We really wanted the 2024 finale to be taking Steve to Blackhawk Island. We were so excited that it worked out. Continue reading Blackhawk Island Wisconsin River – last 2024 paddle
Category: Wisconsin River
2024 Paddles – Multiple Wisconsin Waterways
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
Wisconsin River – Kilbourn Dam to Norway Rd – The Dells 2023
All kinds of things could have gone wrong but it was a golden day of paddling through the Wisconsin Dells. Continue reading Wisconsin River – Kilbourn Dam to Norway Rd – The Dells 2023
Wisconsin River – Dekorra Landing
It’s rare that you can paddle against the current on the Wisconsin River but the water level was low as was the wind speed so we revisited this paddle we did in 2011. Continue reading Wisconsin River – Dekorra Landing
Blackhawk Island during pandemic election (2020 Last Paddle)
During the Covid-19 pandemic, UW closed Upham Woods to all activity including paddling. But out of the blue they let us know that pass holders were invited to launch their boats. Continue reading Blackhawk Island during pandemic election (2020 Last Paddle)
Blackhawk Island Upham Woods now requires a paddle pass
There being no public access to the Wisconsin River at Blackhawk Island any longer, we were planning to attend an orientation at Upham Woods, get their Paddle Pass (register link), then launch from their private canoe beach Continue reading Blackhawk Island Upham Woods now requires a paddle pass
Blackhawk Island to retrieve a jacket
The Preamble:
On the occasion of having to retrieve a forgotten jacket from the Ice House and on the occasion of Pat’s first week of retirement, we paddled an area in the Dells that we had checked out a few days before thinking we would explore it “some day.” Continue reading Blackhawk Island to retrieve a jacket
Lemonweir to Louis Bluff on the Wisconsin River
Setting:
The third time we have won Ice House Getaway on Louis Bluff, in the River Alliance Auction. This time we were playfully trying to push the bid up and accidentally won! The Weinhold family offered a 2-day stay in their Ice House cabin on the Wisconsin River to the highest bidder to benefit the organization. With their permission, we invited several friends to paddle the Wisconsin River with us, take out at their private beach on the bluff and then have a picnic in the riverside gazebo. This land is private (not rentable) and part of a nature conservancy so it will not be developed into a tourist attraction in the future. Continue reading Lemonweir to Louis Bluff on the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River in November (The Dells)
Setting: Freakishly warm November day-73 degrees! Sunny, breezy.
Late fall is the best time to paddle this section because the tour boats have stopped running.
Put in: The drive from Madison to Wisconsin Dells is about 50 min. There is a parking lot Continue reading Wisconsin River in November (The Dells)
Ice House Femtilla 2014
We won the Ice House Getaway in the River Alliance Auction. Actually, we were outbid at the very last second of furious bidding, but the Alliance director Denny Caneff got permission from owners Frank and Marianna Weinhold to allow two winners that year. The Weinholds let us invite a few well-behaved women paddlers to land at their private beach on Louis Bluff. Continue reading Ice House Femtilla 2014