HIKING

Kayaking at Bde Maka Ska

Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 9:30am

Location
Wheel Fun Rentals on Bde Maka Ska
 

Our July 13 "hike" is a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles led by Bev Moe and Barb Friedman. Last summer was our first time for this kayaking event and it was a huge hit.

We will meet at Wheel Fun Rentals, located at the northeast corner of Bde Maka Ska, near the concessions building, for a two hour kayaking tour of Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake. Please arrive at 3000 E. Bde Maka Ska Pkwy by 9:10 so we can get on the water by 9:30.

If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals 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.

This event is perfect for beginner kayakers. Kayaks are very stable. We will go under the Lake Street bridge to Lake of the Isles, and if time permits, we will cross the channel into Cedar Lake and through the tunnel to Brownie 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 9:10 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.

In case of rain the event will be postponed until July 20.

Contact Bev Moe with questions the event.



Upcoming Events

Event Date: July 17, 2026, at 2pm

UMRA Book Club I will discuss The Silent Patient, a psychological thriller and debut novel by Alex Michaelides, when it meets via Zoom on Friday, July 17. 


Event Date: July 21, 2026, at 4pm


Two major conferences, one organized by the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) and the other by the Big Ten Retirees Association (BTRA), will take place this year. The AROHE conference will be held in Florida and the BTRA conference will be hosted by UMRA on the UMN campus.

The AROHE conference invites all interested retirees and university faculty and staff to reimagine retirement. You are invited to register if interested at https://www.arohe.org/2026-Conference.

The BTRA is being hosted by UMRA this year. Leadership of retiree organizations around the US will convene to share competencies. Attendance is restricted.


Event Date: August 3, 2026, at 9:30am

Bev leads the Nokomis walk to Minnehaha Falls.


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: September 8, 2026, at 12:30pm

The theme for September is "Monuments."


Event Date: September 21, 2026, at 9:30am

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


Event Date: September 21, 2026, at 10am

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


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.