Inland Sea Kayakers: New Year's Day at Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls - New Year's Day 2002

Cold, cold, cold.

But what do we expect on New Year's Day in Minnesota? Well, it was a chilly winter day, in the teens, the sky never turning quite blue, and the sun maintaining that dull winter glow -- not bright enough to warm (or even make one think it was warming).

The cars kept pulling into the parking lot at Hidden Falls. There were fourteen ISKers, as well as a group of MCA club members and a handful of TCSKA paddlers. Some people went right to building a warming fire on the beach, sharing cookies and other treats. Others hauled boats down to the icy edge of the Mississippi and prepared to launch.

It was a good way to welcome the New Year. Some of us woke this morning thinking, "Mmm...maybe it's just too darn cold to paddle today. I think I'll stay home." But once you get out there, slide into your boat, paddle upstream towards the dam, feel the way it feels when you hold the paddle in your (cold) hands, and remember how wonderful it feels to be kayaking -- then you know it is a great way to start the New Year. Resolutions? Hah. I try not to fall into the trap of resolving things I can't readily do (less chocolate, less ice cream). But I do resolve to kayak on days when I feel sleepy and blue.