Midwest Paddle Trip

**Mule** · 06-29-2008, 10:04

Originally Posted by Peter_pan

skskinner,

Very nice work....

However, if you consider a V2 or other decide to follow suit....Placing the stick on Omnitape( better to use barge cement) on the sides of the gunnels vs the top will put two 90* right angles in the cover which will more than double the holding strength of the omni tape... same principle as the JRB FLOT mod and the JRB DTEPC...

Pan

Yes, Pan, I thought long and hard on that before committing to just using the gunwales. I just hated to rough up the surface of the hull as opposed to the surface of the plastic gunwales, but the barge cement may become an option if this does not hold. Thank you for your great ideas, as usual. Steve

**Mule** · 06-29-2008, 10:13

Sorry I didn't have a sexier model to show off my spray skirt but Karen refuses to get her picture taken.

**animalcontrol** · 06-29-2008, 10:40

Originally Posted by canoebie

Now for the real treat. I also bring a 20 pound, yes that's right, pounds of weight, Moss outfitter parawing that will allow us to cook over the fire and sit with protection from the rain. It really makes a difference in the event of three or four days of rain.

So, that sums it up. Dave, I would encourage a little paradigm shift for you. Weight is really not an issue. I am bringing a 35 pound grill set up to cook on, real pots and pans, dutch ovens, dishpans, etc. With a large group, the room, the ability to transport the weight with little effort, it really does make for a luxurious river trip.

David

I too, would need a shift. The ability to carry so much might just spoil me.

Since you mentioned cooking

, are we going solo or combining as one big cook group? If fine either way (but I admit I would like to learn how the "other" side lives!!) Once, we get closed and nail down who all is coming, we could explore this further.

Andy

**canoebie** · 06-29-2008, 18:14

Originally Posted by animalcontrol

I too, would need a shift. The ability to carry so much might just spoil me.

Since you mentioned cooking

, are we going solo or combining as one big cook group? If fine either way (but I admit I would like to learn how the "other" side lives!!) Once, we get closed and nail down who all is coming, we could explore this further.

Andy

As with everything, there are pros and cons each way. My ww and I on a couple of occasions have simply put everything in our frame packs for a canoe trip and with one trip up, we were unloaded. On other occasions we take tables and chairs, similar to what Neo describes. We do carry coolers as well, however I don't much like the idea of balancing one on a kayak as Neo describes. He is more of a man than me!!!

As far as food goes, I would like to show you all the "other side." We would have a couple of options. I can pack food for breakfast and dinners, split the cost with all of you. Or, we could divide into food groups, dividing responsibilities for meals, though this can be a logistical nightmare. Or finally, we could all just fend for ourselves. My preference would be a compromise, in that we do breakfast and dinner as a group, and with the help of all, we can prepare some kick *** dutch oven meals. Then we can do lunches on our own.

I have a group of men I canoe 4 days over Memorial day with every year, we went to college together at Manchester College, and this last year was our
31st annual trip. We have paddled in eight states and done 22 different rivers. We cook communally for breakfast and dinner and have lunches on our own. There were 12 of us this last year, and it worked out fine.

I have tried and true Dutch Oven recipes and unless someone would prefer otherwise would be glad to plan the meals. However, I will not be the schlepp and I will recruit, no demand, help with preparation, cooking, and clean-up. I do that with groups who pay me dearly to go out there. I emphasize that the experience is very participatory.

Again, this is just a suggestion. This trip belongs to each and every one of us, and if someone prefers to do it differently, I am open to that. I will be glad however, to show you the "other side". It has cherry crisp, lasagna, porkchops, baked potatoes, peach cobbler, and mountain man breakfast simmering hot waiting for you. I will guarantee the shovel will get used in the mornings. (smile)

David

**Mule** · 06-29-2008, 19:14

David, That sounds like a tasty plan. I like it. Steve

**canoebie** · 06-29-2008, 19:24

Originally Posted by skskinner

David, That sounds like a tasty plan. I like it. Steve

Hey Mule ya got me turned on to sewing dude!! I bought 8 yards of rip stop nylon at JoAnn Fabrics today for $1.50/yd. I am going to start with a belly cover for my boat and go from there. I am looking at using snaps. My ww is going to help me. Just what I need, something else to eat up my time. (smile)

You are just nothing less than an inspiration!

David

**animalcontrol** · 06-29-2008, 19:28

OMG, what a plan! As far as help, my services will be at your beck and call.
Nature as in everthing, can teach us all a thing or two. Dave, on this trip, the very leaset you can teach me is how a true canoer throws a breakfast/dinner spread out!
I look forward to my education.

**Mule** · 06-29-2008, 20:02

David, Good luck with your project. Now that I have velcro'd everything in place I could easily drill right through everything and add snaps myself. That may be the way to go, but I will give this a try for awhile. By the way, I taped the fabric to my canoe, then took a marker and marked the edge. That way when I sewed the hem it was nearly perfect. You could do the same or if you come up with something different let me know. Dave is wanting to do his canoe now too. I bet it will help big-time with wind, too. Mule

**GrizzlyAdams** · 06-29-2008, 20:24

Originally Posted by canoebie

As with everything, there are pros and cons each way. My ww and I on a couple of occasions have simply put everything in our frame packs for a canoe trip and with one trip up, we were unloaded. On other occasions we take tables and chairs, similar to what Neo describes. We do carry coolers as well, however I don't much like the idea of balancing one on a kayak as Neo describes. He is more of a man than me!!!

As far as food goes, I would like to show you all the "other side." We would have a couple of options. I can pack food for breakfast and dinners, split the cost with all of you. Or, we could divide into food groups, dividing responsibilities for meals, though this can be a logistical nightmare. Or finally, we could all just fend for ourselves. My preference would be a compromise, in that we do breakfast and dinner as a group, and with the help of all, we can prepare some kick *** dutch oven meals. Then we can do lunches on our own.

I have a group of men I canoe 4 days over Memorial day with every year, we went to college together at Manchester College, and this last year was our
31st annual trip. We have paddled in eight states and done 22 different rivers. We cook communally for breakfast and dinner and have lunches on our own. There were 12 of us this last year, and it worked out fine.

I have tried and true Dutch Oven recipes and unless someone would prefer otherwise would be glad to plan the meals. However, I will not be the schlepp and I will recruit, no demand, help with preparation, cooking, and clean-up. I do that with groups who pay me dearly to go out there. I emphasize that the experience is very participatory.

Again, this is just a suggestion. This trip belongs to each and every one of us, and if someone prefers to do it differently, I am open to that. I will be glad however, to show you the "other side". It has cherry crisp, lasagna, porkchops, baked potatoes, peach cobbler, and mountain man breakfast simmering hot waiting for you. I will guarantee the shovel will get used in the mornings. (smile)

David

I'm with the program, c'ptain.

Grizz

**d-p** · 06-30-2008, 14:34

hey micheeeeegunnnerrrs with paddlezzzzz,

Since we have a couple a Daves, I, ''dplant'' will adopt the handle of CamperDaver? Got that with my bicycle camping daze. Sort'a stuck in a "few" places. Plus, I liked it. Penned a newsletter column about bi-CYCLECAMPING wit CamperDaver

Food? I vote for each person packing their own. Helps a lot with no-shows, appetites, tastes, and pricing? Course I know ... NONE a "u" would ever be a "no-show" Plus, CampBeans and Sardines get old after 10-12 meals. Ohhhhhh wait ,,,,,, did someBODY mention "peach cobbler"? Tell ya' what ............. Chef Peachie do his thing and put a price on it?

Gear? hey you guys load up with what ever? Me? My 40* Base Weight is 8 pounds. Pack, Shelter, Bedroom, Kitchen, and all the SillyStuff I think I might need. 8 pounds BASE weight; That's no food, fuel, or water. I've poured and poured and spent and spent to arrive at this backpacking/cyclecamping weight.
AND
Rest assured (ask the Mule) I'm a "neither a borrower or a lender". I"ll share at a camp fire how I came to be said.

Gear weight? Check out Backpacking Light .com and you might become a convert to "Light is Right" ?

So, there is my two cents with the Food and Gear ...

Later, my bicycle is calling me to "use and abuse" her ...
CD