Kayak to Vineyards on a Water to Wine Adventure in the Southwest
Volcanic soil and a cliff-lined river make the Verde Valley Wine Trail perfect for paddling and tastings.
23AfarTravel & Adventure2026
The opening
As the reeds whisper, my kayak surges forward in a rush. I tap a mud bank with a paddle to better aim my boat down the rapid. The joy of motion takes me—before my kayak jolts to a stop on a hidden shallow.
A scene
After pushing off from the shallow, I came to a still pool. Cicadas pulsed. Cobalt dragonflies zipped.
The tasting room enjoys views of stark limestone hills striated with vines, the river invisible below between them.
This is an excerpt. The full story ran in Afar.