Northology Adventures June 2022 by northologyadventures

A MIDWEST OUTDOOR OVERLAND ADVENTURE PUBLICATION

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES JUNE 2022

PADDLING & OVERLANDING ISSUE EVENT RECAPS BUG OUT TRAILER BUILD PART 5 PADDLING GEAR

06 TEN OR LESS

THE GEAR BUNKER PODCAST DIRECTORY &CALENDAR

Quality camp food, simply

CABINS & CAMPING

05 80 82

CURIOSITY & ADVENTURE

HAVE PADDLE, WILL TRAVEL

Matt Frey paddles onward

Northology Community rig setups

WILD DAY ON THE WOLF

ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY

Russell Piper reminisces

Chris Bacarella at Overland Expo

INTERACTIVE CONTENT Or, how to read this magazine! Clicking on the video play icons allow you to watch the embedded videos directly on the page. There are also live links that will briefly highlight when you turn the page to indicate the linked content and you can click on underscored text and the ads too- thanks for reading and sharing! -Cindy Northology Adventures Magazine has made all

FROM THE GARAGE

CHOOSING A BOAT

of any kind caused by this magazine or errors in the

Paddle gear & tips

Cindy pokes fun at boat styles

whole be reprinted or reproduced without a written

efforts to make sure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher or editor. All content is published in a good faith. Northology Adventures does not guarantee or accept liability for any loss or damage accuracy of claims made by the advertisers.All rights reserved and nothing can be partially or in consent. By using links in this magazine, you acknowledge that and agree that Northology cannot be held responsible and shall not be liable

BUG-OUT TRAILER BUILD

TAKE YOUR GEAR WITH YOU

David Zemla makes it safely to Expo

Kevin Versino on overlanding & kayaking

OPEN SKIES PROJECT

KORC SPRING CLEANUP

Cold war history in the Keweenaw

Volunteers get the job done

TEMPTING FATE

WOMEN'S OFFROAD WEEKEND

Paddling the Big Lake

Learning & fun for the girls

78 PADDLING DESTINATION IL A bayou in southern Illinois

cover photo by Sarah Michals contents photo by Shawn Hamachek back cover photo by John Fleig

for content of other websites and advertisements.

SIDE SLEEPING WITH NEMO’S NEW FILLO KING CAMPING PILLOW

10 OR LESS A series focusing on using 10 ingredients or less but using higher quality food to have a better overland dining experience.

With Chef Tim Horst

CARNE ASADA STREET TACOS Jeremiah Oschwald of Overland Pioneers launches a new video series to document and share delicious, elevated, simple dishes. The new Galley Sytstem on Jeremiah's Xventure trailer serves as the backdrop and workshop for this video series. Subscribe to Overland Pioneers on YouTube to see future meals and recipes. "After our first use of the Partner Steel cook top we are extremely happy. The whole grate and burner assembly comes out as one piece and allows for easy cleanup of the entire unit. Can’t wait to cook some bougie meals on the trail." -Jeremiah Oschwald

CURIOSITY POWERS ADVENTURE "There is something special to be said about curiosity. For us, overlanding helps “leanin” on the curiosity, discovering what happens around the next corner, or what is over the next mountain."

MATTHEW FREY

"And then the road ends. You are standing at the shore with your feet in the sand and gazing at a body of water, wondering what’s on the other side, what’s down the river, what’s on that island. Then you paddle and discover."

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES JULY 2022

MTB & Moto issue

Do you have a good story about mountain biking or adv moto touring? Tips for motorcycle camping or your favorite place to ride? We need your story! Email us at info.northologyadventures.com to submit photos or articles.

CABIN

FEATURE

BONUS

DISCOUNT ON A PROFESSIONAL CABIN PHOTOSHOOT BY CABINSTAYZ WHEN YOU ADVERTISE IN NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES

have paddle, will travel A collection of travelers, overlanders and weekend warriors who just can't stay out of the water.

Sarah Michals

Jason Letcher "The Sugar River is only a few blocks from my house so that would probably be my favorite."

Dan Woolman "In Michigan you are always close enough to water to bring the kayaks and fishing poles with you on every trip."

Cindy Pope "I borrowed a friend's expedition trailer for a trip to the upper peninsula, Michigan. We took two kayaks and a paddleboard, it worked out great!"

Jill Carr

Jeff Brenhaug

Michelle Conley We had our set up a few different ways...but this is how we found it works best, after trial & error. We typically only tote 2 with us now, since kid doesn't care to go often. When on the trailer, we can still lift the top to utilize without taking kayaks off... this photo was taken after mods on the trailer... not really camping... just a dry run set up when visiting family one day.

Mark Daggett

Jackson Robar Love being able to take three boats in our Colorado as well as our normal overland gear setup. Make sure you have at least one extra strap tucked away in a box if one breaks or fails... we had to get creative on one of our trips.

Matthew Frey

Boyd Lockhart

Haul your boats, bikes and camping gear in one eye-catching, affordable package.

C U S T O M

B U I L T

T E A R D R O P

TCTEARDROPS.COM

C A M P I N G

WAUSAU, WI

T R A I L E R S

A WILD DAY ON

THE WOLF The Bible says that pride goeth before a fall, but in this case it went before a swim

BY RUSSELL "BUZZ" PIPER It was a perfect day for paddling. That is, it was a day that I didn't have to go to work. The morning sun was just burning the mist off the surface of the water as Dave and I snugged up our thigh straps and pushed off into the gentle current in anticipation of a morning's paddling on northern Wisconsin's beautiful Wolf River. In spite of the hazy sun in the east, the picture to the north and west was somewhat less promising, as the building cumulonimbus threatened to dampen our plans. We were unconcerned, however, because we had watched the radar images of the storm front on the weather channel early that morning, and David had assured me that we had about a five-hour "window" of dry weather before we would get wet. Since David is a commercial pilot, he has had a lot of experience in anticipating the weather. So in spite of contradictory local forecast, I put my trust in his judgment, and put my paddle in the water, never suspecting that the building clouds would be the least of our problems. In the spring and after a good soaking rain, the section of the Wolf River beginning at the bridge at the tiny "blink and you'll miss it" crossroads of Langlade, and ending ten miles south at the Wild Wolf Inn, offers some challenging paddling for a novice open boater like myself. There are several class IlI rapids, including Boy Scout Rapids, a long rock garden with a monster (avoid at all costs) souse hole at the top of the second drop. Hanson's Rips, which tends to rip you over into a rather nasty boulder on river-right, and Gilmore's Mistake, a very aptly named boat eater consisting of narrows and a ledge producing humongous standing waves, followed a boulder-strewn, wave-filled race below. In addition to these, there are several class II rapids, and a lot of lesser riffles and drops. It was no longer spring, however, and the mighty Wolf of the spring had aged into the feeble Wolf of a dry summer. These, I thought, were the perfect conditions for me to introduce my wife's brother, David, to the joys of whitewater canoeing. There would still be plenty of water on Boy Scout, Hanson's and especially Gilmore's, but these were toward the end of our trip. We would navigate the numerous smaller rapids first, enabling Dave to become accustomed to whitewater technique: to sort of get his feet wet before encountering the somewhat more challenging drops. In retrospect, I should have known that both of us would get a lot more wet than our feet before this trip was done.

This part of the Wolf River has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River, and it's quickly apparent why. The river swarms with rainbow, brook and brown trout. The scenery on the banks is constantly changing from hilly forest to marsh or meadow. Wildflowers, cattails and wild rice abound, as does the wildlife. You will often see deer, beaver, porcupine, muskrat and even an occasional otter, as well as ducks, geese, kingfishers, osprey and bald eagles. The only things which distract us from the impression of being in a remote wilderness area are the infrequent summer cabins on the banks and the occasional raft which we pass, whose bikini-clad occupants we are somehow able to tolerate without too much resentment. But, despite their contribution to our ocular contentment, resent them we do, and anyone else who borrows or rents raft, tube or tin boat to share the river with us. This is partly because most lack any common sense or skill, seldom wearing PFDs or helmets, and often under the influence of adult beverages, and partly because they offend our sensibilities. You see, we are "SERIOUS WHITEWATER CANOEISTS." You can see this right off, because our brains are protected by Pro-tec helmets, are middles girded by Extrasport PFDs, and

our feet shod with Tevas. There are flotation bags in our canoe, a spare paddle stuffed under the thwart, a throw bag in the bow and a sneer on our lips for anvone who needs a paddle with more than one blade or (gasp!) would set butt in a boat that has to be inflated. Actually, our mystique is marred by a few small details.. the first being that the stern paddler (myself, while only marginal in ability, is lacking little in confidence (a situation soon to be remedied). The next crack in our facade is the boat, a 17 foot Royalex Mad River Explorer. While it wasn't exactly a dedicated whitewater play boat, I felt it would be more than adequate for the low-water rock gardens we would be encountering. At least it had Kevlar skid plates, and I would bless them several times in the coming hours! The third ingredient we add to this soon-to-be-bitter recipe is my brother-in-law. Now, Dave is starting out a few gates behind already. For one thing, Dave has never paddled whitewater before and has only paddled a canoe a couple of times. I didn't consider this a problem, since I'd often accompanied beginners down this stretch of river before, with only minor mishaps, but I hadn't considered the fact that David has even more

confidence in himself than I (did), and that David is an airline pilot. My theory about airline pilots is this: I think that they spend so much time, so high up in the sky, and so close to God, that they begin to identify with Him.They begin to think that they are above us mere mortals, and they are inherently and instinctively able to master any skill merely by doing it. If they will occasionally condescend to listen to instruction, they are of course free to ignore it whenever they choose, thus inventing new and improved methods for the rest of us to copy. I also suspect that the rarefied atmosphere up there kills a lot of brain cells. (I wish I could develop a theory that explains engineers.) Since I had not perfected my pilot theory yet, I gave Dave a short lecture (pilots' attention spans aren't very long) on paddling technique and safety: paddle when I say paddle, draw when I say draw, pry when I say pry and brace when I say brace. Don't lean upstream and don't ever grab the gunwales! If you do grab gunwales, try to get upstream and away from the boat, and keep your feet pointed downstream until you get to shallow water, then you can get back in the boat. After the lecture we practiced braces, ferries and eddy turns as we picked through the rock gardens on our way to the first set of class I riffles. And, like the minnow on Gilligan's Island, we began our three hour tour. Our first upset happened at a place on the map called "unnamed rapids class II in high water" (it wasn't). We bumped a rock lightly on the left side and suddenly David was out of the boat on the right side, both hands glued to the gunwales, his paddle forgotten. I planted an aggressive brace, but was unable to overcome 230 pounds of pilot bailing out at an altitude of 15 inches. Perhaps I hung onto that brace too long, because I found myself dragging rocky bottom with my paddle while flushing out my sinuses with river water. I began to understand how a person can drown in two feet of water. I soon began to toy with the idea that the bow paddler could also drown in that much water... an idea that would become an obsession before the end of the trip. We emptied the boat, retrieved Dave's paddle, waived at the passing "laughing" rafters and discussed what had gone wrong. It was at this point that my pilot theory began to formulate in my head. I learned that Dave's "unchangeable" philosophy and understanding of paddling could be summed up in two

statements: "You've got to hold on to the gunwales if you are unbalanced" and "Speed is your friend." Though our bodies were dampened, our enthusiasm and Dave's self-confidence weren't, so on we went. I've often observed that people who are extremely confident in one discipline will try to apply a special technique that they have learned to another area in which it has no application at all. Once, while riding with Dave in his sports car while going down a freeway exit ramp, he began weaving from side to side. When I asked him what he was doing, he replied that he was "saving the brakes by scrubbing off speed with the lateral motion." He had learned that in flight school. Another thing he had learned was that "speed (and altitude) is your friend," and while I am sure that that theory applies to flying an airplane, it has limited application while negotiating the highly technical rapids of the Wolf.

The minuet is an interesting dance, since its movements are all variations on a single theme. We minueted" down the river for another four or five hours with only minor variations on the "strike a rock, become unbalanced, grab the gunwale and capsize" steps of our dance before reaching the optional takeout point just above Gilmore's Mistake. This was supposed to be a three hour trip, but it takes a lot longer when you have to empty the boat, climb back in and retrieve gear every mile or so, while being laughed at by passerby. We did become intimately acquainted with some rafters though, since we would overtake them on the flat-water stretches, only to have them float past us while we discussed our (lack of) progress in the middle of each rapid, sometimes several times in each. On one occasion. I even hitched a ride on a passing raft in order to retrieve our boat as it did the "bump and grind" while being flushed down the rapids ahead of us. By this time I had honed my whitewater swimming skills to perfection, having swum all or part of "'unnamed rapids," Crowle Rapids, Horse Race Rapids, another "unnamed rapids," Twenty Day Rapids, still another "unnamed rapids" and several flat-water pools that had a rock in them. Nevertheless, rather than jumping off into the water again from the rock I had been washed up on, I jumped into the "bikini raft" as it floated by saying, "Going my way?" Although the occupants were quite surprised, they had consumed enough adult beverages on their way down the river that they found this quite funny, or perhaps it was just finding this "SERIOUS WHITEWATER CANOEIST" sitting on a rock in the middle of the rapids like a half-drowned kitten that amused them. Pilots have a saying that any landing that you can walk away from is a good landing, and I was starting to apply that philosophy to canoeing. If you are still in the boat at the bottom of the rapids, you've had a good run! Using this criteria, we had a good run through Boy Scout Rapids. We even avoided the huge boulder on the left bank that has a sign painted on it saying, "keep to the right of this rock" (there is a souse hole next to it which tends to suck you in and wipes out a lot of rafts when the water is high). Then we had a very clean run on Hanson's Rips, even catching one of the eddies we tried for. As a result of our modest successes, when we finally reached the landing above Gilmore's Mistake, although I was exhausted, I was finally getting

a little confidence back. I had not regained enough, however, to suggest that we actually run Gilmore's instead of calling it a day. David's confidence, however, was still unshaken, and he did suggest it! I resisted, but since our wives, who hadbeen waiting and worrying about us for the last two hours, were there to watch us, I reluctantly agreed. Besides, "SERIOUS WHITEWATER CANOEISTS" are proud and will never pass up a chance to show off their skills in front of an audience. So once again we checked our flotation bags, tightened our thigh straps and prepared to run Gilmore's Mistake. Before pushing off, however, I made David solemnly swear that he would paddle as I instructed him. We would punch through the first waves, then we would draw hard right to catch the eddy line on the right-hand shore so we could eddy in, bail water if necessary, and set our angle to slide over the ledge without getting swamped by the side curler above it or the standing waves in mid-channel below. The Bible says that pride goeth before a fall, but in this case it went before a swim. As soon as we pushed off to re-enter the current, my semi-restored confidence evaporated. Those standing waves and side curlers looked a lot larger from river level than they did from shore, and the roar of the rapids was a lot more intimidating as we paddled closer, but it was too late now. We had cleared the first small ledge and we were committed. I knew we were in trouble when, after pushing through the first waves and taking in about six inches of water, David yelled out, "SPEED IS YOUR FRIEND! like it was a battle cry and paddled straight ahead with all his strength, directly for the crest of a three foot side curler! Worse yet, I had already started to set our angle, putting us sideways to the powerful hydraulic.

I vainly tried to reset the angle, but there was no time. The waves smashed David squarely in the chest, inundating him and twisting the boat as he was swept over the side. My ill-timed brace into the side curler only hasted our capsize, and I too, found myself swimming, I tried desperately to body-ferry myself to the eddy teasing me on river right, and I almost made it (a good landing), but I have to admit to a moment's inattention when Dave was swept over the ledge, disappearing into the froth below (serves him right. I hope he swallows a trout). That moment of gloating probably caused me to follow Close behind, into the wash, rinse, spin and wringer cycle of the rapids. Although the entire time spent among those standing waves, souse holes and boulders was only about a minute, what a memorable moment it was! Fortunately for me, the boat was washed into an eddy along shore, where we retrieved it undamaged. I survived with no major injuries, although I was unable to sit on my bruised posterior for a few days. Davis was not so lucky. Although he was unhurt, his wedding ring had been sucked off his hand when he slipped over the ledge, a fact that did not seem to set real well with his wife. The bikini-clad rafters made it to the takeout ahead of us, but we studiously avoided even looking in that general direction since we were already in enough trouble due to our late arrival and the loss of David's ring.

Have you ever noticed that if it seems like things can't get any worse, you've overlooked something? The final indignity of the expedition was now prepared for us, and it came from Mother Nature herself. As if on cue with the passing of the fifth hour since we put in, David's five hour window of good weather slammed shut (or in this case slammed open), drenching us with huge, frigid raindrops and small pebbles of hail. While the women ran for the car, Dave and I were too bedraggled to even care, and with the downcast countenance and plodding steps of the defeated and humiliated, we gathered up our gear. As we loaded the boat on the top carriers, we found ourselves vainly hoping that the cold rain might cause us to catch pneumonia and die, or at least get sick enough to get some sympathy. David and I are on speaking terms again, and he still insists that if we would have just paddled a little harder and faster, we would have stayed upright. He's also quite proud of the fact that he had not grabbed the gunwales on his way out of the boat. We were both amazed that the power of the water could wash off his wedding ring, which he could hardly get off manually. And me? I put my tandem boat in storage and am now paddling exclusively solo… well, I might be talked into paddling with my wife's other brother, who's an engineer, if he leaves his wedding ring behind, and as long as he doesn't tell me "Speed is your friend."

overland basecamp event

RED RIVER GORGE, KY - OCTOBER 20-23, 2022

Overland

overland / offroad / moto / camping outdoors / vendors / trails / activities

the red ON 1700 ACRES OF MOTO & MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS AT KY XC RACING, CLAY CITY, KY. NEAR THE DANIEL BOONE BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY & HOLLERWOOD OFFROAD PARK VENDORS EMAIL INFO.NORTHOLOGYADVENTURES@GMAIL.COM FOR INFO

PRESENTED BY:

EXHIBITORS & SUPPORTING PARTNERS:

overland routes points of interest places to stay campsites supplies & provisions

A thoughtful curated guide to overlanding in the Lake Superior region. We encourage responsible use, Tread Lightly! ethics and aim to raise awareness and foster stewardship efforts in these areas.

All About Community

Words & photos by Chris Bacarella

3,268 miles, alone. That’s my round-trip

Tundra, threw my Shadow Cruiser slide

It's the nod you get from another

distance from Madison, WI to Overland

in camper in the bed, and off I went.

overlander as you pass them on the

Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ. But this isn’t

street, it’s the wave one Jeep gives to

about the rigs, the gear, or even the

After days of rigs, gear, and dust in

the other, and it’s the stories you hear

event itself. It’s about one thing and

everyplace you could imagine, the true

around the campfire that make this

one thing only; the community.

reason people go to Expo West

community so great.

emerged. Community. The same I’m Chris Bacarella, an automotive and

community that drives all of us to find

So what did I learn going to Overland

outdoor lifestyle photographer based

the perfect campsite with friends. The

Expo West? We’re all out here trading

right here in the Midwest. Like most of

same community that brings us to

our ceilings for stars, sharing old stories

us, my Instagram feed is filled with

events like KOAR, or Rigs & Coffee. The

and creating new ones, and when you

breathtaking photos and journeys of

same community we all seek when we

really distill it down, overlanding is not

people discovery new trails. I’ve lived

take off on our latest adventure.

only about the journey, but all about

vicariously through each and everyone

community. See you out there!

of them hoping to not only see the

I’ll spare you the details on builds and

spots, but one day meet the people

the newest gear and leave you with

who ventured there. I had a hunch, a

this; take a risk, drive a little further,

hunch that if I took a risk and ventured

and go meet people you’ve never met

1,500 miles away to the one gathering

before. Share your story, listen to theirs,

place everyone would be - Overland

then create your own together.

Expo West - I’d not only walk away with

Because after all the parts, the builds,

new connections, but a few new friends

and the off-roading, it’s the people

too. I loaded up my 2006

that keep me coming back for more.

See more of Chris's work, clients and projects at chrisbacarella.com

"...take a risk, drive a little further, and go meet people you’ve never met before. Share your story, listen to theirs, then create your own together."

Michigan's LP Shore to Shore Weekends May 12-15, 2022 May 27-30, 2022 October 20-23, 2022 The Tri Adventure June 9-12, 2022

THE TRAIL TO ADVENTURE, LET US LEAD YOU THERE! At Discover 4×4 Adventures we are dedicated to providing professional 4×4 training classes and adventure trips emphasizing safety and responsible driving. Join us in a scheduled training, book your private guided trip, or register for an adventure trip with Discover 4×4 Adventures today!

417-616-3019 DISCOVER4X4ADVENTURES.COM OVERLANDADDICT.COM

Join the Northology Adventures Facebook group to continue discussions on topics& articles each month

organicoverland.com

NORTHOLOGY

from the garage

our favorite paddle gear & transport hacks Our garage is not a place where cars get fixed or lawn mowers get tuned up. It is a storage locker for all our outdoor equipment. Bins stacked holding boots, snowshoes, tents, camp chairs, and bike equipment line the wall next to the bikes and the kayaks, canoes and paddleboards hang from rafters and racks on the wall. I am beginning to understand the concept of the boat shed. Dad & I had one up north and it didn't even hold all our boats- we had at least 13 human-powered water craft between us at one point. Flatwater and whitewater canoes and whitewater and recreational kayaks and paddleboards. We have pared down both boats and gear. Here are a few things we can't do without.

Waterproof First Aid Kit We always carried a kit with a

quarter taped to the lid in case we had to call for our shuttle in an emergency. Yeah, we have been paddling for a few years! "When you're out on the water, be prepared to treat minor wounds with the Adventure Medical Kits Marine 150 first-aid kit. It comes in a waterproof/ dustproof storage bag to keep supplies dry." This kit and other waterproof marine kits available at REI.

LET'S PADDLE

OUR PICKS FOR YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR PADDLING ADVENTURE

Dry bags

"Drysacks are ultralight, waterproof roll-top closure, bulk reducing sacks that are ideally shaped for easy and efficient packing." These bags from Granite Gear are ideal for day trips and casual floats. Dry bags also work great for protecting cargo from the elements in the back of your truck or strapped to a roof rack.

NRS cam straps

"Unlike clunky ratchet straps and cheap imitations the NRS Strap is strong, easy, fast and simple with unlimited usefulness." Tried and true, the staff at Northology Adventures won't use anything else. We have been hauling canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and the occasional curb-side furniture find for decades and these straps have never failed us.

PRO TIP:

Here is a great tip for protecting straps at highway speeds. Anytime you are using a tiedown strap on a vehicle, where a section of the strap is not directly against something, put a twist in the strap in that area. This helps eliminate strap strum, the rhythmic vibration of the strap in the wind. Under the right conditions, this strum can generate enough energy to actually melt or fray and part a strap. This also helps cut down on noise." -NRS website

INSIDERS PRO TIP: BOWLINE

"The most important knot for all paddlers to know is the Trucker’s Hitch knot. It is a simple knot that is used to apply tension, which makes it great for tying boats on vehicles. Anytime you need to pull something taut, the Trucker’s Hitch is probably the answer.Watch Ken Whiting of PaddleTV breaks down how to tie the Trucker’s Hitch."

Paddle Jacket Cool, overcast days make getting wet a bit chillier than when it's hot out. A lightweight, stowable paddle jacket is a must considering how the weather can change on a dime in the upper midwest. We love our NRS jackets, they wear well and the wrist gaskets keep the water out of your sleeves. Available at REI.

Pack a towel

Stow a small towel in your dry bag or tuck one in your pfd. If you like to stop and take pictures with your phone, it is next to impossible to operate today's phones with wet fingers. We like these Sea to Summit ones. Also good for dipping in the water and cooling your neck off on a hot day.

Splash Deck

Covering the front portion of the cockpit, the Seals Splash Deck will keep the majority of water splash out of your boat during light conditions. Available at Rocktown Adventures.

Astral Brewer 2.0

The Brewer 2.0 is the next evolution of the revolutionary sneakerbased paddling shoe. A perennial best-seller, they are at home on the water and around camp. We love ours and 100% reccommend. Way better looking than those toe-shoe thingies.

Quick Loops

Add an anchor point to your rig. "Flexible hose is positioned underneath hood and trunk and then closed; web loop ends are pulled through gap allowing pressure of trunk/hood to secure hose section of loops." Seattle Sports Quick Loops at REI.

paddle drip rings "CatchNRelease™ Drip Ring features a unique

design which catches water coming off the paddle blade in the high position, and releases it back into the water during your downstroke."

Dagger Katana Crossover Kayak

A very biased opinion here since we own this boat. In lenths of 9.7 & 10.4 (suited for larger paddlers or for paddlers who need additional storage for longer adventures.) The drop-down skeg makes it track true on flatwater, and its stability makes it a great whitewater boat. It has ample storage for paddle trips, and feels less confined than other whitewater boats. Try one and fall in love. Check stock and take a test paddle at Rutabaga Paddlesports.

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Whitewater Paddling Canoe or kayakwhich is right for you?

Many of my friends new to whitewater paddling have asked me to help them choose a canoe or a kayak. I usually encourage them to try a less expensive sport, say, horse racing, but for those who won’t listen here are a few things to contemplate when making your choice. 1- Boat style- If you prefer to be constricted and enclosed, with no way of knowing if the tickle on your leg is a trickle of water or a hairy, venemous spider, a kayak is right for you. If you like the freedom to repeatedly fall out of your boat to swim rapids because you never learned a good offside stroke (even after 15 years,) choose a canoe! 2- Gear- Are you the do-it-yourself kind, handy with the kitchen knife and able to withstand epoxy fumes? A canoe is right up your alley. You may like a kayak better if the thought of flopping around the take-out in a ridiculous spray skirt and drinking beer out of your shoe is appealing. 3- Fellow boaters- If you think it would be cool to surround yourself with handsome young dude-bros with aspirations of sponsorships (but for now want to crash in your backyard,) definitely go with a kayak. If you think you’d prefer the company of bearded old mountain men and crazy Boof Sisters, maybe canoeing is right for you! 4- Public perception- Everyone thinks kayakers are cool, so if you think you are, a kayak is the perfect boat for your cool self. Whitewater canoeists are stubborn backward throwback luddites. Period.

There are many points to ponder when choosing the right whitewater boating style for you. Listen to your gut, and if possible, take a couple of boats for a test float. Whatever you do though, don’t even look at rafts. Those people have way too much fun. BY CINDY POPE

David Zemla BUILDING A TIME MACHINE OF MY OWN CONSTRUCTION Bug Out Hauler Build - Part Five and First Outing Recap

Best laid plans of mice and men… The Bug Out Trailer build began in earnest six months ago with two key goals in mind. Supplement the miniscule bed capacity of the Gladiator as well as function as a base so I could disconnect and explore local trails without having to tear down camp. It would need to carry an RTT, a fair amount of water, a few bikes and maybe some sort of kitchen. An added challenge would be a rack that could change heights to accommodate cargo as well as drop down so sixty pound Lab could be hefted into the tent once set up. The first few weeks consisted mostly of drawings before any metal was cut and by Christmas of 2021 the basic chassis was mocked up.

Virtually every milestone was calendared and

Did it work? Were fire extinguishers required?

most of the major components locked down

Did any big parts fall off? Before we get into

within that first month. The completion target

that, let’s get caught up on the build progress

was Overland Expo West in late May. On paper

since the last installment.

it appeared to be very doable and even left a few weeks of padding at the end. Good thing I

We left off last month with the trailer largely

don’t do this for a living.

welded and prepped for paint, but none of the electrical or plumbing sorted. The rack slider

"... the reality is we were just camping, not doing an arctic exploration, so I was pretty confident we could figure things out along the way if needed."

In reality the thing I do for a living (Marketing in

bushings were still sketchy and the

the motorcycle space) is exactly what

methodology to adhere aluminum panels to

decimated my plans. Am I mad? Not really. Did

the kitchen box was what we’ll call

I take some last second shortcuts along the

“undecided”.

way? More than I care to admit. Since then I laid a metal etching primer, a filler The shakedown run was a trip to Home Depot

primer and finally single stage Sting Gray over

and final pieces were bolted on the evening

the entire assembly (to match Gladiator,

before we left. The water heater was untested

naturally). After a ton of research, a 3M panel

and the pump that would feed it as well as the

glue (similar to what is used in the automotive

propane cooktop had been turned on all of

space) was used to adhere the .035 aluminum

one time. A little sketchy for sure, but the

sheets that surround the steel framed kitchen

reality is we were just camping, not doing an

box. After that it was a battle against the clock

arctic exploration, so I was pretty confident we

to get it all together. Solar panel mounted to

could figure things out along the way if

top of box, plumb water and propane, mount

needed.

tent, awning and pelican case.

Particularly stoked on the sliders. My hope was

worth it every time I open the kitchen and its

to be able to manually lift the rack, one end at

dinner making goodness rolls out and locks with

a time. With that in mind, friction would be as

a satisfying clunk.

much my enemy as weight. The weight would be fixed with a combo of the rack, RTT and

Round trip to Overland Expo was 3000 miles (SW

maybe a lightly packed box. Friction could be

Wisconsin to Flagstaff, AZ and back) across 10

managed. The big end of the sliders are the

days and was the ultimate test of six months of

vertically situated 2”x .120” wall tubes that

work. Lessons were learned and there may

make up the corners of the trailer chassis, each

already be a list of mods in the works, but let’s

has 1.75” x 0.032" wall brass tube epoxied inside

walk through the good, the bad and the ugly first.

it acting as a bushing, the upper slider (the part that moves) is stainless handrail tubing that just so happens to have an OD of 1.67" (leaving 0.016” of float). The rack pivots on spherical rod ends to avoid binding. The end result is the entire assembly lifts with relative ease and is located via pop pins in multiple positions. Not exactly “engineered” but works better than I could have hoped for. Kitchen went together nicely as well, although I’m not stoked on the stain I used. Hoping for more gray tones, I was disappointed in the brown hues, but did not have time to change it. Slide hinges are spendy, but feels like it’s

What didn’t work: The 23 gallon water tank probably falls in both categories. Pump will push a 10’ stream out of the sprayer and is damn handy, but I’m still chasing leaks and fill location was a total fail (needs to be closer to the tank). In addition to that, at some point during the trip the clear PVC hose connecting the fill cap to the tank took on a permanent kink, essentially blocking the ability to fill the tank. Luckily it’s an easy fix. Fenders are mounted 2” below the horizontal bar and are a tad too close to tires now that it has a full load. I’ll have to cut them off the chassis to update, but that’s what winters are for. Besttop soft Topper is not great. This one is more Jeep related than trailer, but was purchased to house the bins the trailer could not. Horizontal bar at base of rear flap (top of tailgate) is not removable making bed access very difficult. Snaps on flaps that hold sides once rolled up do not line up. It leaks and the plastic tab that connects rear flap to the evil crossbar refuses to stay closed. Also not in love with gap between cab and topper. I’ll ditch or replace this unit as soon as I can. Mounting solar panel on kitchen top was a failure. Seemed like a good use of space, but has to be folded down to open lid to access top storage and electronics. I may relocate it to top of the rack in the near future. Paint. I dribbled and ran everything. I’ve painted cars in the past and done well, but rushed this one and it shows. What’s recovery? Not sure yet. Voices are telling me to do some mods on the trailer down the road so it may need a complete respray anyway. Did anyone notice? Not really, in fact I was repeatedly asked if it was powder coated. Five pound propane bottle. These things are the badge of honor for the overland sect and a must have on the same level as the Skottle and Trasharoo. They are dumb. I spent the entire trip with propane range anxiety. I’ll likely bump it to a ten pounder or buy a second five pound unit. Motorcycle ramp should probably fall in this category, although maybe not. It lives in a clever hidden pocket under the trailer and is very handy, but water tank location forced a rather short length and therefore steep entry angle. It’s usable for the lightweight Groms, but will be tough to get a full size bike up it.

What did work: Fold down table is wildly useful. Easy to deploy and perfect standing height while cooking. At one point, my wife turned it into an expanded steel charcuterie board. Body Armor Sky Ridge Pike RTT is really decent. Probably a few inches smaller than my previous Gen 1 Smittybilt, but seemingly good quality. Really like the zippered outer bag, unzip three sides and fold it down. Bag stays with tent. We saw fifty-five mph wind gusts in New Mexico and pouring rain in Kansas, neither was an issue. Would have liked a shoe bag and larger interior pockets, but was otherwise a solid RTT for $1000. Adjustable height rack for the win. This was a magnificent pain in the ass to build, end result is very functional and I can raise/lower it by myself. Raised up, it fits Groms nicely on trailer. Lowered, I can easily pick up my Lab and huck her into the tent while I’m standing on the ground. Groms are the best. Camp bathroom is down the road? Not a problem. Need kindling? Yeh Grom has that. Just need to unwind after a long drive? Handled and I can carry two of these street legal wonder machines with zero drama. Long term plan is one Grom, a mountain bike and room for storage bins. The voices also want me to buy a TW200.

Slide out kitchen worked really well. Need to build a stopper so it does not pinch hoses when fully extended, but otherwise has been a pleasure to use. Proximity to the fold down table made for a lovely kitchen nook and everything, down to the under sink storage worked as planned. Bolt padlock and locking hitch pin. This was one I stumbled across. Premise being it learns the key you use for your vehicle. I followed the instructions and inserted my Jeep key before repeatedly testing. Even tried my wife’s Grand Cherokee key to see if I could trick it. End result seems to be a beefy lock and hitch pin that does not add another key to my already bulky key ring. Well played Bolt. Solar is the bomb. Low buck panel and controller off of Amazon required little more than programming it for Gel battery and hooking up wires. Never saw battery below 12.3 volts the entire trip. Battery choice is 100 Amp Hour and more than made it through the night from only the charge from the day prior. Weight distribution on trailer. Did a lot of interneting on this one and carefully placed kitchen and water tank as well as Groms ensuring I had good balance between axle and tongue.

What I didn’t have was a scale, so would not be sure of handling until it was too late. Luckily it worked well and trailer tows very neutral. Will definitely hit the local scale as soon as time permits. 35” tires on the trailer. This was pure vanity, I love the way matched tires/rims look. The reality is giant rubber on a trailer is silly. They’re expensive, very heavy and could have easily caused oscillation issues. They didn’t and they look bad ass, so there, all you big rubber naysayers! I may have gamed this one with dampers on the trailer axle, but either way it worked! Electronics array. I’m not an electrician, but I labored over the schematic and felt the end result was solid. Large gel battery, 1000 watt inverter and solar controller formed the foundation. Power was managed by a 100 amp breaker, master kill switch and small fuse array, all tied to an external switch panel, USB ports and battery monitor. What would I have changed? It really needs a Bluetooth volt gauge. Having to unlock five latches to check current voltage was less than fun. Will add perimeter LED lights in the future as well. Wife curled her hair in the woods, so I guess it all worked out.

ROCKTON, IL

WELDING, AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, SANDBLASTING, PAINTING, RUST PREVENTION, FABRICATION

Hebron fridge was surprisingly effective. This 47 quart unit

and maybe e-track along the edges to allow for more

ships as dual zone (fridge and freezer) had an app to

efficient ways to secure bins. A wheel on the front jack

monitor it and never missed a beat. I wired the 12 volt

would be helpful as well.

adapter directly to my switch panel and fuse box. We ended up using it as a single zone cooler (remove baskets and

What’s next for the bug out trailer? May relocate the solar

divider) which probably helped with overall energy draw

panel this season, but otherwise I doubt I’ll change much

and certainly freed up some space. In fact we didn’t buy ice

until winter. Next trip is the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail

until day three and that was largely to put in adult

up to Lake Superior and if time allows the KOAR run to the

beverages. It ran in the 33-36 degree range for ten days

UP. I’d also anticipate a few local runs with mountain bikes

without a hiccup and cost under $400.

instead of Groms. Levis Mound has a few lovely campsites at the trailhead as do several other local systems. Considering

What would I change? A GMRS radio would have been very

minimal shakedown opportunities and a fair amount of last

handy. Really any access to weather radio would have been

minute shenanigans, Overland Expo went amazingly well.

helpful in the camp sites that lacked cell signal. Never had a

From bad sketch to finished product in six months with only

chance to test the Camplux 1.32 GPM Portable Water Heater,

minimal challenges exceeded my wildest expectations.

but I did set it up and it will need its own box to be more functional. Lots of little tweaks like a stop for the side door

The dog was pretty stoked as well. See you on the trail.

TRAILS END CAMPGROUND RUSTIC CABINS & CAMPING 14203 M26 Copper Harbor, MI

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HOW TO TAKE YOUR PADDLE GEAR WITH YOU ARTICLE BY KEVIN VERSINO

J CRADLES The truck is loaded. The bags are packed. If only you could bring your kayak with you! Overlanding takes you to remote locations most people can only hope they will see, and by default allow access to water few people get to dip their toes in. Take advantage of the scenic areas you encounter on your adventures by bringing some toys to play with.

The LayLow and JayHook are cradle carrying systems. The JayLow folds down and has adjustable lean while the JayHook is a static piece. These cradles allow you to carry one kayak in a J-Cradle position or two kayaks in a vertical, stacker position. This image above shows one kayak in a JayHook and one kayak in saddles, which are explained below.

There are many options for hauling your gear. Rocktown Adventures trusts Yakima to help us Gear Up and Head Out. Their easy to install rack systems, cargo carrying equipment, and water sport carry accessories make it easy to take your gear with you.

SADDLES

Yakima offers different types of water sport carrying accessories designed to help you get it there. We are going to introduce the most popular options our customers at Rocktown Adventures choose to help them enjoy the outdoors.

Yakima offers different saddle systems to meet YOUR needs. The Sweet Roll provides two front and two rear saddles with integrated rollers to get your kayak off the roof and on the water in no time. No tools are needed to mount to any bar type, making these simple to install. The DeckHand is a pair of saddles that can be paired with two more DeckHands for a secure four-point secure fit. You can also incorporate the HandRoll as the rear saddles for an easy load assist

that provides grip, protection, and stability at a fraction of the cost of most load assist systems, including the Yakima ShowDown, introduced below. The EvenKeel is an economical saddle style roof top mount consisting of four saddles that can be easily adjusted to snugly fit your kayak.

LOAD ASSIST The Showdown is the first load-assist mount to handle both SUPs and kayaks, making it easy to load and unload heavy boats and boards. The lightweight mount fits into your crossbars and tilts down more than two feet from the roof rack, taking on up to 45% of the boat's weight, then helps gently raise it up to the top of the vehicle. Once loaded it securely cradles your boat or boards for the ride. At only 21 lbs. it's super lightweight but built burly enough to wrangle an 80 lb. load.

BRING THE GEAR YOU NEED TO THE PLACES YOU LOVE, GIVING YOU THE FREEDOM TO WANDER. There are multiple factors to consider when determining the best kayak carrying system to fit YOUR needs. The key part is YOUR needs. What is good for the goose may not be good for the gander. Some of these factors to consider are your height and strength, weight of your kayak, height of your vehicle, and if you will be alone or paddling with someone. The good part about the Yakima system is no tools are required to add carrying mounts to your crossbars. Even someone not mechanically inclined, whose wife has her own tools, can easily install the gear you need to hit the water. Bring the gear you need to the places you love, giving you the freedom to wander. You will create memories that will remain long after the adventure is over.

opeN

skIEs Preserving Cold War History in the Upper Peninsula Photos by Shawn Hamachek

"In August 2021, a group of friends and family composed of Michigan Tech alumni, Eagle Scouts, environmental engineers, outdoors enthusiasts, and history nerds purchased the former Calumet Air Force Station from Keweenaw County with the goal of saving the structures, restoring the property, and opening it up to the public. The group chose to name this endeavor the Open Skies Project in reference to the Treaty on Open Skies, an agreement between NATO and Warsaw Pact nations at the end of the Cold War that allowed for surveillance of each other's military bases. The name seemed very fitting, as the goal is to open this military station to public viewing once again!" -OPEN SKIES PROJECT website

In May, Open Skies Project hosts Ian & Ashley led a tour for a group of folks who came up for a Northology Adventures event in Copper Harbor. Ian mentioned how the Keweenaw is known for its mining history of the 1800s and that their group is excited to highlight and preserve the lesser-known area history from the Cold War. Among the many plans for the complex include a museum dedicated to life on the complex and the mission of the old Air Force radar base. For more information go to the Open Skies Project website.

"Built in 1951, Calumet Air Force Station was part of the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) radar network designed to detect, track, and intercept unknown aircraft over America during the Cold War. The station was operated by the 665th Radar Squadron (later the 665th Air Defense Group) and was active until September 1988. During this time their primary role was to track unknown aircraft and provide the interception data to the SAGE Direction Centers at K.I. Sawyer AFB and Duluth which would then direct fighter aircraft towards the targets." -OPEN SKIES PROJECT website

"Mount Horace Greeley is located deep in the wilderness of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula near the former copper mining towns of Phoenix and Central. At 1540' above sea level, it is the highest point in Keweenaw County, the 9th highest in the Upper Peninsula, and the 14th highest in Michigan. It is also the snowiest place in Michigan (and possibly the whole Midwest) with over 302" of snowfall so far in the 2021-2022 season. Aside from the former Calumet Air Force Station, Mount Horace Greeley is mostly uninhabited, with only a few old logging trails cutting through the forest. The incredible views from the summit look down on nearby Lake Gratiot to the south-east, Mount Bohemia and Lac la Belle to the east, and Lake Superior stretching all the way around the Keweenaw from the north-west to the south-east." - OPEN SKIES PROJECT website

Stay e and d i R ark & UTV P ATV,

The Field, Pembine, WI

A place to come, Park and Ride the Trails, setup your camper/tent and relax overnight after a fun day on the trails.

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the cleanup The Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition (KORC) asked the community for help with cleaning up trash from the public areas, roads, and trails at the Keweenaw Tip for their second annual cleanup. Volunteers from the Northology and Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat communities joined the volunteers to answer that call. We brought 19 volunteers to help pick up over a ton of trash and raised $425 for the KORC organization.

By Cindy Pope Photos by KORC, Shawn Hamachek, Jill Carr and Cindy Pope

Our group was given the areas of Horseshoe Harbor, Schlatter Lake and High Rock Bay to clean up. We made a quick stop at the Mariner North for checkin & our assignment. KORC supplied gloves and garbage bags and we were on our way. We gathered old tires, bumpers, hubcaps and countless bottles, cans, cigarette butts and bags of litter. It would be very understandable to be sad or frustrated at the amount of trash left behind by thoughtless people, but spirits were high and every stash of garbage brought smiles to the faces of those participating. We were thrilled to contribute and help clean up this beautiful area that we all love so much. We are grateful to the KORC organization for giving us the opportunity to give back to this community.

keweenaw outdoor recreation coalition "Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition (KORC) brings together individuals, businesses, and outdoor recreation, conservation, and community organizations to secure permanent public access to at-risk land in the Keweenaw. Our members come from a variety of backgrounds, from resource professionals and hospitality workers to students and retirees. All manner of outdoor enthusiast is involved because we are all concerned with what is at stake: the potential loss or degradation of the vast landscapes found in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula. It's not just forestland that could be lost. At risk is our way of life." KORC website

"Our second-annual KORC Keweenaw Clean-Up was an incredible success this past weekend, Saturday, May 21, 2022. A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers who came out! We will have an estimated weight total of the trash collected soon, but with such a wonderful effort from all the individuals, clubs, and organizations, we clearly broke our 2+ ton trash record from last year. We weren't able to get a photo of all of the trash in one place, but you can see from the trailer photos how much everyone was able to collect. In addition to newer trash, we were also able to make a significant dent in old trash and dumps on public land. We will continue these efforts in subsequent Clean-Ups. " Want to learn more about our next KORC community event? Become a member at www.keweenawoutdoorrecreation.org

We participated in the first KORC Keweenaw Cleanup in 2021 and were asked repeatedly about the next opportunity to pitch in and help. An idea was floated to create an event around the 2022 cleanup to give people even more reason to come up and volunteer. We arranged for group camping at Trails End, gathered some really nice giveaway prizes from some sponsors, secured a tour of Open Skies Project and booked a local musician to play on Saturday night. Over $400 was raised for the KORC organization by donating half of the ticket sales. Thank you attendees!

the campout

Thank you Keweenaw Cleanup Campout sponsors & partnersOrbis Overlanding Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Northwoods Overland Adventures

MOORE Expo Mickwick Fire Starters Northern Chill Got Your Six Coffee Co. Trails End Campground Michigan Overland Special thanks to Bryan Drewyor of One Human Band for sharing his talents (and Bruce's presence) to entertain our guests, and to Open Skies Project for the tour of the old radar base, the cold war history lessons and epic Keweenaw views! Stay tuned for more volunteer and service opportunity events from Northology.

A non-profit organization of 4WD clubs, groups and enthusiasts in Wisconsin. We are dedicated to promoting 4WD recreation on public & private lands, responsible land usage, safety, education & trail conservation.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY The Northology Adventures magazine is free to read but it is not free to produce. Your support helps with publishing & other expenses. You can join for as little as $5/mo and help us serve this community.

MONTHLY ADVENTURE MAGAZINE // TRAIL ADVOCACY & STEWARDSHIP // CONTENT & DESIGN SERVICES WINTER EVENTS // BASECAMP GATHERINGS // ADVENTURE EVENTS // WOMEN'S OFFROAD CAMP EVENT

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Protecting the Keweenaw's vast landscapes. For everyone. Forever.

Tempting fate on the Big Lake A cautionary tale I suppose, if the winds are calm, from the right direction, and you've checked the forecast 17 times in the last two days, you could get away with poking around the shores of Lake Superior in a watercraft other than a sea kayak. I have done it in a kayak and on a paddleboard, and I have witnessed canoes gliding along on a sunrise paddle, guys on standup paddle boards slowly making their way across an inlet, kids in rubber rafts splashing each other and grandmas on pool mattresses bobbing up and down along the rocky beach. The scenes seem like pages torn from a tourism pamphlet but in reality, a game of chance is being played.

Do as I say, not as I do...

By Cindy Pope

"Lake Superior's cold water, fast forming storms, and rugged shoreline is for the most experienced and well prepared kayakers. If you choose to go out on Lake Superior in a small kayak, stay close to the beach. Do not venture out to the Pictured Rocks Cliffs or go across the channel to Grand Island." -NPS website

The day was not perfect, but it was to stay calm thru the evening so my friend and I ventured out to find the "sea caves" west of Munising. Our exploration was rewarded with amazing views of what locals call the "mini Pictured Rocks." It was so satisfying to find this place that I had been searcing for a long time to find!

Unfortunately, motorized access to this campsite & launch point have been closed by the National Forest Service. You can read about the decision by local officials and the trash and bad behavior by visitors that caused the closure in an article by Asa Meadows in the June 2021 issue of Northology Adventures.

"At Pictured Rocks, we have responded to many rescues where kayakers were ill-equipped or ill-informed. Occasionally, kayakers will be properly prepared, and Lake Superior will still overwhelm them... consider the risks... Even experienced kayakers have been overpowered by the lake." -NPS website

The next day we woke up to a completely different lake. The wind was constant, blowing dark clouds, showers and 5' waves up the rocky ledges below our campsite. Later we saw a group of young men jumping into the waves at Miners Beach , hooting & yelling as they struggled back out of the water. Tempting fate.

"Besides your PFD, wet suit, spray skirt, whistle/emergency signal device, bilge pump, and weather radio, consider bringing: lighting device, self-contained stove, extra paddle, compass, maps, first aid kit, insect repellent, tow line, rain gear, waterproof matches, and dry storage containers."

See the Pictured Rocks kayaking page for more information on staying safe.

2022 TITLE SPONSOR

Xventure Trailer* XJP Overland* Overland Pioneers* American Adventurist* G3 Fabrication Axel Fabrication & Repair True North Outpost 4Xploring

We dedicate KOAR 2022 to the memory of Rob Ozarowicz-KOAR co-founder, friend and Copper Harbor splake enthusiast.

Victory 4x4 New Holland Overland Keweenaw Mountain Lodge ADV Mobil BeadlockersUSA Freedom Retrofits AC Overland Exploration Got Your 6 Coffee Co MOORE Expo Max-Bilt All Things Overlanding Northwoods Overland Adventures FRO Offroad Skinny Guy Campers Orbis Overlanding Moto Adrenaline Tours Rebel Outdoors * five year KOAR supporter

Still availableDay passes for Friday & Saturday Moto KOAR campsites Orbis Subie group campsites NEW THIS YEARExpanded vendor village Open Skies Project Tours Music nightly by Tom Katalin , One Human Band, & others TBA KeweenawOverlandAdventureRetreat.com

Keri gives us the scoop on kinetic ropes.

MIDWEST WOMEN'S

Offroad Weekend Photos by Sarah Michals & Cindy Pope

The inaugural Midwest Women's Offroad Weekend was a huge success as women from Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois & Kansas gathered to learn, share experiences and enjoy what was probably the best weather the first weekend of May ever had to offer in the northwoods. Basecamp was at the Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort in Langlade, WI where the ladies camped and learned about offroad recovery, driving techniques, vehicle choice & maintenance, emergency trail medical response, trail comms, trail etiquette, mapping and navigation.

Hands-on learning

Going for a ride.

Lots of cool rigs

learning PresentersKeri Porter- Discover 4x4 Adventures Alex Lischka Eschen- Northwoods Overland Adventures Jill Carr- 1941_Adventures Cindy Pope- Northology Adventures

Jill going over purpose-built rigs & different setups.

Keri talking about winches.

There was not enough time in the weekend! It seemed to go so fast, but we did gather for fireside chats, killer cheeseburgers in local dive joints and some team-building tree lifting on a free time two-track group ride.

friends & fun

Bear Paw kayak tree

Stay tuned for our next women's event! If you are a woman who is interested in conversing & connecting with other women in the overland and offroad spaces, join Women's Midwest Offroad Network and Lady.4x4 groups on facebook.

Andrea is all smiles.

Alex talks first aid on the trail.

Theo, the weekend's unofficial mascot.

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Southern Illinois Bayou

CACHE RIVER CANOE TRAIL & CYPRESS CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Cache River State Natural Area Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Photographs Cindy Pope

"Featuring ancient cypress-tupelo swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, sandstone bluffs and limestone glades, the Cache River Wetlands is a rich and diverse area that provides habitat for many unique and fascinating plants and animals. It is a place to enjoy hiking, birding, kayaking and canoeing, hunting, fishing, photography and learning about the natural world. With its wooded hills and cypress swamps, it would be easy to mistake this magical place for Louisiana rather than Illinois."- Enjoy Illinois

Cache River Trail

"For paddlers, car shuttles are not necessary since the river gradient and velocity are very small, allowing for an easy return to the access site. The trail is marked with international canoe symbols and arrows and/or yellow markers on trees. The Lower Cache River Access offers a parking lot with privy toilets, picnic shelter, and potable water, boat launch with floating dock, Lower Cache River Swamp hiking trail, and 3-6 mile Buttonland Swamp water trail."- American Trails

[ broadcasts ]

PODCAST DIRECTORY We have curated a list of our favorite Midwest overland, offroad and outdoors podcasts for your listening pleasure. Email us to suggest additions.

ALL OVER OVERLAND ALL THINGS OVERLANDING LADY OVERLANDER RADIO

SPOTLIGHT All Over Overland- We will dive in to deep conversation with guests and I will spill some of my own insights on Overlanding.

OFFROAD GARAGE PODCAST OVERLAND RADIO WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY WANDER. WONDER. REPEAT

LISTEN

[ events ]

CALENDAR

JUNE

DAR BROUGHT T LEN OY A OU TC N E

Big Iron Overland Rally June 10-12 West Mineral, KS Summer Adventure Camp June 17-19 Pembine, WI & Norway, MI Orbis Overlanding UP Expedition 6/25-30

JULY Overland Expo PNW July 8-10 Bend, OR

AUGUST Overland Expo Mountain West 8/26-28/2022 Loveland, CO

SEPTEMBER Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat 9/15-18/2022 Copper Harbor, MI

Sunday ADVENTURER'S MEETUP HOSTED BY XJP OVERLAND & NORTHOLOGY

OCTOBER

5397 Edith Ln. Roscoe, IL

Overland vehicle community LAST S U NDAY OF T HE MONTH APR - J U N E- JULY - AUGUST - SEPTEMB E R

Overland Expo East Beginning in June

Rendezvous in the Ozarks Overland the Red

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ABOUT THIS FEATURE

Rustic Retreat Reviews We don't always camp and we definitely have standards when it comes to non-camp lodging. Chain hotels? No. Haunted houses? No. Never-remodeled-orupgraded-in-60-years? No. We do love the rustic, the quirky, the historic, the off-the-beaten-path stays. In this monthly feature we plan to review some of the places we have stayed and give you an honest opinion. We are compiling a listing of our favorite Hipcamps, Air bnbs, cabins, lodges, yurts, whatever- if its fun, fresh or funky, we will let you know. If you are an establishment owner, please reach out and let us know about your place, we want to find the unique and share it with other adventurous travelers! If you are a traveler who wishes to submit review, please email us immediately!

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES

Lodging Directory Cabins, lodges, cottages Looking for a unique stay in the upper midwest? Ditching the tent for a day or two? Need a respite to relax & unwind? We have your back- check out our list of one- of-a-kind lodging options, curated for the adventurous kind. ILLINOIS White Pines Lodge Mt. Morris, IL MICHIGAN Aqua Log Cabins Lac LaBelle Fresh Coast Cabins Eagle Harbor, MI Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Copper Harbor, MI Trails End Camper Cabins Copper Harbor, MI The Outpost Big Bay, MI MINNESOTA Hungry Hippie Hostel, Grand Marais, MN The ReTreet House Two Harbors, MN WISCONSIN Elk Creek Cabin Elk Mound, WI Camp Lake Resort Mountain, WI

Camping WISCONSIN The Field Pembine, WI MICHIGAN Trails End Campground Copper Harbor, MI

As our list grows, we will be adding info to help you find the coolest, most rustic, out-of-the-way stays in the upper midwest! Let us know if you have a place we need to check out!

Elk Creek Cabin

"A rustic retreat where you can escape the city lights, but yet are only a 15 min drive from the sought after destination of Eau Claire. Travel back in time to days before we had the modern amenities we have come to rely on." rustic, solar lighting, pit toilets private & close to town Proprietor on site woodstove heat sleeps 2-4

EAU CLAIRE, WIsconsin

Fresh Coast Cabins Fresh Coast Cabins offers the ultimate rustic Keweenaw cabin experience with the small details you would expect from a boutique hotel. fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms with showers community bonfire area Charcoal grills sleep up to 6 depending on selection

Eagle Harbor, MIchigan

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge A historic wilderness resort at the top of the Keweenaw. Ideal for individuals, families and groups who value history and outdoor activities. 1, 2 & 3 bedroom cabins Queen sized beds Mini-fridges & microwaves wood & gas fireplaces pet-friendly accomodations

copper harbor, michigan

Trails End Cabins Camper cabins at the end of the world. Enjoy all that the Keweenaw has to offer from these rustic modern cabins. Open year-round and close to Copper Harbor, Eagle Harbor & Lac LaBelle. solar lighting & 12v & USB charging stations pit toilets near cabins woodstove heat sleeps 1-6

Copper Harbor, Michigan Cabin owners- we are doing a collab with Cabinstayz and they are offering a 15% discount on a professional photoshoot of your cabin when you sign up for any ad package with Northology Adventures. What a great partnership for you! Email us to take advantage of this discount.

Russ Piper at ASCI center photo by John Fleig