Paddling the Kickapoo River

[@oldandintheway1955]

Your paddle down the Kickapoo and encountering all those folks was the perfect example of one of my favorite quotes "I love humanity, it's people I can't stand"

[@Redkayaklady]

I can relate to that quote. A day kayaking is still better than a day at the office though!

[@oldandintheway1955]

@@Redkayaklady Agreed!!

[@driftlesshermit]

I found out long ago that the best time to paddle the most scenic stretches of the driftless region are on a weekday in the early fall when the kids are back in school 😂. Thanks for sharing. Looks like a beautiful stretch of the Kickapoo.

[@Redkayaklady]

I’ll get back out there soon on a quiet day.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@driftlesshermit thanks for watching and I hope to get back there soon when it’s quieter.

[@driftlesshermit]

@@Redkayaklady I really enjoyed watching, thanks for the reply. Have you kayaked the Apostle Islands much?

[@littlegriffoffgridalberta6837]

Pretty cool trip ! Looks like a very busy spot fore sure, Hey when you love the water do what you love 👍 You have some pretty cool video's out there ❤We all need the outdoors a little more :) Stay safe I'll be checking out a little more 👍

[@Redkayaklady]

@@littlegriffoffgridalberta6837 I hope to get back there on a day this fall when it’s not so crazy! Thanks for watching.

[@davidlatimer778]

I've only recently found your videos, and enjoying them very much. I'm across the big lake from you in SW lower Michigan. We've lots of opportunities for kayaker. My town is on the Kalamazo River. I'm interested in getting out on the water. Can you tell me a little about your Kayak. Omg, I'm watching your float on the Kickapoo River. What a bunch of yahoos.

[@Redkayaklady]

I’m hoping in the spring to visit the Kickapoo River again on a quiet weekday. That was not quite my scene. I have three kayaks I use primarily. In this video, I am using a 12’ Perception Tribute. On bigger water, I prefer my 17.5’ kevlar sea Kayak.

[@bobkopf227]

Good morning, what a beautiful river I know work gets in the way but I think I would opt to paddle that river mid week. With as busy as that river was on that day it unfortunately reminds me of many of the rivers and streams in my home state of Missouri during the summer months. Enjoy your day

[@Redkayaklady]

Definitely my plan to get there again if I can get a day off in the middle of the week. Going that Saturday was a last-minute decision right before starting a new job so I knew I wouldn’t have the opportunity for a while.

[@swerne01]

I've done the Kickapoo numerous times and have hardly ever seen anyone else on it. But then I think my trips were all in the fall. After watching your video I'm just as happy i never did it in the summer.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@swerne01 my next trip will for sure be a weekday off season!

[@Dsiman654]

Appreciate the video, this place has been on my list to paddle and I haven't gotten around to it yet this year but it looks very beautiful. Will definitely have to come when it's less busy though. I knew this river was popular, but I didn't know it was THAT popular!

[@Redkayaklady]

Like I said, I think I caught it on it the worst of the worst days seeing as probably a short time before this some of the outfitters were closed due to logjams and dangerous conditions. Looking forward to getting back there on a weekday.

[@CP-dg6fk]

Thank you for posting this video. Back in the mid 70's, the Northern Indiana Methodist Church sponsored a weeklong canoe trip on the Kickapoo River, for youth. "teenagers". My best friends and I went several years in a row as youth. Then as we aged, attended as counselors. We made base camp in the town park in Viola, Wi. We would paddle {float} for about 8 hours daily. Then return to camp for dinner and a good night's rest, after great fun around the campfire. Your vid brings back years of fantastic memories. However, even though it was roughly the same time of year, I don't recall ever seeing anyone other than those in our group on the river. South Bend shuffler.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@CP-dg6fk I’m sure it’s not this crazy all the time. Seeing as the water had been too high for a while there were definitely some making up for lost time. Glad this beautiful spot brought back great memories for you. I’ll be back! (Hopefully off season)

[@Carl-v6f]

Yikes! The crowd was too much for me. I would have been off the river at the first take out for sure. A crisp early fall weekday it would be a beautiful paddle. I admire your calm nature and well edited videos.

[@Redkayaklady]

Thank you for the kind words! I was hoping to get back there in September on a weekday but darn full time employment getting in the way of my recreation again, darn it. Thanks for watching.

[@bobmanfre5083]

Looks like a nice, quiet and peaceful afternoon on the River!

[@Redkayaklady]

😆

[@stephenhighland3557]

I thought I saw a preview of you at Lake Kegonsa in Stoughton Wisconsin but I don’t see it anywhere. I’m new to kayaking, just bought a recreational flat bottom kayak this year. I don’t know how you stay so stable in the kayak you have

[@Redkayaklady]

@@stephenhighland3557 I started out with a 12’ recreational kayak that was a bit more stable and worked my way up to a sea kayak. The video you might be thinking of was the Yahara River from Babcock Park to Lake Kegonsa, then up Door Creek. Thanks for watching and welcome to kayaking,

[@marvinmartin4692]

Never understood why they have got to blast music while in nature! I’ve paddled this for decades and never seen crowds like this!

[@jamesbean7560]

good point.....just listen to nature....forget the radio

[@Redkayaklady]

I love music AND I love people. But paddling is my solitude and my quiet time. I find it pretty rude that people chose do blast their music in this setting.

[@lesjones5684]

People are high 😂😂

[@jessereyna7408]

Yeah and what does bad language have to do with nature?!?!

[@jessereyna7408]

Not only are very fit and attractive; but you got patience and nerves of steel compared to me?! Bad language kiddies get my goat a bit at 54 years of age.

[@robertferguson533]

I subscribed as soon as I saw you picking up the trash. Thank you

[@Redkayaklady]

I do what I can. I’m planning a clean up of a popular fishing spot near me soon.

[@robertferguson533]

@@Redkayaklady Good luck. Fisherman do tend to leave a lot of trash

[@jamesbean7560]

The Kickapoo were constantly at war. They fought the French and simultaneously fought their tribal enemies, the Iroquois, who came at them from the east, and the Sioux, who attacked from the west.

[@Redkayaklady]

I did not know that. Thanks for that information. Usually I do a little research on where I am headed but this day it was a last-minute decision. If I go back there on a quiet day, I’ll be sure to include some of the history.

[@utube3805]

13:57 wow its like a cracker jack box, surprise after surprise. I truly felt your frustration in this video. From another FIB I just wanted to jump into the screen and rescue you :-) I should power watch all your shows after work one day because you just so damm cute. Also thanks for sharing the turkey swiss share more in the future please. I bet you like to watch MST3K too.

[@Redkayaklady]

I have to admit I had no idea what MST3K was until I just looked it up. Honestly, I rarely watch TV, but it sounds funny! Thanks for watching!

[@TheGman1961]

Beautiful, Thanks!

[@Redkayaklady]

I love the driftless area!

[@trainnerd3029]

Great scenery! Fun channel!

[@Redkayaklady]

Thank you! I have so much fun doing it!

[@warbirdflyerF4U]

Very pretty scenery too bad there were so many noise makers😊

[@Redkayaklady]

@@warbirdflyerF4U I’ll get back there on a quiet day!, Thanks for watching.

[@ddmau7995]

My brother had a 120 acre farm on a hill in Ontario. There's a Wisconsin bike trail that was an abandoned RR line with a 5% grade that goes through that area . Spectacular ride !

[@Redkayaklady]

Driftless area is so beautiful!

[@brianmccarty3615]

I've done bridge 7-14 a few times and did not encounter many folks, but I think all were in October. 7-14 is nice because you can use some of old 131 to bicycle shuttle. (12-18 might work even better for that)

[@Redkayaklady]

Are there as many out croppings past bridge 10 as there are in the stretch I did?

[@brianmccarty3615]

There are definitely sections where there is bluff one one side -- pretty sure at least some are past bridge 10

[@thomaslubben8559]

Wow, I had no idea the Kickapoo was such a zoo! I've ridden (quiet) motorcycles a lot in the area, and thought of canoeing it, but never had. It's prettier than I thought. I've canoed and canp the Wisconsin River, but at least that's wide and big enough to somewhat disperse the idiots.

[@Redkayaklady]

Like I said, I think it was extra crowded that day due to it having a dangerous period just prior to this. I do hope to go soon on a weekday.

[@morg52]

The Minnesota Canoe Association used to do two trips on the Kickapoo. One in late spring, from Wilton to La Farge to and the other was the Steuben canoe fall festival to Wauzeka. I was wondering where all the trash came from in the fall. What a zoo!

[@Redkayaklady]

I’ll get back there on a quiet day. I bet I’d have plenty of heron and bald eagle sightings.

[@AshokSaluja-dl3oe]

🎄🌴🏝️🧙 Wow Looks Like A Nice Quiet So Good Job Beautiful Video ❣️💖🎄🏝️🧙🕺👍🏻

[@Redkayaklady]

Thank you!

[@carefulcarpenter]

Something to be said in favor of solitude. I think I will take a hike in the redwoods today. ☺ 😊😊

[@Redkayaklady]

Definitely getting back there when I can go it alone.

[@lesjones5684]

Oh babe you are so beautiful ❤❤❤❤

[@ralphwatten2426]

Is that where they make the Kickapoo Joy Juice?

[@Redkayaklady]

@@ralphwatten2426 I actually had to look up what the heck Kickapoo joy juice was. Apparently the name Kickapoo Joy Juice is from a Lil Abner comic strip. (Which was an alcoholic beverage). The Soda is produced in Louisana and it sounds yummy!

[@evilferris]

That was really special for me. Thank you thank you thank you! I look forward to seeing your next trip all the way to bridge 18!! Pack a sleeping bag :)

[@Redkayaklady]

Such a beautiful area! Not sure I’m on board with the camping, but I could definitely do more miles than what I did that day.

[@Packageman51]

As for the Driftless Area around Galena being the only area in Illinois with interesting topography, you haven't visited the Shawnee Forrest area in southern Illinois. It's quite beautiful down there, and there's more of it. Go paddle the Cache River and let us know what you think.

[@Redkayaklady]

I should have specified northern Illinois. 😊I haven’t spent too much time in southern Illinois. I proudly still consider myself a FIB, but the landscape in Northern IL is underwhelming. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@ddmau7995]

I've got a spot for you to look at.White Cloud ,Michigan. I went with a group and rented canoes,years ago.Im sure you can find a place that will accommodate you ,you pick a4 hour trip or 8 hour and they launch you & pick you up !

[@Redkayaklady]

Michigan isn’t far! Was barely in the UP a few weeks ago on the Monomonee River but Pictured Rocks is on my list hopefully next year.

[@steveschaefer1515]

wow allot of people out on the river!! looks like Apple River crowd! lol How do you transport back to your put in location?

[@Redkayaklady]

I used the outfitter - left my vehicle at the take out and rode back with them after dropping my stuff at the start. So much nicer than having to arrange a time to meet or calling when I got there.

[@LundRebel]

2nd video of yours I've watched, you are super cool. That was a nice river except for the crowd.

[@Redkayaklady]

Welcome! Thank you for watching. I’ll get there one of these days in the off-season.

[@DIYCameraGuy]

I wouldn’t say I’m anti social but socially avoidant. I try to avoid weekends for this reason. I do enjoy going out with groups of experienced paddlers.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@DIYCameraGuy I suppose you could say I’m an extrovert. Love my peers at work, enjoy social events, networking. But my paddle time is mine and mine alone.

[@DIYCameraGuy]

@@Redkayaklady my best friend (female) is an extrovert. She gets me to go to social events and runs cover for me when I need to find a quiet place to recharge.

[@WarrenKimpel]

nice video thanks

[@Redkayaklady]

@@WarrenKimpel Thanks for watching!

[@tcm2kd5000]

With all the traffic, you would think it was Chain O Lakes.

[@Redkayaklady]

I’ll get there on a quiet day!

[@leiferickson5084]

Next trip paddle from bridge ten to La Farge. You'll have the whole river to yourself. Oh, and you might not realize that the Kickapoo is considered by most geologists to be the oldest river on earth. Thanks and hope to see you again.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@leiferickson5084 I didn’t know that about the Kickapoo! Now I have some reading to do over the off season.

[@jamesbean7560]

The river named after the tribe....they must have used bark canoes? leather?

[@Redkayaklady]

South Central Wisconsin does have a very rich native history. Like Mendota right and Madison had some discoveries over the last few years of some of the oldest dugout canoes ever found. The Kickapoo, I’m sure the Kickapoo are rolling over in their graves to see how people are using the river today.

[@jamesbean7560]

@@Redkayaklady thanks.....my mistake....just ignorant....dugout canoes!!! Canoes were historically dugouts or made of bark on a wood frame..."In Eastern North America, dugout canoes were typically made from a single log of chestnut or pine. Carefully controlled fires were used to hollow out these logs. The fires were extinguished at intervals to scrape out the burned wood with a wood, shell or stone tools, giving the canoes a flat bottom with straight sides."

[@theguitarprofessionals8584]

New subscriber!!!!!!! Ya hey dare Cheese Head!!!!!!! Just Messing!

[@Redkayaklady]

Since I’m originally a FIB, I take no offense!

[@Redkayaklady]

And thanks for subscribing!

[@theguitarprofessionals8584]

Born in Peoria Grew up in Dolton now next state over...ever do that at the dunes?

[@dbomberger]

Interesting as always. I’ve been wanting to offer a suggestion which you may well have already considered and dismissed but here it is. I really believe the watch ability of your channel could be significantly increased by the addition of a good mix with a windscreen. I understand there is a cost involved of course, but I believe the payback would justify the expense. If you decide to go that route I’d be happy to contribute to the cause as I suspect other viewers would. On any event I enjoy your channel and your commentaries.

[@Redkayaklady]

Thank you for the input. I have actually purchased what I need but to use the mic, my GoPro will no longer fit in the protective housing I have for it, so bit of a conundrum right now I’m trying to figure out how to navigate.

[@tomlorenzen4062]

Is there a place to launch south of the shitshow so you don't encounter all that nonsense?😅 p.s. as soon as you mentioned Wildcat Mountain, it answered my question. Have camped there a few times.

[@Redkayaklady]

That would be a great place to start because that’s when the chaos started to taper off.

[@paulresop2112]

I paddled this on a Monday morning when the outfitter first opened, and i was the only one out there. I think its always like that on the weekends,No thanks. I dont drink and have no patience for drunk people. Most of my padding is in the BWCA

[@lsfouqalmahafza1490]

Very Good ❤Very l love 💋💋💋🙏🏼👍

[@Redkayaklady]

@@lsfouqalmahafza1490 Appreciate you watching!

[@johnfuhrman1352]

I had to try the turkey & swiss on cranberry bread, it really needs mayo!

[@Redkayaklady]

@@johnfuhrman1352 that’s what I love about Kwik Trip is that you can control your own condiments. I’m sure there’s mayo packets there somewhere… I personally don’t like mayo but I’d say give that sandwich another shot with your preferred condiments! 😊

[@phillyjoejones5161]

You from around here?.....Nooooope😂😂 A lot of youngins...but, other than that the scenery is beautiful.

[@Redkayaklady]

Right? I was like the old lady on the river.

[@phillyjoejones5161]

​@@Redkayaklady#5 was the magical number 😁

[@larrymueller4487]

drive North past Highway 29 to about Tomahawk, we have the absolute best Kayaking here all the way up to Superior....

[@Redkayaklady]

Next year for sure I’ll be getting further north. The apostle Islands have been on my bucket list for years and it’s time I just make it happen.

[@iowaadventures4701]

It looks beautiful except for all the people. Thank you for the good video.

[@Redkayaklady]

I still enjoyed it, but I would love to do it when there’s absolutely absolutely nobody on the water but me.

[@johnkelly5487]

Nice, Jack, RI, USA

[@Redkayaklady]

@@johnkelly5487 appreciate the comment!

[@FumidorandtheFlavors]

Maybe your friend on the inner tube is a world famous autographed basketball and baseball collector, or perhaps he collects brass replica basketballs that commemorate great wins. I feel bad for his mailman really, day in and day out making deliveries with the heavy brass balls on that guy. In his mailbag I mean.

[@Redkayaklady]

😆

[@Redkayaklady]

That is certainly a possibility!

[@marvinmartin4692]

I’d suggest early October for the same trip. You’ll see no one!

[@Redkayaklady]

That’s my hope to get another day to do this soon.

[@johnganshow5536]

Shitshow, excellent description...

[@Redkayaklady]

@@johnganshow5536 I really do love people and social settings… But not for my water time!

[@Philc231]

Why you there on the weekend ? You know folks are gonna be partying.

[@Redkayaklady]

I have been wanting to go there and I was just starting a new job so I knew I wouldn’t get a weekday off for quite a while. I’d rather their go and experience that then not go at all. I’ll go back when I can during the week though.

[@Barry287]

You are correct.......... Total shit show. Reason #98764 why I won't float the Kickapoo.

[@Redkayaklady]

I’ll get back there on a quiet day. Maybe for the autumn colors.

[@richburrows3726]

Too many people it looks like the apple river

[@Redkayaklady]

I haven’t paddled the Apple River. (Note to self - avoid the Apple River.) 😊

[@karlmadsen3179]

That trip looked like it really sucked for a sober, mature person. Yikes.

[@Redkayaklady]

That pretty much sums it up! We were all young once. Hopefully I get a weekday off to try again when I can enjoy nature.

[@karlmadsen3179]

@@Redkayaklady You remind me of a woman I worked with ..... her name is Barb C. ...... and she was a chemist who earned her degree at University of Wisconsin (forgot which campus). Are you that Barb? I swear you two could be twins.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@karlmadsen3179 Sorry, I did not attend UW nor do I have a chemistry degree.

[@donalbee6426]

How annoying all the assholes on the river. Love to canoe in secluded areas just listening to birds and the wind blowing.

[@Redkayaklady]

Me too. I’ll get back there.

[@marvinmartin4692]

I’d advise going on a weekday, less people.

[@Redkayaklady]

I may have a sick day in my near future *cough, cough* 😊

[@marvinmartin4692]

@@Redkayaklady year’s ago a group of us guy’s went down from Ontario to lafarge and camped overnight on the river. It was sometime in the fall. With the Kickapoo you do have to respect the rain, if it’s a fair amount that river floods fast!

[@davidstartup3399]

Not my cup of tea , thought you were in Disney Land for one moment. 😮

[@Redkayaklady]

Right? I love people. But water time is my solitude time.

[@johnfetzer9637]

pretty river except for the human tourism

[@Redkayaklady]

I WILL revisit on a weekday!

[@joenathan3377]

You're the beautiful voice of reason amongst the constant sh!t show. I think you're wonderful...Come paddle with me in Colorado its much more enjoyable. I like to make it last too! 😇

[@Redkayaklady]

@@joenathan3377 I’d love to take the show on the road! Darn full time employment infringing on my paddling time.

[@jessereyna7408]

You’re funny and very cute…bad language kiddies huh?!! Tell’em if they don’t behave; you gonna send them to the kiddie pool.

[@marvinmartin4692]

Profanity the device that makes ignorance audible.

[@Redkayaklady]

I couldn’t agree more. I mean I let a few slip here and there but it’s just so classless when every other word is an f bomb.

[@marvinmartin4692]

Don’t think I don’t occasionally let an expletive fly! I’m certainly not above the anyone else! But I endeavor to follow those sentiments.

[@mrtoothy8267]

shit show? Haha

[@Redkayaklady]

@@mrtoothy8267 a very accurate description. 🙂