We had a wonderful time at all three days of Canoecopia in Madison. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys good information, browsing at all of the new canoeing/kayaking/camping gear, fellowship with other like-minded people, and the chance to taste the best ice cream ever!

We attended all of Jerry's performances. He does such a great job of presenting a relaxed, fun, and still very meaningful program of "songs about paddling and everything outdoors." Caitlin and Amanda add so much to the mix with singing and also with the fiddle and the bass. Even though the planned program is basically the same at all three sessions, each one has its own flavor, with some additions to spice up the interest.










To illustrate my point: the delightful children who joined in on "Wiggle-Butt"; and then another "child" to add to the mix: Kevin Callan, "The Happy Camper". Perhaps these photos would make more sense if you could see all of the delightful choreography for this song, but I don't have a video.
































Kevin Callan brought along a large laminated photo of his mother, which he carried around on Saturday, collecting good wishes and signatures from everyone to celebrate her 90th birthday. At Jerry's program we all sang "Happy birthday dear Evelyn."























While there was some fun and silliness, there were also some very poignant and touching moments, particularly as Caitlin sang "The River Just Flows", and "Flying Lessons". I will confess to a tear in my eye at those times, as well as a sigh of joy at the beautiful three-part harmony of "Peaceful Waters".











Another guest at Jerry's performances was Darren Bush, the head of Rutabaga/Canoecopia. It is a special treat when he joins the fun with his banjo.









I didn't take many pictures at the BWCA.com dinner. It was a time for socializing, eating, and relaxing. But one highlight was Jackfish's masterful parody of Jerry's famous song "She Was Mine For a Little While", to satisfy their annual bet. The humorous rendition by Jerry himself brought the house down!










There was a wonderful program in the hotel lobby after the dinner. We were treated to a "Songwriter's Circle" that featured Jerry, Caitlin, Amanda, and guest Beth Kille singing original songs. I never took a photo, as I was just mesmerized by the music.

This year's Canoecopia was delightful. It was fun to connect with our friends at Quiet Journey on Friday, and with our friends at BWCA.com on Saturday. We got home late Sunday night, and I am still adjusting to the "double-whammy" of the time change plus the time zone difference, in addition to two nights past my bedtime! Well worth it! We will hope to see you again next year.

Such wonderful pics, thank you! As always so glad to see you and Spartan 2 and for all your support. A great, great Canoecopia for us!

Very nice post, thankyou Spartan2.

Thank you! It’s fun to feel like I was there just by looking at your photos.

Thanks for sharing

Excellent photos, Lynda! Thanks for sharing. :)

Jackfish: "Excellent photos, Lynda! Thanks for sharing. :) "

Oh you make me wish I was there! I'm an Expo veteran but never made it to Copia.

Thank you for the stories and the photos. Maybe next year.

Even though we are ten years retired from canoe-tripping, Canoecopia is still the best way to start our spring every year. I think our first time was 2008 and we haven't made every single one since, but a big majority of those years. For us, coming from Michigan, it is a bit of a trek, but we always consider it worth the effort.

I joked with Spartan1 this year that I go for four reasons: (1) Jerry Vandiver's three sessions, (2) Seeing our online paddling friends from QJ and BWCA.com, (3) Kevin Callan--especially the fun and funny "Aluminum Chef Competition", and (4) that wonderful Madagascar Chocolate ice cream!

Every year I add a few other things to this list, as there are interesting presentations, exciting things to see on the exhibit floor, etc. And this year I made myself stay upright after a very long day Saturday so that I could experience the "Songwriter's Circle" in the lobby at the Clarion. So now I suppose that has to be number (5) in future years.

When I tell my friends and acquaintances that we have a whole bunch of online "friends" they raise their eyebrows as if to say that senility is setting in. They don't realize how much the community here means to us. That's OK. We are grateful that we can still include Canoecopia in our "to-do" list every year.

Hope to see you in Madison next year, BWPaddler!

Just 358 days to Canoecopia 2025! On my calendar.