When you’re thinking of challenging rivers to canoe or kayak, North Dakota is not generally the first state that comes to mind. But there’s a stretch of the Missouri, north from the capitol city of Bismarck to Garrison Dam, that could change your mind about Dakota waters. This stretch is one of the last remaining undeveloped segments of the Missouri. Peppered with sandbars and undertows, and with a remarkably swift current, this run is largely unchanged from the Missouri river the Lewis and Clark expedition followed in 1804. New sandbars, different logs and snags, but the same tricky river!

In addition to the thrill of the water, you’re also in a prime spot to see both bald and golden eagles, beaver and white-tailed deer, and osprey. You may also spot endangered least terns and threatened piping plovers on the sandbars; if you do, don’t disturb them; just take a photo, and paddle on.

If you didn’t bring your own, you can find rental canoes and kayaks in Washburn at the Lewis and Clark Canoe and Kayak rentals, or at the Cross Ranch State Park (worth a visit even if you don’t need a canoe), and at several locations in Bismarck and Mandan.

You’ll want a dry bag to store your camera and other items. Good choices for canoeing footwear are these Columbia Hydrotooth shoes for men, and Columbia’s Bellafly for women. The new Life is Good shorts are great summer styling for guys, and these Patagonia Board Shorts for women in plum make a fashion statement while keeping you comfortable. If the day gets chilly, women may want to bring along these Torrent Pants by Isis. Because it can get cool on the water almost any time from May to October, bring along a jacket, such as a Merrell Storm Jacket for men, and this Marmot PreCip jacket for women.

Another advantage to canoeing the Missouri is that costs in North Dakota tend to be lower than other areas. You can find great deals on food, hotels and canoe rentals in Bismarck, Mandan, and Washburn..

Canyon white water rafting or shooting rapids in a kayak or canoe is an experience more exciting than any roller coaster. But remember these sports can turn deadly in the event of a flash flood.

Whatever craft you’re using, you need to pack basic equipment. A waterproof bag is a starting place, something to keep your food and most valuable gear, including things like a camera , a waterproof flashlight, your goggles (when you’re not wearing them to protect your eyes), and a first aid kit, although the Paddler by Adventure Medical Kits comes in its own drybag and includes both an emergency blanket for two people as well as waterproof matches. On the water, whether it’s smooth or not, you should be wearing a flotation device, and a helmet to protect your head from rocks.

The absolute best way to survive flash floods is to avoid them. Before you start, check the weather forecast. If it includes thunderstorms or heavy rain, even 30 miles away, be aware that a flash flood is likely, so don’t go. The waterways feeding the river are likely to fill or overflow with rainfall or snow melt, then enter your river all at once, creating a flash flood. Having a portable waterproof radio can help you keep track of weather conditions and help you avoid floods.

Keep an eye on the sky and the water upstream as you run the river. If you see thunderheads, afar away, get out of the water and get to high ground, out of the canyon if possible. If you hear a sudden loud rushing noise, get out and to high ground as fast as you can. A flash flood comes down a canyon like a wall of water, and you may have little time to get out.

If you can’t get out, hang on to your raft and kayak, even if it capsizes, and try to use your paddles to push away from rocks and debris in the water. You may survive the flash flood with a great story to tell.

(Sources: http://www.secretsofsurvival.com/survival/flood_flash_floods.html, http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/flood.html ; http://www.frankstehno.com/sagemesa/guide/bcconsiderations/rivers.htm#ff )

A few years ago, I spent a couple of weeks in Miami with my parents. My parents like to hike so, after a couple of days on the beach, we decided Florida’s stellar hiking trails were calling us, and off we set.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park
This park is on the banks of the Loxahatchee River and has some great trails, all mapped out for you by the Florida Trail Association. The trails are all looped trails, so eventually you’ll end up back where you started, but meanwhile you’ll see some lovely mangroves, swamp land and pine woods. You can also camp here in the designated camping areas. Some of the trails are also board walked, which makes hiking easy. You can concentrate on the beauty around you instead of worrying where you’re putting your feet.

South Fork St. Lucie Hiking Trail
This trail is about two and a half miles long, but what makes this trail really cool is it’s a hiking-canoe trail that can only be accessed by canoe (at least at the moment, though that’s likely to change in the future, so try it out soon). You get to the hiking trail by first paddling your canoe for around three miles, then get out at the trailhead. All along the canoe trail and into the hiking trail you’re likely to see turtles and alligators. Make sure you watch where you’re stepping though as alligators in Florida have been known to eat people.

Corbett Hiking Trail in Palm Beach County
The Corbett Hiking Trail is a bit further out but well worth going to. It’s 16 miles long, which is more than 30 miles if you do the round trip, and goes over flatlands, wetlands and into copious amounts of saw palmetto, the famous Florida fan palm. You’ll see a lot of wildlife on the Corbett Hiking Trail. River otters, white-tailed deer, bobcats, woodpeckers, herons and many other species have been spotted from Corbett Trail. The trail also has a 1.2 mile boardwalk, which is a great place to stop, take a rest and check out what might be lurking in the undergrowth. The best time for the most sightings is usually either early morning or late afternoon, when the trail is quieter. Make sure you take your camera too.

Miami doesn’t have to be about a flashy lifestyle or a nice tan, it can also be about getting out into nature and trying one of the Miami areas’ many hiking trails.