Paddle Power

Copyright 2000 Dale Leatherman

    Exploring the wilderness can be tough on the legs. Why not give them a free ride while testing your upper body strength? Grab a paddle and climb into a raft, canoe or kayak. Chose a wild whitewater ride, a quiet glide across a looking-glass lake, or something in between. With 100,000 rivers, millions of lakes and thousands of miles of seashore, there are many beautiful places in the U.S. to dip a paddle. Match your ability to the trip, craft and time of year; rainy season can turn the mildest stream into a torrent.

CANOEING
Even if you didn’t learn to canoe at summer camp, you’ll be stroking like a pro in minutes.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota

    This million-acre wilderness is the world’s largest area restricted to paddle craft. A thousand lakes are linked by streams and portages, creating 1,200 miles of canoe trails with designated campsites. Bear, wolves, otter, moose, and deer thrive in the BWCAW. The Kerfoot family of Gunflint Lodge (800-328-3325, www.gunflint.com) has been conducting one- to 14-day trips in the wilderness for 72 years, and is noted for its gourmet fare and knowledgeable guides.

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

    You’ll encounter more wildlife than people while paddling Alaska’s remote rivers, lakes and bays. Expect to see bear and bald eagles within hours of embarking on one of Great Alaska Adventure Lodge’s (800-544-2261, www.greatalaska.com) five- to 10-day summer wilderness safaris. Groups are small, trips are tailor-made, and the scenery is unparalleled. Waters range from the swift-flowing Kenai River to windswept Kenai Lake and peaceful coves along Katchemak Bay. Accommodations vary from tent camps to rustic lodge rooms.

Rio Grande River, Texas

    The dramatic desert gorges of Big Bend National Park rank closely behind the Grand Canyon in depth and beauty. Where the Rio Grande carves through the state’s mountainous region, colorful ravine walls tower 1,800 feet above the river. Cottonwoods, cacti and mesquite line the banks, sheltering burros, beavers and rare peregrine falcons. Desert Sports (915-371-2727, www.desertsportstx.com) offers year-round multi-day excursions of varying difficulty on 250 miles of the Rio Grande.

 SEA KAYAKING
    Unlike whitewater kayaks which are made for navigating rapids, the longer, steadier sea kayaks are designed for cruising open water. Available in single or two—seater models, sea kayaks are ideal for very shallow water and easier to paddle than canoes.

Coastal Waters, South Carolina

    South Carolina’s shoreline is laced with 180,000 miles of waterways separating small islands from the mainland. These barrier islands and wetlands provide a breeding ground for waterfowl and other wildlife -- a naturalist’s dream. . .