G
Guest
Guest
Anyone paddled the plains states, like Nebraska?
Good question. I have not, other than some break-up-a-drive day paddles on small lakes and impoundments along the way, needing a short respite to avoid traffic, or in the upcoming Rockies passes, weather and putting on tire chains.
Some recommendation of western plains States (Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma) tripping, or at least overnight canoe camping possibilities, would be an excellent way to layover when cross country traveling west of the Mississippi, and even do a quickie shake-down run with gear and partners.
Well whadda ya know, Nebraska may have more to offer than I thought. I had heard of trips on the Niobrara, but the other Nebraska State Water Trails might merit further investigation if they offer paddle in and camp midway possibilities.
http://outdoornebraska.gov/watertrails/
I am glad to see Nebraska doing the State River Trail thing. That effort at paddler attraction can be a little economic engine, for attracting both for in and out of State paddlers.
The major paddling destinations, States like Maine, NY, Florida, Michigan and etc don’t need to put out much additional effort. Information and guidebooks are plentiful, and paddlers are already travelling to get to those well known delights.
But the drive-through States (or, though I’d prefer to drive, “fly-over” States) are well served to be paddler friendly. North Carolina does it as well as any State on the east coast, with paddle-in parks and abundant no-permit-required “Wildlife Boating Access” points along most paddle-able rivers.
Kansas? I dunno, it’s Kansas. (Deliberately taunting some Jayhawker to provide a good multi-day trip in Kansas) Maybe the Kaw, or the Arkansas?
Kansas? If I keep driving west I’ll be in Colorado. Well crap, eastern Colorado still looks a lot like Kansas.
Oklahoma? Meh, I might as well be in Kansas sans oil derricks, and if I keep going I can be in New Mexico or Texas this evening. (Okie taunting; please go all Missouri and Show Me where)
A western plains trip could be different fun heading out, or heading home with extra time, but as a passing through outa-towner a shuttle service would be necessary on river trips, and with cross-country gear in the truck non-sketchy parking would be comforting.
There must be some decent couple-day trips on the western plains that fit that passer-by bill.