"This time of year I think about our valley in  E.E. Cummings’ terms  as “mud-luscious” and “puddle-wonderful.” During this in-between season, consider heading to a local riverside park, swimming beach, or boat launch to experience a muddy adventure. You may want to take a child along to make sure to witness first-hand the delight of new discoveries.

Marco Colella invited Shane Wilder to follow him on a kayak trip down the boulder strewn Icicle Creek. Shane met Marco and his colleagues at the put-in just past the Bridge Creek Campground. Russ Ricketts also worked with Shane to take photos and video during the day.

Paddling through the estuary, sloughs, and islands at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers is one of the hidden outdoor gems of Wenatchee. Though virtually in the city’s limits, this area feels wild and a world removed from town. The noise and structures of the city disappear. Birdlife and wildlife abound. And you’re likely to feel an immediate calm as you enter these backwaters.