Beach Toys
Published June 8, 2011 | 
Arthur Robinson closes the glass and replies,
“I dream of ballerinas and I don’t know why?
But I see Cadillacs sailing” – counting crows
The 3rd straight day with heat indexes into the hundreds has passed here in Wisconsin. Now it’s 3am and slipping into the fourth. Man it’s hot!! Yesterday was also the 3rd day in a row that I’ve been out in a kayak. 3 days, 3 different kayaks. This time I took the roller out to Devil’s Lake State Park. While everyone else played on the beach, I went off shore and rolled myself dizzy. The only problem is that the sudden heat wave hasn’t had time to warm up the water. It feels warm enough for a while but after a half hour or so I started to feel a chill sinking deep into my bones. I’d have written it off to old age or thin skin if not for the fact that my 10-year-old began wanting to go home the at same time I did! Continue reading
100 Down The Boo
Published June 7, 2011 | 
Up a lazy river by the old mill stream
That lazy, hazy river where we both can dream
Linger in the shade of an old oak tree
Throw away your troubles, dream a dream with me
- louis armstrong
Thermometers around here were just hitting 100f as I launched out for my second run down the Baraboo river in 2 days. This time I hauled out my Pyranha. I wanted to do this quickly so that I could get some sense of the differences between this boat and my new/0ld Perception Mirage. Yeah, it’s obvious that they are totally different kayaks..but unless you actually do the butt-in-boat time it’s all theory. What surprised me was that the much shorter Pyranha actually seems easier to keep on a line than 13 foot Mirage. Of course while surfing and playing in a small hole there was no comparison. The playboat actually listens to commands! Continue reading
Snow on the Water
Published April 19, 2011 | 
Wisconsin? You’d better believe it! Most people don’t realize that white pelican’s make their home in Wisconsin. Large numbers nest each year near Green Bay and Lake Winnebago to the north-east of my home here in the central part of the state. These guys were hanging out in Lake Wisconsin. In general, they will only stay a couple of weeks before moving on. Still, it’s nice to see them here in the land of Canada geese and Wood Ducks… Speaking of which… Continue reading
Fun & Safety
Published April 9, 2011 | 
Seasons don’t fear the reaper / Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain..we can be like they are
Come on baby…don’t fear the reaper / Baby take my hand…don’t fear the reaper / We’ll be able to fly…don’t fear the reaper
Baby I’m your man… – BOC
Not only do I finally (And I mean FINALLY!) get to get out on my little local lake again, but I can get started on a great opportunity to promote paddling & paddling safety as well. As most of you know my local state park is just 3 miles from my home. Devil’s Lake State Park truly an amazing place by any standard, part of the national Ice Age Trail and the most popular state park in Wisconsin. Over a century ago caring and forward thinking people fought off continued privatization and development this natural wonder, and exactly 100 years ago Devil’s Lake State Park was officially opened. To celebrate the Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park are holding a “100 club” event where hikers, bikers and runners can earn a cool badge for doing 100 miles on the trails. Paddling was.. well, left out. I’ve got that one covered though! Continue reading
Back To The Water
Published April 3, 2011 | 
While the lake closest to home is still frozen, Lake Wisconsin some 15 minutes away is opening up. Yesterday I grabbed my old Romany and went for my first outdoor paddle of the new season. Even now many of the bays, including the one where I normally launch my kayak, are still closed in by ice. I’m glad I did a bit of exploring last year because I remembered a second option. This little park in the town of Merrimac. It’s not the easiest place to launch a kayak actually, but in April who’s complaining!? Continue reading
No Paddling, But No Complaints
Published March 28, 2011 | 
All kinds of sadness I’ve left behind me.
Many’s the day when I have done wrong.
But I’ll be yours for ever and ever.
Climb in the saddle and whistle along. – tull
You pick, we’ve got it! And all within a couple miles of my home. Well, we don’t have big water.. but then.. I can’t complain, it’s only a 2 hr drive to Lake Michigan and 6 hrs Lake Superior. Thing is, even when I paddle I’m a shore hugger. I want to see stuff!
So while it’s still too cold to get out and paddle daily at one of the local lakes, spring is providing some wonderful hikes. Yesterday it was 35F around here and very sunny which feels warm and wonderful after a long winter. We went out hiking at a natural area next to Devil’s Lake State Park called the Merrimac Preserve. The preserve is over 1,800 acres of forests, savanna, wetlands, streams, sandblows and prairie located here in south-central Wisconsin. The Baraboo bluffs on the northern end force water to flow down into the preserve, then south to the Wisconsin river. Everything between is a nature lover’s wonderland. Continue reading
My day hasn’t even started yet, but I could go back to bed right now and call it a good day. You see, one of the amazing things about our home is the abundance of wildlife. It wasn’t always that way of course. I’m sure you’ve all seen those yellow, dingy and lifeless films from the 1970′s right? I’d bet you’ve always assumed that the lack of vibrance was due to the aging film… Well, no. It actually looked that way! The 70s was ugly, really. Thankfully a lot of people have done a lot of work since then and fought hard against those who think the environment is simply a place to own, pillage, kill, pollute and profit from. Continue reading →