Warren Miller Pre-Party in Chicago!

ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Time to get ready for the winter season...time for the annual Warren Miller installment. This year WM brings you "Children of Winter." So, we are bringing you a Pre-Party! Join us this Thursday, October 23rd at Plan B located in the heart of Bucktown at 1635 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL. We have tons of cool stuff to give away this year including a 4-day Ski Trip, with Lodging to Keystone, CO; a 3-day Ski Trip with Lodging to Alpine Valley; lots of lift tickets and movie tickets and tons of other WM T-shirts, stickers and SWAG!! Be sure to stop by Plan B for your chance to win some of these great prizes. There is a complimentary Sky Vodka reception from 7-8pm...so what are you waiting for? See you Thursday night!

-P.O.A.

FALL PADDLING HAS ARRIVED...

Call us crazy, but this is one of our favorite times of the year to paddle. The air is crisp. The colors are vivid. The rivers aren't packed full of people. For all of these reasons (and a lot more that you should see for yourselves), a river trip in the fall is tough to beat. Now, throw into that a home cooked meal and some good company...and we're talkin' darn near impossible to beat! So, if you'd like to join us next weekend on the Muskegon River, we would be happy to have you! If you decide to make the trip, here are a few things to consider:

1) Dress in Layers. Even though we are nearing the end of October, if you dress to warm (or not warm enough) you simply won't enjoy your time on the river. So, be sure to start with a decent base layer and then mid-layer on both your top and bottom. Don't forget your rain coat, because even if it isn't raining (hope, hope!) then you can wear it as a wind breaker if necessary.

2) Bring a Change of Clothes. Unlike our summer paddle trips, our fall,winter and spring trips all require that you bring a "dry set" of clothes just in case you take that unexpected dip into the river. Our guides will keep this in one of the guide boats, so that you won't have to worry about the extra bulk.

3) Stay Hydrated. Just because it is cooler outside, doesn't mean that your body can do without liquids. Make it a point bring your Camelbak, Sigg, or a Nalgene bottle for water. And even more important, don't forget to take a drink!

4) Bring Your Camera. The rivers in Michigan this time of year are incredible. The color ranges are so broad that your photos will make you the envy of all your friends. They will be amazed at some of the pictures you bring back from your Adventure!

Hope to see you on one of our next Adventures. Be sure to check out our website at http://www.powersadventures.com/.

Paddle On,

P.O.A.

End of the Summer Paddle

Well, it was back to the Pere Marquette river for our end of the summer paddle! We had a small group but a great trip. The weather was into the 70's and barely a cloud in the sky. It actually felt more like July! Our head cook Rose made sure we stayed full...for lunch, it was cheese fondue with veggies for an appetizer and then her famous dill pickle wraps for the main course. After stuffing ourselves, and even though an afternoon nap sounded good, the group pushed on. Lots of fisherman on the river, mostly trying their hands for the Trout and Steelhead that the PM is known for. Although the river got tight in a few spots, it was good to see the mutual respect of both kayakers and fisherman using the PM. Stay tuned for our next overnight trip that is taking place on the Muskegon River at the end of October. You can sign up HERE for that trip or other upcoming trips at http://www.powersadventures.com/.

Paddle On,

P.O.A.

TRIP THIS WEEKEND!

September 27, 2008:End of Summer Paddle
PereMarquette River, Baldwin, MI
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As summer draws to an end, we head north to the scenic Pere Marquette River located in Baldwin, Michigan. Paddlers will enjoy a beautiful, picturesque day trip that will last around 5 hours. The trip includes a light continental breakfast, lunch on the river, transportation to/from river and a P.O.A. T-shirt.

DETAILS: If you are departing from the Rockford Powers Outdoors, we will be leaving at 8:00 am on Saturday, September 27th (Please arrive at 7:45 am to load up your gear.) We will then stop and pick up the 2nd group at the Newaygo Powers Outdoors around 8:45 am, and departing by 9:15am. (Please arrive at 8:30am in back parking lot to load up your gear). Once we are loaded up in Newaygo, coffee and a light continental breakfast will be served before we head north for the PM River. We should be on the river by around 11:15 am. We will have lunch around 1:30 pm and pull off the river around 4:00 pm. Back in Newaygo by around 5:30 pm, and Rockford by 6:30pm. For the trip, we will be putting in at Rainbow Rapids and paddling down to the Lower Branch landing. Boat rental is available for an additional fee. Please note on your sign up sheet if you have your own boat or if you need to rent.

COST: $75.00 if you have all of your own gear. Kayak/Canoe rental is available for an additional $25.00 (which includes a paddle and pfd).

CLICK TO SIGN UP!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE RIVER THIS WEEKEND!

Paddle On,
P.O.A.

Reflection

REFLECTION: pronounced (ri-flek-shun); Noun.
1. The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
2. Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an image, that is reflected.
a. Mental concentration; careful consideration.
b. A thought or an opinion resulting from such consideration.

...Well, here is POA's thought for the day, and you can thank Mr. Ferris Bueller for this one: "Life moves pretty fast...you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." How true. So take a moment to reflect on the picture above. This was taken at Pancake Bay, located in Ontario, Canada. The POA PaddleCru had just finished the Agawa River, and set up camp on the pristine white sand beaches of Lake Superior. Reflection. Makes you stop and think. Now, stop thinking and get out there and paddle!

Paddle On,
Gabriel Ca$h
P.O.A.

P.O.A. Winter Flashback!

So, I figured it was time to reflect on why we love the Mid-West so much...Seasons! Since summer is coming to an end, and knowing autumn will shortly be upon us, that means winter shall be soon to follow. Just remember, that doesn't mean you can't get out there and paddle. Here is a P.O.A. group just before we launch on the Pere Marquette River at Rainbow Rapids back in December. We believe in 12 months of paddling at P.O.A., so we look forward to seeing you on our Fall Color Tour Paddle in October and our upcoming Winter Paddle in December. Don't forget to check out http://www.PowersAdventures.com/ for details on upcoming trips.

Paddle On,

Gabriel Ca$h
P.O.A.

Have A Safe Labor Day Weekend!

P.O.A. wants to remind you that it will be busy on the water this weekend. With that in mind, here are a few tips and etiquette to remember when you are heading out in your kayak or canoe to do a little holiday paddling. We call them the "3 Be's":

1) Be Visible. Wear bright colored clothing and/or a bright hat. If you have the option, go with your yellow or orange paddle blades. If you only have black or wood blades, hey...its the end of the season and there are a ton of sales on paddles. Now you have a good excuse (for safety's sake of course) to pick up that bright colored paddle! And if paddling at dusk, make sure you have the proper lighting so that other boats can easily spot you. Remember, assume that bigger boats don't always see you, so be sure to do all you can to maximize your visibility.

2) Be Alert. If you are lucky, you will find some nice calm water to navigate without anyone to disturb your relaxing paddle. But, chances are you will run into gobs and gobs (yes, that means a lot) of weekend warriors cruising in speedboats and racing around on jet skis. So, you need to make sure that you are well aware of your surroundings at all times. Plan ahead so that oncoming vessels can easily steer clear of you. Try to avoid heavily congested areas and be sure to give other boaters plenty of distance. Scan for any hazards and be able to react if you spot any.

3) Be Ready. Make sure that if you head out into the waters this weekend, you do so with a full understanding of your limitations. Don't try to paddle an area above your experience level. Conditions can change at any time and you should be sure that you are capable of handling them. Weather is always a factor, so make sure to check it before you head out. Wind can change the water you are paddling through in the blink of an eye. If you have the proper equipment (PFD, pump, paddle float) and are fully prepared, you can assure yourself a great time and a safe return.

So, now that you've given it some thought, get out there! Grab some friends, your better half or your pet and get that paddle in the water. Enjoy the long weekend and we hope to see you on the water soon.

Paddle On,

Gabriel Cash

P.O.A.