Dear diary, we paddled more places than we expected in 2024. (Fox River (Wisconsin), Six Mile Creek, Starkweather Creek, Turtle Creek, Yahara River, Rock River, Waubesa Wetlands, and Mirror Lake.) Our friend took off work one afternoon every other week in order to be on the water. Below is a list of where we went since we are not being efficient at writing individual blogs. Continue reading 2024 Paddles – Multiple Wisconsin Waterways
Category: WI Lakes
We paddle lakes but not very frequently.
Recon: Columbia Lake (Pardeeville, WI) in the autumn (nope)
Columbia Lake is fed by the Wisconsin River and is used by Alliant Energy to cool pipes so the water is warm. We have heard about this place to paddle and decided we’d check it out before heading over with friends in a couple of days. Continue reading Recon: Columbia Lake (Pardeeville, WI) in the autumn (nope)
Red Cedar Lake – 2023 Season Start
Pickleball has been competing for the “best weather days,” so after our games one afternoon, we chose a close location to get on the water. Red Cedar Lake is an an unusual season-start for us. Continue reading Red Cedar Lake – 2023 Season Start
Wisconsin Chain Of Lakes (first time)
Finally paddled Chain of Lakes in Hartman Creek State Park near Waupaca for the first time. We had checked it out last fall and got to experience it for real on a fine October afternoon. Continue reading Wisconsin Chain Of Lakes (first time)
Warner Park Lagoon (first time)
A small lake right in Madison provides an interesting hour paddle. We liked the idea of a short paddle before meeting friends on a Friday night. Continue reading Warner Park Lagoon (first time)
Cox Hollow Lake at Governor Dodge
When my 6yo great-niece and her parents invited us to visit them at their Governor Dodge State Park campsite, we took the opportunity to paddle one of the two lakes in the park.
We had a few simple FAQ questions for which we could not find the answers so decided to document them here. Continue reading Cox Hollow Lake at Governor Dodge
Hartman Creek State Park – Recon
Inspired by a social media post, we decided to check out the Chain O’ Lakes area “some day.” Serendipitously, a need for some special cheese instigated a look-see. The game was afoot!
Continue reading Hartman Creek State Park – Recon
Lucky on Lulu Lake (first & last time probably)
We heard about Lulu Lake from Gathering Waters that holds Land Trust Days events each year. The Nature Conservancy has helped protect a total of 2,824 acres in the Mukwonago Watershed. Continue reading Lucky on Lulu Lake (first & last time probably)
Devils Lake (First and probably last time)
Most residents in Wisconsin have a fond enthusiasm for Devils Lake State Park. Maybe since we didn’t grow up here in the dairy state we don’t have the same dreamy associations. So to start getting to know this area a bit, we decided to paddle the circumference of the lake. The summer of 2018 was a time of flooding and high water that made many of our lovely rivers inadvisable to be upon.
One thing you will love – no gas motor boats are allowed! Continue reading Devils Lake (First and probably last time)
Red Cedar Lake 2018 (first time)
This lake is probably quite pretty, but we really couldn’t see much of the water surface. We got to it too late in the season – it was just packed with vegetation. The canoe did ok in this thick plant material, but kayak paddles would probably get tangled due to the different pattern of paddle strokes. We heard about Red Cedar Lake in one of the paddling books, and it sounded idyllic; we guess they must have gone in the spring. We probably will not try again this year.
Continue reading Red Cedar Lake 2018 (first time)