George's Illinois River Badge Drop

Listen up. The Rock River past Castle Rock, the cypress-tupelo dark of the Lower Cache River Trail, seventy-eight lazy miles of the Hennepin Canal — Illinois hides more paddling than folks admit. Lake Michigan's a different animal; IDNR says wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket, check the marine forecast, and stay clear of shipping lanes. Wear the thing, don't stow it. The Illinois drop runs eight pieces: unisex tee, women's relaxed tee, youth tee, muscle tank, garment-dye crop tee, full-color two-tone cap, golf rope cap, and five-panel rope cap. Buy one, earn it, then haul your trash home. Paddle On. Only You Can Keep The Rivers Clean. — George