The main reason for this kayaking day trip (besides having a good time) was to conduct a river test of my Tucktec foldable kayak. I had taken the Tucktec out on a lake kayak a couple weeks before, but I wanted to see how she would stand up to river kayaking. Granted, the Kishwaukee River is shallow and slow moving most of the time, but a river she is and would provide a great testing ground for this kayak.

Kayaking the Kish

The total distance from Baumann Park to Atwood Park on the Kishwaukee River is about eight miles. It normally takes 2.5 to 4 hours to kayak or canoe that distance, depending on how fast the water is flowing and how fast you are paddling. I took a leisurely pace to enjoy the fall colors.

I hadn’t kayaked a river since I was a preteen and I had forgotten that you have to pay a lot more attention to the water than when you are on a lake. There were a lot of shallow areas and downed trees I had to navigate around for the first two miles. I ran aground several times because the water was so low. But kayaking is like riding a bike; you never truly forget the skills you learned in the past.

There was a lot of wildlife on the river including Canadian geese, mallard ducks, and several blue herons. I also saw some large fish in the shallow waters. The leaves were beginning to change color and there were several shades of red, orange, yellow, brown, and green. It was a quiet day on the water as I only encountered four other canoers and kayakers.

I stopped for lunch about a half mile before the I39 bridge. After pulling up to a rocky shoreline, I went inland about twenty feet. I brought along a Readywise Adventure Meal of wild rice risotto and my Jetboil Flash to boil the water. I was sure to drink a lot of water while I waited for my meal to cook.

The Final Stretch

After about 30 minutes it was time to get back on the water. I loaded up my gear and headed on my way. About a half mile down the river was the I39 bridge, which is known for the wicked headwinds that come off it. I remember canoeing this river in February with my family when I was a child and the I39 bridge was always a really windy spot. Once past the bridge there was glassy, reflective water with lots of leaves floating atop. It was a picturesque scene.

And just like that, I arrived at Larry’s Landing in Atwood Park. When I was a child the landing had been completely rebuilt and had a large sign marking it. But time has done a number on the landing and it is now a pebbly, muddy beach with some sidewalks leading down to it. You know you have arrived because you will go under a pale blue suspension bridge. I pulled my kayak out of the water, folded it up, and went on my way.

The Baumann Park to Atwood Park section of the Kishwaukee river is great for all ages and skill levels. Be sure to check the water levels beforehand. The Kish is a shallow river and you have to keep an eye out for shallow spots, debris, and downed trees. If you paddle in the spring the water will be higher and faster with a bit more debris, so be vigilant. If you are looking for a calm river to paddle, the Kishwaukee River in Illinois is for you. Happy Paddling!

The post Kayaking the Kishwaukee River first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Kayaking the Kishwaukee River appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

A Little Detour from the Blue Ridge Parkway

In October 2020 Goran and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway to check out the fall colors. I wanted to find a place to explore that was off the beaten trail and unique, so I jumped on Atlas Obscura and searched the area around Asheville. I was excited to discover that the train wreck from the abandoned train crash film “The Fugitive” was located forty five minutes away! We decided to check it out after we explored Graveyard Fields on the Parkway. We followed Google Maps to the location in Slyva, North Carolina. The maps brought us to the parking lot of an electrical company. We could see the train crash through the trees at the bottom of the hill, but it seemed to be surrounded by barbed wire with no apparent access. But we were determined to find a way to explore this abandoned site.

How the Studio Filmed the Train Wreck

The Fugitive was released in 1993 and was a box office hit. The train crash scene is one of the most important parts of the film so it had to be done right. Warner Brothers Studios had only one chance to get it right. Check out this video to see how they did it!

How to Find this Site

Want to find this abandoned train crash? First, check out Atlas Obscura’s information page on this unique site. There you will find all the background you need. Follow the Google Maps directions from the website. Once you get to the parking lot of the electrical company, head north on Haywood a little bit until you see an unmarked driveway that goes down the hill. Park on the side of the road next to this driveway and WALK down the hill. There will be random garbage strewn about and it looks a little sketchy, but it is the only way down.

Follow the path almost to the barbed wire fencing, keeping an eye out on your right for a tamped down path that will lead you down to the train tracks. There is a yellow pole right near this path. Walk down to the train tracks on this path and turn left, and there you will see the train wreck! Be sure to comment below if you have explored this awesome site!

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My Favorite Place on the Blue Ridge Parkway

In my humble opinion, the best waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway is Graveyard Fields. I first discovered Graveyard Fields when I lived in Asheville a decade ago. A new friend named Jamie introduced me to the Parkway. She is also from the Chicagoland area and we instantly connected. The first time she took me here, we jumped in the cool mountain water and swam around. She advised me that this was a “rolly” waterfall, not a “droppy” one. Also, we hugged the waterfall and talked to it. Had we been drinking? Yes. Yes we had. Would I hug a waterfall sober? Yes, yes, I would.

History of Graveyard Fields

So why is this spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway called Graveyard Fields? There are several theories. According to Wikipedia, the two most popular theories are either a windstorm or logging left behind a multitude of tree stumps that kind of looked like gravestones. The sign that greets you in the parking lot also seconds this theory. It no longer looks like a graveyard as the trees have all regrown. But, still a cool name.

How to Get to Graveyard Fields

Here is how you get to the best waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Graveyard Fields has two waterfalls, but the only one of consequence is the lower falls. Coming from Asheville, hit the Brevard entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head south to milepost 418.8 and park. From the parking lot, you will hike down through a rhododendron forest. Then, you will navigate down a series of boardwalks and staircases down to the lower falls. It is quite the hike down, so don’t make this trek if you have bad knees or limited mobility. Once you’re at the bottom of the stairs, you will have to scramble over some boulders to get to the idyllic swimming area at the base of the lower falls. It is perfect for a mid summer dip!

Planning a Trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway

While the Blue Ridge Parkway is accessible year around, there are perks to visiting at certain times of the year. Spring is great because of the rhododendrons. Rhododendrons are trees that bloom with beautiful pink flowers and they are all over the parkway. Graveyard Fields has an especially beautiful rhododendron patch you have walk through to get to the falls. Summertime is great because you have longer days and better weather. In the fall the mountain explodes with color from the changing leaves. In the winter, the Parkway can be harder to access but the snow creates a beautiful winter wonderland. Whatever the season, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must see.

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Meet Ella, Our “New” Vintage Airstream!

We bought a vintage Airstream! Her name is Ella and she is a twenty five foot long 1989 Airstream Excella. She is in VERY good condition mechanically and only needs some aesthetic fixes as well as a full solar upgrade. In the video above, Goran and I show you around our “new to us” Airstream before we begin renovations.

Previous Owners

We purchased Ella from a gentleman named Brad in Janesville, Wisconsin. Brad was her third owner. You can tell that every owner really loved this Airstream. She is in very good condition being that she is over thirty years old! Goran tested all of her electrical and she is solid. The batteries even work! Both TVs work. The propane furnace works perfectly. We will need to replace the two fans in the ceiling, neither of them work (we were informed of that before purchase). While everything is sound mechanically, Ella is in desperate need of an interior design overhaul. We have big plans for this vintage Airstream!

Plans for Upgrades

• U shaped dining area that turns into a bed and couch
• Complete audio/visual upgrades
• New floors
• Painting cabinets
• New countertops in kitchen and bathroom
• Removing trim and fabric and Painting all interior walls
• Building new platform for bed
• Complete solar set up
• Grill that comes out of a exterior drawer
• Lighting
• Full exterior polishing
• New backup camera
• Tire pressure sensors
• And so much more!!!

So What are the Next Steps?

As it stands, the Airstream is ready for travel. We could leave at any minute…except for the fact that we don’t have a truck! We rented a truck to get her home. So, first we have to purchase a vehicle that can tow at least 8000 pounds (Ella has a dry weight of 6800 pounds). Next, we want to complete some of the interior renovations over the next couple of months. We having been tossing around the idea of heading down to Texas and Florida to see some SpaceX launches in January and February 2021. That way we can take a little time to live in Ella and get the hang of RV life. For the summer 2021, we have been discussing Alaska. It all depends on COVID-19 restrictions of course, but we are hopeful. In the meantime, we will begin renovations in the next few days.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel! We are going to be posting videos showcasing the renovations. You can also follow our Instagram and Facebook pages. All three are linked below. See you soon!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/adventuresinjennyland

Instagram: www.instagram.com/adventures_in_jennyland

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hXpfDOh8kzobDsx-MykQg?view_as=subscriber

The post Vintage Airstream Tour | 1989 Airstream Excella first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Vintage Airstream Tour | 1989 Airstream Excella appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

If you want to see one of the most iconic places in Yellowstone, head over to the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring. Only second in fame to Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic is a MUST SEE if you are heading to Yellowstone for any amount of time.

How to Get the Best View of Grand Prismatic

There are two options for viewing Grand Prismatic. The first is the boardwalks where the main parking are is for the spring. Be sure to get here EARLY, like, before 9 am, if you don’t want to encounter a madhouse. The boardwalks allow you to see some of the other features in this basin. But the boardwalks doesn’t give you that amazing view that you see in all the pictures. If you want to see the most amazing view, you will need to head over to the Grand Prismatic Overlook. This overlook isn’t on the map. The only way we found out about it was by seeing people up on the overlook when we were down on the boardwalks. We knew we needed to get up there, so we went exploring.

If you drive down the road a little bit, you will come upon an unmarked parking area with a ton of parking. Park and get out and walk across the walking bridge to go up the hill, walking TOWARDS the Grand Prismatic. You will come to a fork in the road where you can continue straight or go up a hill. You want go left up the hill. At the top of this hill there will be an overlook where you can get THE BEST photos of the spring. The hike to this overlook is about two miles round trip. It will take about twenty to thirty minutes to walk up the hill. You will need good shoes and the ability to walk up hills. The overlook is not wheelchair accessible so keep that in mind as well.

When Should You Visit Grand Prismatic?

The best time of year to visit the hot spring depends on what your goals are. Do you want good sunny weather? Are you trying to avoid crowds? Do you want a unique view of the spring? All of these preferences and more are important considerations when planning your Yellowstone trip. High season or the busy season is May to mid-September with June, July, and August being the busiest times in the park. In the off season or October to April, there are other considerations to take into account such as snow, road closures, and if the park is open. If you are like most people, you will be heading to Yellowstone in high season and therefore should plan your Grand Prismatic trip accordingly.

Why is the Grand Prismatic Spring So Colorful?

The bright colors of the Grand Prismatic are caused by bacteria that love heat, called thermophiles. The different colors are caused by different types of thermophiles that live in the varying temperatures of water. In the center of the hot spring, the water temperatures are very high. As you move farther out from the center, the water cools. This allows bacteria to colonize. The different colors are indicative of the different types of bacteria. If you are interested in learning more about this unique and beautiful process, check out this article from the Smithsonian: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/science-behind-yellowstones-rainbow-hot-spring

More Yellowstone Resources

If you would like more information about Yellowstone, be sure to check out these articles:

The post Grand Prismatic: How to Get the Best View first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Grand Prismatic: How to Get the Best View appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

History of Mabry Mill

This former mill is a beautiful stop on the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Built by Ed Mabry in the early 1900s, it was used for several decades as a functioning mill. It also served as a wheelhouse and a blacksmith shop. The National Park Service took ownership of the land in 1938 after Ed passed away. The site was a clear choice for inclusion on the Blue Ridge Parkway route. Check out more information about Mabry Mill here.

What to do Here

There are many fun activities at Mabry Mill. Be sure to stop in at the restaurant for delicious southern cuisine. There is also a gift shop. There are also live exhibits during the warmer months including an active blacksmithing shop, a sorghum mill, and a whiskey still. You can also take a look at Matthew’s cabin, an authentic log cabin that was moved to the Mabry Mill site after being donated in 1956.

Planning a Trip to the Parkway

I used several resources to find these spots and plan my route. Once was the Blue Ridge Parkway app. I was impressed by how much information the app had and it was integral to planning my trip. Click here to check out this app.

Another great resource is the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation website. You can check out webinars, get maps, and stay abreast of weather closures through this site.

The Parkway is an excellent choice for a relaxing road trip. The most popular times on the BRP are spring and fall, so plan accordingly. During high season there is a lot of traffic and getting from point A to point B can be slow going. But if you drive the Virginia portion, you wont encounter as much traffic.

Check out the best waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway: https://adventuresinjennyland.com/best-waterfall-on-the-blue-ridge-parkway/

The post Mabry Mill – Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Mabry Mill – Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Virginia Portion of Blue Ridge Parkway

When I lived in Asheville, NC, I would go up to the Blue Ridge Parkway on the weekends. My friends and I pretty much stuck to mileposts 400 to 430 because that was closest to us. Cut to ten years later. I am planning a road trip on the BRP, but I want to see parts of it that Ive never seen. I decided to start at milepost 0 in Virginia and drive most of the parkway. While the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway isnt as well traveled as the NC portion, it is just as beautiful.

Otter Creek Milepost 62

Otter Creek is a manmade waterfall at Milepost 62. That being said, it is worth a stop. Walk down some stone stairs to the base of the small waterfall and you will find a flat area suitable for sitting and eating a meal. When we visited in the fall, the colors were beautiful.

Thunder Ridge Overlook Milepost 74.7

When I was making our itinerary for this trip, I knew I wanted to stop at Thunder Ridge Overlook. You have to turn off the parkway and head to a small parking lot. From the parking lot, it is a five minute walk down a wood path to a spectacular overlook. Be sure to make a stop here if you are nearby!

Roanoke River Overlook Milepost 114.9

The Roanoke River Overlook has a large parking lot and a short hiking trail that gives you a view of the dam. This is a great spot to stop for lunch or stretch your legs. If you have a drone, you can get some amazing shots of the dam.

Planning a Trip to the Parkway

I used several resources to find these spots and plan my route. Once was the Blue Ridge Parkway app. I was impressed by how much information the app had and it was integral to planning my trip. Click here to check out this app.

Another great resource is the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation website. You can check out webinars, get maps, and stay abreast of weather closures through this site.

The Parkway is an excellent choice for a relaxing road trip. The most popular times on the BRP are spring and fall, so plan accordingly. During high season there is a lot of traffic and getting from point A to point B can be slow going. But if you drive the Virginia portion, you wont encounter as much traffic.

Check out the best waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway: https://adventuresinjennyland.com/best-waterfall-on-the-blue-ridge-parkway/

The post Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia – MP 0 to 176 first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia – MP 0 to 176 appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Planning a Camping Trip to Yellowstone?

If you’re planning a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, this video and blog post is for you. Goran and I spent a week in Yellowstone’s Canyon Campgrounds in September 2020. I created this video because I was having trouble finding answers to some of my questions such as if Yellowstone has laundry facilities, grocery stores, or gas stations. All of that info and more awaits. These Yellowstone camping tips will ensure you are well prepared for the trip of a lifetime!

Yellowstone Camping Tips

Here is a list of everything that is covered in the video linked above:

• Importance of planning early
• When should you go to Yellowstone?
• How long should you stay in Yellowstone?
• Where should you stay in Yellowstone?
• What type of clothing should you pack?
• Food Availability, Grocery Stores, General Stores, Restaurants, Alcohol
• What Should You See in Yellowstone National Park?
• What Time of the Day Should You Go to Each Site?
• Cellular Service and Internet in the Park
• Parking and Driving Information, Gas Stations Within the Park
• Wild Animal Safety
• Pet Information
• Where Can You Get Firewood?
• Laundry and Shower Facilities
• Dishwashing While Camping at Yellowstone National Park
• Information About Putting Away All Items at Night
• Download the Yellowstone NPS App
• Total Cost of 5 Days Camping in Yellowstone

More Yellowstone Trip Resources

We spent a week in the park and created an entire video series to help you plan your next trip to Yellowstone. Check out the videos here!

The post Yellowstone Camping Tips first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Yellowstone Camping Tips appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Everyone loves Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park. It is an icon because of its eruption consistency. But did you know there is another geyser right near Old Faithful that erupts for ten times as long? In this article, we will discuss the amazing Old Faithful geyser basin and give you all the information you will need to plan your visit to Yellowstone. Check out the video linked above if you would like to see this geyser in action!

Heading to Old Faithful Geyser Basin

I recommend heading to Old Faithful early in the day. You can figure out when the geyser will erupt by downloading the NPS Yellowstone app. They have live eruption predictions for six geysers including Old Faithful, Daisy, Riverside, Grand, Castle, and the Great Fountain Geyser. Be sure to download this app before your trip so you can plan around the eruptions.

Arrive early and find parking. There are bathroom facilities all over the place. For the 2020 season, the Old Faithful Visitor Center is closed. But no worries, there are lots of outdoor activities to fill your time. I would set aside three to five hours to fully explore and enjoy all of of the geyser basin’s offerings.

Once you have determined when Old Faithful is going to erupt, try to go and find a spot to sit or stand. This should be no problem if you arrive at least 45 minutes before the next eruption. Old Faithful is VERY reliable. She will erupt within a few minutes of the predicted time. Once she begins erupting, she goes for one to three minutes. So sit back and enjoy the show! The NPS Yellowstone app has an awesome animation you should check out of how the geyser refills and why she erupts so consistently.

Where to See a Longer Eruption

But Old Faithful isn’t the only attraction to see! If you want to see a geyser that erupts ten times longer, check out Riverside Geyser. Riverside goes off every six to seven hours and erupts for twenty to thirty minutes! To get to Riverside geyser, you have to walk down the boardwalks and paved paths to the left of Old Faithful. It is probably about a half an hour hike. There are maps on the NPS app and posted along the pathway. As always, check out the geyser predictions to see when Riverside is scheduled to erupt. The predictions are also remarkably consistent. This comes from years of timing the geysers and data. So cool!

Other Sights at the Geyser Basin

Don’t fret if the geyser predictions are too far apart to enjoy more than one or two eruptions. There are a TON of other beautiful features to enjoy. Everything is always steaming and bubbling. There are beautiful, brightly colored hot springs that are worth the hike as well as crazy mineral formations that are worth a look. One of my favorites was the Crested Pool, which is right next to Castle Geyser.

Planning Your Visit

Here are some tips that will make your trip to Old Faithful more enjoyable!

• Get there early
• Plan around geyser predictions
• Set aside several hours so you dont have to rush
• If you are traveling to Yellowstone in 2020, remember that some facilites will be CLOSED due to the Covid-19 pandemic
• Be sure to explore all the sites. You made it this far, make the most of it!

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out these other articles in our Yellowstone Travel series:

Top 3 Places to Skip in Yellowstone: https://adventuresinjennyland.com/top-3-places-to-skip-in-yellowstone/

Camp Setup in Canyon Campgrounds at Yellowstone: https://adventuresinjennyland.com/easy-tent-setup-burgers-and-frostbite/

How to Make Foil Packs for Camping: https://adventuresinjennyland.com/foil-packs-for-camping-how-to-prep-grill-packs/

The post Old Faithful? This Other Geyser Erupts 10x Longer! first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Old Faithful? This Other Geyser Erupts 10x Longer! appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

It was FINALLY time to head into Yellowstone! We left Cody around 1:30pm. Talk about a gloomy day! It was rainy and chilly. It took an hour and a half to drive to the eastern entrance of Yellowstone. We paid the $35 fee and entered the park. Unfortunately a couple roads were closed so we had to take the long way around to our campground. Thank god we have an easy tent setup because it was a cold day! The long drive around Yellowstone Lake ended up being pretty cool! There were geothermal features along the shoreline that we spewing plumes of steam. It made the whole scene, with the rain and the steam, look ghostly and melancholy.

We finally arrived to Canyon Campground! It was time to unpack the car. We have our camping set up down to a science. First, we like to put up the kitchen canopy. This was important because there was a possibility of rain and we could use it for shelter if we needed to.

Easy Tent Setup

Next came the tent. The tent we use is the Alps Mountaineering Extreme 3. It is super nice and allows for a really easy tent setup. There are only three poles so even one person could set it up. We lay down a very thick piece of plastic for the footprint that we custom cut (we prefer to use that over the footprint that comes with the tent because it does a better job keeping the tent dry in the rain). It has two doors and the fly provides two vestibules that we can store things in to keep dry, like our suitcase and shoes. I looked this tent up on Amazon to find you a link, but the newer versions only have one door. That is the tent that I will link below. An easy tent setup makes camping that much more user friendly.

Camp Kitchen Setup

Next, we moved on to setting up our camp kitchen. Our stove is a Coleman camp stove that is reliable and easy to use. We also have two main kitchen camp bins that hold everything we need. We put the stove on this dope little white fold up table that we scored when we were camping in Kettle Moraine State Park in June! The previous tenants of the campsite we stayed at had left it there. It’s a super solid table too! So we put that table under the canopy and put the stove on top. Underneath the table goes the two to three kitchen bins for easy access.

The final area to set up is around the fire. We LOVE our camp chairs. They have a little fold down side table and they are very sturdy. I will link them below as well. I think the only downside to the chairs is that they are heavy. That’s fine if you’re camping in a normal campsite, but if you have to hike back to a site, these can be a bit cumbersome. In addition to the camp chairs we have a tinder box that we fill with mini duraflame logs, different paper and kindling, and a couple of lighters. And we don’t go anywhere with out our handy dandy fire poker! We got this thing at a gas station in northern Wisconsin (random) and it is the best fire poker we have ever used.

Dinner and Cold Weather

Dinner on day one was burgers and grilled vegetables. We had bought premade pub burgers at a grocery store in Cody so that was easy to prep. We grilled those on our Coleman stove. After cutting up an onion and a bell pepper, we grilled those over the campfire. We fried up some bacon and an egg for each burger as well.

It was super cold the first night, probably down to about 25 degrees. We froze our butts off. We never cuddle but we were that first night! I think we are going to need to invest in some cold weather mummy style sleeping bags or maybe a down blanket.

Origin of Love for Camping

My love for camping comes from my childhood. I grew up camping because my dad and grandpa were Boy Scout leaders. I was quite the tomboy growing up and kind of wished I was a boy so I could go on all the campouts. Instead, I helped out with the pinewood derbies and went on family campouts. Goran grew up in the city and had few opportunities to camp as a kid. But, he did go camping with the Boy Scouts and really loved it. He rediscovered camping as an adult and is excited to do more camping in the future.

Since the pandemic, camping seems to provide an extra layer of needed solitude, stress relief, and calm that we both need. There is something about being out in nature that calms the soul. Actually, forest bathing is a real thing! If you’ve never heard of it, click on this link to learn more.

Check out our post about the Top 3 Places to Skip in Yellowstone. We also have a great post about making foil packs for camping!

Products Mentioned in this Post

• Alps Mountaineering Extreme 3 tent: https://amzn.to/2RLqEOg
• Great camp chairs: https://amzn.to/3hWsJ4

The post Yellowstone Camping | Canyon Campgrounds first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Yellowstone Camping | Canyon Campgrounds appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.