SET FREE TO EXPRESS What others are saying about the program.
“I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you for organizing the group and for a job well done. I have really benefited from the networking aspect of Set Free, and for that I am very thankful. I’ve met a lot of great women thanks to you.” ~ Erin
“When I moved to La Crosse 3 years ago, I knew there were great places in nature to explore, but I did not have any idea on how to get started. I found the Set Free 2 Enjoy group, and the La Crosse area has been opened up to me! It’s a safe, fun and EASY group to belong to.” ~ Julie
“Every time I hike, bike or paddle with other members I come back thinking of what a joy it is to be part of a group where everyone is so welcoming. I will continue to be part of Set Free because there will be a time when I know how important this group will be for me.” ~ Anonymous, age 72
“I’ve always been afraid of the Mississippi River. I’ve lived in La Crosse for 27 years but was never able to enjoy living in a river town…until I joined Set Free. Set Free has enabled me to experience the beauty and relaxation of the backwaters from a kayak, and make new friends at the same time. It’s my new passion!” ~ Sheryl
“Without Set Free, I do not know where I would be. The friendships and activities add a great deal of meaning to my life.” ~ Anonymous
“Patty, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you once again for stepping up to the plate and encouraging women to learn to kayak. As you know, today was the first time I had been in the water this season. As I rounded the first bend in the river, the ‘mellowing’ ran down my back and settled in the center of my being. The colors of sky, water and foliage stood out as bright as a neon sign in Vegas. Each bend that I rounded brought new sights, sounds and smells that told me again and again how great it is to be alive and to have the privilege to enjoy this day and this time. Had you not provided the impetus for me to take up the paddle the first time I would have never known the incredible pleasure of drifting down Wisconsin rivers on a sunny, summer June day. You are appreciated.” ~ Jeanne
“I feel very strongly about the value of education, it is something that no one can take away from you. We all came into this world knowing the same so we are all learning everyday like it or not. I prefer to learn by doing and that is 
why I know without a doubt that I would not be out on the water on a weekly basis without your knowledge of the waters in our area, plus I do not have my own kayak, yet!” ~ Penny
“I would never consider going out at night without a group. But what an experience to see the moon and stars and the quiet still air. One person stated, ‘My dream came true to see a sunset AND a moon rise at the same time!’” ~ Bonne
“[It was] a beautiful afternoon on the Mississippi River backwaters kayaking toward what we thought were three white pelicans. They were three white swans!” ~ Bonne
“What I love is the way I feel when I finally get out on the water. All my cares seem to disappear when I’m able to connect with nature. Set Free helps me to do just that”! ~ Penny
“Kayaking is such a relaxing way to enjoy our beautiful area. Being so close to the water and nature is awesome. We are so fortunate to be able to go out and actually do the things that you see pictured in travel magazines. Others only dream about such opportunities and we have the chance to live them.” ~ Mary Lee
“Set Free 2 Enjoy is outdoor FUN and LAUGHTER after 50. Thanks Set Free for giving me a time to smile and enjoy nature and it’s beauty.” ~ Anonymous
“I recall enjoying a moonlight paddle on Lake Neshonoc. The moon rose so large – coming up out of the water it seemed – then rising further and reflecting off of the calm water’s surface. It was beautiful. Paddling unites you with the water, birds and fish. I’ve enjoyed the feeling of freedom that it brings, too.” ~ Rhea
“Kayaking in the rain today was so much fun–and another wonderful group of gals – none of whom I knew before, but so many connections once we started talking.” ~ Carol
“I love the trips which take us into back waters, sloughs and reserves. We see glorious things that the motorized river traffic never experiences.” ~ Anonymous
“Being with Set Free fills some voids. I have met like-minded women of like ages and made a few, very good friends. I have met women who are using the activities as a way of dealing with the adversity that life has thrown at them and they are wonderfully inspiring. There are new activities to try and old ones to re-experience. With my schedule, it is often impossible to get out for organized groups. But there are things going on all the time or someone around who has the same time variants and can get together despite them. I also love the opportunity of sharing what I love with others who are experiencing it for the first time.” ~ Dorina
“As I’ve said before, your programs…have changed me. I am forever grateful.” ~ Susan
“I think I am the loneliest married person I know. Sometimes I start to feel sorry for myself, and my mind travels 
where it shouldn’t or I conjure up a pity party for one. Then I remember I have you and the group that God led me to and I need to be very thankful for what I have, not what I wish I had. Even though we haven’t done a lot of things together yet, I just wanted to say thank you for who you are in my life. The possibilities of things to come are wonderful thoughts.” ~ Anonymous
“I’m a homemaker that has two children in school. I like to volunteer my time at school, but always make time to do the activities that I enjoy with nice women. I feel like I just returned from a mini vacation every time I return home. I’m able to do my duties with an extra bounce in my step.” ~ Patti
“Soft recreation is wonderful in that it feels like a home for me in a way. Since my home has become abnormal for me, it’s always good to have that base of friends and a time that is set aside for getting together. I always feel like I fit when I’m at soft recreation. The women are oh, so friendly and I feel like they really care. I just hope I give that much back to them.” ~ Lisa
“If I had Set Free when I was married, I wouldn’t be divorced now.” ~ Anonymous
“Leisure is an important part of everyone’s quality of life, but some women feel constrained and are not able to take advantage of the opportunities leisure offers. Once a month, I join a frenzied group of women on Lake Neshonoc. We’re all ages and sizes. We drive all kinds of vehicles. Some of us have color coordinated our kayaks with our life vests, rubber shoes, and nail polish. Some are inexperienced and quite nervous. But all of us are smiling. By the time we paddle out to the middle of the lake, it is dark. Sometimes we bring our kayaks together to make formations. We watch the wrong part of sky for the moon to rise. We follow a shooting star that turns out to be a plane. Eventually, the moon is bright and overhead, and every star in the galaxy is absolutely clear. The division between the dark water and the dark sky disappears and we are floating in space. Things become very quiet and we drift apart to become only shadows to each other. And I get to howl at the moon loudly and without embarrassment. It is my bold announcement that I am experiencing leisure and will again.” ~ Dorina
“The river never ceases to amaze me. It is never the same place twice. It changes not only with the seasons but from week to week. I never know what I will see, so I hate to miss an opportunity to paddle even if it is to a landing that I’ve paddled from frequently. Like today’s “bayou” paddle. What fun paddling through the trees. We won’t be able to do that next week! Happening upon the migrating birds like we did early in April was awesome! Was it hundreds of birds? The pelicans, swans, ducks, coots and even an eagle in its nest were so close we could see every detail. I appreciate your willingness and enthusiasm in sharing your knowledge of the waters around La Crosse.” ~ Lynn
“It felt good to get out on the water yesterday. Thought maybe it would be too long, but ended up just right. What a gorgeous day and what good company. I always tuck the good memories away, and then drag them out to contemplate on the ‘blue’ days.” ~ Jeanne
“I LOVE how we are being connected for social things now…as well as the nature things.” ~ April
“We sat in our kayaks between old, strong trees and saw 4-6 nests over head – in each tree! Some held heron, some egrets, and some even had babies. Watching the heron and egret flight patterns was like being at O’Hare without the noise.” ~ Fran
“Set Free has allowed me to enjoy the activities that I’ve always enjoyed doing by providing someone to do them with i.e., biking, skiing, hiking, snowshoeing.It has also introduced me to new activities that I never thought I would be doing i.e., kayaking. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a member from its beginning and have MANY GREAT memories! The members of Set Free are kind, encouraging, funny, giving, forgiving, and knowledgeable just to name a few qualities.” ~ Patti
Set Free
“The kayak scraped away from shore; Setting me free to see and explore; Floating down the river.
The kayak scraped away from shore; To wild flowers and piney scents; Ripples, rocks, and eagles’ nests.
The kayak scraped away from shore; Setting me free to see and explore.” ~ Fran Rybarik
Lynn, the foliage expert!
A note from Lynn Nelson, our foliage specialist: “I started to notice my surroundings and I realized I was in a new eco system that I hadn’t even known existed. This was an environment that I could immerse myself in and expand my plant knowledge. You were all so patient with me. You were also patient with my slowness. How many times did you wait for me while I moaned over some plant that I couldn’t identify or was spell bound by a particularly beautiful specimen? You even got into the swing of things and tried to stump me. I loved that because you pointed out plants that I would have missed. You forced me to research even more deeply than I would have on my own. I would have enjoyed the beauty that surrounded me out on the water, but it was multiplied by being able to share it with all of you.
I take to Oregon so many memories that are tied to all of you. Closest to my own heart will be the memories of acres of blooming water lilies and lotus blooming as far as the eye can see. My association with Set Free and all of you has been a wonderful, enriching experience. Thank you again, and again, and again. I will never forget any of you. When I’m a little old lady sitting in my rocking chair I will have such rich memories to draw on thanks to all of you.” ~ Lynn
Pat’s response: “Those of us who have had the privilege of paddling with Lynn learned a lot. In fact, when we tell you the names of water plants, we learned them from this woman who loved being outside and on the water. We miss you already, Lynn. Goodbye. On the upside, if we take a trip someday to Oregon we have a friend to hang with.”
“I don’t know why Pat named her business Set Free. ‘Pat’s Kayaks’ rhymes; ‘Water Women’ sounds sci-fi; ‘Pallardy’s 
Paddlers,’ well, that can be left to the imagination. But every year since the beginning, Set Free has taken on new meaning for me, and explains my continuing membership.
Set Free … to do what?
Here’s my list.
- Free to do what women alone can’t do safely
- Free to be on the water without having to own a boat
- Free to not know how
- Free to ask for help without feeling weak or stupid
- Free to give help
- Free to get muddy
- Free to wear grubby clothes and have bad hair
- Free of gender roles and reins
- Free to take risks
- Free to not take risks
- Free to spend a day talking and laughing with women I’ve never met before and might not meet again
- Free to form close friendships
- Free to crawl out of a kayak on your hands and knees without worrying about how it looks
- Free to laugh – really loud
- Free to paddle next to someone for miles and be quiet
- Free to not talk about our jobs, the news, the economy
- Free to talk about ourselves
- Free to not talk about ourselves
Free to be surrounded with beauty; so much beauty that by the end of a thee-hour river trip, the only things left in my head are pictures of herons catching fish, eagles being chased by black birds, muskrats, turtles, pileated woodpeckers, king fishers, blue and green, light and shadow, ancient rocks, and smooth beaches brought by Spring’s heavy thaws. Fallen trees reaching across the water, their branches combing the passing currents, submerged, slimy logs impersonating alligator snouts, moss. My head is filled with mud-to-breath beauty. The worries, the have-to’s and should’s are gone. It’s very addicting.” ~ Susan
“I have been recently diagnosed with clinical depression; it is very difficult. Pat, thanks for calling and encouraging me to come. Every time I come my day is brighter.” Thank you.” ~ Anonymous
“Set Free is like a really fun ‘recess’ when you were in grade school. You can’t wait to get out on the playground (in your kayak) with your friends, you have a great time laughing and talking, and afterwards you look forward to your next ‘recess.’” ~ Dorothy