Our 3.5 hour hike on the Manistee River Trail this morning was cloudy, cold & windy, so it was no surprise that the weather was more pronounced when we got to the river at 1:30PM. Janine & Jack's dog, Caddis, had joined Jack, Ian & me for the hike, but Janine headed home & Caddis was left in Jack's car with a bone. So, the hardy afternoon paddlers were Ian, Jack & new club member, Michael.
First, we had a little sleet, then a little mist, finally a little sunshine, as we finished our paddle at Red Bridge, but the wind gusts were constant. Since the river was high, it was a fast 2 hr paddle, but we had to be alert, or a gust would blow us sideways into a cross current, eddy, or obstacle in the river. Only Jack didn't have a double-bladed paddle, which really helped keep control of our boats. Afterwards, Jack, Ian & I enjoyed a much-needed dinner in Mesick, before we headed home.
Report by Sara Cockrell, trip leader.
