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Kayaking in the Midwest
by Kay Fynne
http://www.fennkayak.com
Some of the best places to kayak in the United States are
located in the Midwest. The hidden creeks abundant with
rapids and traveling through valleys, dense wilderness and
large lakes that are home to lines of quaint islands make
these prime destinations a kayaker's paradise. While most
people first think of this land as canoe country, the
presence of kayaks is strong, in particular the sea kayak.
Side-by-side with Sunfish and spacious canoes, kayaks give
your travels a personal and private touch that isn't often
found while traveling other ways along the waters of the
Midwest.
Some of the most uplifting and serene landscapes of the
Midwest region are found in north Minnesota in the Boundary
Waters Canoe area, the BWCA. The specialist outfitters
there will be able to rent or sell kayaks, but they can
also use their knowledge to work out a route with you. How
about a paddle beside the northern pine and white birch
along the Gunflint Trail and on into Quebec? Looking for
adventure? You can arrange a drop off in the wilderness so
you meander back to the outfitter in a day or after seven
days of bivouacking. The best concentration of outfitters
is in Ely and these firms regularly fly kayak trips to
outposts that offer breathtaking scenery for the soul and
white caps for the spirit. Popular kayak trip choices
include the shorelands of the big inland lakes found in
Voyageurs NP or on into Canada to the Quetico Provincial
Park. Choosing a sea kayak over other boats means
transport is simplified and puts you closer to the nature
you are paddling through. Most converts agree that the sea
kayak has space for camping equipment and your own gear.
BWCAs smaller rivers make angler kayaks a smart choice -
and you can take a break from time to time and see if
anything is biting!
Wisconsin, the the west, is another kayaking winner. The
Namekegon River, hidden away in the north of the state, is
a gem. It sets out at Namekagon lake and runs a lonely
route down to the St Croix. The rapids are plentiful and
many are class I and II. You are going to need plenty of
wet water gear and maybe you should pack a fishing pole
since the river is famous for sturgeon. Or how about the
back country Wisconsin River? Starting in the north west
by the Mississippi it runs the entire state through to the
south west corner. Watch for wind here, which can through
your planning out, and the currents which are fierce - do
not go without your trusty personal flotation device (PFD).
The islands of Wisconsin's Apostle Islands and Door County
make kayaking the preferred mode of sightseeing among the
adventurous. Many resorts and waterfronts offer kayaking
lessons prior to renting these sea kayaks. Also, the many
islands of Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes and Les Cheneaux
Islands are a breeze to reach by kayak. Since the trip is
usually done in a matter of hours or less than a day, many
people find the recreational inflatable kayak a fun way to
tour the sandy beaches and tote their gear to a secluded
campsite.
Kayak trips to the Midwest may not offer Colorado rapids or
the warm Mexican water, but they undoubtedly offer
seclusion and exclusivity. You set your own pace on a
Midwestern kayak trip. To find out more you could try
looking at the specialist kayaks offered by Cabelas
(www.cabelas.com) among their big choice of water sports
equipment.
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