January 1st to May 1st – Come play on this blog!
Sure, I’ve got hopes and dreams. Here’s one. I hope that between now and May, family, old friends, new friends, paddlers, history buffs and the generally adventuresome, armchair or otherwise, would jump in with feedback and suggestions. Here’s another. I hope you’ll dive in and add to my/our knowledge of the people and places along the Fort Snelling to Madeline Island river trail. And don’t forget the flora and fauna,
Flora
geology, geography, paddling conditions, art, music, and tall tales of adventure on this stretch of water. It might not be ground-breaking research but then again it might be. As interesting, I think, would be to create a collage of past and present, the political to the pleasurable – basically all things river.
Art -"special bonus points if you get this one"
I’ll set up categories for topics I’ll be writing about and where you can send in what you’ve found.
Fauna
I’ll suggest names, places, whatever and if you have an interest, let me know what you’ve turned up. Several times a week I’d like to post music or video related to rivers, lakes, paddling, or any marginal connection to this trip to amuse us all. So please, I beg you, throw your mosquito net hat into the ring and let’s have some fun with this. I’m set up for comments but soon I’ll enable the the site to receive and post longer contributions. Topics to think about:
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For Starters
Where have you been along the Ft. Snelling to Madeline Island trail?
Do you have a personal story to tell about it?
Do you have a place on the route you already know a lot about or would love to find out more?
Do you have a favorite canoe/river/lake related tune or song, photo or art/image in mind that you could send along?
Do you know someone who would be interested in following along?
Do you know anyone who would be a good person for me to talk with about this trip – a really smart person who knows stuff?
Anyhow, thanks for anything you’d like to offer up. I look forward to hearing from you.
May 1st to May 31st – Paddle along!
I plan to give you plenty of details on where I’ll be paddling and when I’ll be in a particular spot. I haven’t figured out exactly how but I’ll be in contact with Lois often and sending reports back to this site when I can get off the river and online. I’d love to have you there on the morning of the launch. And, there will be plenty of stretches along the St. Croix that would make a nice afternoon or morning paddle. It would be fun to meet up with friends and family at a few lovely spots to share a meal or an evening around the campfire. Think about it and I’ll do the same. More to follow.
Paddlin' Madeline 
Hey Corey, what a great adventure! It brings back a lot of memories of my own 1976 adventure on the island, with daughter Julie (of Bob and Julie) spending a lot of time up there as a young girl. Among my favorite recollections are some of its secrets e.g: The blue heron rookery, the old Indian trail only visible in the wintertime, and The Secret City. Let me know if you have any curiosity about them. Good Luck–you’re doing good!
Ted, Thanks for being willing share your experiences. If you have time and would like to write up some of those memories/highlights please do. I could read them, we could talk by phone/email/in person and decide what I should post in the blog. Madeline Island is a fascinating place with an amazing history and I want to be sure to include it here. CM
We were wont to paddle to that old chestnut “Slap the Squirrel into that Milk Can and Mind Yer Knuckles Whilst You Do.” Of course you couldn’t print the 5th – 9th verses here!
Ed and I used to head up to Madeline Is., anually, for Apple Fest. in October. Seeing that the apples won’t be ready (unless it takes you ’til Oct. to arrive on the Is.), perhaps you can catch some fish along the way instead…..which reminds me of a fiddle tune I wrote, called “Jiggin’ on the Riv”. Title is a play on words…yes, it’s a jig…therefore…translated as dancing a jig on the river and also fishing on the river with a jig. Have a great trip Corey!
Corey – Heard about the trip from Gabe and I hope we can paddle along with you for a bit! I sent an email to the guy I know who did the route this summer and will put you in touch as soon as I can. Enjoy the planning… it’s half the fun of a big trip!
Hi Corey,
Here is the Hydrologic predicition for the St. Croix at Stillwater.
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/period.php?wfo=mpx&gage=stlm5&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6
Nice job. Holy crap, you should quit your job ore often.
Corey,
Want a bed for a night when you are at the Osceola landing? We could feed you and put you up for a night. We are bicycle riders and kayakers. Have hosted bicycle riders in the past.
Hey Corey,
Very nice blog–great trip!