The more snow I shovel the more I think about going down the Basswood River as early as possible this spring.  The last time I did it (solo) early and in high water, maybe 15 years ago, it was quite a thrilling adventure.
I'm not as young and dumb as I used to be, nor as nimble or as strong, so I'm proposing a group solo to anyone who wants to take it on.  An extra "life line" would be prudent IMO.

Don't worry, I seldom run any white water...I would not want to swim that early in the season 
How about this for a reward...being nose to nose with the pictos on Crooked Lake, instead of 7-9 feet below them  .

mere childs play........

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Going in the 19th to check out Little Sag. And maybe the week before to fish with Jerry (IC knows who I'm talking about). But I'd like to paddle again with you some time... So we'll see how that goes. May 1st might mean using our ice skates. MT... IC can get more in and on that Poke Boat than you'd think. I've seen her go thru some pretty rough waters also... Water rough enough where one person bailed and camped out and paddled out the next day... in the wind.

PS - Remember my car was stranded on the island last spring (2013)?  Last week after the most recent blizzard all three of the family vehicles were stranded at the island...the snow and wind having obliterated what we had for a road.  It took us three days to shovel, snow-blow and plow our way to the mainland.  I was unsure how I would explain allowing my car to get marooned yet another season!