Trip Reports

May 20 Manistee, hike AM & paddle PM

First, Roseanne Bowman, Ann Beaujean, Jocelyn Trepte & I dropped off our 4 canoes & paddle gear at Woodpecker Creek, below Hodenpyl Dam (all in one car with canoe trailer). Then, we drove to Red Bridge to hike the 10 miles back on the Manistee River Hiking Trail, enjoying many woodland wildflowers along the path. After crossing the suspension bridge, we met Maxi Neugebauer for the paddle back to Red Bridge, her in the bow of Sara's tandem Northwind, Jocelyn trying out Sara's new Flashfire, Roseanne paddling Jocelyn's Sandpiper, and Ann in her Black Gold Flashfire. The river was filled with fish, a merganser family, many Canada Geese & goslings, and a muskrat. It was in the low 80s, unseasonably warm & sunny, clear water & a light breeze, as we paddled past cascading creeks, red clay bluffs, around horseshoe bends, enjoying the comraderie of today's all-girls' day together. Even though Maxi couldn't join us for the hike, since she fractured her foot 3 wks ago and is still in a boot, we were delighted she was willing to paddle the bow with me.

 
"Move over guys, we're coming in!" Maxi, Jocelyn, Roseanne, Ann & Sara at take-out