Into the Blue

[Nick]

New Canoer wrote:

Got a question for you. I've never been canoeing. If you drive down and put in a canoe up river, how do you get back to your car? That is assuming you don't want to pay a commercial enterprise/canoe rental facility for your trip.

The only solution I have is to take 2 vehicles. Drop off one vehicle at the end of your trip, and take the other to your starting point along w/ the canoes of course. ;) You only need one vehicle w/ a roof rack or trailer to haul the canoes/kayaks, the other vehicle can be a transporter.

[Nick]

I don't know about other canoeist/kayakers - but I have canoed Sugar Creek many times and I get grossed out more and more everytime I go. That creek is absolutely disgusting - I don't plan on traveling it anytime soon. Too many tourists travel it w/ their beer cans every year. It's probably the most popularly canoed river/creek in Indiana, but is also one of the most polluted.

[Jerri]

Nick wrote:

<quoted text>
The only solution I have is to take 2 vehicles. Drop off one vehicle at the end of your trip, and take the other to your starting point along w/ the canoes of course. ;) You only need one vehicle w/ a roof rack or trailer to haul the canoes/kayaks, the other vehicle can be a transporter.

Ssome take a small bike or scooter and chain it where they plan to take out and then use it to go ride back for the vehicle they haul their canoe/kayak on. Some hardy soul actually has a folding bike for his canoe.

My kayak isn't that roomy. I usually do round trips and paddle up stream first and then take the easier paddle back downstream to my put-in spot. Everyone does it a little differently.

I do love the Blue and intend to get back there soon. I only wish I had a better camera. I also like to paddle Sugar Creek but haven't traversed very far yet.

As for the trash? I carry a sack and try to pick up when I can. I developed that habit when I was a hiker and carried it over to the water.

I thinks canoes and kayaks are a great way to exercise, enjoy nature and my kayak has proven to be the most inexpensive fishing boat you could ask for.

[carol groves]

great story, glad you had such a great trip and understand why the blue river
is indeed so special

[dwl]

If you need an expert on the blue river, Bob Sawtelle is absolutely the best. He knows more about nature that anybody i have ever met.

[Kristen]

I am ready to hit the river... what a lovely article!

[Bill Brockman]

The Blue River region is undoubtedly one of the prettiest areas in Indiana with probably the most interesting topographical features.
Wyandotte Cave is the largest cave in Indiana with immense passageways, but the longest are Bluespring Caverns in Lawrence County and Binkley's Cave System in Harrison County at over twenty miles.

[Jerri]

I am building a website for my new, nonpofit org. and hope to list different river/lake/creek reports as I compile them. Indiana has many beautiful places to visit.

myrubberducky.org (still under construction)

If an old grandma like me can take up paddling, anyone can.

[blue river rick]

New Canoer wrote:

Got a question for you. I've never been canoeing. If you drive down and put in a canoe up river, how do you get back to your car? That is assuming you don't want to pay a commercial enterprise/canoe rental facility for your trip.

If you don't want to rent, you have to have a vehicle where you put in and where you take out.

[Bob]

New Canoer wrote:

Got a question for you. I've never been canoeing. If you drive down and put in a canoe up river, how do you get back to your car? That is assuming you don't want to pay a commercial enterprise/canoe rental facility for your trip.

We own our canoe but would rather pay a livery to take us up river or pick us up at the end of the river. This helps if there are only 2 people who don't want to take 2 cars.
These liveries are located on the best parts of the rivers to canoe.
Most liveries will haul you and your canoe for half of the rental price.
With the exception of a very rude livery operating on Sugar Creek, most of the liveries are family run and will help you in many ways to have a fun day on the river.

[Bob]

Nick wrote:

I don't know about other canoeist/kayakers - but I have canoed Sugar Creek many times and I get grossed out more and more everytime I go. That creek is absolutely disgusting - I don't plan on traveling it anytime soon. Too many tourists travel it w/ their beer cans every year. It's probably the most popularly canoed river/creek in Indiana, but is also one of the most polluted.

The river was very clean last weekend, but it is too low until we get rain. Don't bother with inner tubes on Sugar Creek - you may as well walk the entire length.

[get over it]

Bob wrote:

<quoted text>
The river was very clean last weekend, but it is too low until we get rain. Don't bother with inner tubes on Sugar Creek - you may as well walk the entire length.

i got thru just fine!! we went wednesday and had no problems and the water was prety clean we did however see a couple flip over haha well worth the trip!