Also congratulations to the Skunk River paddlers for their excellent show and to Nate Hoogeveen for Paddling Iowa.

PS: I have all the equipment to show the IWTA movie. Let me know if your group would like a 40 minute program.

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I'm hearing many reports of paddlers enjoying the warmer weather. Here's the best one, from Rick Dietz of Ames:

Subject: Re: [skunkriverpaddlers] Water Trail Workday, Saturday Feb 19^th

Much thanks to everyone that came out today! The paddlers took down some trees at the Anderson Access and did some advance clearing for the new access at West Peterson Park. Jim Colbert's group worked at Sleepy Hollow (North side), and a large group of scouts picked up trash & deadfall in the public areas near Anderson's. If succeeding work days are only half as successful, I think we'll be in good shape!

Six of us paddled from Soper's to Sleepy Hollow afterwards. It may be hard to imagine, but we weren't the first on the river this year. Another canoe launched from Soper's minutes before us. As we caught up we could smell something REALLY GOOD! - turns out they were grilling brats in their canoe!

Water trail project updates:

Van Buren County has worked very hard and is nearing approval for their grant;

Story County is holding work days and also nearing approval to proceed with their grant;

Water trail grants from Polk and from Big Sioux scored 1 and 2 this year. I am confident that the DOT Commission will have no trouble approving them for funding.