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Traverse Area Paddle Club

Remember: all TAPC outings are listed on our event calendar and are color coded using this scheme:

 

Small Inland Lakes   

Great Lakes   

Easy Rivers 

Intermediate Rivers  

Difficult Rivers 
Clean-up Trips 

Out-of-town Trips 

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Trip Reports

7/13/26: Power Island Picnic

Kathleen Imre | Published on 7/16/2026
Howie, Paul & Irene M., and I met at Bowers Harbor Boat Launch for the annual junket to Power Island. The day was very warm, but there was a light southwest breeze, and once we were on the water, it was quite pleasant. There was not a lot of boat traffic. We headed across towards "the A-frame" near Neahtawanta Point, and then paddled in a tight group to each of the two channel markers, before reaching Bassett "Island" (no longer an island!) and Power Island on the northeast side. As we've done in past years, we hugged the shore and paddled around Power to the southeast shore. We saw a mature Bald Eagle, Herring Gulls, a few Ring-billed Gulls, and many Common Mergansers including two families with little ones. When we reached the shore, the sand was hotter than blazes, but Irene found an unoccupied campsite in total shade with a great view of West Bay. It was a perfect picnic area! We then headed back to Bowers Harbor, with hopes that Buchan's Blueberry Farm was open: ice cream was consuming our thoughts! After loading boats and gear, Howie learned that Buchan's was indeed open, so our caravan headed over for a nice COLD treat!

All in all, we had a great day, and great paddling buddies are the best!

Pics by Irene and Kathleen

Howie


Paul and Howie: hydration time!


Paul and Kathleen


"Our beach" - Irene, Howie and Paul


Made in the shade! Howie, Paul and Irene


Irene


Howie practicing an on-shore re-entry...