Canoeists slip down Des Moines River 

By Doug Potter 

This wasn't a race - just 300 or so canoeists and kayakers taking an
opportunity to glide their crafts between the banks of the lazy Des Moines
River and enjoy a beautiful, but hot, August day in Southern Iowa. 

"We were first to get in," Doug Techel of Ottumwa said. Techel and his
son, Seth, launched from Eddyville around 7:30 a.m. and skimmed into the
river dock behind Ottumwa's slow-pitch softball fields around 12:45 p.m.
"We had a good time," Techel said. 

The paddling wasn't easy because of south winds blowing around 7 to 15
mph into the participants' faces all day long. 

"It seemed like a long way," Debra Hutton said. Hutton, also of Ottumwa,
works for the Adair County Ambulance Service and said she kayaks to
help prepare her for the rigors of emergency ambulance work. 

"It gives me a good upper body workout, and I need that for the work I
do," Hutton said. 

A West Des Moines couple chose Ottumwa's River Ripple as one of the
weekend activities they are able squeeze in between busy job schedules. 

"We try to do as many of these events as we can, but unfortunately work
is an occupational hazard that gets in the way of our fun," Mike Owen
said. 

"The people in Ottumwa were really great. They took care of so many
things for the participants," Julie Owen said. "That dock was really a
clever idea, but the paddling was tough." 

The Owen family plans to attend the Swiftwater Festival and River Ripple
again next year. 

The long temporary dock was built in an opening between river lilies and
cattails. It ran from the bank toward deeper current so the participants did
not have to wade through mud while coming ashore. 

Former Ottumwans Rod, Rick and Laura Woten, now of Des Moines,
enjoyed the feeling of nostalgia by returning to their hometown. 

"I've really missed the people of Ottumwa," Rod Woten said. 

"It was a nice trip down river," his wife, Laura, said. 

The Wotens recalled similar treatment by Ottumwa folks when they
resided in the area. 

"When we lived in Ottumwa before we were real involved with the Spoke
Folk bicycle club - with them, everyone took care of one another, and this
reminded me of my fond memories of RAGBRAI and the Spoke Folk
bicycle club," Rick Woten said. 

Will these former Ottumwans return to the City of Bridges for another
River Ripple? 

"Yes, I'll come back for this," Rod Woten said. "I'm glad to see Ottumwa
doing things like this."