Getting tired of watching the snow blow back and forth? It’s not too early to be thinking about kayaking. Susan Pavelka is again offering to set up a kayak trip down the Niobrara . Following is the information that Susan has provided:
Niobrara Kayak trip May 15-16, 2010
To register: Call Sue Pavelka at 402-376-8098 or email her at pavelkabs@gmail.com . Register early because we are limiting this trip to 20 OWSD participants. You must be a current member or become a member of OWSD (annual OWSD dues are $30) prior to the trip.
We will shuttle you and your kayak back to your vehicles, provide supplies and equipment for supper on Saturday, breakfast, and lunch on Sunday for a cost of $30.00. Dinner will be chedderwursts, brats, and wieners, potato salad, lettuce, relishes, and the makings of smores. Breakfast will be scrambled egg rollups. Lunch will be sliced ham and turkey for sandwiches, chips, and fruit. You will be expected to help prepare your meals. We are not outfitters, but thought it would be easier if we weren’t all trying to make separate meals at the same time. If you have special needs, let us know. Each participant will need to sign a waiver. Please sign the attached waiver and bring it with you to the event (Word document), or send it with your $10 pre-registration deposit (nonrefundable) to Sue, with final registration payment due no later than May 1. You may send full payment at this time, if you wish. Contact Sue for further details.
If you need a kayak or canoe, call Brewers in Valentine at 402-376-2046 to reserve. Their prices are $35 for a kayak and $70 for a canoe for the two days. They must be reserved at least two weeks in advance. Be sure you let Brewers know you are with OWSD. You may bring your own kayaks if you wish.
What you need to bring.
You must bring all your own drinks and snacks. Remember sunscreen, hats, extra clothes, shoes, wet suit if you have one and a bed role. You will be sleeping in a tent or on the floor of a cabin. We plan to eat lunch before getting on the water. You are responsible for bringing your own lunch for Saturday. Bring water bottle we will have water to refill. Last year several got sunburned and dehydrated, it can get warm on the water.
We will meet May 15 th 9am central time at Brewers for those who must get kayaks. Those who have kayaks may need to transport their kayaks to the river and may meet us at the Niobrara river bridge south of Nenzel , Nebraska on S16F by 11am central time. We recommend that you meet in Valentine if it is not out of your way. Do not be late, cell reception is iffy.
The first day the float is about 5 hours on the river. You will probably get a minimum of wet feet. The river is not deep, but the spring runoff should give us a channel of water for good kayaking. We will get out of the water at the Galloway ranch where we will camp (cabin and outhouse for facilities). We are on private land and we must be respectful of waste and litter. This is a privilege we hope may be extended to us again next year. Sunday is a very full day on the water. We eat lunch on the water and hope to be off the water by 4pm Sunday.
Also, if you would like to spend Friday night camped out or in at the Pavelkas in Valentine, we will be glad to host you so you aren’t trying to find your way around on Sat. morning. You do not need previous kayaking experience but you are encouraged to get your feet wet in a kayak Friday evening on the lake at the Pavelka’s. Let Sue know and she will give you directions. Last year we had participants from four different states. The weekend weather was in the 70’s and we had a blast.
If you are interested, please contact Sue as soon as possible. Again, registration is limited.
