Finally got to to the Des Plaines River! It's one of the more popular and well known rivers in the Chicagoland area. However, by me its more of a shipping route, so I never really planned a trip for it. I met up with a group further north, in the linconshire area. We did 10 miles, running parallel to Milwaukee ave. 

The river was smaller and skinnier and at low water. It was similar to the dupage in terms of flow. There was plenty of deadfall obstacles, but none that blocked the entire river. We passed through the river in about 4 hours, going slower so I could take it in.

It was very scenic, lots of trees. Occasional traffic noise, but nothing too bad. Again, similar to the dupage by naperville. Smaller skinnier river, loaded with trees. Very low compared to other rivers. 

This weekend I was able to paddle the big lake Michigan up by Sheboygan Wisconsin. I've got family in the area, and they have a lakefront house and a couple of kayaks. Over the weekend, I went north a few miles and south a few miles. 

The north trip was fun, Just up and back 2 miles. It was a mid afternoon trip on a hot day. The water could be a little choppy at points, but overall doable with breaks.

The south trip took me from the house to the edge of downtown. It was about 6 miles round trip. This was earlier in the morning. The water started calm then picked up later on. I can get seasick, but if I stayed out about 200 feet it wasn't awful. It would slam up against the rocks PLENTY though, so that made in and out a pain.

​Nice short trip, but first time in the area and it was solid.

Montgomery to Yorkville is a great 10 mile paddle on the fox river.  You start at the dam at Mongtomery, then take out at the dam in yorkville. It takes you past Oswego, then through a chain of islands.

This stretch takes 2-4 hours, depend on current. At my best, I've done it in 2. If it's a casual time, it can take closer to 4.