David and Jessica moved to Osceola, WI, in 2016 with their son, Joe, after living for several years on the East Side of St. Paul, MN. During their time in St. Paul, they spent most weekends exploring the St. Croix River Valley, which inspired their decision to relocate. After nine years in Osceola, they can’t imagine living elsewhere. They have engaged in various activities throughout their journey, but their love for nature and exploring new places has always remained consistent. As new empty-nesters, they decided to share their passion for the outdoors by opening Paddlefish Adventures. They believe it is essential for people to have opportunities to disconnect from their daily lives, and they enjoy creating adventures that foster a deeper connection with nature.
Meet David Aichinger - David is a lifelong adventurer with extensive experience in leading various outdoor activities. He has orchestrated numerous high-adventure trips, including a nine-day wilderness hike, week-long excursions in the Boundary Waters and rivers, and a week-long scuba diving trip focused on cleaning coral reefs in the Caribbean. David is also a Dad, an award-winning snow sculptor, and a meticulous craftsman.
David holds several certifications, including:
Youth Protection Training, BSA Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat Training, Hazardous Weather Training, Red Cross Wilderness First Aid, Red Cross CPR/AED, Red Cross
Meet Jessica Turtle - Jessica is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and Master Naturalist who founded Treehaus Studio and is part owner of Paddlefish Adventures. Her work focuses on community engagement and explores folklore, symbiotic relationships, and the Anthropocene. Through public art and art education, she encourages folks to explore the beauty and genius of the natural world while fostering a deeper understanding of our place within it and our impact on the environment.
Jessica has a BFA in Studio Arts from the University of Wisconsin. She studied Object-based learning with the N.W. Harris Learning Collection in Chicago and with the Bell Museum in Minnesota, and she completed the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program.