Carl teaching a canoe lesson.
A couple of times per year, the Hoofers Outing Club holds a Day of Instruction (DOI), where they teach new members basic skills in canoeing and kayaking. Because of the construction at the Memorial Union, this summer's DOI was moved to Devil's Lake State Park. It's the most scenic park in Wisconsin, so this wasn't a bad trade-off.
Club members drove sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, and canoes to the lake and lessons were given all day. I was recruited for my awesome boat driving skills, so I had lots of free time to walk around the trails. I climb at Devil's Lake all the time, but it had been so long since I had seen the Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway, I had forgotten how amazing they were. I also finally got a closer look at the blue herons that nest next to the CCC parking lot, and there was family of birds living next to a light fixture in the shelter we used for the day.
At the end of the day, we grilled out and got in some extra relaxation. Fun times!
More photos from Day of Instruction
