Are you feeling the same way?
I paddled a local river last week, and it only made the fever worse.

Yep, I've been seriously bitten by the paddling bug, it seems. I was gonna go out tomorrow, but it's supposed to be ridiculously windy, so I probably won't. At least the ice has all melted here now.

Yes! Yes, I am ridiculously excited about getting back to the bwca in late May!

Yep! 58 days ‘til put in :-)

Do mean when I drive around and imagine myself in a canoe whenever I see open water: a river, a small lake, a creek, a swamp, a puddle

then yes I am ridiculously excited about paddling

I’ve been re-packing the old pack about every other day lol

I consider this "food dehydrator" season. It's the prelude to fixing up my gear while I'm going over maps for my trips. I know that the season is coming but the foot and half of snow in my front yard says "not yet". :)

so ready to be on the water!!!

During a zero day on a backpack trip Saturday 3/25 I spent the afternoon observing a group of rafts and kayakers on a Colorado River Beach. I really wanted to stow away and complete the 16 day trip with them. They were a private group and said I could if I were a medical doctor.
Then last week I considered doing a drop off trip below Glen Canyon Dam and paddling down river around Horseshoe Bend and camping for three nights. But like BWCA tow boats they charge double for a solo. I’ll have to wait for ice out in Minnesota I guess!

I'm rediculously worried that the ice won't be out by fishing opener.

Been packed and ready to go for two weeks now! 59 days and counting!
This latest snow storm (about 12 to 16 inches worth) has me worried about high water .

I'm also super excited. Every two days, I drive to local water to see if its thawed. A nearby pond is sooooooo close. There's open water in the middle. The only ice is on the edges.

Lots of new things getting me excited for the paddling season. Re-finishing a new to me Seneca I can’t wait to put on the water. Bringing my kiddos, wife and sister into the BWCA for their first times and having 3 weeks already planned to start the season!

Couldn't help ourselves today, Upper Iowa River. In t-shirts by the end. Soooo close

Six days/five nights/90+ miles on Florida's Suwannee River in early March took the edge off our GottaPaddle Fever. Now planning route/menu/gear for Quetico '23.

TZ

merlyn: " Been packed and ready to go for two weeks now! 59 days and counting!
This latest snow storm (about 12 to 16 inches worth) has me worried about high water ."

I'm less worried about the new snow than I am about the 40" of packed snow up there still. Either way... there's gonna be high water so I would prepare for that, maybe even higher than last year depending on how much rain falls in the month of April. Last year had a ton of rain and that certainly didn't help.

The good news is, it will be another very green and lush year.