MnGCA

[bflentje]

Never too early to start planning.

Tentative date for the 3nd annual event is Saturday 08-21-2010. Secondary date in the event my wife says no is Saturday 08-28-2010.

I am open to suggestions as to a potential location change but having the event on the Cannon is just WAY too convenient.

[speedysk1]

Since I voted for a new venue, how about Minnehaha Creek? I've never gone down it, but I've been told it's a nice trip. I know there's loads of caches along the route too.
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Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

[TheGilby4]

[Kurt Franke]

I've got no opinion about where to hold this years event. Just want to put in a good word for the MN State Canoe/Kayak Routes. Any of those rivers/locations could be considered I would think.

BTW, there is a really nice 3-4 hour paddle on the Sauk River, starting at Eagle Park in Rockville and ending at Anton's in Waite Park. This would be a good option if your interested.

Kurt
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Jerry Jempson

[bflentje]

[bflentje]

Last year, well over half the paddling event attendents rented boats. That leads me to believe that the event will have to take place on a river with an outfitter. The options, along with my opinion, are the following:

Big Fork River: Way too far north.
Cannon River: outfitters in Cannon Falls and Welch.
Cloquet River: Too far north.
Crow Wing River: too far north.
Little Fork River: Way too far north.
Minnesota River: In Watson, too far west. No outfitters in or around metro.
Mississippi River: Area on river with outfitters too far north, south of Saint Cloud the river is too dangerous for an event.
Pine River: Too far north.
Root River: Too far south, but in the future I have my eye on this river.
Rum River: This might work but I am reluctant because it's far enough away for me where I couldn't effectively pre-manage the event.
St. Croix River: Same as Mississippi.. the safer zone on the river to have an event is too far north.
St. Louis River: Too north.
Vermillion River (not the one in Dakota County): Way too far north.
Zumbro River: This river has potential as it's only 10-20 miles further south than Cannon Falls. Scouting for event AND cache locations needs to take place.

Anyone with river experience on the Rum or Zumbro rivers please step forward. Are there viable event space at top or bottom? Are there hidey holes ON the river as river banks are MOSTLY private property?

[speedysk1]

FWIW, I am fine with any venue. Cannon Falls was a great spot too. I was just tossing out Minnehaha Creek.
_________________
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

[bflentje]

[TheGilby4]

[Moe the Sleaze]

Just curious, why do you consider all of the Mississippi south of St. Cloud to be too dangerous?
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"Hi, I'm Moe, or as the women know me - Hey! You in the bushes."
-Moe, The Simpsons

[EPMinnesota]

I've paddled the Minnehaha and have seen others do it but not much within the past few years, well maybe spring about 3 or 4 years ago as the water receded after excessive spring rains. Other than that the water levels have been just too low. It's a great route though. I wish I had been caching back when I did it!

[qwerty2582]

Last year was the first time I had attended the event, and I had a great time. But I didn't have anywhere near enough time to get all the caches... so I'll definitely have enough to go after another year, but I totally understand the desire to move, especially for people who have done it twice already.

In other words, the Cannon river is great, but moving it would be great too! It's the people that make the event great of course!

[bflentje]

[ArcherDragoon]

[andrewmcc]

My daughter works for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), maybe we could get to crack open the dam for a day
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Dinnae fash yersel (don't worry yourself)