Feature Article
feature article
outdoor
Adventure
By Katelyn Schramm, Guest Writer
The Missouri National Recreational River and its surrounding land made up of various
beautiful terrain is that of a hunter and fisherman’s dreams.
If I mention the words “outdoor adventure”, what do you think about? For
many, that probably depends on the part of the world in which they reside
or where they have visited. Are you picturing mountains? How about the
ocean? Remote desert lands? Do you have to drive miles and miles to get
away from city lights and into a quiet place where nature rules? When
visiting Yankton, SD, outdoor adventure is right here!
As the original capitol of the Dakota Territory, Yankton holds historical
prestige for its role in the progression of settlement in the West- a once
untapped landscape turned to homesteads as people spread across the
United States. Add to that the fact that the Lewis and Clark Trail winds
through this area, and this setting automatically invokes wild images of
crossing the river on a raft made of logs, spearing a fish for dinner, and
walking through open fields where one can see for miles.
It’s true that the river and surrounding landscape has changed since the days
of Lewis and Clark, but the current scene is not a far cry from the setting they
experienced. This area still draws people in with a reputation for unparalleled
pheasant hunting and wonderful walleye fishing, and the fact that one can be in
town one minute and feel surrounded by the great outdoors five minutes later,
makes Yankton the perfect backdrop for your next outdoor adventure.
26 | Yankton Visitors Guide | www.VisitYanktonSD.com
Feeling the urge to connect with nature and experience outdoor adventure
here but have no clue where to start? Want to take your family outside and
away from screens and busy schedules to re-connect? While the idea of an
outdoor adventure can seem overwhelming with the financial commitment
for proper equipment, the planning it takes to find the perfect activity, and
the amount of knowledge one needs to stay safe in the wilderness, there
are plenty of ways to experience the outdoors without the stress. Beginners
can start small with a walk along the poured paths by the Missouri River or
a dip in the swimming area of Lake Yankton or Lewis & Clark Lake . Star
gazing from the hill near the Gavin’s Point Dam is another relaxing treat.
When a bigger adventure calls your name, Erin “Chummy” Riibe, owner of
Riibe Outdoors, has a solution to scratch your adventurous itch. As a child,
Chummy loved to hunt and fish with his family and spent plenty of time on the
Missouri River at the family cabin near Ponca. His love for the outdoors took
him to Alaska as a sport fishing guide for 16 years, and his passion eventually
lead to a business plan to share outdoor adventure with others.
While Riibe’s primary commitment is to his full-time tenured teaching
position at Mount Marty College, he takes advantage of the school breaks