HIKING

Bde Maka Ska kayaking "hike"

Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 9:15am

Location
Bde Maka Ska, Minneapolis
 

Our July 14 "hike" is a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles led by Barb Friedman and Bev Moe. We will meet at the northeast corner of Bde Maka Ska, near the new concessions building for a two hour kayaking tour of Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake. If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concessions building rents both single and double kayaks at $15 and $25 an hour, respectively. Canoe rentals are also available. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.

Please arrive at 3000 E. Bde Maka Ska Pkwy by 9:15 so we can get on the water by 9:30. This event is perfect for beginner kayakers. Kayaks are very stable. We will go under the Lake Street bridge and go right into Lake of the Isles. If time permits, we will cross the channel into Cedar Lake as well. 

There is plenty of parking nearby on a Monday morning, on the boulevard around the lake and on 31st street (a short block walk away from the rental place}. We will meet at 9:15 so we can get on the lake by 9:30. Afterwards, let's sit by the lake with our lunch; either bring your own or purchase at Pimento Jamaican Kitchen at the nearby concessions building. 

Sign ups for this event are through the member portal -- be sure to create your login before you try to sign up. Search for an email from [email protected] for log in instructions. It may have gone to your spam folder. 

Please sign up for this hike (required). Registrations will be accepted up to 24 hours before the hike. 

Your completed form will be used to be sure everyone who signs up has arrived before the start of the hike. Newcomers are welcome!

Bev Moe and Michael Luxenberg, UMRA Hiking Club co-leaders



Upcoming Events

Event Date: August 13, 2026, at 8:30am

You are invited to a discussion of the Minnesota midterm elections. We have set the date after the primary, which is on August 11 so we can discuss the candidates who will be in the election. 


Event Date: August 17, 2026, at 9:30am

Nanette leads a trail of two cities hike.


Event Date: August 18, 2026, at 11am - 1:30pm

10:30 a.m. check in; 10:45 boarding; cruise from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join UMRA friends and colleagues for a summer cruise and lunch aboard the Paradise Destiny II on beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Paul Maravelas, sailor, historian, and author of The History of Big Island, Lake Minnetonka will join us to share stories from 200+ years of lake-dwellers. Come early or stay after the cruise to explore Excelsior, a charming small town on the big lake.

Ticket price includes lunch: chef's sandwich, garden salad, fruit, chips, and cookies. Coffee, iced tea, and lemonade are complimentary and there will be a cash bar for other beverages. A vegetarian sandwich can be selected during registration.


Event Date: August 21, 2026, at 2pm

UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss the debut novel Buckeye by Patrick Ryan when it meets via Zoom at 2 pm. on Friday, August 21. 


Event Date: August 28, 2026, at 2pm

You are invited to join the discussion of The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents 1773-1783 by Joseph J. Ellis.


Event Date: September 8, 2026, at 12:30pm

The theme for September is "Monuments."


Event Date: September 15, 2026, at 9:30am

Bev leads a Lake of the Isles hike with Isles Bun & Coffee afterwards.


Event Date: September 21, 2026, at 10am

Critical issues facing detained immigrants and their families will be discussed.


Event Date: September 22, 2026, at 11am

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Event Date: September 25, 2026, at 2pm

A 1978 short story collection by American author John Cheever. 


Event Date: September 30, 2026, at 10am

 The architecture in Iceland is as spare as the culture -- honest and simple.


Event Date: October 5, 2026, at 9:30am

Michelle Trudeau-Spanjers leads the hike at William O'Brien State Park.


Event Date: October 5, 2026, at 10am

Topics include longevity, distributions, long term care, Social Security, and comprehensive planning.


Event Date: October 13, 2026, at 12:30pm

The theme for October is "Hands."


Event Date: October 15, 2026, at 3pm

UMF CEO John Morris


Event Date: October 19, 2026, at 9:30am

Jon C leads the hike at Nerstrand Big Woods with lunch afterwards.


Event Date: October 20, 2026, at 11am

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Event Date: October 26, 2026, at 10am

Discuss long term care options with Fred Andersen.


Event Date: October 27, 2026, at 11am

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Event Date: November 2, 2026, at 10am

Bob & Jean Hall and Andy Whitman, participants.