Ahhh … Leisurely floating on one of Nebraska’s many scenic rivers or streams in an inflated inner tube is a cool, refreshing, relaxing, way to enjoy a hot summer day with family and friends, isn’t it? A small group of tubers take a rest break on their float trip amid the beautiful scenery of the Calamus River near Burwell in the Nebraska Sandhills. Photo courtesy of NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Oh, yeah! Tubing on a Nebraska river or …
Read More »Float a Water Trail
Eager to get on the water? Yeah, me, too. Summer is a perfect time to float Nebraska’s water trails. There are many reasons to take a float trip on continuously flowing water. You can do it for the openness and space that it offers and the adventure of going somewhere you have never been. You can do it to make connections and memories with people and nature, re-trace history, see a variety of wildlife species, get some fresh air and …
Read More »Try The Float Trip Phenomenon Called Tanking
Want something fun, relaxing and unique to do with your family or friends this spring or summer? Well, well. I have an idea for you. How about floating a slow-moving, meandering, scenic Nebraska river downstream in a round, buoyant livestock watering tank? I know what you’re thinking, trust me, I do. But, let me tell you that this is one of the most amusing, interesting and memorable small group outdoor experiences you can have in Nebraska! Originating in the Sandhills …
Read More »Float a Water Trail!
“They connect us. They run through us. Our bodies are roughly 60 percent water. Newborn babies are 78 percent. Is it any wonder we are drawn to rivers, is it any wonder we want to return to them again and again?” – Amy Souers Kober. Floating one of Nebraska’s various water trails in the summer is great for so many reasons! You can do it for the adventure of going somewhere you’ve never been. You can do it to make connections and …
Read More »Be Wild, Float a Water Trail!
The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are. — Lynn Noel Floating one of Nebraska’s various water trails in the summer is great for so many reasons! You can do it for the adventure of going somewhere you’ve never been. You can do it to make connections and memories with people and nature. You can do it to re-trace history. You can do it to get …
Read More »Canoe the Niobrara on WOWT 6
Grab a life jacket and hop aboard, we’re gonna canoe the spring-fed waters of the gorgeous Niobrara River east of Valentine, NE this week on my WOWT 6 News Weekly Outdoor Report. I’ll talk about and show you why a summer float trip on this Nebraska water trail through an outfitter should be on everyone’s bucket list! Weekday trips are strongly suggested to avoid a lot of other water traffic on this scenic river. The ecologically unique Niobrara River valley is also home to the …
Read More »Canoeing the Scenic Niobrara River on WOWT 6 Outdoors
Grab a life jacket and hop aboard, we’re gonna canoe the spring-fed waters of the gorgeous Niobrara River east of Valentine, NE this week on my WOWT 6 News Weekly Outdoor Report. I’ll talk about and show you why a summer float trip on this Nebraska water trail through an outfitter should be on everyone’s bucket list! I’ll also address how to avoid a lot of other water traffic on this scenic river. The ecologically unique Niobrara River valley is also home to …
Read More »Throwback Thursday: Wags on the Water
I’ve been around the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for sometime. This month of May marks my 35th year with the agency! And, I loved every bit of it! I am truly “living the dream!” So, on this Throwback Thursday, it’s “Wags on the Water.” One of my claims to fame is that I have canoed, kayaked or tanked each and every one of Nebraska’s Water Trails, and then some. As you know, from my previous blog posts, I have …
Read More »On the Platte Close to Home
This past week, Game & Parks friends and I enjoyed kayaking and canoeing the Platte River just south/southwest of the Omaha-metro area and sure had a nice trip. Unlike most years in August, the Platte has a good amount of water, look! In your float trip plans, I would be sure to include the scenic stretch of the Platte from Schramm Park State Recreation Area to the Louisville Lakes State Recreation Area which is about 4.9 miles and takes roughly …
Read More »THE RIVERS LEAST-FLOATED
While working the Omaha Boat, Sports and Travel Show yesterday, I was reminded about a couple Nebraska rivers not floated much that have nearly constant water levels year-round being spring-fed by the massive Ogallala Aquifer. That reminder was prompted by a good friend in Nebraska’s outdoor recreation scene – float trip outfitter Mitch Glidden of Mullen, NE. Mitch, along with his wife – Patty (she really runs things, sorry Mitch), own and operate Glidden Canoe Rental and the Sandhills Motel …
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