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Kayaks on the Apple River

Photo essay: Kayaking Wild and Scenic Rivers!

July 6, 2022  |  Topics: Places

By Eddee Daniel

Here’s one from the road, a diversion shall we say? But all in the spirit of loving nature! On a recent trip to Northwestern Wisconsin, the two of us (my wife Lynn and I) took in two scenic rivers and two scenic parks in two adjacent states. For each of our two kayak trips two different pairs friends joined us. I’ll let the photos tell the rest of the story, spiced up now and then with quotations about nature…

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
The St. Croix River is very wide in the stretch we kayaked and calm and placid the day we went.
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Although we were paddling downstream, moving forward was slow unless we actually paddled!

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” ~John Muir

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Our friend Roger’s kayak (a Hobie brand) is outfitted with foot peddles that take the place of paddling.
Island campground in the St. Croix River at Hudson.
Boats pull up to this Island campground in the St. Croix River at Hudson and at least one tent had been pitched the day we visited.

Interstate Park, Minnesota

Large glacial pothole, Interstate Park, Minnesota
Large glacial pothole. Interstate Park is known for its potholes, which were carved out of solid stone during the glacial period.
Rock Climbing for Beginners, Interstate Park, MN.
Rock Climbing for Beginners!

“We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the Earth we share.” — Maya Angelou

Small glacial pothole, Interstate Park, MN.
Small glacial pothole. The potholes vary considerably in size.

Apple River, tributary to St. Croix River, Northwestern Wisconsin

Setting off down the Apple River, WI.
Setting off down the Apple River.
The Apple River, WI.
It began as another idyllic day on a fairly somnolent river.

“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. ” ~ Albert Einstein

The Apple River, WI.
The Apple River
The weather changed during our three-hour paddle, but never really threatened rain.

Willow River State Park, WI

Willow River Falls Panorama
Willow River Falls Panorama
Willow River overlook, Willow River State Park, WI
Willow River overlook with a view of the river and the park.

Nature is not a place to visit. It is home. ~ Gary Snyder

Willow River Falls, Willow River State Park, WI

Eddee Daniel is a board member of Preserve Our Parks.