As the hardest of the snow follows exodus into the ground water and beyond,

joining the river in its triumphant run,

spring finds the aspiring rocky faces nearby

suddenly populated.

>>

In short, I joined some other students on a where the St. Croix River separates Wisconsin from Minnesota

and spent the day climbing some of the adjacent cliffs. Excellent photo op.

This was the first day above 10 degrees in a while.

Single pitch, about 5.9.

Two old-fashioned river boats, that would no doubt be full of tourists in the summer, sat dormant at the landing.

-Get outside.

written by Kalen

We had some fun and did a small T-Shirt photo shoot.  Erin is sporting one of our Door county T-Shirts we carry.  Our logo is screen printed on the front of the shirt.  We have blue and red available. To purchase our Door County T-Shirt on line, click Door County T-Shirts.

written by dwrack

Our new location at The Door County Outpost is ever evolving!

The Door County Outpost is now carrying Parallel 44 local vineyard wines, they are located in Kewaunee, WI.

So get back from your kayak tour, saddle up to the wine bar and have a wine tasting at The Door County Outpost with us.

One of there wines has a full taste of Door county cherries, though I am not a huge fan of most sweet wines and especially those trying to achieve Door County Cherry status, “door county cliche’ , the Parallel 44’s Cabernet Sauvignon changed my mind!

Cabernet Sauvignon: A European styled barrel-aged red that is full of tannins and cherry fruit flavor.

written by dwrack

This past Wednesday David, my friend Jack, and I went for a paddle down Mud Lake at the Ridges Sanctuary.

The weather was gorgeous, but the water temperature was a tad chilly at 40 degrees F.

During the trip we saw a variety of birds, frogs and fish. The Ridges Sanctuary is known for a large variety of flora and fauna in the wetlands area and boreal forest. We heard the potent call of the small spring peepers. Although we didn’t see any, they were very audiable. Frogs are indicator species, which means they are the first to be affected by pollution and changing habitat conditions. With this said, it was quite a joy to hear such an ample amount of these frogs. Besides the Spring Peeper, we heard the Western Chorus Frog, and possible echoes of the faint but resonant call of the American Toad. Also, I have included some short audio clips of the frog calls. They’re pretty easy to hear once you know what they sound like.

Spring Peeper

03-spring-peeper.m4a

Western Chorus Frog

-western-chorus-frog.m4a

American Toad

05-american-toad.m4a

In the Aves department, we had a few sightings. Although none of us are experienced birdwatchers, we managed to decipher a few species. Some of the most exciting sightings were:

Peregrine Falcon Cardinal Sucker Fish

We also thought we saw spawning salmon, only to realize that they were in fact, “large lipped” sucker fish.

As we were returning from our paddle, Jack and I decided to take the “easy” exit, while Dave decided to brave the ominous tunnel rapids. We were mystified as he flew through the spider- infested tunnel towards Moonlight Bay.

Overall, we all had a marvelous time and learned a lot. I even got to drive the kayak bus for the first time. And let me tell ya, backing up is surely an art that takes a lot of practice!

written by Sara

Runners, make sure you get an upper body work out in too!

Special $10 off for any1/2 marathon runners. Type coupon code “marathon” in coupon area when checking out.

Door County Half Marathon

When: Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 10 a.m.

Where: Peninsula State Park. This USTAF certified course starts and finishes near Nicolet Beach. The course winds through the park giving runners an opportunity to experience breathtaking views of the water, shaded areas through the woods, challenging hills and ever changing scenery throughout Door County’s most popular park.

Registration: www.doorcountyhalfmarathon.com

Nicolet Bay 5K Fun Run/Walk

When:10:30 a.m. just after the start of the half marathon.

Where: This race also starts near the beach and participants will follow the course along the water on Shore Road going around the bay past Welcker’s Point, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse to Bluff Road and back. Walkers are welcome to participate in the 5K.

written by dwrack

I’ve been thinking about little ways to promote DCKT. Tee shirts would be

awesome but i wanted to get some ideas and feed back before i started working on designs.

however bumper stickers are rather simple.

i don’t know how everyone feels about bumper stickers but I’m personally a fan.

if anyone has any suggestions, ideas, or inspirations that would be grate.

written by Rachel

Had a fun weekend traveling down to my uncles place,

We took a midnight paddle on his pond.

Then traveled on down the coast past some clear cuts, how they get away with cutting down all the trees is beyond my imagination. They also spray pesticides to kill off any leftover vegetation so that they can replant only what trees they want after they clear cut. The pesticides end up running into the rivers and contaminating the local salmon population.

The tree houses were funny as each one had its own character. It was exciting to walk around 50 feet off the ground from house to house.

The best activities other than the horse swings made from old tires were zip lines that ran from tree to ground and from tree to tree.

We were lucky to end our drive home with a few full rainbows.

written by dwrack \\ tags: , Tree houses, zip line

Here is a list of Day Tour guide gear, not all of it is mandatory or necessary, but most of the items you can use for other activities, and are good quality investments for future outdoor activities. I want to strongly encourage you to put these on your wish list, but do not expect you to own/buy them outright, as they can cost a lot. I rated them from (Mandatory…1 ——>10 Get by without) Most mandatory gear, I will have plenty extra available. Anything in bold I do expect you to have!

1. Clothing- The elements(sun, wind, cold) are energy zappers and hinder your ability to think clearly. Stay protected, stay prepared. “You only paddle as good as you look”
   1. DrySuits/Tops/Bottoms- In early season the water is cold until ~June 15(weather dependent). I usually get away with a wetsuit, because they are less expensive, last longer, and don’t look so funny. But if you are hardcore, and want to eventually paddle in Alaska, or during the late fall or early spring months these are worth every dime. (10)
   2. WetSuits- Less expensive than a drysuit, keeps you warm and comfortable during training sessions. Most of our free time to learn is during the May/June and Sept/Oct. when the water is cooler. (6) I have one or two extra, but they are quite large
   3. Rain Jacket-Light, packs into small size (3)
   4. Fleece/Poly 200-300g Pants/Top-Warm, thick and fuzzy. Great to put on after a paddling session.(3)
   5. Bathing Suit-I live in this in the summer; late june, july & august(1)
   6. Poly or wool base layers- Staying warm allows you to think more clearly(5)
   7. Rash guard- These are usually thin layers used to protect you from the sun, wick water and hold a little heat(5)
   8. Sunglasses and strap- The sun’s rays are bouncing off of the water and creating more light from different angles. PROTECT YOUR EYES! I prefer polarized, but they cost more. (1)
   9. Hat-Make it funky and make sure it doesn’t blow off in the wind(1)
2. Helmet-If you would like to get into some more adventurous situations this summer like kayak surfing or kiteboarding, this is (1), if you are not extreme inclined(10). A low-pro bike/snowboard helmet is an allowable substitution for your first year.
3. Paddle-A nice light ergonomic carbon fiber paddle is a dream to use and a nightmare on the finances.(4)We have plenty of high quality fiberglass paddles to use guiding.
4. Dry Storage- We are surrounded by water, so keeping things dry is quite necessary
   1. Roll Top Bags- Used to store extra clothes in kayak bulk head. Clear see through are preferred.(2) I have extra of these available to use during the season.
   2. Boxes- Electronics, these are kinda fun for some reason. I have a large one for my camera gear/computer. Cons=Expensive
   3. Deck Bags- To carry personal items used during the tour and have easy access to. E.g. Sunscreen, Food, Water. I am looking into finding deck bags that are waterproof backpacks as well, negating the need for extra gear.(1)
5. Footwear- I hate this category as I have not found a decent pair of water shoes to date other than my flip flops, which, for most tender feet, are unsuitable for walking/running on slippery rocks and zebra mussels.(?)
   1. Strapped sandals- (Tevas/Chacos)Don’t fall off your feet, but are a pain when a pebble or sand gets in between the shoe and your foot. Don’t keep water to close to your feet other than on the straps, so not much prunage.(3)
   2. Flip Flops/Thongs- Fall off easily, I don’t mind as I usually go barefoot(not recommended)I usually go through 2 pairs a summer @ $1.95/piece(4)
   3. Water shoes-rugged, keeps most pebbles out, but with most I have used the shoe still traps water close to your skin(8)
   4. Water walkers-Uggh, can you say “Prunage” but works well to keep your toes warm with a wet suit(7)
6. Safety
   1. Tow Rope-By far one of the most important tools of a guide. I have only found a few of these I like and they are usually overpriced. We will learn knots and line shortening techniques and make these in guide training around a camp fire.(1)
   2. Pump/Sponge- Supersoakers that we provide work just as well, but it is nice to have a sponge also.(1)
   3. Kayak skirt- Custom fit to the kayak combing(1)
      1. Neoprene-Advanced, used in surfing, rolling, whitewater(5)
      2. Nylon- Beginner, used to teach, wick water with mediocrity.(5)
      3. Mix Neoprene/nylon- Usually the best for touring and lake surfing.(1)
   4. Pea-less whistle- Communication. Not something that is fun to share with another mouth, necessary attention getter, when wind is louder than your voice. Attached to your pfd.(1)
   5. Light- I prefer a waterproof headlamp(more than just kayak use). Coast Guard requirement on every kayak when you go out 1/2 hour before sunset. Not required to be on, but required to be able to turn on easily.(1)
   6. PFD/Life Jacket- type III(1)
      1. Kokatat makes a bomber low profile jacket. Simplicity, light, long lasting, I have had a few of mine for 5 years, with minimal wear.
   7. Kayak Specific First Aid Kit- Large kit available on each bus(1), Personal/Guide kit*(1)
      1. Analgesic: i.e. Motrin or aspirin*
      2. Dramamine/Ginger candy*
      3. Betadine, iodine or alcohol swabs*
      4. Waterproof Band-aids*
      5. ACE Bandages: 1 @3″ - 5″
      6. Stretch Gauze: 1 @ 2″ - 4″
      7. Sterile Compresses
      8. Medical tape*
      9. Moleskin or Second Skin*
      10. Antibiotic Cream: i.e. Neosporin*
      11. Tweezers
      12. Intestinal Antiseptic
   8. Materials for starting a fire. Overnighters (1) Day trips(7)
   9. Compass-Good Teaching tool(3)
   10. Knife-Attached to PFD(1)
   11. Laminated Map- Good Teaching tool(3)
   12. Emergency shelter/Space Blanket- Along with extra set of clothes in case of cold water immersion.(1)
   13. Sunscreen/Lip balm - We will have a large 1 gallon jug on each bus.(1)
   14. Extra food and drinking water- A few energy bars/Gorp/dehydrated fruit/chocolate and a spare water.(1)

written by dwrack

“Ecotourism is a sustainable form of natural resource based tourism that focuses primarily on experiencing and learning about nature, and which is ethically managed to be low impact, non consumptive and locally oriented. It typically occurs in natural areas and should contribute to the conservation or preservation of such areas.”

David A Fennell, author of Ecotourism: An Introduction

written by dwrack \\ tags: ecotourism

After driving throughout the night, we made it to Mountain Home, Idaho. A small trip up to fairview and we were off the beaten path, this town reminded me of a Door County town in the Winter. Pop. 372

Jonah and I made it up to the main snowkiting location, we were a day early, and there was only two other people up and riding around the grounds.

I gave Jonah a short introduction to the trainer kite, and walked him through setting up a 12meter leading edge inflatable kite(lei)  The following few days were a blast, I was worked!

written by dwrack

Our new kayaks are changing this year. Observing feedback from our past guests and our past tours.

The new kayaks we have added this year are Ocean Kayak Zest II’s

Picture does not show rudder

Features Benefits

1. Wider More stable, builds confidence
2. Rudders Easier to maneuver and easier to get fitted
3. Sit-on-top Tan your legs, No potential to get stuck inside(thou this never happens),
4. Self-Bailing No need to pump out kayak, reduces weight of kayak, faster
5. Higher Backrests More comfortable, easier to adjust

These sit-on-top kayaks have all of the potential of the sit-in kayaks, but are that much safer.

written by dwrack \\ tags: sit-on-top kayak

The day started out with Katie, Randy and myself heading up to Mt. Hood at 7 in the morning. As we neared the Mountain, we found out why I had made a goal of not going on the weekend. There was a line of cars backed up about 5 miles…Not my idea of getting out into the wild, so a quick decision was made after an hour and a half of driving to whip a shitty and head back to grab our kites and rehead back out east to explore unkited territory.

Scooting back to our house, we did some quick research (northwest kite forum) and decided to head to hood river to scope the surrounding area, or more specifically, Mt. Dalles. It was a wild idea to think we would hit all of the variables but, as we left Portland on our second mission of the day, the sunlight appeared! That is a sign in Portland, where the sun barely shines in the winter.
Following the directions led us to a steep climb up a snowy back country gravel road. Luckily, the road was windswept enough to allow Randy’s vw to make it most of the way, with a little help from Katie and I pushing I areas. No car adventure is an adventure without some car difficulty:)

As we approached the summit, the wind had picked up to get me grinning from ear to ear. I hopped out and was running around setting up my kite, by the time I had it launched, the wind had picked up considerably. 20 minutes into my kiting, I with my helmet!!!was being dragged along the ground, dodging rocks reaching for my safety release! My kite had burst its leading edge(envisioning this is probably over the head of most readers) basically my kite broke and I had no way of controlling it other than pulling the safety release and pulling in the kite with one line.

This doesn’t happen often, but with the cold weather, the increase in wind speed, the exposed rocks(i must have hit one with the kite) and the fact that my kite is going on two years old have a lot to do with it breaking!

Luckily for me, Randy had a back up kite which was smaller, and more easily controllable in higher winds. Comparing snowkiting to kiteboarding on water, is apples and oranges. Pushing snow around is much more tiring on your legs, and so Randy and I took turns on his red 9meter Best Waroo. It took a few minutes to adjust to the speed of the kite and retime my jumps, but I eventually got it down and was boosting over the small creek.

I even got to throw in some grabs.

While Randy was riding I was able to give Katie some basic kite flying lessons on the 2meter trainer kite, she picked it up quickly and i hope to get her on a larger kite next time, although she is in Mexico now working with an organic farm.

I am getting my kite back from the repair facility in the next week. A trip to Idaho is in the planning stages. I can’t wait!

See you in the stratosphere!

David

written by dwrack

Being on the water as much as we do, we have quite a list of lost, broken, abused, and waterlogged cameras! The 2 cameras we are now using for our kayak tours photos are the Cannon SD800 with the waterproof housing, and the Optio stylus wp. We originally were using a Cannon SD 400 with the waterproof housing, but it was lost on a tour.

The Cannon SD800 IS w/Waterproof housing

Positives

• Bigger Buttons to push
• Larger and easier to find
• Takes abuse
• Takes fast pictures
• Good Quality
• View finder

Negatives

• You have to keep the inside lens of the waterproof housing clean as well as the lens of the camera you are using
• we had one of the buttons to turn on the power on the inside of the housing get free an
• old battery charger does not work with new batteries(is this an annoyance of anyone else)

The Optio Stylus WP
Positives

• Smaller
• takes good panoramic pictures
• good resistance to cold
• slips in your pocket and is not obtuse

Negatives

• Gets washed out with light easily
• Slower to take a picture(Not good, as you float by what you want to take)
• No viewfinder
• grainy images
• xd card(you need another card reader if your computer doesn’t read xd cards)
• hard to look at viewing screen with sun on it
• horrible battery life with stock battery

Tips to using a camera on the water

• Turn the camera’s options to stay on all the time, but have it shut off the display after 30seconds, that way you don’t have to turn the camera on and wait for it to load before every photo as well as it somewhat saving the batter.
• shoot with the sun at your back or to the side to reduce glare
• shoot with the sun directly in front of you if you are looking to get a great silhouette photo
• Rain-x on the outside lens of the waterproof housing will stream the water off the lens and reduce unwanted water marks on the lens.
• Attach your camera to your life jacket, but make sure that you can use it within eyes distance and that it does not impede your safety or paddle stroke or bounce around(I don’t like it hanging from my neck for very long, I like it carabinered to my pfd and laying in my lap.

written by dwrack \\ tags: cannon, optio, waterproof cameras

Are there places to camp away from the crowd and fly fish for carp in your area. I’ve heard a lot about fly fishing for them off the limestone flats of Door County but cannot find anyone with specific information as to where. Supposedly the best places are shallow rocky limestone flats that provide good habitat for crayfish and other aquatic insect life. I’d appreciate any advice,

Thanks,
woody

Woody
I have only ran into one other person who flyfished for carp, he said he loved it. There are years when I see them everywhere, knocking into the boat when they spawn, making you think they are a bunch of sharks,waiting for you to tip over and then there are years when I barely see them at all.

The best area I have seen the carp and that the other fly fisherman pointed out is Moonlight Bay, or North Bay, both being fairly shallow. There is no camping on those bays, but plenty of camping around Bailey’s Harbor(car camping). To get away from most of the peeps, I would suggest Rock Island(no car, kayak over or ferry over)or Newport state park( small hike in) reservations are recommended dependent on the time of year for both. Rock island has a few shallow areas south of the island near the jetty that might be a good area and Newport state park has a very flat decline into lake michigan. All areas on the east side of the peninsula would allow the best access to low lying flat limestone flats because of the geology of door county. Door County, the west edge of the Niagra Escarpment gives the peninsula a unique geological pattern that is similar up and down the coast. Imagine, the west coast is the edge of a bowl, which then drops off into Green Bay and the east coast is a shallow slope into Lake Michigan, which gains depth slowly.

The fly fisherman mentioned how the carp, being bottom feeders did not go after bait in the same way as other fish, but that you had to place the bait in front of their mouth for them to suck up. Once they were hooked, they provided one heck of a fight.

We will be playing with the idea of fishing from a kayak this year. Our sit-on-top rudder kayaks, would make excellent fishing kayaks, as they would make it easier to direct yourself hands free, , provide more room to handle the fish and are more stable.

Let me know what you find out!
David

written by dwrack \\ tags: Carp, Fly Fishing, Kayak Fishing, Rock Island, Sit-on-top fishing

What a beautiful day on Mt. Hood, it has been snowing for the past 2 days straight. The overused word “Epic” comes to mind. So a good friend and I have come up with some creative nomenclature of the snow and experience, we ventured around with “Puffy McPillows aka. Down McPillows and Puffy McPuferson to his close friends”. We searched the mountain for this vagabond and his supplies of pillowy powder. At one point I had gotten lost myself in a pillow fight with Down McPillows.

After a hearty bag lunch, our renewed energy pushed us toward the double black McPillows. Jonah and I skated and goofed towards the outside of the mountain and luck would have it that the Private Reserve had just been opened, with Puffy showing his well kept face everywhere. Bombarded with more pillows than a trophy wive’s Vail condo, I got stuck. My excuse…The Private Reserve is vertically challenged between the 2 jaw Dropping faces. Coming up to the final steep face, Puffy would put up the strongest showing of the day. Getting stuck with Puffy McPufferson on a powder day is like running out of tp, it happens to the best of us. So there I was, just 10 feet away of full filing my gravitational requirement of the day. I rolled, I flailed, and I rolled some more. By the time I had reached the drop, I had become covered, feathered, puffed and fluffed, I had become Puffy McPillows.

Last weeks long snow drought may have added to this linguistic hysteria. Pay no heed to the little man laughing, follow your dreams and lay your soul down on a pile of pillows.

See you on the mountain. It is still snowing

written by dwrack \\ tags: Beautiful, Mt. Hood, Powder Day, Snowboarding

While in portland, we had to find something fun and exciting to do.

written by dwrack \\ tags: Dog, Skateboarding

We had a great time listening to the Chris Irwin Concert at the Camp David Fishstock

Here are some pictures from the night.

Make sure to check out the ‘08 concerts at Camp David Fishstock Concerts

written by dwrack \\ tags: Camp David, Concert, Fish Stock

I think we brought the fun to this parade. The DCKT team filled up the kayaks with water and as the day slowly got hotter, our supersoakers started to alleviate the heat of the crowd. While we watched as children stood motionless and unexcited to the other floats handing out candy, they were screaming and begging for more when we rolled past in the “Cool” Bus. I think we were having too much fun, because we forgot to take pictures of the water fight. J ake had a interesting run-in with a camel. But otherwise there were no casualties.

written by dwrack \\ tags: 4th of July, Cool Bus, supersoakers

This is an annual bonfire festival that is fun to watch from the water, it is called Fyr Ball, not Fir Ball, or Fire Ball as I thought it was called in the past. Fyr Ball Festival is a Scandinavian festival celebrating the beginning of summer. Ephraim historical walking tours, music, crafts, food booths, fish boil, traditional Scandinavian dancers and singers. Chieftain ceremony with ceremonial bonfire-lighting, fireworks at Sunset over Eagle Harbor on Saturday Night and much more!. After the main bonfire is lit(across from the town hall) the rest of the bonfires go ablaze! This is the only photo I got of the fires, silly me, it is only of two of them, there are more around the corner of Eagle Tower.

We kayaked out from Nicolet Bay around Eagle Bluff and stayed close to the shore because of boat traffic.

We celebrated the sunset with a hoot and a paddle raise.

Said “Hi” to Tom on his Bella Sailing Sunset Cruise.

Things to consider: The coast guard requires that you take a light 1/2 hour before sunset and that it does not have to be on, but that it has to be easily accessible. Timing; the lights go up at sunset, so time your trip wisely. Check out Ephraim Kayak launch Map for more info

Join us on next years Fyr Ball Kayak Tour

written by dwrack \\ tags: Bonfire, Ephraim Fyr Ball, Sunset