Birds were the stars of the trip. I saw dozens and dozens of wood ducks, including several brightly colored drakes. Wood ducks like the Baraboo River but I’ve never seen so many on a trip before. They are skittish and usually fly ahead before you get real close to them. Noisy Canada geese also were part of the trip, noisily honking as I approached them.

It is mid-morning; The air is still, and the sun is radiating a hint of summery heat. Regardless, the cool water feels refreshing on the feet as I stand at the boat landing in Reedsburg. While the sounds of vehicle traffic nearby make modern society evident, I hone into the orchestral tunes led by the intrinsic sound of chirping birds singing combined with the soft buzzing of insects and the gentle trinkling of the Baraboo River as it caresses each banked rock and pebble provide music to the ears. Today is truly a great day to immerse myself on the river.

The millpond had been part of Reedsburg’s community character right up until the dam’s removal in 1973. The Reedsburg Woolen Mill was one of the city’s largest employers and industries up until the time it closed in 1967 after the business went bankrupt.

More and more kayakers and canoeists have been paddling the Baraboo River in the past two years. In an effort to make using the river safer and more user friendly in Sauk County, bridge identification signs were placed along the river in Sauk County late in 2022.

The weather was near perfect but the river was very low last Saturday when the Lazy Beaver Canoe and Kayak Race was held on the Baraboo River.