The morning mist was just lifting off Lake Willoughby when I first dipped my paddle into Vermont's waters. That was 12 years ago, and I've been hooked ever since. Between the covered bridges reflecting in calm waters and the blazing fall colors framing every paddle stroke, Vermont has become my go-to destination when I need […]

Last weekend at Mosquito Lagoon, I watched a game warden write three tickets in under an hour. The violations? Missing safety gear that most paddlers didn't even know they needed. After 20 years paddling Florida waters from the Panhandle to the Keys, I've learned that understanding Florida kayak laws and regulations isn't just about avoiding […]

I'll never forget my first time paddling through the mangrove tunnels near Key Largo. The water was so clear I could see a spotted eagle ray gliding beneath my kayak, and when I looked up, a roseate spoonbill was perched just feet away. That moment – that perfect South Florida moment – is why I've […]

I'll never forget my first run-in with Michigan DNR officers on Lake St. Clair. There I was, paddling my brand-new fishing kayak, feeling like the king of the water – until the patrol boat pulled up. Turns out, my trolling motor meant I needed registration numbers, and my "I'll just grab a PFD if I […]

I'll never forget my first kayak crabbing trip in Puget Sound. I thought I knew what I was doing after years of fishing from my kayak, but watching my borrowed crab pot sink into 40 feet of water with no buoy attached taught me a $50 lesson real quick. The old-timer who lent me the […]

I'll never forget my first unplanned swim in Lake Travis. One minute I was confidently paddling along the limestone cliffs, the next I was bobbing next to my upside-down kayak watching a motorboat wake roll away. That cold water shock hit like a slap in the face, but what really got my heart racing was […]

The first time I paddled beneath the towering cliffs of Pictured Rocks, my hands were shaking - not from fear, but from pure awe. A 200-foot wall of multicolored sandstone rose straight out of crystal-clear water so cold it took my breath away. That was twelve years ago, and I've been obsessed with Lake Superior […]

Last Fourth of July weekend, I watched an Illinois conservation officer write three tickets at Busse Lake in about 20 minutes. The violations? Missing PFDs, no sound device, and a motorized kayak without registration. The total fines? Over $500. That expensive morning could have been avoided with a basic understanding of Illinois kayak laws. After […]

Last summer, I found myself paddling through downtown Chicago at sunset, skyscrapers towering above while herons fished beside my kayak. That's when it hit me - Illinois offers some of the most diverse paddling experiences in the country. From urban adventures to pristine wilderness, the Prairie State has it all. After exploring waterways from the […]

Last Tuesday, I was paddling across Lake Travis when a guy in a rental kayak pulled up beside me. "Hey, how long does it take to get to that island?" he asked, pointing to a spot about a mile away. "Twenty minutes if you hustle, thirty if you're taking photos," I told him. He looked […]