MICHIGAN CITY | Rick Braun of Louisville, Ky., says his two days spent paddling on Lake Michigan and its waterways were like night and day.

Braun was one of about 35 sea kayakers who participated in the Northern Indiana Paddling Association's Burnham to Marquette Water Trail Expedition that took paddlers 45 miles from Chicago's Northerly Island to Michigan City's Millennium Plaza.

But Braun says despite his five years of kayaking experience, Saturday's expedition was difficult - to say the least.

"It was pretty rough. We just had to chalk that first day up to a learning experience. I was taking waves up to my shoulders. Today, though, was perfect. We had good, steady swells," Braun said.

Dan Plath, who leads the NIPA and organized the event, said the weekend was all about the paddlers having a good time, and learning a little in the process.

"We wanted to highlight the restoration efforts along our shores, so we had speakers talk at stops along the way, including geologists who spoke on the glaciers and development of this area, directors of organizations like the Shirley Heinze Land Trust and Open Lands, and we had speakers from parks departments and stewardship initiatives," Plath said.

The goal was to commemorate the area that Daniel Burnham, Chicago's urban planner, once visualized as a place for all to use, a recreational open area.

"We are dedicating a new lakefront water trail in honor of Burnham's centennial, which was Burnham's original plan. We want to make people aware of all of the good things we have going on and this event was truly a bi-state effort," Plath said.

He noted the event was a collaboration of many groups and communities, and they look to make the waterways of Lake Michigan a more paddle-friendly endeavor and restore recreational use for future generations.

"This could not have happened without the support of numerous organizations. Everybody really partnered and went out of their way to make this event happen," Plath said.

As paddlers finished their trek, they enjoyed complementary meals provided by Sahara Restaurant in Michigan City and listened to a live band play along a newly developed area of the Michigan City lakefront.

Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie spoke at the closing event, and noted how Millennium Plaza is but one way the city is recommitted to recreation for all.

"Today, our communities stand together to protect the lakefront. We're proud of what's happening, and this is what happens when an entire community comes together," Oberlie said.