sent by July 1 to Chequamegon/Clif Bar Cleanup
Crew, P.O. Box 267, Cable, WI 54821, or you can e-mail your submission to cheqfat@cheqnet.net.
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STATE PARK SYSTEM CONTRIBUTORS AWARDED
Wisconsin The Wisconsin State Park System recently presented awards to parks staff, volunteers, organizations and businesses that have made significant contributions to managing and protecting Wisconsin state
parks over the past three years.
The awards were presented at a parks conference held in Wisconsin Dells on March 25-26. The conference, attended by state park, forest,
recreation area and trail staff, is held every other year and focuses on important park and outdoor recreation management issues. This year's conference boasted the highest attendance ever with over 200 participants.
"These awards provide a great opportunity to honor these individuals and organizations for their exemplary service to the State Park System,"
says Mike Willman, Wisconsin State Park System director. "Their dedication to protecting our natural resources as well as providing outstanding recreational opportunities has not only been appreciated by
myself, but also by our 14 million annual visitors."
The specific award criteria along with the individual winners are as follows:
Property of the year This award recognizes the state park property that
depicts great staff hospitality, strong team effort, high quality of maintenance program, responsible budget and revenue control and a well-designed signing program.
2001: Lake Wissota State Park
2002: Hartman Creek State Park
2003: Kohler-Andrae State Park
Distinguished service This award recognizes outstanding achievements and professional excellence in the State Park System by field, central
office, committees and non-department groups.
2001: Jean Rygiel (West Central Region Park and trail manager)
2002: Jim Buchholz (Kohler-Andrae State Park)
2003: Mike Willman (State parks director)
Employees of the year This award recognizes the outstanding achievements and service given to the state parks program by individual staff members.
2001: David Borsecnik (Dane County work team); Marion Forrer
(Lake Kegonsa State Park); David Benish (camping program manager); Joan Neis (Kettle Moraine-Northern Unit); Jackie Scharfenberg (Kettle Moraine-Northern Unit)
2002: Cynthia Mueller (High Cliff State Park); Scott Johnson (Wyalusing State Park); Jim Keegan (budget manager/financial officer)
2003: Darlene Reeson (Yellowstone Lake State Park)
Volunteers of the year This award recognizes outstanding service and commitment to the State Park System by a volunteer who has contributed more than 20 annual hours of service.
2001: Sue Eiler (Hartman Creek State Park)
2002: Robert Leaverton (Kettle Moraine-Pike Lake Unit); Paul Mozina and Pati Holman (Kettle Moraine-Southern Unit); Larry Koth (Kettle Moraine-Southern Unit)
2003: Gary Birch (Lake Kegonsa State Park)
Trail of the year This award recognizes the state trail that depicts strong team effort, high-quality maintenance program, responsible budget and
revenue control, and a well-designed signing program.
2001: Sugar River State Trail
2002: La Crosse River and Elroy-Sparta state trails
2003: Chippewa River State Trail
Exceptional program support This award recognizes DNR employees who do not work within the State Park System but assist and support park program efforts.
2001: Ken Anderson (Southeast Region construction representative), Milwaukee
2002: Mike Ries and Mike Blodgett (West Central Region Land Services), Eau Claire
2003: Linda Williams (Northeast Region forest health specialist), Green Bay
Sponsor This award recognizes significant contributions to state parks,
forests, trails and recreation programs by individuals not employed by the DNR who have made special efforts to work with, support and promote the statewide parks system.
2001: Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club, Greenbush; Laacke & Joys Inc., Milwaukee
2002: High Cliff Harbor Commission, Sherwood; Michael Martin Murphey, Taos, N.M.
Promotions This award recognizes organizations who have publicized information that reflect well on the State Park System and encourage customers to use and enjoy the state parks, forests, trails and recreation
areas to a greater extent.
2001: WLUK-TV Fox 11, Green Bay
2002: Wisconsin State Journal, Madison
2003: Onalaska Center for Commerce and Tourism, Onalaska.
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'SHAPE UP WISCONSIN KIDS' SET FOR MAY 12
Wisconsin Shape Up Wisconsin Kids, an annual event that promotes regular, lifelong physical activity, will take place on Wednesday, May 12, in K-8 schools throughout Wisconsin.
Administrators from K-8 schools statewide are urged to register now for the May 12 event, which challenges children to sustain at least 30 minutes of continuous aerobic activity on that day. The goal this year is
to increase participation to more than 100,000 students.
A coordinator from each school organizes its own aerobic activity, registers online or by fax with the number of children participating, and
reports back the results the following day. Schools reporting 100 percent participation are eligible for a drawing in which three schools are randomly selected to win $5,000, $3,000 or $1,000. The drawing will
take place Friday, May 14.
Last year more than 50,000 children from more than 200 schools participated. The three schools winning cash prizes were Glenn
Stephens Elementary in Madison, St. Joseph School in Cadot and Westfield Elementary School in Westfield.
Schools may register online at www.SportsInWisconsin.com or print off
the form on the Web site and fax it to (608) 226-9550.
For more information, contact Nicole Mueller, health education director for the Wisconsin Sports Development Corp., at (608) 226-4780, Ext 231 or e-mail nmueller@SportsInWisconsin.com.
Sponsors of Shape Up Wisconsin Kids include the Ho-Chunk Nation, AT&T, and Wausau Insurance Cos.
Shape Up Wisconsin Kids is a health-education program of the Wisconsin Sports Development Corp. and takes place every May in conjunction with National Health and Fitness Week. WSDC is a
nonprofit sports management organization that helps develop sports tourism in Wisconsin and promotes positive lifestyles and physical fitness through amateur athletic events and health-education programs.
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SPREAD EAGLE BARRENS
Wisconsin There is a place in far northeastern Wisconsin that is sensational for trail running, mountain biking and hiking. It's nearly 8,000 acres, stunningly beautiful, hilly, full of wildlife and very accessible. This
state-owned cornucopia of trails and public land is named the Spread Eagle Barrens.
These barrens are managed by prescribed burns, and therefore laced
with plenty of fire break roads. Many of these roads loop, but aren't marked with trial maps or mile markers. Those who find adventure in exploring new areas on their own will love it. Spread Eagle Barrens is
bisected by the Pine River, one of only three state-designated wild rivers in Wisconsin.
Some destinations on the barrens could include Sand Lake beach, Pine
River and Lepage Creek overlooks, various small secluded lakes in the Frog Lake segment and the abandoned railroad bridge over the Menominee River. There is camping, lodging and dining in nearby
Florence and good bike shops in nearby downtown Iron Mountain.
Each year the Friends of the Florence Wild Rivers Resource Center host a Barrens Fun Run in Spread Eagle Barrens. It's an awesome trail,
challenging and beautiful, with a 12K run and a 6.8K run-walk. This event, as with the barrens, has been a sleeper with only 50 to 100 participants annually, but growing.
This year's Barrens Fun Run will be held Saturday, Sept. 4, at 8 a.m. For maps or more information on Spread Eagle Barrens and the Barrens Fun Run, contact the Florence County Wild Rivers Resource Center at
715/528-5377.
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'EUROPE IN YOUR BACKYARD' BIKE TOUR
TO SHOWCASE SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Europe in Your Backyard is a multiday, fully supported bicycle event celebrating the European cuisine and culture of southwest Wisconsin. It will be held Oct. 3-8 beginning in the city of Fitchburg,
west of Madison, and proceeds will benefit the Second Harvest Foodbank of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation.
The tour promises fun, camaraderie and adventure while riding through
unique communities rich in history and cultural tradition, including New Glarus, Monroe, Mineral Point, Dodgeville, Spring Green and Fitchburg.
Enjoy European cuisine based on recipes passed from generation to
generation, cultural performances sharing regional folklore, and wonderful rolling, scenic terrain.
The Europe in Your Backyard tour offers 25 to 55 miles of riding per
day and riders will have the option to ride additional miles each day. Cyclists will be routed on beautiful, ride-tested routes, provided daily written directions with maps, and ensured stays in clean, comfortable
hotels and inns. Quality breakfasts and dinners are included.
Experienced and friendly support staff will assist along the way, including bike mechanics in rolling bike shops, a multivan SAG support system
with daily water and snack stops, and luggage transportation from hotel to hotel. Tour coordinator Samantha Iverson, based in Dodgeville, says there is no need for sleeping on the ground, no reservations, no gear or
panniers to carry, no chuck wagon meals, no route planning and no headaches or confusion.
The event is co-sponsored by one of the nation's largest recumbent
bicycle suppliers, Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, Cycle Ventures International based in Madison, Stoton Cycle in Stoughton, the Bank of New Glarus and Land's End in Dodgeville. In addition, local chambers
of commerce and community banks are cooperating to showcase quality, authentic European experiences in their communities.
To ensure a top-quality tour, the event will be limited to the first 125
registrants. Online registration and complete information is available at www.bikewi.com or call 888/804-0688. Tour coordinator Samantha Iverson may be reached at 501 West Chapel St., Dodgeville, WI
53533 or by e-mailing Samantha@bikewi.com.
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BACKPACKING, ORIENTEERING WORKSHOPS OFFERED
Wisconsin People interested in building confidence hiking through the woods with a map and compass or in learning basic backpacking skills can attend coming workshops at the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center.
An "Orienteering: Fun with Compass and Map" course will be held the weekend of May 1-2.
Participants will learn how to navigate in the outdoors with a compass and map and enjoy several practice runs on the compass courses. On the second day, participants test their newfound skills on a
cross-country trek of several miles they design.
Participants should bring a lunch and refreshments. Orienteering compasses will be supplied if participants do not have them.
Participants will be responsible for arranging their own lodging. Camping and motels are available nearby and Outdoor Skills Center staff can help out.
Registration is limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis and is confirmed by mailing in a registration fee of $20 per person by April 30.
"Backpacking for Beginners" will feature expert backpacker Lin Peterson, who will teach the basics of backpack camping on May 8-9 from 10 a.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday. Participants will learn what to
carry, how to pack it and where to go. The center will supply a backpack, tent and cooking tools and join participants on an overnight backpacking adventure inside Sandhill Wildlife Area. Participants are to
bring their own hiking boots, clothing and personal gear.
Registration was limited to 12 people, ages 16 and up on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration and receipt of the $75 per person fee
was due April 10. Fee included equipment rental and four meals.
Participants for either workshop may stay over in the Sandhill dorm either before or after the workshop for a donation of $15 per person per night.
Checks should be made out to DNR-Skills Center. Include the name of each participant and the address and daytime phone number of one person in each party. Send the registration fee to: Sandhill Outdoor
Skills Center, P.O. Box 156, Babcock, WI 54413.
Inquiries on the status of registrations may be sent via e-mail to Sandra.Green@dnr.state.wi.us. More information on the Sandhill
Outdoor Skills Center can be found on DNR's Web site. Use the search engine found at the top of the home page and type in key word "sandhill."
The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center is located 20 miles west of Wisconsin Rapids on County Highway X, one mile north of State Highway 80 near Babcock, Wisconsin, on the 9,000-acre DNR
Sandhill Wildlife Area. The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center can be reached at (715) 884-6333 or (715) 884-2437.
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'LIGHTEN UP, WISCONSIN'
Wisconsin Midpoint weigh-ins for the Lighten Up Wisconsin program report that the health initiative has helped over 1,709 Wisconsinites lose 8,403.6 pounds since January 12. Lighten Up Wisconsin is a five-month
team challenge that encourages team members to work together to form dietary and exercise habits that will last a lifetime. Collective weight loss of the entire team is the measurable result.
"We are extremely excited about the midpoint results," said Nicole Mueller, director of health education at Wisconsin Sports Development Corp. "Lighten Up Wisconsin has helped nearly 2,000 people take
control of their health and lose a significant amount of weight in only three months."
Lighten Up focuses on small, realistic changes in diet and exercise that
result in weight loss. The team approach ensures that individual weight remains anonymous, and encourages better choices, like going for a walk at lunch instead of driving to a restaurant, which help increase
activity and improve workplace relationships.
Throughout the five-month program, participants receive weekly health, dietary and fitness tips to help them reach their goals. The final weigh-in
is on June 11. The team that loses the most weight as a percentage of their starting weight at the end of the five months will be recognized at the Badger State Games opening ceremony June 25, in Verona,
Wisconsin. All teams and the public are encouraged to participate in the Lighten Up Wisconsin Walk prior to the opening ceremony to celebrate these accomplishments. The walk/run is a part of the Badger State
Games and offers 5K and 10K distances.
Charter Communications, the Ho-Chunk Nation and Z104 are sponsors of the program. For more information about Lighten Up Wisconsin and the Lighten Up Wisconsin Walk, visit www.SportsInWisconsin.com or
call (608) 226-4780, Ext. 231.
The Wisconsin Sports Development Corp. is a nonprofit sports management organization that helps develop sports tourism in Wisconsin
and promotes positive lifestyles and physical fitness through amateur athletic events and health-education programs. WSDC owns the Badger State Games, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and health-education
programs. It hosts the Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon and ESPN's Great Outdoor Games.
WILL YOU ACCEPT THE GOVERNOR'S SPRING CHALLENGE?
Ron Vincent, executive director of the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation, will join Governor Jim Doyle to kick-off the Wisconsin Governor's Challenge, a six-week program designed to inspire
individuals to become more physically active.
"I'm happy to join Gov. Jim Doyle in kicking off the governor's challenge. This program is an excellent way for Wisconsin adults and
kids to get active and on the road to better health," Vincent said.
He went on to say it is the mission of the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation to help everyone in Wisconsin develop
positive, healthy lifestyles. "Hosting the Wisconsin Governor's Challenge helps us fulfill our mission, as does our other programs Shape Up Wisconsin and Lighten Up Wisconsin. We can improve business
productivity, improve children's academic performance, and reduce our state's health care costs significantly with a daily dose of physical activity and small changes to our diets."
Wisconsin residents can go to www.wisconsinchallenge.org and accept the Governor's Spring Challenge by registering themselves and their family, friends or co-workers. They can then use the Web site to
record their activity on a daily or weekly basis. Those who don't use the Internet can earn the award by filling in a paper log.
The program is a partnership among the Governor's Office, the
Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation, and Trek Bicycle Corporation. The Wisconsin Governor's Challenge is an easy-to-use and free program designed to encourage everyone in Wisconsin to get active.
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FRIENDS OF MINNESOTA INTERSTATE PARK ORGANIZE
Minnesota A new organization, Friends of Minnesota Interstate Park, has formed to provide public support and guidance for Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls. At a February organizational meeting, the group
discussed its vision for the park, the organization's goals and activities, and heard from park manager Larry Buchholz about the pending new management plan.
Interstate State Park, the second oldest and one of the most visited state parks, is a rare jewel and a major defining aspect of Taylors Falls and its
environs. Many things are happening that will have an effect on the park and its use, including the growing metropolitan population and resulting development, demands for outdoor recreation, the extension of the
Swedish Immigrant and other bicycle and hiking trails to Taylors Falls.
The organization will support and promote the park as the important part of the community that it is, provide suggestions for park
improvements and uses, sponsor park events from time to time, be involved with volunteer activities in the park, and in many ways be similar to existing friends groups.
For more information, contact Mike Prichard, 1113 N. Hamilton St., St. Croix Falls, WI 54024; or e mail prichard .mike@dorsey.com.
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BOOK TELLS 'TRUE STORIES OF CANOEISTS IN TROUBLE'
Nothing brings you closer to the awesome beauty of nature or its perils than a wilderness canoe trip. Trouble strikes at lightning speed and makes quick work of the unprepared, inexperienced or unobservant
paddler. In Up the Creek, experienced canoeists confess their mistakes in true tales of hypothermia, near drowning, being stranded, close encounters with rapids and wildlife, injuries and more.
In Up the Creek: True Stories of Canoeists in Trouble and the Lessons Learned (February 2004; $12.95 paperback),readers will meet the canoeists who shoved off without one of their paddles and were quickly
swept into roaring, rock-strewn rapids; the couple who tried to run unfamiliar rapids in a new and untested boat; and the cook who nearly drowned after preparing Thanksgiving dinner. These real-life stories
drive home the importance of safety issues and what can happen when they are ignored.
Says author Doug McKown, "I have stories describing problems that
arose from insufficient planning, lack of experience, insufficient skills, excess confidence, weather surprises, equipment failure, lack of communication, complacency, random acts of nature, or judgment
mishaps, just to name a few. While the stories are entertaining, and have the attraction of very good human interest content, each and every one has a lesson to be learned. Some of the stories are funny, and some of
the stories are scary, but they all demonstrate how the simplest mistake can have the most serious consequences. This, of course, is the objective of the book."
Readers will also find true tales of injury, fire, equipment failure, bear encounters, violent storms, entertaining and instructive stories from accomplished canoeists and insights on how to anticipate and avoid
canoeing mishaps.
The foundation principles of canoeing safety and judgment emerge from these stories, whose contributors include Mel Baugha, Tom Brown, Jim
Buckingham, Toni Harting, Cliff Jacobson, Sara Seager, Hap Wilson and many others.
Doug McKown, the book's editor, is a former director of the canoeing
program at the Banff National Army Cadet Camp. He is a certified canoe instructor and experienced canoe tripper.
From the introduction: Hopefully these stories will help us all understand
how easy it is to make a serious misjudgment, though that doesn't mean we will be able to prevent them all. Incidents aren't inevitable. The key to minimizing their consequences is early recognition and bringing the
appropriate resources to bear that is, safety awareness and preplanning. No matter how potentially disastrous an incident is, the severity of the consequences can usually be reduced with a timely intervention.
Paddlers who maintain a constant awareness regarding their actions and their environment will be able to recognize when a bad decision is made or something is going wrong, and will intervene early with the necessary
resources. Awareness is the key to safe canoeing. The earlier the recognition and the intervention, the better the outcome. When faced with a potentially disastrous situation, if every aspect of your intention
goes perfectly, you will experience no more than a close call, grist for campfire tales. You will have survived an incident that had the potential
for disaster. Recognizing when you experience a close call may be the most important learning you can do.
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ILLINOIS PARK IMPROVEMENTS FUNDED
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich recently announced the release of more than $7.7 million in state funds from 2002 and 2003 capital funds for a series of improvement projects at state parks and facilities managed by
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The capital improvement projects include:
Beaver Dam State Park, Macoupin County, $730,000 to install a new
sewage treatment facility serving the park's campground, shower building, concession building and site office. The 750-acre park surrounding Beaver Dam Lake is located south of Carlinville in central Illinois.
Fox Ridge State Park, Coles County, $160,000 for the first phase of a project to plan and begin replacement of the emergency spillway at Ridge Lake within the park, located on the Embarras River near
Charleston in east central Illinois.
Pere Marquette State Park, Jersey County, more than $1.7 million to renovate and rehabilitate facilities at the Pere Marquette Lodge
complex. The popular lodge is a centerpiece of the 8,000-acre park overlooking the Illinois River near Grafton in southwest Illinois.
Siloam Springs State Park, Adams and Brown counties, $1.2 million for
design and construction of a new office and service building and conversion of the existing building for equipment storage. The 3,323-acre Siloam Springs State Park is located near Clayton, east of
Quincy, on the Adams-Brown county line in west-central Illinois.
Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Tazewell County, $500,000 to stabilize 1.5 miles of the lake shoreline to prevent further erosion and
levee damage. The 2,000-acre site, featuring the 1,285-acre Spring Lake, is located on the east side of the Illinois River just north of Manito in central Illinois.
White Pines Forest State Park, Ogle County, $50,793 to begin planning and design of a renovation of the White Pines Lodge and $100,000 to begin planning and design for a replacement of the park's sewer system.
The lodge complex is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 385-acre White Pines Forest State Park is located near Mt. Morris, west of Oregon in northern Illinois.
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