One of the hardest parts about embracing the winter months in Wisconsin is the lack of outdoor time compared to in the summer. With three boys, it gets to be too much when we’re all cooped up.
After taking a walk in our backyard on a warmer winter day, I thought, “Why not do what we enjoy in summer, too?” After that, things came together pretty quickly.
I brought out the kayak and fit the boys in their lifevests, and we went and paddled the most scenic and peaceful trip down the Sugar River. It was a treat to be able to see the different wildlife, tracks and snow-covered banks. There’s something so calm about nature covered in a layer of thick, fluffy powder.
The Sugar River is a long stretch, and the upper Sugar River runs from Verona to Albany. It has gorgeous views and usually a fairly shallow depth.
We jumped in around the Belleville area, and Paoli also has a great area for accessing the river. If you don’t have your own kayak or regional knowledge of the river, there’s a company that does rentals called Sugar River Outfitters. But our experience was a little more backwoods, and a lot of fun.
Difficulty: Moderate (paddling, navigating, plus wrangling kids in lifevests)
Cost: Free (unless you pay for a rental)
– Alan Charles
Alan Charles is the father of three behind the Wisconsin Dadventures blog that chronicles his adventures with his sons. Alan’s wife, Kyla Charles, helps pen the stories that come of her family’s outings exploring the Driftless Region and beyond.