Anyone else going?

I absolutely love attending all of the seminars on Saturday & Sunday. I love learning and walking through the expo.

Anytime I can learn ANYTHING from Cliff Jacobson, Rob Kesserling, and Dan Cooke is a good day!

Woodland Caribou park won't be there. Claire had a couple sessions scheduled and the park nixxed her going. Guess I won't go.

Not real big on the seminars but I'll wander around a bit and definitely spend some time at the boat auction.

Alan

quote nctry: "Woodland Caribou park won't be there. Claire had a couple sessions scheduled and the park nixxed her going. Guess I won't go."

Harlan from Red Lake Outfitters will be there. He is all things WCPP. He usually does a seminar or two. He may not be as pretty as Claire but he knows his stuff.

Planning to go.

Hope you don't have rain there like last year....there was lots of puddles and wiring cords and stuff...
Last year was the first year we went there
that is one nice thing about Canoecopia being under one roof.

dr bob

is this the event on the Gunflint Trail or the one in Ely?

This event is at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis.

Expo

I'll be in Minneapolis that weekend my daughter has a volleyball tourney at the convention center might see if I can break free one day, is the boat auction on Saturday?

Yes, the Auction is
Saturday, April 29th, 2017 11:00a.m.
Across the Street From the Expo Big-Top Tents

Amy Freeman's presentation "A Year in the Wilderness" is very good. I think we were the first to hear it at last year's Winter Camping Symposium. I might go just to see it again.

I think I'm gonna try and make it Friday evening for beer night

Looks like paddle demo is Thursday April 27 from 3-7 at Nokomis. I hope the ice is melted by then :)

quote mcsweem: "I think I'm gonna try and make it Friday evening for beer night
"

Bogs and are i planning on going, would be great to meet up!

I'm working it this year. It should be an interesting experience to see it from that side.

I will probably go Friday night for a beer or two.

I'll be there again this year ! Hope to meet up with some old, and hopefully new friends.
I plan to STAND around with my hands in my pockets, at the auction !

If it's raining, I'll have an umbrella. If not, look for me to be wearing a blue Project AWARE hooded sweat shirt. Oh and a yellow cap !
Hope to see you there !

Jim

I am planning to be there saturday morning . Looking at the boat auction, planning to listen to some of the speakers. I had a paddle made for me by Bending Branches and will pick it up at the show, and want to help build Dan Cookes retirement package up some. I'm an old guy with a white beard, and I will be wearing my olive green Tilley paddleing hat, if you see me please stop me and say hello, always good to put a face to members! FRED

Does anyone have an insider tip for parking cheap or even free? I'm not afraid to walk a bit. It was just annoying a couple years ago when I made a major purchase with the coupon, but the parking fee ending up eating into most of the savings!

There's free parking just northeast of the Mondale Law School across from some townhomes. Otherwise just east of Mondale Law School along the river. Safe and fairly close.

Hesitant to give up my favorite MM spot, but looks like my only chance to attend will be Saturday very late afternoon anyway: Across Riverside, enter between Hard Times Cafe and the Ethiopian restaurant... Not free, but close. And often overlooked.

Thanks! I'll check out those spots if I go this weekend.

Interested in the boat auction. I have never been, but am in the market for a canoe. How are prices? I realize there is a shit ton of canoes and kayaks but just curious about what is normally available and prices?

Thanks

I might head down this year, but I'm not quite sure yet. Seems like the seminars are just really, really full now, which is good (nice to see more people out) and bad (I can't find a seat, need to get there immediately after the prior show, etc.).

Also, I am conflicted...do I want the weather to be cold, just to see the amazing variety of expensive puffy coats, or do I hope it's nice to be spared that sight? Tough call either way. :)

It looks like rain and cool weather so far.

quote NotLight: "Looks like paddle demo is Thursday April 27 from 3-7 at Nokomis. I hope the ice is melted by then :)
"

Forecast for Thursday is low of 33, high of 39. I hope they still have the paddle demo at Nokomis.

quote Birdknowsbest: "Interested in the boat auction. I have never been, but am in the market for a canoe. How are prices? I realize there is a shit ton of canoes and kayaks but just curious about what is normally available and prices?"

It's a crap shoot. Popular Kevlar canoes usually seem to go for good money. Long touring kayaks seem to be out of style and have brought very little in the past couple years. Good deals can be had on boats that don't look so good cosmetically or on older models that aren't well known. I'm always amazed at the prices some things bring, both high and low. If nothing else it's enjoyable to watch.

It's important to remember (and easy to forget) there's a 10% buyers fee plus sales tax (and an extra couple % if paying with credit card) on top of the purchase price.

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "

quote Birdknowsbest: "Interested in the boat auction. I have never been, but am in the market for a canoe. How are prices? I realize there is a shit ton of canoes and kayaks but just curious about what is normally available and prices?"

It's a crap shoot. Popular Kevlar canoes usually seem to go for good money. Long touring kayaks seem to be out of style and have brought very little in the past couple years. Good deals can be had on boats that don't look so good cosmetically or on older models that aren't well known. I'm always amazed at the prices some things bring, both high and low. If nothing else it's enjoyable to watch.


It's important to remember (and easy to forget) there's a 10% buyers fee plus sales tax (and an extra couple % if paying with credit card) on top of the purchase price.


Alan"

Thank you

I'll be there with a Flying Moose on my head. Already have my coupons for a couple free BDB's. Like seeing the auction and can always use another pair of smart wool socks.

Stop by the CCS area and say hi.

A graet opportunity to look at the features- advantages- benefits of CCS, Duluth Pack Frost River, Granite Gear and others.

Do not forget your coupons.

quote Big Tent: "I'll be there with a Flying Moose on my head. Already have my coupons for a couple free BDB's. Like seeing the auction and can always use another pair of smart wool socks. "

I need to get a Flying Moose hat ! Oh Socks ? I can Always use socks !

I always stop and see what Dan has ! Can't miss him !

Jim

For the uninitiated, where might be the source of these a for mentioned coupons?

Daniel

They send the coupons to those who are on their mailing list. Both e -mail and physical address. I think you can get them at the event because my flyer says to pass them on to a friend. It's basically 20% off one item on Friday and Sunday only.

I'll be there Friday night around 7pm, wearing my BWCA cap

We plumbed in the heaters last night so the big tent is warming up. A couple of exhibitors started to arrive yesterday afternoon. Everything will be ready.

quote Zulu: "They send the coupons to those who are on their mailing list. Both e -mail and physical address. I think you can get them at the event because my flyer says to pass them on to a friend. It's basically 20% off one item on Friday and Sunday only. "

To my friends at BWCA.COM

I hate to disappoint everyone going to this event but I was there this evening.
They have a new company running the event, and though beers are advertised as $6.00 with $4.00 refills, they are charging $8.00 with $6.00 refills. I pointed out the discrepancy but to no avail. It is a sad day in America........
Still, Dan Cooke looks great as always.

quote unshavenman: "I hate to disappoint everyone going to this event but I was there this evening.
They have a new company running the event, and though beers are advertised as $6.00 with $4.00 refills, they are charging $8.00 with $6.00 refills. I pointed out the discrepancy but to no avail. It is a sad day in America........
Still, Dan Cooke looks great as always."

Beers were $6 for me with plastic cup, $8 if you wanted a commemorative pint glass.

I stopped by this afternoon and my dog was wildly disapointed that they had no popcorn machine, meaning no treats for him to clean up as we walk around. Maybe it will be back there tomorrow.

quote Jaywalker: "I stopped by this afternoon and my dog was wildly disapointed that they had no popcorn machine, meaning no treats for him to clean up as we walk around. Maybe it will be back there tomorrow. "

There was a popcorn machine in the big tent. We ate some

quote Birdknowsbest: "

quote Jaywalker: "I stopped by this afternoon and my dog was wildly disapointed that they had no popcorn machine, meaning no treats for him to clean up as we walk around. Maybe it will be back there tomorrow. "

There was a popcorn machine in the big tent. We ate some "

I must have been there before it was running yesterday, and today the dern thing was broken. Two popcorn machine mechanics were trying to fix it but no luck.

Anyone buy a boat today?? I saw a very nice looking Bell Northtar with wood trim and a pretty clean bottom. Anyone see what it went for??

Lots of good presentations today. One of many was Paul Danicic's FOTBW presentation on the BWCA economic impacts. Interesting data to ponder going forward.

I watched a DNR/NPS presentation on Missisipi water trail around and thru the metro, which was very good. Then I saw Amy Freeman year in the BWCA, which was fantastic. I met mfleihr at the auction. Left early since the weather was so nice. I'll go back tommorrow during the rain.

]

Anyone buy a boat today?? I saw a very nice looking Bell Northtar with wood trim and a pretty clean bottom. Anyone see what it went for??"

It went really high. Something like $2200. Add on top of that a 10% buyers premium and then 7.75% sales tax on top of that (and another 3% if they put in on a credit card). Someone from the Northstar (old Bell) booth came out to watch it sell and muttered they could have almost sold them a new one for that price.

I came home with a Penobscot 16 that will take new gunwales and some trim work as well as a beautiful wood strip Kite a friend of mine built. Had no intention of buying it but for the price I couldn't say no. I'll find new homes for both boats.

Alan

Was going to be down today. But went to ER yesterday thinking blood clots. But oh boy, pneumonia instead.

Nctry, hope you feel better soon.

I went again Sunday, after the rain started. The puddles were starting in the same spots as they do every year. But no buckets were out yet. I call that optimism.

I went to the PCT presentation, which was great. Lots of practical information. Most of the picures they had were themselves and other hikers on the trail in sort of everyday situations. So, the presentation had a nice personal feel to it - like you were there.

I spent a lot of time looking at the wolf poo samples at the wolf center.

I wanted to buy an Emberlit Ti, but I didn't.

I decided to buy some NRS 0.5 hydroskin socks to try out. But I felt like I was in some hidden camera student film. I kept trying to look at what size I needed and I think 3 times in the span of a minute and a half, a couple would swoop in from nowheres and like elbow me out of the way of the socks. So I bought them at REI instead on the way home. Hope to try them this week in the cold.

I missed the paddle demo Thursday - working. But I did see a poster for a Bell canoe sponsored demo event in early May. Suspect it's on their website.

Can't wait til Fall expo.

I found the presentation by the two girls that kayaked around Superior refreshing, so many of the presenters try to act like they are Indiana Jones or Christopher Columbus, or know something nobody else does.
"first circumvention of blah blah on the summer equinox by a left handed Polish Catholic" yeah, I'm impressed.
They presented themselves as a couple of air heads,, I think the point of it was if these two can do it, you can do it.

quote nctry: "Was going to be down today. But went to ER yesterday thinking blood clots. But oh boy, pneumonia instead. "

Rest up Ben and be well!