Photo by Bill Stokes
By Bill Stokes
Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis’s relationships with rivers has been long and varied, and in the keeper’s case fraught with challenge, particularly with the Wisconsin River where ambitious river projects have often turned to minor disasters and embarrassment. An example might be the expedition with son Mike to float down to New Orleans, and only getting as far as the highway 14 bridge near Spring Green.
Through whatever means, the keeper’s fascination with rivers was handed down to sons and grandsons who lead their families in living “river rat” lives along and near the Wisconsin River.
This “living” is done with the river as boss, and that doesn’t change. Today, for example, a family fish fry was planned at Rick and Becky’s great riverside camp site in Sauk City but the river went on a record-setting rampage and flooded the fish fry frying area.
None of the river rat clan seems surprised. Fish fry adjustments will be made as the river, after being impeded by 23 dams across Wisconsin, makes the statement that now as a free-flowing river, the fish fry will be conducted on its river terms and perhaps with more consideration for the fish than there otherwise might have been.
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