This section of the Beaver Dam River begins as an exhilarating urban paddle before quieting down towards the outskirts of town amongst suburban development, then narrowing again and alternating between wooded corridors, farmland and finally to a wider, almost…
Last January we started the new year looking back at 2017 in our first-ever “Year In Review”, but we’re already deviating from that formula because we’re at the end of celebrating our first decade anniversary. Instead of looking back…
In keeping with our 10-Year anniversary features, we’re breaking the cadence of our “XX Best Paddles of 20XX” formula to highlight only ten from this year. Also, let’s face it, 45 paddles from 2045 is going to get a…
There’s certain gear that will live you for life, the kind you can depend on and trust. In the years since starting gear reviews, there have been some that have risen to the top as tried and true and…
A paddle is one of the simpler things to choose amongst all the necessary paddling gear, but it does seem kind of overwhelming at the point-of-sale when looking at all the options. They basically all look like the same…
It’s late autumn in the Upper Midwest, which is to say still the beginning of the 5-months-long reign of cold, dark austerity that is November through March. Even the cheeriest of personalities may be forgiven for feeling forlorn by…
I had a really hard time deciding what to call this group of photos. I mean, these aren’t necessarily “paddling” photos, though they were taken while out on paddling excursions. But “Ten Favorite Not-Paddling Photos” sounded not only clumsy…
Like a lot of crushes, my Katana happened by chance. And not unlike a certain kind of liaison, I wasn’t looking for another at the time. It just happened; life’s like that sometimes. Honestly, when I think about it…
Crossover Road to Highway 60: A run-of-the-mill name for a stream that you’ve likely never heard about – this obscure curiosity offers two distinctly different paddling environments and conditions in only six miles: the first half open and pastoral,…
Happy Black Friday, ‘Merica! Can you (canoe?) believe it’s already that time of year to start shopping for your fanatical paddling brothers and sisters? And can you believe we actually spent time working up another gift list? Well, last…
In April of 2017, I was contacted by a producer at Wisconsin Public Television who was wondering if I’d allow some of my footage of the Wisconsin Dells to be used for a new project they were working on.…
Throughout the years, Miles Paddled has received thousands, literally, thousands, of comments. They mostly arrive via email or directly to the site, but also to Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Messenger, and even snail mail (no kidding). They’ve come…
Lake Ludden to S. Oak Park Road: A truly peculiar but unique branch of the Pecatonica system, this trip offers an obstacle course around strainers, some fun light rapids, and several stretches of gorgeous geology in a serene setting.…
I’ll admit, this may be an odd choice of gear to review, but then again, not really if you know me. (And really, this is no more odd than a food dehydrator – which had served us well, at…
Wildlife photos are usually my favorites because I appreciate how hard it is to capture a “perfect” moment while in a moving boat and competing with the natural fact that our subjects are ready to flee at the sound of…
We’ve encountered a lot of fences and barriers, and I think every single one of them is ugly. We’ve met a lot of deadfall and blockages, and I’ve never enjoyed hiking around them. We’ve seen trash, abuse, drainage pipes,…
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my pfd (personal floatation device) since the day I bought it. It was the same day I bought my first boat, a paddle, a roof rack, and a bunch of other things like…
County Road S to Manitowoc: A really fun daytrip along the meat-and-marrow of the Manitowoc River, with small boulders, continuous stretches of Class I-II rapids, a mix of bottomlands and steep wooded banks, and very little development for miles…
Highway W Landing to Flambeau Lodge Landing: After long hearing rumors of how great paddling on the Flambeau River was, it’s been a trip high on my must-visit list. And those rumors were indeed true – it didn’t disappoint.…
We’re nearing 3,000 miles reported on this site but we found a rather interesting milestone to consider in the meantime (it is an odd one, mind you). 2,790 miles might not seem like a number to get all excited…
County Road JJ to County Road S: A truly pleasant little jaunt that packs a heckuva lot of punch in only 7 miles, this section of the Manitowoc River begins quietly through tranquil farm country then races along fun…
County Road O to Banfield Bridge Recreation Area: This trip on the hitherto unexplored lower Little Platte River will reward paddlers with swift riffles and stunning rock outcrops in the beginning, a wild sense of solitude in the middle…
Highway D61 to 60th Avenue: A long stretch of water that is eminently pleasant, this trip has the look and feel of a wild setting, despite its Iowan/agrarian surroundings. However, its length and relative monotony might tax some paddlers. But…
Whitewater Drive to Highway D61: A short stretch of water that is simply stunning in its rugged, essentially undeveloped beauty – defined by bluffs with an outpouring of exposed rock outcrops and stupendous boulders – all while cruising along…
Cotton Mill Park to County Road J: A section of the Beaver Dam River that begins as an exhilarating urban paddle before quieting down towards the outskirts of town amongst suburban development, then narrowing again and alternating between wooded…
Thank you to Wisconsin Public Radio’s Larry Meiller Show for inviting Timothy to spend some time talking about canoeing and kayaking Wisconsin, as well as his excellent guidebook, car racks, etc. Have a listen or download below if you…
Sunny Ridge Road to Banner Road: An intimate stream hidden in plain sight buffeted by bluffs, rolling hills, and exquisite rock outcrops, with many riffles and diverse wildlife, this obscure branch of the Pecatonica River system offers a lot…
Bluff Road to Shemak Road: A swift, intimate trout stream meandering through soaring hills and sweeping vistas (not to mention some of the biggest boulders in the Driftless Area, the Blue River is a beguiling gem in southwestern Wisconsin.…
For years, paddlers have had to choose between one of two manufacturers when it comes to roof racks and requisite components: Thule and Yakima, though there is a dark horse candidate, Malone, which came on the market not too…
This year’s event was much improved as far as designated unloading spots and longer-term parking (available at the adjacent Care Wisconsin lot). The clouds were a bit ominous after a morning drizzle which surely kept some people from paddling,…