Troop 79 negotiates the Nippersink
The weekend’s canoe trip / campout in Wisconsin was a success. Apparently we got less rain up north than the folks that stayed in Illinois. And everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, whether seasoned paddler or novice.
The goal of any overnight in the woods is to spend quality time with friends and nature. That objective was clearly met in the rolling hills of Camp Sol R. Crown and on the sinuous stretch of the Nippersink Creek we paddled. After a Friday evening rush hour departure, the crew made it to their destination while there was still enough daylight to setup camp. Saturday morning began with the usual patrol-style breakfast before the short drive to Keystone Landing. The ten boats and their occupants were given a creek-side safety briefing and canoeing demo before pointing their bows downstream!
The water was running pretty quickly, but there was still plenty of time to pause and observe the plentiful birdlife. Every so often, a manmade “rapids” added a little excitement to the trip. After 11.5 miles and less than five hours, the Troop made it to their destination at Lyle C. Thomas Park. Back to camp for an afternoon of card games and other goofing off before the serious work of dinner and campfire skits began!
Sunday broke gray and blustery, but thankfully the rain had passed overnight, with the Scouts making quick work of breakfast and tearing down camp before the trip home.