Bike, Raft, Tent

every camp-out starts like this...in a messy baesment

 For several years ArcFlash has been talking about an abandoned power plant  he's been wanting check out with some camping and paddling thrown in to the mix.

Lanesboro

Found this little spot to launch

underway

spooky

 Things finally came together when Thor was pushing for a packraft, bike-pack adventure. I ran it by AF, got a kitchen pass for the weekend and the three of us were headed out.  Friday night, after a 10-12 mile ride, a couple miles of rafting we were just below the large concrete structure. In the dark we ascended the steep bank to take our place in the power plant and set camp

breakfast time

  Camping inside proved a little troublesome with the damp floor, vegetation, and open holes but was well worth the inconvenience. The next morning we paddled onward to town for breakfast a few miles downstream. From there, we spent most of the day paddling, and dodging the rain under overhanging trees. By a pure stroke of luck, it started down pouring immediately following tent set-up. It only lasted about 30 minutes, just enough time to take a nap and recharge for the rest of the evening.

dodging rain under the forest canopy 

 Dinner time was closing, the sun was shinning as if it had not rained in days, so we hopped on the bikes beelined it to the closest road and pedaled into town. Night time was typical for camping, large fire, bullshiting and adventure stories late into evening. Our final day consisted of a 25ish mile ride back to the vehicles interrupted by breakfast in Lanesboro. I'm not sure how the other guys felt, but the weekend was perfect and as I look back, I wish I was there now!

moments before rain

it's sunny aagain

there is a reason the bridge is closed

the end

D Rider........................out       

Cannon Sub-24

 Spring has sprung and I couldn't be happier, with that, I was itching to get out and do some camping, riding, paddling or whatever. Coincidentally I was sitting on three new pack-rafts that were begging to be broken-in. Thor, friend and IVC (Imperial Venture Corps) member in good standing had just purchased a raft as well, and put together a route leaving from his house that would encompass all three of the activities mentioned above.

country roads...Y wasn't real happy about cars driving by so fast but he held his line and did just fine 

closing in on camp

Cold start.....everything was covered in frost. Didn't sleep too well either, on account of giving my light weight, warmer sleeping bag to Super Y...that's Ok, I think that's what dads are supposed to do anyway, right ?

  To clarify........Alpacka raft was closing out 2016 models cheaper than I've ever seen offered....I bought three, mostly so I could plan trips in which every member of my family would make use of them. Thor also bought one on the discount.  As I was packing, (and nearly finished) Thursday night for a Friday afternoon departure, my middle son Super Y announced that his plans for a sleep over were cancelled and he would be joining us on our excursion. Great!....fortunately I had Friday off of work and spent most of the day getting his bike ready and all the gear for two of us. The thing about an overnight-er is.....it takes just as long to pack and requires the same amount of gear as a much longer trip...minus multi day supply of food. If nothing else it's a good way to learn to pack efficiently.

Starting to warm up

wait for me

  Upon meeting Friday afternoon, we set out for 10-12 miles of road riding to our camp on the Cannon River. Arriving well before dark we had time to set camp, get a fire going and really enjoy the evening chilling -out. The next morning, with our camp right on the river, we simply packed-up, aired-up, and paddled down stream towards our take-out in Northfield. We were on the water approximately two hours, cruising along with a nice current, some riffles to occasionally add excitement, and plenty of warm sunshine on our faces. At our exit , we were able to ride a little bit of single track on our way to lunch at a BBQ eatery. From there we only had 5-6 miles back to the start point, and made quick work of it.

One of several sets of riffles....fun 

Old mill...I think

I'd like to get back to this trail soon and check it out thoroughly 

  Thor's route with the addition of the fantastic lunch stop made for a really freakin' awesome sub-24 outing. I was especially impressed with SuperY for his ability to carry himself in a way befitting of a respectful, driven, and responsible young man in the company of adults...............looking forward to more outings like this................

almost home

until then, D Rider..................................out