Why we love Canoecopia: We always meet hordes of interesting people, many of whom come a long way to join in this extravagant expo and celebration of paddlesports.

This year, after having to resort to packing up the big rig INSIDE our shop while it snowed and sleeted outside, we took off from Annapolis in weather more fitting for our destination: Madison, WI.

Luckily, the enormous Alliant Energy Center is heated, so it wasn't uncomfortable setting up our booth.

Nick Schade (above left) was with us this time, too, and set up a little ahead of time to build a Petrel Play in the booth during the show.

By the time the doors opened on Friday afternoon, things were already humming.

Joey helped with the Petrel Play assembly ...

Friends who came by included Scott Mestrezat (2nd from left), who was sharing his adventures building and paddling a Kaholo 14 the length of the Missouri River last summer in a couple of fine presentations.

(Check out the trailer for the video he made of his adventure.)

And then it was time to pack up ...

Thanks everyone for another great year!