An Unexpected Amazing Journey 
I have paddled Minnesota’s and Wisconsin’s major riverways and inland lakes, and solo paddled across the Great Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior, and raced on Puget Sound from Tacoma to Port Townsend, Washington.

Since I began kayaking four seasons ago I have logged over 4,000 miles. As the crow flies, the distance traveled in any one direction would take me beyond Alaska and into Russia, beyond Greenland and Iceland to our northeast, across the Atlantic Ocean nearly reaching the western shore of Ireland, into Central America reaching the northwest border of Brazil.

Join me on my paddling adventures. Go to the bottom of the page for links to stories and photography about my top destinations, adventures, and subjects of special interest.​

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The Thrill of the Adventure 
One of the draws of the adventure is the anticipation of what’s around the next bend. Whether it be an incredible view, unsuspecting wildlife, a small riverside town, or the welcoming riverbank or small island which will become my home for the night. 

There is the excitement of the unexpected challenge. The sounds of the river give notice of unseen trouble ahead; be it the rush of the rapids, the spillover from an obstruction made by man, a determined beaver, or a fallen tree. Maybe it’s the sound of rain or wind of a rapidly advancing storm. 

On my journeys I have been covered in thunderstorms, chased by tornados, pummeled by hail, blanketed in snow, challenged by hypothermia, baked by the sun, and even hit by a boat. I have spilled over shallow rapids and been knocked over by overhanging branches, and narrowly escaped being tragically snagged under a debris field.

Most of all, I have enjoyed the serenity and solitude, incredible nature and landscape, for which in many areas has remained largely unchanged for decades and centuries.

The Book | The Northland Adventurer
Through the prodding by many, I have created a 100 page book highlighting my journeys on our major tributaries, my grand adventures, top stops and events, and more.

Much of what is in the book is here for you to enjoy.

My favorite nearby rivers are the Rum, St. Croix and Namekagon. My top stops and top events are the Lower St. Croix (Taylors Falls, MN), Lake Pepin and Lake City, and the Tall Ships Duluth Festival. Those objects which captivate my interest include our Great Lake Lighthouses, the Soo Line High Bridge, those iconic vertical lift bridges, powerful tugs, those shuttling ferries, Great Lakes and transoceanic freighters.

My top grand adventures were paddling across Great Lakes Michigan and Superior, and racing on Puget Sound. But, paddling across the Straits of Mackinac and tapping the massive columns of the Mackinac Bridge while I pass in between was special too.

I hope you find my stories and photography about my paddling adventures across our Northland pleasant and entertaining. Most of all, may they inspire adventure in you.

The first three seasons and 2,695 miles captured here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Let me take you on my journey.
Click on the links (underlined) of those topics below which interest you most. 

Paddling our Major Tributaries
•  Rum River 2017
•  Rum River 2019
•  Cannon River
•  Superior Bay 
•  Upper St. Croix
•  Headwaters of the Mississippi
•  Namekagon River

Top Stops and Events
•  Lower St. Croix - Taylors Falls, MN
•  ​Lake Pepin and Lake City, MN
•  St. Paul, MN and Raspberry Island
•  ​Stillwater, MN
•  Tall Ships Duluth Festival

Objects of Interest
•  Great Lakes Lighthouses
•  Bridges of Stillwater
•  Wisconsin Central Bridge Ruins
•  Soo Line High Bridge
•  Vertical Lift Bridges
•  Trains
​•  Railroad Bridges
​•  Tugs and Barges
​•  Locks and Dams
​•  Business and Industry

Subjects of Interest
•  The Joy of the Journey
•  Overhanging Branches
•  Best of All It's Fall
•  Get Off the River!
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Grand Adventures
•  Crossing Lake Huron
•  ​Straits of Mackinac 
•  Crossing Lake Michigan #1
•  Crossing Lake Michigan #2
•  Crossing Lake Michigan #3
•  Crossing Lake Superior
•  SEVENTY48 
•  Campus to Coast

Newsworthy
•  ABC NEWS: Avid  Kayaker Brushes Death
•  The Whole Story

Easter 2019
•  A Narrow Escape

​Reflections
•  A Wonderful Journey

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May my stories and photography inspire adventure in you.