Cannon River Paddle

Well, admittedly not a wilderness adventure, but nevertheless a good way to spend a sunny afternoon out of doors. Lynn had suggested to head for Taylor's Falls and paddle from there to the Osceola Bridge. I called Taylors Falls Canoe and checked on availability. No problem, canoes are available, come on up I was told. However, the price was rather dear, compared to what I recalled: $45. I went for my morning jog and noticed that a hot wind was blowing from the south, not too strong but enough to not be too excited about the 3-4 hour paddle due south and without much shade. I mentioned this to Lynn after my return and she wondered what about the Cannon. Indeed, from past experience I had found the Cannon River much more intimate when compared to the rather broad St. Croix. So I placed a call with Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike Rental. Kayaks (for James and his friend Joe) were all spoken for but they were able to hold a couple of canoes for us. At $30 per, the rental was a much better deal, too.

Lynn made some sandwiches and I prepared a waterproof pack for camera and other sensitive stuff. We left home at 11:45 and reached Cannon Falls at 12:45. The place was bustling with one party renting some bikes and another picking up several kayaks and a canoe. A young man, son of the owner quickly located our reservations, and after signing the necessary disclaimers we were ready to shove off. We had been warned of the strong current right outside the rental place and some nasty sharp rocks a little ways down. The first several 100 m had some nice C1, but nothing unmanageable. And I saw the rocks that we had been warned about, indeed not something I'd like to become acquainted with.

Joe and James managed very nicely, too. I am think that the two of them would be a good team for a future river trip. Both know how to canoe and they do get along just marvelous. If I can just bear the noise those two make.

We passed the big group that went in ahead of us rather quickly and saw quite a few parties resting on sand banks. One old timer, not a canoeist, was just hauling in a half-meter catfish. He said it was his third of the day. When Lynn asked him whether he would eat it, he said he'd release it, just like the other ones. I was disappointed that I did not bring my fly rod, the smallmouth bass were breaking the surface all over the place, often jumping clear of the water. We saw many turtles, some were painted or map turtles, and one humongous snapping turtle, at least 40 cm long. There were also black damselflies (ebony jewelwings, Calopteryx maculata), always pretty to see. While looking up information on the damselfly I learned that there are as many dragon and damselfly species in Minnesota as there are butterflies. Amazing!
We broke for lunch at one of the few sandbanks, the same we had used to rest when I and Scott, another dad, took a bunch Colin's eight-grade classmates on the same trip. Before snacking on Lynn's sandwiches and water melon we took a nice dip in the river. James found a very health-looking river mussel.

Farther downstream we had to make the obligatory stop at the rope swing, which was quite busy on this hot day. From there, I forgot how short the way is to the take-out at Trout Brook. All in all a very nice afternoon on the Cannon River