Went for my first paddle of the year
I did the Chicago river paddle today.  It’s a park district sponsored event with school bus shuttle.   A well run event down a large creek and today it had a nice current.  Took a couple of hours of paddling. The Ice buildup on the paddle and sides of the boat was surprising.  The wind was blowing and was a problem at the put in but after that it was not a problem. There were many volunteers and always some one willing to help.  I saw some volunteers practicing a rescue with a sheepish look on their face as they dragged the canoe full of water up on shore.  I saw one mink running down the shore and no other wild life.   The shuttle worked well with little waiting.  It was a well run event.
MagicPaddler