13038 Hwy 61 North
Burlington, Iowa
phone: 319-752-1857 or 1-800-RIVER-12
paddle@canoeskayaks.com
PADDLE AND 4 HORROR MOVIES
Please note changes to times and locations due to excellent water conditions!!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
DESCRIPTION - We'll paddle the Iowa River from Wapello to Ferry Landing Recreation Area during the afternoon. We'll then drive to Grand View for Halloween Tent Night and watch horror movies at the drive-in.
The paddle will be 16 river miles which we expect to take 4 hours. This is the best stretch of the Iowa for wildlife, especially in the fall but also will need to take care on shallow areas. Expect to see fall bird migrations this trip as the wildlife has been great on paddle trips the last few weeks.
HALLOWEEN TENT NIGHT Grand View Drive-In Theater opened this summer and is hosting halloween tent night, a unique event. You can bring a tent and stay the night or bring a lawn chair and camp out for a few movies. The admission fee is $15/person and includes free popcorn & hot apple cider, hay rack rides, contests and a bon-fire. You will pay your own admission when you enter the drive-in. Must be 18 or accompanied by an adult to be admitted. Hayrack rides are from 5:00 - 7:00. There are 4 movies starting at 7 p.m. For more information on the drive-in call 319-729-2928. At this time Freddy vs Jason and Texas Chain Saw Massacre (2003) are confirmed. Sound is on FM radio - we like to bring a contractor box radio that runs for hours on 18V batteries. Its late October so you will need some sweatshirts and blanket or sleeping bag. Click for Drive-In website.
THE IOWA RIVER - The Iowa is a great canoe river, and is the cleanest, shallow, wide river with consistent flow in the state. Paddlers will have the whole river to themselves. The Iowa is a very wide and very quiet river. The more scenic portions of the paddle will take you through low lying corn fields, wooded islands and along the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge where bird sightings are frequent. The river is a sand bottom. We normally expect low water by now but at of Saturday the 13th water conditions were excellent flow and not even any sandbars.
SCHEDULE- CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE POSTED 10/14/07!!!
All paddlers will meet at Wapello boat ramp in time to take off at noon. All shuttling will now take place after the paddle.
Parking: All participants will park at Wapello (start of paddle) and should arrive before noon.
Launch: Approximately 12:00 noon - bring your own lunch and snacks.
Landing: Approximately 4:00 at Ferry Landing
Shuttle drivers back to Wapello for cars. If you are a solo paddler your boat will be watched.
Drive in own cars to Grandview for Movie Night.(if you're not too scared!)
REGISTRATION FEE - The registration fee can be paid at the event. Please print out the registration form and bring it with you. Please call or e:mail us by 5 pm. Friday October 18 if you plan to attend so we have a count for shuttle.
Price - $15.00 per person (does not include the drive-in admission).
Click here for REGISTRATION FORM
CHILDREN - Non-paddling children under 8 years old can ride for free. This means there are two adult paddlers and the child sits in the bottom of the boat. Please supply your own life jacket (a few available for rental - please call).
RENTALS - River Basin will have canoes and kayaks available for rental for the trip. Rentals require advance regisration.
Canoe rentals include registration and equipment for two people for $50.
Please call for kayak rentals as numbers are limited to first come, first served. We have 2 person recreational kayaks and single touring kayaks for $35. Registration fees are in addition to kayak rentals.
If you have your own canoe or kayak, you are welcome to bring your boat and we will provide shuttle service for your person. Registration and fees still apply.
FINDING THE BOAT RAMP IN WAPELLO (possibly the hardest part of the trip) If you are coming into Wapello on Hwy 99 (across the Iowa river bridge) you will turn on the first street (North 2nd) to your left. There is not always a street sign present.
If you are coming into Wapello on Hwy 61 you will be looking for Hwy 99 or Franklin Street turn. It is across from the big grain elevator in the middle of town. Drive past the court house and turn right on North 2nd..
From Second street you will drive 4 blocks to Spring and turn left.
To Ferry Landing Oakville is located on Highway 99 - 21 miles north of Burlington or 9 miles east of Wapello. From Illinois you take the first Iowa exit and turn right off the 34 bridge and you are on highway 99. From 218 you would take county 78 east to 99 and you'll be able to see Oakville from the stopsign. You turn off of 99 to drive thru Oakville. The main street is about 5 blocks long and ends at a stop sign. Tri-Oaks Food is on your left. From Tri Oaks Food in Oakville turn right and drive 7 miles to Ferry Landing. There is one Y in the road where you need to stay left. Ferry Landing is a peaceful shaded Army Corp of Engineer Campground. If you are not going to the movie and looking for a cookout or camping this is a great spot. Primitive restrooms, no running water.
To Grandview Drive In : Grandview Junction is at the intersection of Hwy 99 and Hwy 92. It is 3 miles north of Wapello. To get to the drive-in from Grandview Junction you drive east past the gas station and drive into Grandview. Continue past the park to the second stop sign where the street ends. Turn left and drive (about 1 mile) until you see the sign and turn (to your left for the drive-in) The Drive in has restrooms and a concession stand.
Don't like tents but want to see all the movies? Hotel Wapello 319-523-2341 and Roy El Motel 319-523-2111 both in Wapello have extremely reasonable room rates.
WHAT TO BRING - Bring water, comfortable clothes and shoes for paddling including a windbreaker or layers. As of 10/14 weather.com predicts mid 60s to low 70s for the weekend highs. We recommend a change of clothing and dry shoes just in case you get wet. Cameras and phones should be in a waterproof pack with a way to secure them to your boat..
If you are going to the movies bring a lawnchair, a blanket and a tent if you are staying.
PADDLE TRIP SAFETY:
- YOU MUST WEAR A LIFEVEST WHEN ON THE WATER
- THIS IS AN ALCOHOL-FREE EVENT
- PARTICIPANTS UNDER 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN. ONE ADULT MUST BE IN EACH CANOE.
REGISTRATION FORM
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