This summer, I walked and biked hundreds of miles on the roads and paths around my home. I paddled across lakes and down rivers on two dozen kayaking trips. I tended a bountiful vegetable garden. I relaxed in our backyard pool and tossed bean bags with a handful of friends who are part of our... Continue Reading →

My husband, Greg, and I have been taking ballroom dance lessons for the past few years. We glide—and often fumble—our way through the rumba, cha-cha, waltz, foxtrot, salsa and other dances, usually once or twice a week. In the process, we’ve made several new friends, including our instructors, Mike and Deb. When COVID-19 hit in... Continue Reading →

“I’m soaked,” I yelped, water dripping from my cheeks and pooling in my kayak seat. I swiped at the water droplets covering my leggings, but the strong wind discouraged much of a pause in my paddling. “Where did this wind come from? It came up so suddenly,” muttered Greg as we scanned the lake, now... Continue Reading →

“Is that our take-out bridge? No way! I want to keep going,” I griped, just over two hours into our journey down the Baraboo River from North Freedom Park on South Linn Street in North Freedom to Geise Park on Hatchery Road in Baraboo, a trip we’d anticipated would take 3-4 hours. I mildly negotiated... Continue Reading →

“Where do you want to go?” asked my cousin Kelli as we made plans to go kayaking. My mind whirled in response. I had the day off and the weather was going to be hot, the winds calm. I wanted to try somewhere new and was willing to drive a couple of hours to get... Continue Reading →

I enjoy getting to know people and learning about their lives and passions. For my cousin Kelli, one of those passions is kayaking, which is one of many things we have in common. Kelli and I purchased our kayaks about the same time, but since we live more than two hours apart, we rarely get... Continue Reading →

We’re two weeks into August, a time of the year that fills me with a sense of wistfulness, a yearning for days earlier in the season filled with the anticipation of many warm, sunny summer days ahead. Now a feeling of trepidation settles over me as the number of summer days dwindles, the sun sets... Continue Reading →

I love sharing the joys of kayaking with my family and friends, and I recently had the pleasure of kayaking with my sister, Michelle, and my two nieces, Kaitlyn and Emily. While the girls had kayaked before on vacations, this was Michelle’s first kayaking voyage. For simply picking a date on the calendar, we were... Continue Reading →

Eighties rock boomed from my SUV’s stereo as I traveled south on the interstate on Friday morning, ahead of the weekend traffic of tri-state travelers, kayaks in tow on my way to Lake Koshkonong. It seemed fitting to jam to the tunes I grew up with on my way to see friends I grew up—three... Continue Reading →

Meet Gill! This 9-week-old French bulldog is my new “grand-dog,” “son” of my daughter Rebecca and her boyfriend, Ryan. Rebecca loves to kayak and Ryan is an avid fisherman, so this pup needs to learn to enjoy the water as much as the rest of his family. Frenchies are not built for swimming, so a... Continue Reading →