Lake Benton - Found the island

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Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso

I took off about 4 p.m. Sunday, July 19, and drove to Lake Benton, determined to find the island all the maps show on the far northern/eastern end of the lake.

But I had no idea where to put in to best reach the island. I drove through town, then past it a little ways and took a left to head towards the lake.

I hit water and a nice little beach perfect for kayak launching. The area was dotted with benches but there was really no one around, so I got unloaded and on the water.

Conditions were ideal - little if any winds, mild temperatures and plenty of sun. I was not alone on this long lake in Minnesota, there were plenty of folks out and about on boats either fishing or skiing. I guess the green hue of the water did not dissuade anyone from getting out on a summery afternoon.

I made good time up the southern/eastern shore of the lake, passing mostly cabins and boat docks. I kept reaching points and thinking "The island will certainly be around this one" but after about four of those, I was ready for a leg-stretching break, so I took one.


I finally rounded a bend and noticed what appeared to be an island off to the left. I headed out to it to make sure, then stopped on a strip of sand.

Sure enough, it was the island, and it has its own pond/swamp. There was also a cabin out on the island. I circumnavigated the whole thing - be careful, motor boats, there's a ton of shallow water around this isle - and shot this cool "from the deck" video of the back side.



I saw a few herons, a few sea gulls, and then it was time to gun it back to the car some three miles down the shore.

Lake Benton is cloudy with algae now, but it's still a good place to paddle for me.

Been a while - catching up

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Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso

Summer has taken flight, leaving me away from the keys and this blog.

Hope everyone's been on the water a TON.

We have. Here's some bringing you up to speed stuff. The viddy above is from the Missouri River and our trip with Jimmy Z.

I just realized I have not posted since the May trip. That's sucky. Sorry.

We went to Verm to see Jim and the rain let up later on Saturday and we did High Lines to Clay County. It was great. Look how close we were to this eagle.

There were two that day, and we saw a deer swim across in front us, all the way across a good 50-yard stretch. It was pretty amazing. Herons galore, too.



We had good weather, pry cause we dressed for rain. It was a fun run, and that route takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours. It's an easy put-in and take out.







The following weekend we were out in the Hills, had a great time on Pactola. We considered Deerfield Lake, but the reservoir was a half-hour closer, and it was just gorgeous.









We met some Black Hills paddlers on the lake, and that was nice. The water seemed colder than East River lakes, but it might have been my imagination. It temped out on my thermometer at about 60.

We had hoped to hit mucho water, but did not make it to other lakes, we were too busy enjoying time with the family.



The following weekend found us in Chamberlain for a wedding, and look at my friend, Chris, seconds after getting in the kayak for his first ever paddle.



He was a natural. He was fishing and drinking a beer and rolling a cigarette all while we bounced in the Missouri River. It was impressive.





We did not have success with the fish, but it was a fun op and I am sure Chris will want to go out again. Hopefully we'll do it soon. Keep fishing, DPZ.







I gave an intro session at Garretson the following weekend, and then over the Fourth we went to Vermillion and ran High Lines to Clay County Park again.



Laura and I, along with Dawn and Craig Myron and Bret Menard, we had a hootenanny out there on the water, and there were tons of boats and floaters and campers and such. Good action, though, that route is easy Japanesey and we enjoyed our day.

Mad world-saving props out to Rick Johns - he let us borrow a paddle because yours truly forgot to pack five - and to Jay Heath for the kayak loan so all five of us could go.


Rick's paddle is really cool, Craig and I both used it. I liked trying something new, but Craig, who was on his second-ever paddle, said he preferred the traditional wide-bladed paddle.

Thank you, Rick. Saved our bacon.



Laura is now 1 and 1 with the red boat we call Wendy, or Tippy Wendy, or Red Wendy. May 2008 she dumped in Lake Benton but rocked it and set pace all the way down the Mo on July 5.





Where will we end up next? Mille Lacs? Superior?

Not sure. Big Sioux for sure on Saturday - and there's an SDCA event at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 12, at the Klondike dam, South Dakota side, below the dam, paddle to Canton, about 3 hours.

Larry Braaten is running that show. Go join him. Why not?