Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend doesn't sound like a perfect time to get out on the water, but with a high of 45 and barely any wind, it was a great day to be out. I took the canoe down to Voyager Landing in Elgin, Illinois. The ramp is almost right under the I-90 overpass. I like to head north from there.

This section of the river is still deep enough for motor boating traffic so, in the summer, it can get pretty rough. This time of year though is perfect. I was reminded that there was a lot of duck blinds in this section too. I thought I was pretty late in the season...but about 15 minutes into my paddle I heard the gunshots start up. It was a little unnerving hearing them so close. Luckily, they were coming from a wooded area on the other side of the river. It was still spooky to hear them so often, and so close. None of the blinds that I paddled past were occupied.

The wind in this section can change during the day. I was out for about 2 hours and the water was very calm as I headed north. There was a breeze coming from the South, but once I got around the first corner, the water turned to glass.

About a mile north of Voyager Landing is South End Park. Before you get to this little park, there is a nice size island that splits the river. If you hug the left side of this island, the river dips to about 1.5 feet to 3 feet deep. There is a section that gets down to about 6 inches deep. I like to take this route north, then shoot down the other side of the island on the way back. The current through the east side of the river is very strong.

The river continues past South End Park and heads into downtown West Dundee. The river has a nice current to it in that section. It is tough, but it is worth the paddling. South End Park is where I like to turn around and catch the current back down the East side of the island and head back down river.

On this trip, when I got back to the wider section of the river, the wind had picked up. It was tough to keep the bow of my 16 foot canoe into the wind AND fight the waves that were coming at me. It was a tough paddle, but it was worth getting out there this late in the season.

Paddling, to Me, is......

Paddling, to me, is more than just getting out on the water. It is more than just enjoying the nice weather. It is an escape and an adventure. Whether it is a river that you have paddled 100 times before or a lake that you have never gotten out on, each time that boat slides off the bank, it is an adventure.

While paddling, you are in a parallel world. You see things in a different light. You could pass over a bridge every day during your commute to work, but when you pass under that same bridge in your canoe, it is a completely different structure. The world slows down when you are out for a paddle. You have the time to discover, to explore, and to open yourself to the environment around you. And this peacefulness is not just found in rural creeks and lakes.

I have paddled right through towns and watched cars cruise over me as I pass under bridges. You feel like you are watching an interactive movie. You are there, but you are not a part of that world. You are paddling. What is happening along the shores, on the bridges, and in the buildings you pass, does not pertain to you. You are just floating past.

The hypnotizing rhythm of paddling calm water is euphoric. The smoothness of the water, the calmness of the air. There are no worries out on that water. There is also something about paddling tight creeks and rivers that gets the blood pumping. The concentration of planning your path. The anticipation of the next turn. Riding the water as it carries you through mother nature.

Paddling, to me, is a lifestyle and an addiction. Once you dip the paddle, you never want it to stop.

Fox River Grove to Algonquin, IL

It was the 21st of November and the weather actually cooperated with a planned paddle trip! I hit the water in Fox River Grove, IL at about 7 am and the temp was about 45 degrees. The best part was THERE WAS NO WIND!! The plan was to head about 4.5 miles south to the dam in Algonquin, IL and back.


The weather could not have been better for a trip this time of year. It was overcast, but it added to the feel of the trip. About half way through the trip to the dam, the wind picked up...but it was actually a warm breeze!

There is a lot to see along this stretch of the Fox River. There is a nice mix of homes, forest, and waterfalls? Yea, the are not as large and impressive as some of the waterfalls you may have seen before, but they are pretty cool. I saw about 3 of them along this section. I also saw 4 deer near this little run off creek. They were quick to get back into the woods once they saw me.

After about 2 hours, I hit the half way point of the trip. This picture is of the Algonquin Dam (in the distance). This is one of the many dams on the Fox River and it is the end of the Fox Waterway Agency's jurisdiction. South of this dam, the river changes quickly. It is a lot shallower and more intimate.

On my way back to the put in, I veered off into a little channel. It is little channels like this that make the trip fun. You get to go places that you usually don't get to see. And you get to see things that most people may have NEVER seen!


LIKE A TINY VILLAGE!! That's right, this guy has a small town set up at his pier. I don't know if it is for the holidays or if it is something that he has out all the time. It caught me off guard for sure though. I didn't see it when I was headed into the channel, and I almost missed it on the way out. Luckily, it caught my attention and I was able to double back to take a closer look. I have never seen anything like it...lol

I didn't think I would see anyone else out at this time of year, but this guy was taking his old ChrisCraft for one last rip down the river. It was a beautiful boat. After he blew past, it was about time to watch for my take out point. I was back before I knew it. 4 hours out on the canoe was one of the longest solo trips that I have taken and I was glad I could sneak it in. If this happens to be the last trip of the year for me, I would be satisfied.

Miller River Front Park

Miller River Front park is located on the Fox River just north of the Miller rd. bridge. This section of the river is a high traffic area. I suggest hitting it during a week day or in the off season. There are a lot of homes and a couple businesses on the river and the water gets pretty choppy. I would say that this is not for the beginners.

This put in is located in a very quiet park. The few times that I have launched from here, there was no one else at the park. Bring your portage wheels, because there is a decent walk to the river. It isn't too bad of a walk and what makes it enjoyable is the heavy canopy.

The bank is a sand so it is super easy to launch. Once you are in, you can head north towards Mchenry, or south to the dam. You can see the dam in the distance so heading south is a pretty short trip. On this occasion, we headed north into downtown Mchenry.


Even with minimal boat traffic, the water can get pretty choppy. We stuck close to the shore and were right off the end of most piers. Once you get up around the corner and see rt 120, there is a small channel that gets you out of the hustle and bustle of the river. D's Marine is at the mouth of the channel. You can take the channel for about 15 minutes at a relaxed paddle before it taps out. Mchenry just gave this section a facelift so it is very pretty after you get past D's Marine. There is even a fountain int he middle of the channel that gives you the feeling that you made a wrong turn and ended up in a downtown fountain.

Caught in the Rain

This was a trip that we took up the Nippersink. The weather was PERFECT. We launched from Pioneer Landing and headed upstream. Once we got up past rt 31, into the prairie section of Glacial Park, the clouds started to get thicker. I wanted to get to the camping area of Glacial Park, but I did not know how far ahead it was. I got into the trap of thinking that it was right around the next bend. As we came around each bend, the clouds came in faster. Thunder started right to the north of us and that's when we realized we needed to get off the creek.

We had heavy trees ahead of us, but the creek zigzags so much in this portion, we could not tell if we were getting closer to them or not. I knew that we would not be able to get back to the last section of trees that we had past either. Just as it started to rain, we caught a nice little bank under some large trees.

Our smallest member had the right idea. She snagged a coat and hunkered down in the canoe.

Luckily, the storm did not last as long. It blew out of the area just as fast as it came in. The trip back to the take out was beautiful. Just as there is a calm before the storm, the calm after a storm is perfect.
This was a great experience. It had the right mixture of emotions. There was the relaxing paddle of the trip mixed with the excitement of trying to find coverage from the storm. While it was a great experience, we did learn a lesson.... always check the weather before a paddle!

An Overview of Nippersink Creek

You can't talk about paddling in Northern Illinois without talking about Nippersink Creek. This is 18 miles of beauty. The creek starts in the East at the North end of Wonder Lake. There is a dam at the lake, so the earliest you can get into the creek is at Keystone Landing. This is also the east end of Glacial Park.



The current is strong at Keystone Landing and paddling upstream to wonder lake is difficult. This is a common drop for the "tours" and locals that are out for a 'float down the creek'. From Keystone Landing to the bike trail overpass (about 5 miles) is all open prairie grass. The creek is pretty windy in this section and there is not much of a bank.

Once you pass under the bike overpass and rt 31, the creek changes.

It goes from calm prairie to tighter, woodsie scenery. There are a few sections from rt 31 to Pioneer Landing that have a strong current and tight turns. Pay attention and pick your route as you enter the turn. There are some surprises here and there that may catch you off guard. I paddle a 16 foot canoe and I have tapped many fallen tree limbs due to not being able to get out of a turn quick enough in this area.

Once you get past Pioneer Landing, there are some rapids that happen pretty quick. Pioneer landing is usually where many people pull out. The tours and locals get off the creek at this point. I went west of the landing, under the bridge and started to hear the rapids before I could see them. I usually put in at Pioneer and head upstream.

Hear is the closest that I made it to the rapids after Pioneer Landing.

Now, I have not yet made the trip from Pioneer Landing to Lyle C. Thomas Park. I have heard that there are barbed wire fences in this section. They are marked, but watch for them.

I have launched from Lyle C. and headed upstream about 3 miles. The current is strong in this area and mostly because the creek is very shallow in this section. There were a few parts that I was able to get out and walk upstream. This section is has some pretty cool scenery. The banks are very tall and wooded making you feel pretty tiny. There are some very cool fallen trees in these parts too.

It is about 4 miles from Lyle to the Canoe Base. The canoe base was revamped in 2010 and is very nice. The creek calms down and becomes pretty populated with homes between the canoe base and Pistakee lake. There is a lot to look at in this section too. It is no longer challenging, but the view is still great!

The Nippersink or "The Nip" as the locals call it, is a great place to get the canoe or kayak wet. If you live in the area and have not paddled on the Nip, you have no excuse! If you are not in the area, pick a day after the rainy season and make the trip out. It will be well worth it!

My Gear

It's all about the gear. If you don't have what you need, then the trip is a bust. Here is a video of the gear that I take with me each time I go out.

Northern Illinois Paddlers: Nauti Dog @ Mineola Bay

Meeting up with friends is great....especially when you can meet up with them in the middle of the Bay! This was shot out on Mineola Bay. I was out for a paddle and got word that some friends were out on their houseboat for a little sunset cruise. I also got word that one of them had taken their little 8ft speed boat out the the gathering. It was funny to see a speedboat tied to a canoe that was twice it's size!

It was a great time meeting up with a boat load of people out on the lake. I hung with them and watched the sunset but, in the back of my head was the thought, "I am about 5 miles from my put in....and it is going to be dark".

I was prepared though. This was the night of my first night paddle. I had a battery operated bow and stern light to keep me legal and visible. Once I left the party, I headed straight to shore and hugged it all the way back. It was very calm out this evening, which made it that much more relaxing.

Here is a shot of the Mineola Hotel at night on my way back to the launch..

Northern Illinois Paddlers: Underwater In Lake Attwood in Crystal Lake, IL.

If you have not been to this hidden gem of a lake...MAKE THE TRIP! This is Lake Attwood in The Hollows of Crystal Lake. It is a spring fed lake so it is crystal clear. The best part is, you do not need any special passes an there is no fee to get out on the lake. You do need your Illinois registration sticker and this area is patrolled by DNR. I have seen them there more often than not.



I will be honest, the first time I was out on this lake, I thought that it would get boring fast. It is a fairly small lake, especially for those of us that like to roam up and down the rivers and creeks. The value that this lake has that is so captivating is the clarity of the water. I stuck my 7 foot paddle straight under water in the center of the lake and could still see the whole paddle. I just started paddling this lake LATE in the season, so I have not seen any of the fish life. I have heard that this is some of the best fishing in the area though. Now that I have the GoPro HD, I can not WAIT till spring so I can get some more underwater footage and possibly spy on some fish.

Northern Illinois Paddlers: Mineola Hotel

The great Mineola Hotel is one of the most noticeable and historical buildings on the Chain o Lakes. This hotel is tucked into the Southern end of Fox Lake in Mineola Bay. The hotel has not been used as a hotel for decades now, but the bar is still open. They just took out a wall that had covered the original bar also. If you are in the area, it is certainly a place to stop and see. This is also still a working marina, so make sure that you respect the area and keep your canoe out of the main traffic area.



The view from the water is amazing. You really get a feel for how large of an operation this place was at one time. It is also rumored that this was a gangster hang out back in the 20's.

Northern Illinois Paddlers Video: Chain of Lakes 1

This is our first trip out on the Chain o Lakes. We launched from Lighthouse Marina off rt 12 just before you cross the lakes (if heading north). It is cement boat launch, so it is rough on the canoe. That is the only thing that makes me cringe with this location. The location of the launch is great. It is in a 'no wake' zone, so even if you are headed out during the summer, power boats are not swamping you at the launch.

There are a lot of marinas in this small section so make sure you watch yourself. You can cut straight West and catch the mouth of the Nippersink or you can head North to the Lakes or South to the Fox River.



In this video we headed North and took the smaller channel under "Beer Can Bridge". There is a nice current through this section so pay attention. There also is a lot of power boat traffic in season so make sure you are seen and stay out of the way.

Northern Illinois Paddlers: Demar Marine

Here we are out paddling on the Fox River in Burtons Bridge, IL. We put in at the Turn Key Marina on the south side of rt 176. It is a pay launch and there is security cameras. We dropped in there and headed north, up river. In this video is Demar Marine and their channel off the Fox. The channel heads back to Griswold Lake where there is a small dam that you can portage around.

It may have been due to the time of year that we went, but this section of the Fox river had a lot of algae and trash floating. The current was very stagnant. This section is just after the locks and dam section also, so that may play a factor.