Great Escape: Ride the River

Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much-deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier.

The weather is getting warmer. I know Illinois likes to tease us by giving us a 60-degree day in the middle of near-freezing. But, trust me, Spring is coming.

Having said that, I know I am not the only one who looks longingly at the water when I cross the bridge over Route 6. I don't own a kayak or a canoe and I have only tried to operate a kayak once. If I decide to venture out close to home, though, I have a local business I can use to help me through.

Kayak Morris has equipment you can rent but, more than that, they offer tours and, coming in 2011, they are offering an "unfloat trip." The trip is upstream in a pontoon boat and you can float the 8 miles back to Kayak Morris.

We know Great Escape is supposed to be about individuals escaping for a couple hours. But this is a great escape for an entire family or an individual. And, according to its Web site, each child gets a free toy.

Kayak Morris is in William G. Stratton State Park, Griggs Drive, Morris, IL 60450 , 630-567-4653