Well, it's over with for 2009.
20 Happy Huggers paddled, biked, ate, drank and partied like it's 2009. Weather was good on Friday and just great on Saturday. Sunday... Well you can't win them all. We had 14 paddlers on Friday. Saturday all 20 attendees paddled. Yup, everybody. Thanks to Richard and Joyce for convincing us to try something new. Even they didn't know what we would find but it was a fun paddle and different is always interesting. Marty has only kayaked a few times at Bay Creek and they have strongly suggested he not go out into the bay as it was kind of rough. Saturday he was playing in Lake Ontario, surfing the waves. Looked good out there.

Wendy exhibited her usual style out in the waves and made it look easy. Bill should get a "Most Persistent" award. New paddler with a new boat and yes he got wet but kept going in the surf. Thanks to Paul for leading the way and then racing back to check the stragglers. I think he paddled about 3 times the distance of anybody else. Sue and Rob showed that even when canoeing you don't have to give up that easy chair. Jody wins the Best Look in a Sunburn award. Thanks, well maybe, to Trudy for bringing 6 different kinds of beer, none of which anybody had ever hear of and giving out samples. Mixed results but fun. Alice once again regained her Wack-a-Mole title. Even with a bad ankle. And that bad ankle didn't slow her down in the bumper cars. Mel and Kathy still remained friends even after paddling a tandem kayak. And they got to be quite quick at it. Yeah, right! I didn't know George could sing and play guitar. And do both at the same time. I thought of him as just a simple boat builder. Kidding George, just kidding...

Dave found the best place to rent a kayak. This company delivered the kayak to the launch and returned later to pick it up. Everything for $30.00. They also shuttle whitewater kayak trips. Something maybe for next year. Ginny didn't want to try the lake in her canoe. I don't know why not. The couple times she let me try it I couldn't even keep from tipping over in flat water but Ginny always looks like she is under control. Vicki's socialization skills were just amazing to watch. Thanks a lot to Toni for being the backup Cat Herder. Fine job you did and helped with my stress issues. And as alway Iris. The most enthusiastic cheerleader of the Pulaski Fire Parade. - Rob R.

The biking contingent was small this year as most folks were paddling. Nonetheless, some riders managed to get some miles in. On Friday, Marty and I, after a hearty lunch of Linda's chicken soup, chili, and pizza bread, headed north on Rt. 3 to explore the coast line. After a water stop at a local tavern, we headed inland over quiet, rolling country roads for a visit to the town of Sandy Creek. Our return on Rt. 62 was uneventful except for a friendly wave by Bill and Wendy as they passed by, returning from kayaking.

Saturday was strictly a paddling day, except for Iris who still had enough energy left to do a short bike ride after kayaking. Sunday was a rain day, so the planned ride to Selkirk Lighthouse was cancelled, but some still managed a visit to the local flea markets before returning home.

Thanks to Rob, Toni, Iris, and all the others who contributed to a great weekend. The food was great, company warm and friendly, and scenic's wonderful. We'll be looking forward to next year!
- Dave K.