Water Parks for Paddlers

by Erik Olsen on

Wild-rivers are the preferred venue for most white water paddlers. There is nothing like a free-flowing rage of
water to lift your spirits and get your adrenaline gushing. Or is there?

Turns out a new (ok, not that new) kind of
artificial white water park is
sprouting up around the country, luring paddle enthusiasts who might not have the Gauley in their backyard. Some of
these parks can even be found in cities, bringing water sports (get your mind out of the gutter!) to your front door…or
right outside your work cube. Perhaps the country’s best-known whitewater park is in Reno, Nevada. The $1.5 million
whitewater course includes not just rapids, but also walking paths and sitting areas for the yunguns.

Another park is the Clear Creek Whitewater Park in Golden,
Colorado. There you can paddle all day, and then pop over to the Coors Brewery for some free beer (they say you have to
take the tour to get the free beer. You don’t. Just head straight for the bar. Trust me. I’ve done it.)

All very cool and so modern. Now it is time for them to build one of these parks in New York or LA or someplace like
that.

Boat on the Big Black

by Erik Olsen on

There aren’t many newspaper travel writers out there for whose work I often go out of my way to find, but the Boston
Globe’s Tom Haines is one of them. His Crossing Divides
series was epic, and very unusual for a newspaper to orchestrate for it’s travel section. Not surprisingly, Haines
often does well in the Lowell Thomas writing awards, and if he doesn’t win or place this year I’ll be very
surprised.

Anyway, here is another wonderful
Tom Haines piece in the Globe.
In this article, written for the Globe’s New England Travel series, Haines takes a canoe down the Big Black. Along the
way, he meets an assortment of interesting characters, spots some of the regions unusual bird life, and discovers the
rhythm of the river, the pulse of the countryside.

As always, it’s a pleasure to read Haines’ work. We can only hope he keeps on writing.

Sea Kayaking Mongolia’s Lake Hovsgol

by Adrienne Wilson on

Three reasons to be extremely jealous by

Nathan Ward’s sea kayaking piece over at Wet Dawg:

First thing, the lucky chap takes off from work to travel in the land of Genghis Khan with
his two beautiful Australian lady friends (this doesn’t really make me jealous, but it’s for the fellas), second,
he explores some of the most untouched deep, blue water’s Mongolia has to offer in Lake Hovsgol, and lastly
he snacks on fresh turnips, potatoes, and blueberries with the local Mongols. 

 

The real prize however is kayaking the fourteenth largest freshwater lake in the world.  Hovsgol
is often compared to Lake Baikal, yet it doesn’t have most of the environmental problems Baikal currently
does.  It’s even said you can drink the water without any harmful effects.  Surrounding the lake are
taiga forest and high mountains which also are home to several animals lurking about as you kayak.  Located 440
miles outside of the capital Ulaan Bataar, Lake Hovsgol judging from Nathan’s story makes for a great outdoor kayaking
escape.  Just make sure you pack enough food if stopping to experience local hospitality isn’t on your agenda.

18th Annual Edisto Riverfest

by Erik Olsen on

I know. It seems we’re about paddling today. What can I say? Tis the season. But the key is that it might be time to
check out the longest free-flowing blackwater river in North America on June 10, when the 18th Annual
Edisto Riverfest kicks into gear at Colleton State
Park. What’s happening? Well there will be canoe and kayak excursions, paddling skills lessons, nature and cultural
interpretations (for flora and fauna enthusiasts), lots of down home music and for Southern food aficionados, a tasty
treat: Chicken Bog.

Paddle Destinations: Canoe Magazine

by Erik Olsen on

If you’re planning a paddle adventure this summer, you might consider getting your hands on this month’s Canoe and
Kayaker Magazine Destination Guide. It covers a whole range of
paddling places across the US including the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, Penobscot River, Main Salmon River, Topock
Gorge, Arkansas River, Lower Columbia River and more. I actually may get my hands on it just because it features a
piece on the Channel Islands, where I’m heading in late summer. I wish the whole issue was online, sadly, just the
table of contents…but that’s an inspiration enough to get ones hands on this issue.