Day 2
A hazy blue sky, high wispy clouds, river running good and fast, 100 people 60 boats, friendly volunteers, good food, historic and scenic sites, a newly established water trail = a great day.
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Canoe Van Buren, 2004
It was once again a great year for Canoe Van Buren, the canoe float from Selma to
Farmington through Van Buren County, Iowa. The trip covered 40 miles on the Des
Moines River over 2 days. Check out the Scenic Van Buren
County Water Trail page for more on the history and attractions of the county, and
images from previous Canoe Van Buren adventures.
Saturday, July 10
SELMA
We arrived at Selma after working our way through the fog. The shuttle tractor got everyone back across the river after cars had been parked.
Volunteers were on hand to get everyone launched. The river was just perfect (mpeg video).
Greg Vitale had a chance to visit with Bill and Carol about the Van Buren water trail, then prepared to launch his sea kayak.
The two cedar strip kayaks were works of art and very fast on the river.
A look back at Selma showed how misty a day it was.
The houses along the river were lovely, with gardens to view and enjoy.
I arrived at the Douds bridge as the parade for Field Days passed over the bridge.
Video 1 classic vehicles, bird song all around
Video 2 horses on the bridge, the misty river
Video 3 boats on the water, march music from the river
KILBOURN
The Kilbourn bridge was 2 hours downstream. I joined up with several other paddlers as they were passing below the Kilbourn bridge sign.
AUSTIN PARK
There were almost 100 paddlers at Austin Park having lunch and enjoying the red carpets and the help of the volunteers.
These folks had lots of help as they were ready to launch for the trip to Keosauqua.
Video 1 (mpeg) Landing is some work, kayak carts and volunteers await
Video 2 (mpeg) Kayakers prepare to depart Austin Park
Chequest Creek, near Pittsburg, was a scenic detour. Greg paddled a quarter mile upstream.
Chequest video (mpeg)
The name rock was visible from the river a half mile upstream from Keosauqua as we passed Lacey Keosauqua State Park. Closeup
KEOSAUQUA
The current runs fast at Keosauqua, volunteers got everyone in with just one spill.
Water trail sign, kayak cart, and boats in for the day.
Kayakers in Folbot get past the dock, up to the ramp
Video, kayak coming in
Video, kayak cart maneuvers
Many left their boats by the river, but this year camping was not allowed. Many stayed at the Hotel Manning right by the river (see photo). The Mansion Inn in Keosauqua, Mason House in Bentonsport and Lacey Keo State Park were full of paddlers as well.
We camped at Bentonsport, right by the river. The sunset was quite lovely.
Sunday, July 11
Keosauqua, Bentonsport, Bonaparte, Farmington
The morning dawned dense with fog. The Bentonsport bridge was swallowed up by the fog on the river. The trip to Keosauqua was a trial in the dense fog. There were, however, pancakes at 6:30 AM on a Sunday.
The Lions Club has an amazing kitchen on wheels to support their many worthy projects. With more than 90 paddlers and several dozen Van Buren volunteers, there was a big breakfast crowd to enjoy the meal. The Keo bridge and misty river were a scenic background.
Many followed the bus shuttle to Farmington after breakfast (to park their cars), which was interesting in that weather prevented most from paddling to Farmington. Nick and Greg were on the first shuttle. The group waited until about 8:15 to launch from Keosauqua, so we could see what a big group we had. Volunteers got each of the 60 boats onto the kayak carts, see video of a very busy Bill Blackburn.
By launch time the fog was gone, and we had a bright, hazy morning. There were canoes all along the great bend north of Keosauqua.
Video-Paddling right along, making 5-6 mph with fast current. A closer look, Video shows that this group has experienced paddlers.
Many of the group stopped at Bentonsport to shop and see the Native American artifact museum, some went on to Bonaparte for another excellent lunch. I had time to visit with Bill and Betty Printy at Iron and Lace and to get a water trail update. Approaching Bonaparte, I decided to continue on and come back for lunch.
The wooden kayaks raced by as I approached Farmington. There was thunder in the distance, and then a truly scary lightning strike, so I paddled hard and covered the last half-mile in record time. Others on the river were a little further behind and got in with no trouble. The lunch crowd was held up at Bonaparte and had to be shuttled to their vehicle as a thuderstorm with heavy rain settled in. The Farmington volunteers got off pretty easily, better luck next year!
All were very happy with this year's event, and very appreciative of the work of the staff and volunteers. Next year should be even more interesting with all the new features of the soon to be developed water trail.
Gerry Rowland, Des Moines