THE MECAN

This charming little river (pronounced like 'McCann') in Central Wisonsin has special meaning to my wife Kris and I. It was the scene of our first "date". We had both attended our 20th high school reunion in Appleton and had gotten to talking (she was my first girlfriend in junior high school) and it turned out that we both had the Monday after the reunion off. I had to drive back to Madison and Kris had to drive back to Iowa, where she lived at the time.

Kris wondered why I had my canoe on top of my car, and I told her that I had intended to paddle a river on my way back home and invited her along. She replied in the affirmative and we met the next day where the Mecan crosses Highway 22.

Kris had not done much paddling before, but halfway down the Mecan she was bow paddling like a pro. This was when I knew that she was the perfect woman for me. Time, fortunately, has proven me right.

The Mecan is a truly delightful small river upstream from Highway 22. It turns and twists continually and is therefore excellent for sneaking up on Great Blue Herons, ducks, and other wildlife. We spooked plenty of fat trout as well. There are only a few cabins along its banks and no rapids. There are a few rocky chutes that might get you stuck in low water, however.

This river would makes a perfect training ground for aspiring paddlers, because much manoevering is required to negotiate the twists and turns of the river, the current is strong, but the river is small and shallow enough not to intimidate the trainee.

HELP SAVE THIS RIVER FROM DESTRUCTION! STOP PERRIER!

Visit the Friends of the Mecan website.
River information.


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