Fall Is Coming - Here is a list of what we have in mind

Day Paddle Trips

• Kishwaukee River
• Rock River
• Lake Como
• Horicon Marsh
• Chicago - down town

Overnight/Multi day Paddles

• Wisconsin River
• Flambeau River
• Turtle Flambeau Flowage
• Current River

Special Events

• Moon Light Paddle
• Halloween Paddle w/campfire
• New Years Paddle
• Refresher Seminars

Over Night Camp Outs

• Chain O Lakes
• Marengo Ridge
• Bong Rec. Area

Backpacking/Camping

• Porkupine Mountains (UP, MI)
• Devils Lake, WI
• Kettle Moraine State Park, WI
• Mississippi Palisades, IL
• Wyalusing State Park, WI

Excercise Hikes

• Glacial Park
• Marengo Ridge
• Kettle Moraine

Winter Camping & Backpacking

• Marengo Ridge
• Kettle Moraine

Share your ideas at 2kadventureclub@gmail.com  Or comment below.

2K Scout Trip 8/23/10

Sunday Aug. 23, Rick and I paddled a portion of the lower Menominee River up Nort.  The Menominee is the boarder between Wisconsin and Michigans' Upper Peninsula.  This section of the river is calm and shallow and as you can see, peaceful.  The water is clear but tinted with Tanic Acid.  As calm as the water looks, it moves along towards Green Bay at 2 - 3 MPH.  This is a very nice fishing destination and there is a guide service that will float you down the river.  If you keep alert, you may even see a Bald Eagle or two.  Our hosts and guides Jack and his wife Carol not only are 2K customers but provided us with room and board and are very knowledgeable about the area. 
We are planning a couple more overnight scouting trips for the purpose of choosing some great destinations for next year.  They will be high speed low drag neanderthal adventures that may not run smoothly.  You are welcome to join us, just keep in mind that these are scouting trips, not to be confused with the trips we are planning for.  More info will be posted on the calendar.

Click to enlarge

Thank you Jack and Carol for your hospitality
Rick, Rich, Jack and his wife Carol
on The Menominee River

Kickapoo Cancellation

Due to low interest in the Kickapoo paddle trip, it will be rescheduled for another date.

As this Blog site grows, we will get a better handle on planning and organizing events.  We now have tabs that navigate either to Home or our Calendar.  The calendar will be a very useful tool that will soon list our "planned" trips for this fall and winter.    A brain storming session turned up some great ideas and these ideas will be posted on the calendar.   Al Gould is giving me a hand with the mechanics of the site and has already made some significant improvements, thanks Al. 
Another change that we are working on is to integrate this Blogs calendar with 2K Adventure Gears web site calendar.  This shared calendar will more appropriately list all 2K events. 
If you have any questions or comments, send us an email at 2kadventureclub@gmail.com.

2K Sunday Breakfast Paddle 8/22/10

This Sundays paddle was a sign that 2KAC is growing, both in numbers and in Spirit.  We enjoyed a beautiful morning, didn't we? It was just one of those days that felt great to be outdoors...
I tried to take individual picture of everyone but, I experienced camera operator focus issues...  And there were a few of you that managed to avoid the photo shoot completely.
We again had new comers, four of whom paddled in 2KAG's new boats.  These boats are suitable for both lake and river paddling.  If you have company and are looking for an extra activity, talk to Rick at 2K Adventure Gear - click on (blue link) for more details. 
Enjoy the Pics.

Real-Time Water Data for Illinois and Wisconsin

Planning a trip and need to check out some water conditions.  Well here are links to the USGS Real-Time Water Data (including stream flows) for Illinois and Wisconsin.
For Wisconsin
For Illinois

Survey Results

The results are in for the last 2 surveys.
The results for:
 "Choose you next overnight paddle"

1. Wisconsin River/sand bar camping (2)
2. Wolf River/Boulder lake camping (1)

..and for:
"Your suggestions for our next Day Paddle"

1. White River (1)

Tiki Tuesday Full Moon Paddle

Join us for the upcoming Tiki Tuesday Full Moon Paddle on August 24th!  An evening paddle starting at 6:30 pm on Tuesday. Have dinner and a drink and then go back on the lake and paddle the Full Moon. Sand Bar & Grill, Lake Elizabeth, WI (the old Mad Dan's Restaurant)

The Sponaneous Nipper Paddle Was Beautifly Peacefull

This mornings paddle was what we'll call Spontaneous and very peaceful.  Toady's crew consisted of Al, his wife Nancy, Don, and myself.  Although the Skeeters were terrible on land, when we got in the water and began to paddle they left us alone.  The water level was above normal but low and slow when compared to much of this season.  So, we drifted as much as we paddled.  The 1st rapids were tame and easily navigated and there were no screens or jams that presented any problems.  Only low hanging branches presented a spider boarding concern if you were not paying attention Nancy:)

In order to blend my above description with actual scientific values, for a better understanding, here is a graph of today's Nippersink Creek discharge volume going back 120 days:
(Discharge, cubic feet per second)  Most recent instantaneous value: 151 08-14-2010 11:30 CST

You can see that the volume on July 31 was about 600 CFS.  In my opinion that Ht. created conditions that were Far more technical (more skill needed) than todays run. 

We are working on the notification problem and we believe that the problem is solved.  However, you will need to Subscribe to the blog news letter in order to recieve event notifications.  See you next time
  

We met two news friends on the water today.

Sponaneous Nipper Paddle - Come Join

Our post Tiki paddle got a few of you talking about paddling the Nippersink this Saturday 8/14/ and Monday 8/16. 

Meeting time: 08:30.  08:01 if needing assistance with shuttling.
* note: the parking lot gate opener doesn't wear a watch - so these times are only in my imagination, but let's use them anyway.

Pu-in: Keystone Rd. in Glacial Park.

Take-out: Pioneer Rd or Spring Grove.
* your personal time frame can determine what take-out you choose.  We can work together to shuttle.
Pioneer is a lazy 3 hr paddle.
Spring Grove is a lazy 5 - 6 hr paddle with lunch - bring food & drink.

If you have any questions, email Rich or call 815-653-5075.  I will be paddling both days and will be available to assist with shuttling.

*We are expecting some weather tonight 8/12 so we'll see how much rain and what river conditions it brings.

Clean up of the Nippersink North Branch 8/21/2010

We have a Nippersink Creek Cleanup morning scheduled for August 21st, 8am to 12 noon.

We meet at the Legion Hall in Genoa City where we will break up into two groups, distribute the chainsawers evenly and move out.

We are creating a water trail which will run through Genoa City, then Richmond and end at the Nippersink Main branch just east of Pioneer Road.

Will you let people know about this. I will drop off a flyer tomorrow at 2K.

Have them call me at 262-206-1569  (Elizabeth Lyons)

Tiki Tuesday, 8/10/2010

Another Tiki Tuesday!  Tonight went a little different and I think it was a nice change.  The pace was slower and the marshy scenery added to the paddle.  Dave brought some new paddlers and  I do believe they really enjoyed themselves.  We paddled towards the South West end of the lake, and realized that the Lilly's were pretty thick which made navigating thru them a chore.  As the sun began to rest in the sky, the temperature dropped and this seamed to bring us out to the open water.  The evening slowly moved in and we made our way back to the dock.  After our paddle, during our non-dinner, some of you mentioned that you would like to paddle the Nippersink.  I suggest that on any given weekend we use email or this Blog to put together a "spontaneous paddle".  As of tonight, there was talk of a paddle on Saturday morning and on Monday morning; both on the Nippersink.  We would put-in at Keystone road and take-out at your convenience (Pioneer or Spring Grove).  Rick will be paddling on Monday and will take-out at Sping Grove.  I (Rich) will be paddling on Saturday and possibly Monday as well. 

I know there are a few bugs to be worked out of this Blog.  It's more me than the Blog itself.  So, some more patients and I should have a "news letter / notification" feature up and running soon.

And finally, 2K received their rental Kayaks last Sunday.  They are sit-in models - not too small and not too big.  So let your family, friends and co workers know about Rick's rentals at 2K Adventure Gear.

                                                                        

             

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Sunday Morning Paddle/Breakfast on Silver Lake, 8-8-2010

The Club is growing and so is the interest among members. During today's paddle, the sky was overcast and a drizzle was accompanied by thunder in the distance.  We set out to paddle around the lake but the drizzle turned to a light rain and some turned back at the midway point. The rest paddled on, and went the distance. Silver Lake is small, shallow, and clear with some bottom vegetation. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring your fishing gear and stay longer. Just make sure you have your Wisconsin fishing license.
At the end of our paddle, we went into The Marina for coffee and breakfast. Inside, we talked about future paddle trips and locations.
The groups excitement was obvious. 2K Adventure Gears arrival to the area is well received, and it's timing is perfect.
As the club grows, so will the paddle location ideas. But it doesn't stop at paddling. Paddling and camping go hand in hand, and we'll plan plenty of trips that involve both. 
See you next time.

Paddle the Kickapoo River and Camp

Paddle the Kickapoo River and Camp over nite.


Basic Plan: Meet in Ontario, WI.  Shuttle cars to take out point at bridge 12 near Rockton. Ride shuttle back to boats and begin our Kickapoo Adventure. At take out, load boats and drive to camp. Camp Saturday night. Sunday: eat, pack, go home.



Camp Options:

Wild Cat Mt. State Park. http://www.stateparks.com/wildcat_mountain.html

Mr. Ducks Canoe Rental. http://www.mrduckscanoerental.com/canoeing.asp



Paddle Options:

1. Drive up on Friday afternoon & camp. Paddle Saturday & camp Saturday night.

2. Drive up Saturday morning, meet in Ontario & shuttle cars. Paddle & camp Saturday night.

3. drive up Saturday afternoon & camp Saturday night. Shuttle cars, paddle Sunday & camp.

4. Do it all.

If you would like to join this event, let us know by clicking the "I'm Going" button in the upper right corner. 

http://www.stateparks.com/wildcat_mountain.html
 
http://www.mrduckscanoerental.com/canoeing.asp

Rick's First Dump on Nippers Class 5 Rapids, 7/25/2010

Sunday after work, Rick needed to hit the water. So Don and I joind him on the Nippersink at the Keystone launch. It was a perfect afternoon for Rick to take a swim.

Tiki Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Tonight was a fun night on Lake Elizabeth. We enjoyed cool clear water and the atmosphere was friendly. Rick's wife Christina soloed for the first time and we started a new tradition by installing an Easy Button on the Newbies Kayak. We're still debating how many times she pushe the button. For some reason this week,... the group became spread out. I think everyone was enjoying the water so much that it didn't matter if they paddled or not. It was a good time and we swaped info so we can do it again in two weeks.


8/10/10 We'll be paddling to the South West portion of the the lake.

This paddle will be called: Tiki Tuesday Swamp Tour.