Feeling Erratic?

How glacial erratics and a good old-fashioned river trip can keep you grounded.

By Doug Johnson

If the chaos of daily life has you feeling a bit ungrounded lately, the cure might just be waiting for you deep in the Wisconsin Northwoods. According to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, feeling “erratic”—whether it looks like a short fuse, sudden irritability, or just wanting to completely unplug—is a natural sign that our minds are feeling overwhelmed by modern stressors. If you’re looking for a way to break that cycle and find your footing, the secret might just be grounding yourself somewhere that is literally erratic.

Deep in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, you will find the Peshtigo River—a beautiful, crisp, clean waterway dyed sienna-brown by tannins from the trees, full of wildlife and nature unlike anywhere else in the world. Everywhere you look, walk, or paddle, erratics surround you. Now, why would you want to go somewhere full of other “erratics” when you yourself are feeling erratic? I’m talking glacial erratics here!

The word comes from the Latin errare, meaning “to wander.” It’s the perfect description for these massive rocks and boulders that don’t naturally belong here. They were left behind by the ancient Laurentide Ice Sheet—a colossal glacier that covered most of Canada and the northern United States during the last Ice Age, peaking around 20,000 years ago.

According to the U.S. National Park Service, to put its size into perspective, this wasn’t just a thick layer of snow; it was a monstrous sheet of ice over a mile high—towering thousands of feet above where the tallest skyscrapers stand today. As this unimaginably heavy ice sheet expanded and scraped across the continent, it froze onto the landscape, plucking and lifting huge chunks of bedrock from far northern outcroppings. These rocks traveled embedded within or on top of the glacier, acting as geological wanderers carried hundreds of miles from home before being dropped right here into the Northwoods when the ice finally melted.

Today, you can visit and view these magnificent glacial erratics dotting, and at times dominating, the Wildman Adventure Resort Peshtigo River Outpost near Athelstane and the Town of Silver Cliff in northern Wisconsin.

These massive boulders didn’t just change the landscape; they choked the riverways, forcing the waters of the Peshtigo to roar around them. The result? One of the longest stretches of continuous whitewater in the Midwest! While grounding yourself among the glacial erratics at Wildman, you can raft down the Peshtigo River, learning firsthand from the boulders how to let life’s stresses flow right past you. As the ancient sediment washed away over millennia, it left behind spectacular Class I-III rapids that serve as the perfect backdrop to reconnect with your inner child, immerse yourself in nature, and accomplish a thrilling feat few others get to experience. If you prefer a different pace, Wildman also provides flatwater kayaking trips. Or, if you prefer to conquer your obstacles on high ground rather than high waves, you can test your balance and reach new heights on our Alpine Tower high-ropes adventures.

Want to see what happens when geology gets even more dramatic? Take a short day-trip north to our other Outpost, located on the Menominee River in Niagara, WI. Less than an hour north of the Peshtigo River Outpost, yet still on the Wisconsin border directly across from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, our Menominee River Outpost sits just outside of Iron Mountain and Norway, Michigan. Instead of glacial erratics, these rapids were created by the massive river cutting a steep gorge—Piers Gorge—right through a ridge in the Niagara Escarpment, the very same geological formation responsible for Niagara Falls! The Menominee River Outpost raises the stakes with world-class Class III and IV rapids, high-flying zip-line excursions through the canopy, and a historic, scenic 9-hole golf course.

Back at the Peshtigo River Outpost, immersing yourself among the ancient “erratics” and falling asleep to the comforting soundtrack of the roaring rapids is by far the best way to get your “Pesh-Refresh”! Tent camping, “glamping” amenities, and riverside cabin rentals abound, easily accommodating everything from solo escapes to large groups. Want to make it even easier? Let us take care of the cooking with a delicious meal plan delivered right to your cabin door. Wildman Adventure Resort employs a friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced guiding staff, ensuring that all you have to do is relax, enjoy yourself, and leave that “erratic” feeling far downstream.

Book Your Pesh Refresh

Contact our reservations team or give us a call at 715-757-2938. We’re excited to help you plan your Wisconsin getaway! Even if you’re just curious, we’re excited to help you explore what’s possible.

About the Author

Doug joined the Wildman Staff in 2026, fresh out of Nebraska, eager to dive deep into the Northwoods. Fascinated by all living things, the Peshtigo River Outpost quickly became his playground. Making daily discoveries and always ready to share, Doug has quickly earned the unofficial titles of “Bird Nerd,” “Nature Guy,” and, more originally, “DJ Hard Salami.” As a proud dad and grandpa, his credentials are official: a graduate from Juvenile Humor, Doug went on to receive his Master’s in Dad Jokes, specializing in Groaners. If you’re aching for an awkward joke, or just want to know what that bird is, just ask this guy!