June 2020 Canoe Trip in the Turtle Flambeau Flowage

On a hot, windy June Tuesday morning, we arrived at Fisherman's Landing in the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. A stiff breeze provided a bit of a relief from the hot sun on nearly the longest day of the year. The upper and lower parking overflowed with vehicles and motorboat trailers. We wanted to try a new landing just for fun, and -this looked like the hot-spot landing for motorboats rather than canoes. We loaded the canoe, and paddled against the wind in search of a campsite.

Planning the trip, I foolishly believed a Tuesday entry would allow our choice of campsites. As we checked out site after site, motor boats buzzed around us from every direction. It became quickly obvious that the campsites were in high demand, and a motorboat could check out campsites quite a bit faster than we with our paddles. This Tuesday in the Turtle Flambeau felt busier than previous years on Saturdays. Clearly with Covid19 on, people out of work, and people social distancing rather than travelling to Six Flags or the National Parks, people are now enjoying wilderness and camping areas in higher numbers. 

Trip Video

We paddled on and the day grew long. Soon that time of the late afternoon where the paddling needs to end arrived. We had exhausted ourselves paddling wavy, windy waters under the hot sun. We headed back towards the landing checking each campsite along the way. About a third of a mile from the landing, after we had completely given up hope, we found an open site. By the smell of food and bug repellent, it seemed our timing fell into the category of lucky and we had a campsite for the night. We could search for something a little bit better in terms of size, layout and location the next day.

Middle school priorities

A great week for watching mother waterfowl and their babies

Dad providing a distraction for Mama and babies

It felt good to have some wind with the temperatures near 90˚F, we relaxed in hammocks, soaked our feet in the cool water, and enjoyed watching the motorboats whiz by. Butterflies, dragonflies, ducks, eagles and mergansers entertained us, particularly the waterfowl out teaching their babies to swim and find food. 

We lit a fire to chase the bugs away and found a way to get out onto the sandy point near camp to watch the sunset. We ate  a Knorr pasta side with dehydrated chicken for dinner. After sunset, a large snapping turtle came by and the buzz of the motorboats grew dim. It was time to fall to sleep listening to the call of the loons and the waves lapping the shore.

A great couple of days for sunrises and sunsets

Wednesday morning began as warm and sunny as Tuesday. I found a good spot to wait for the sunrise out on the sandy point. Hearing a splash, I turned to see a family of otters swimming by. What a delight! After a beautiful sunrise, I watched the ducks and mergansers swimming with their babies until my family rose and fry time began. I whipped out the skillet and made bacon and pancakes for our family.

Despite it being quite windy with pretty good sized waves, we decided to go for a paddle and search out open campsites. We bounced around on the whitecaps and dug in paddling against the wind. After a time, we came to the conclusion we wouldn't find anything, and headed back to our site. We prepared one of our daughter's favorite camp meals, dehydrated sweet and sour chicken. With full bellies and happy hearts we relaxed as the day drew to a close.

End of trip photo

Thursday morning came all to soon, another hot, windy day. After a gorgeous sunrise followed by a family breakfast, we began to break camp. I felt the urge to stay, but needed to be back to work Friday. The short paddle out proved easy despite the wind, as we had a tailwind. The waves once again swelled big enough to cover me, the bow paddler, with splash. The hot sun and wind dried my clothes as fast as they wettenned. Before long we were on the road planning on stopping at Subway for sandwiches to sustain us for the long drive home.

That's all for now, let's get our doors and keep our wild places wild.