We had an excellent day on the river.  There were 9 Central Iowa Paddlers with boats, and 2 who stopped by to wish us well.  The day was overcast, with occasional sun spottings.  There were 2 eagles at the boat ramp as we pulled up, more as we paddled upstream.

The current was moderate, air temperature was in the upper 30's (as was the water temp), we had enough water the whole 1.5 miles up to the dam.  We were 1 canoe, 2 whitewater boats, and 6 kayaks.  All guys this year.  We missed some who have been on this trip in years past, John P, Dick H, and Leonard T.  We missed Rick D also.

All paddlers made it through the riffle at Cottonwood fishing pier.  There were scuba divers by the spillway this year.  We left Sycamore at 10 AM, we lingered at Saylorville, 2 paddlers left early.  We were back at Sycamore by 12:30, one paddler took a spill while disembarking, but there was warm car right there.  We had some bread and cookies and marvelled at the joy of living and paddling in Iowa.

We did see a large carp that reminded us of "Free Willy" the killer whale.   We surmised that the carp was looking for a way out of this 9 mile stretch of river between Saylorville and Center Street, who could blame her.  We were unable to free her, nor could we think of a suitable name, so we paddled on.

Thanks to the paddlers for joining me.  Thanks to Central Iowa Paddlers for promoting the event.

NRS equipped	Cheerful well-wisher
Click on photos for larger image
Suiting up	More cars
GR	DK and NH
	The magnificent 7 at Sycamore Movie at Sycamore Movie at Saylorville

4 ready	3 ready
Cottonwood riffle	Saylor Bob
Dale	Saylorville
Divas	Divas in water

	Thanks to Steve Parrish for the photo
Hats	Big bird at 10x
Mansions misplaced	Roll!
Photo of photographer	Not so easy out