When time permits, we enjoy canoeing and primitive camping on the upper Saint Croix and Namekagon rivers in Wisconsin and Minnesota. A family member, friend or local outfitter can drive you and your equipment to a number of landings on rivers and forest areas that are preserved by the 1968 Wild Rivers Act. When you paddle downstream for just a few minutes, cell phone signals cease. Trips like these are get-aways in every sense of the word.
We have been working hard as expediters since entering the business five years ago. It has been six years since we have taken time off to get on the river. We were delighted to see it has not changed and is as peaceful as ever.
At home, we loaded up the truck with our canoe and camping gear, and then drove 100 miles to an outfitter that provided truck parking (free) and shuttle service ($55). Thirty miles upstream, we put in and began a nice break away from the truck, phones, computers and business concerns. Apart from two brief rain showers, the summer weather was spectacular the whole time.
The first day, we paddled 10 miles and set up camp. Three days later, we broke camp and paddled 20 miles to the landing where the outfitter picked me up. Diane stayed with the equipment until I returned with the truck.
At the camp site, we did nothing but let the cares of business evaporate from our minds and then read and enjoy the water and woods. On day two I did not even read. Except to eat and take a nap, I spent the whole day sitting in a lawn chair, listening to the breeze and birds, and watching the river go by.
The trip was not people-free but contact with others was limited to the half-dozen parties that paddled by our camp site in three days. We we exchanged silent waves or a brief hello as they passed. Further down stream, and as the weekend came, river traffic picked up and other people could not be avoided. That was OK. We had our time away in a pristine natural setting, which is what we set out to do.
If you are laid over in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota area, you might consider a day trip. It would be easy. Drive 100 miles or less to Wild River Outfitters, park there, rent a canoe or kayak, paddles and life vests from them, pack food and water for a day, and have the outfitter shuttle you to a recommended landing for the kind of paddling you want to do. Extended trips are of course an option, but camping gear must be considered. The outfitter has a small campground with showers and hookups if you wish.
River Information
We took photos at the beginning and end of the trip but otherwise left the camera behind. We went on this trip looking for less to do, not more. Had we brought the camera, I would have a photo of a small black bear that appeared nearby, eagles, deer, turkeys, other critters and some great scenery.
If you like camping, wildlife and/or pristine scenery, this is a trip you would enjoy. For land lubbers, there are hiking trails along parts of the river.
We have been working hard as expediters since entering the business five years ago. It has been six years since we have taken time off to get on the river. We were delighted to see it has not changed and is as peaceful as ever.
At home, we loaded up the truck with our canoe and camping gear, and then drove 100 miles to an outfitter that provided truck parking (free) and shuttle service ($55). Thirty miles upstream, we put in and began a nice break away from the truck, phones, computers and business concerns. Apart from two brief rain showers, the summer weather was spectacular the whole time.
The first day, we paddled 10 miles and set up camp. Three days later, we broke camp and paddled 20 miles to the landing where the outfitter picked me up. Diane stayed with the equipment until I returned with the truck.
At the camp site, we did nothing but let the cares of business evaporate from our minds and then read and enjoy the water and woods. On day two I did not even read. Except to eat and take a nap, I spent the whole day sitting in a lawn chair, listening to the breeze and birds, and watching the river go by.
The trip was not people-free but contact with others was limited to the half-dozen parties that paddled by our camp site in three days. We we exchanged silent waves or a brief hello as they passed. Further down stream, and as the weekend came, river traffic picked up and other people could not be avoided. That was OK. We had our time away in a pristine natural setting, which is what we set out to do.
If you are laid over in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota area, you might consider a day trip. It would be easy. Drive 100 miles or less to Wild River Outfitters, park there, rent a canoe or kayak, paddles and life vests from them, pack food and water for a day, and have the outfitter shuttle you to a recommended landing for the kind of paddling you want to do. Extended trips are of course an option, but camping gear must be considered. The outfitter has a small campground with showers and hookups if you wish.
River Information
We took photos at the beginning and end of the trip but otherwise left the camera behind. We went on this trip looking for less to do, not more. Had we brought the camera, I would have a photo of a small black bear that appeared nearby, eagles, deer, turkeys, other critters and some great scenery.
If you like camping, wildlife and/or pristine scenery, this is a trip you would enjoy. For land lubbers, there are hiking trails along parts of the river.
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Any portage we do may require a couple of trips.