Adventures with Mike and Nature

Let's head up to northern Indiana to explore some of our early pioneer history along the Wabash river. While we're there, we'll go for a bike ride or two.

The Plan:
Day 0 Friday: We'll meet at Mississinewa Lake at the Miami state recreation area. I have reserved campsites 464 and 466 checking in on Friday and checking out Tuesday morning. If you would like to join me on one of my sites, please let me know as soon as you can. Most of the adjacent sites were available as of this posting. If you can't make it at 2pm, no big deal. We'll be there all weekend. Come when you can. This is just going to be a meet and greet day. If you are not a camper, there are hotels and B&Bs in the area.
No organized events scheduled but we can go for a paddle on the lake or a hike around one of the trails.

WARNING: HAMMOCK HANGERS! I'm seeing more and more parks not allowing hanging from trees. Please be prepared with a hammock stand or tent.

Day 1 Saturday: 9:00am We're heading to Nick's Kitchen in downtown Huntington, IN (birthplace of Me). This is a breakfast and lunch place that's been around since 1908. The food is great and their specialties are giant breaded tenderloins and pies. Incidentally, Nick's is credited with creating the breaded tenderloin. So a very historical place. Afterwards, we're heading over to The Historic Forks of the Wabash. This is a really cool place with tons of Indiana PIONEER and MIAMI INDIAN history as well as the ERIE canal and WABASH river. They have some old log cabins and a boardwalk that goes over the remnants of the Erie Canal. They also have a public access site at this park and we'll be launching from it. Bring lunch and be prepared to spend a few hours on the river. This is approximately 12 miles down to the Lagro Public Access. This is beautiful section of river with lots to see and do. After we take out, we'll head over to see our friends at Canal Creamery in Lagro, IN for some ice cream and the best hot dogs on the planet. If there is a place with better hot dogs, I have not encountered it.

Day 2 Sunday: 12:00pm We're heading back to paddle the next section of the Wabash from Lagro, IN down to Wabash. More of the same beautiful river! There are many islands along this section. So we'll have lots of stuff to paddle around and explore. Bring lunch and be prepared for another relaxing day of exploration and enjoying nature!

Day 3 Monday: 10am bike ride and a visit to 7 Pillars Nature Preserve. On my last visit to the area, I saw that they had completed and connected other greenways in the area. I'm currently working on options for rides.

Day 4 Tuesday: We're breaking camp and heading out for another adventure before heading home. I'm still working on the details. It will either be a paddle on one of the reservoirs or a bike ride on a new trail. To be determined.

WARNINGS!!!
These are all outdoor events with no overhead cover, please plan accordingly with proper clothing, sunblock, fluids, and snacks.

The event fee for this multi-day adventure will be $100. I'm willing to do a small number of rentals. Please contact me if you need a rental bike or kayak.

If you have any questions, post them in the comments or send me a message. I hope to see a bunch of you on this trip. It's going to be awesome!

Beautiful water, springs, bluffs, gravel bars, wild horses, and tons of wildlife are just a few of the things we'll see while paddling in Missouri. Come on out and see what the Root Wad Squad is up to.

The picture above is a spring that you can paddle into. How cool is that?

NOTE: All times are Eastern. Most of us are from this time zone so I just stick with it.

We're heading over to Missouri to paddle a few sections of the Current river and maybe get a little hiking in as well. Our first night we'll be meeting at Pulltite campground in Salem, MO. I've reserved primitive campsites 34, 36, and 38. They are right on the river. If you would like to join me on one of the sites that I have reserved, please contact me. We're planning on hitting the water around 9am each day and our daily paddling adventures will be approximately 4-5 hours. This will leave us plenty of time for other activities and relaxation.

DETAILS:

Day 0 Sunday: No organized events are scheduled this day. Meet at Pulltite Campground in Salem, MO. Some of us are meeting early and driving the area to check out the put in and take out spots along with possible hiking spots. Dinner at a local restaurant (Dairy Shack for a Rootwad!) if anyone is interested. Also, Maggi generally has a ton of pamphlets for the surrounding areas for everyone.

Still working on where we're paddling. Due to the flooding that they had since last season, I'd like to check things out before I commit to a plan. We might even hit a section of Jack's Fork or 11 Point depending on water levels. Please let me know if you're interested in an overnight out of your boat.

Day 1 Monday:

Day 2 Tuesday:

Day 3 Wednesday:

Day 4 Thursday: Wake up, tear down camp, hit brunch somewhere, go home... Or maybe a little adventure before we head home?

Please bring everything you'll need to enjoy a safe and adventurous weekend on this National Park operated river. For those joining me on my campsites, we'll settle up at the campground once we figure out how many people will be sharing.

If you have any questions, hit me up!

Our September Current river adventure is going to be a little different this year. Instead of staying in a campground the whole time and doing day trips, we're spending the whole time on the river and camping out of our kayaks. How cool is that?

NOTE: All times are Eastern. Most of us are from this time zone so I just stick with it. Also, please read to the end. There is some important information.

THE PLAN:

We're going to spend 4 days and 3 nights on the lower Current river and we're going to have an awesome adventure!

DETAILS:

Day 1 Monday September 7th:
We are all driving a long way and I think that it's too much pressure to meet at the ramp and start our adventure immediately. With that being said, we're going to meet at the Pulltite campground in Salem, Missouri. I have reserved the usual sites (36, 38, and 40). Get here when you get here. We'll camp here for the night. A trip to Dairy Shack if you're interested. Maybe a Root Wad and a root beer for supper?

Day 2 Tuesday:
We'll run the shuttle and get our vehicles down the river. Depending on how many people we have coming, we may stage vehicles at different access sites along our route. This will give us the option to stage food and water and not have to carry as much with us. This will also give us quicker access to a vehicle in case of an emergency.

NOTE!!! You are responsible for your own food, beverages, and camping equipment. This is like backpacking out of our kayaks. If you aren't sure about something, please ask in the comment section.

Once we've completed the shuttle, it's time to launch. The work is done. Now the adventure begins! Paddling, exploring, swimming, and whatever we decide to do along the way. We'll pick a good camp site 2-3 hours before sunset each day. That'll give us plenty of time to set up camp, relax, and enjoy nature and the Root Wad Squad.

Day 3 Wednesday:

Wake up, eat breakfast, and break camp. I'd like to be on the water by 9am each day. We're not punching a clock, but it's good to have goals. More beauty, exploration, and good times. Meals and camping on the river. Maybe we'll get lucky and see some wild horses today. Did I mention that there are wild horses in the area? We actually saw a few last September.

Day 4 Thursday:

Same as Day 3.

Day 5 Friday:

Same as Day 4 until we hit the takeout. Once we hit the takeout, we'll load up and go get our vehicles. Once we have secured all of our equipment, we're heading over to Jack's Fork River Resort. This will allow us to get a shower, a meal, wind down, and a good night's rest before we head home. We'll be staying in cabins. Each cabin has 2 queen beds and a bathroom. 2 adventurers to a cabin. If you would like your own room, let me know and I'll see what I can do. The resort has a restaurant and bar. Maybe a fire and an adult beverage before turning in? We have options.

Day 6 Saturday, September 12th. Wake up, get breakfast, and say goodbye to the Squad. Drive home safely! Mission complete!

WARNINGS!!!

This is an open water event. There is little to NO SHADE. Please bring your hat and sunblock.

This is a HOT WEATHER event. The sun and temperature will try to end your adventure. Don't let them. Bring plenty of fluids and maybe an electrolyte replacement like Liquid IV.

THIS IS A REMOTE EVENT! We will be very far from immediate help should the need arise. Please consider this and make the best decision for you.

The price includes camping at Pulltite and lodging Jack's Fork River resort.

If you have any questions, please post them in the comment section or send me a message.