March 19 Ice Breaker Paddle part 1

[trjim]

The amount of daylight is increasing each day and the weather gods have bestowed upon us a few warm days. That can only mean that spring is fast approaching. Time to awaken our watercraft for another season. Last year I hosted our first paddle on Lake Bessemer. I was not planning to do so again this year, however at the planning meeting Joel Beeghly (who lives in Bessemer) suggested that we do this paddle again. It was added to the schedule and of course I was the logical person to assume command. Lake Bessemer is a 27 acre lake located on PA route 317 in Lawrence county. It is managed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Traffic on the lake is limited to electric and paddle powered craft. I would like to have everyone in the water by 11:30 am, so arrive in time to meet that objective. Our goal is to "wake up" our paddling muscles and hopefully (if the weather cooperates) enjoy some shared time on the water.

Directions: Lake Bessemer is on the north side of PA route 317. There is a small, brown, wooden sign marking its location. For those of you who use a navigation device the address is, 545 West Poland Rd. Bessemer PA 16112.

Interstate 680 South to

St Rt 224- Go East towards Poland/Pennsylvania

Look for St Rt 170 (center of Poland-there is a clock tower)

Take St Rt 170 South (right turn)

Follow St RT 170 pass Poland High School (4th light @ Dobbins Rd) until you get to the 5th traffic light (Calla Rd. There is a BP gas station at the intersection)

Turn left (east) on Calla Rd (which is also Ohio route 630)

Follow across the PA border (OH 630 becomes PA 317) The lake/launch is about 3 miles into PA on the left (look for the small, brown sign)

Turn left into the parking lot and follow to the launch.


If hope to see you there. If you have any questions call/text me @ 330 402 0707

[Ambridger]

I really want to do this lake. Unfortunately we are out of town. Have a safe paddle.

[Krisdrlng76]

Love this lake...second time I'm going to have to miss it. I'll be paddling in the warmer waters of Crystal River FL.

[JPTolson]

Sorry to miss the club's first run of the year. Hope everyone has a great time.

JP

[mfdanko99]

Jessica and myself will also have to miss the first paddle.
Hope everyone is safe

[SOS57]

Well I'm planning to be there. It's a flatwater paddle on a small enclosed lake. Guess we'll just see who shows up. Long as at least two of us get there we can paddle reasonably safely.

[trjim]

Not much to report on Ice Breaker 1. The weather was cold and windy. This seems to be the case whenever I volunteer to lead a paddle. It was Joel Beeghly's idea to do this paddle again this year. I assume the weather kept him (and everyone else) home, as he did not attend. If I wasn't leading this paddle, I would have stayed home. Stan, Jeff and myself launched around 11:10 and paddled around the lake for about an hour. Those who did the paddle last year would be surprised to discover that a new beaver damn has elevated the surface of the lake about 1-2 feet higher than it was last year. It was good to get back in my boat for awhile and "tune up" for the 2023 paddling season. Let's hope we are blessed with good weather for the Ice Breaker 2 paddle.

Jim