Traverse Area Paddle Club

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April 21 Little Manistee rendezvous

Published on 4/21/2010

After my reconnaissance paddle & our AuSable paddle last week, I wanted to share the Little Manistee with Jocelyn Trepte & Ann Beaujean, since they are both very experienced paddlers, and had expressed an interest. James & his 13-year old son, Dane, from Freesoil were able to join us, since Dane had just received exceptional grades, and could take the day off from school, and James works nights in Manistee. Both of them had already made a half dozen trips down the Little Man this season, and could provide our shuttle, instead of me mtn biking again, or us bringing a 2nd car, saving gas & a lone driver. But, we couldn't have done it without my new canoe trailer to transport our 3 solo canoes. And, I knew their 2 playboats would fit in the back of my van for the 15-minute drive back to 9-Mile Bridge, since they had paddled the Manistee with me a few wks ago.

When we were loading up the trailer in Interlochen, it was mid-40s & cloudy, so rather chilly after yesterday's 69-degree sunshine. But, by the time we arrived at the river, it was sunny & warmed to the low 50s, so the Weather God blessed our day! We sailed over all of the downed trees, under all of the overhanging branches, low limbos, chutes, shallow sandbars, and narrow 3 ft slots, all keeping an eye on the ones behind, following the leader. By noon, we arrived at a surfing wave, so Dane & James played while we lunched, then James slid back into the river from the bank. As we approached the new 6-Mile Bridge and slower gradient, we began paddling among fishermen, some snagging a steelhead since the weir was open. Halfway to the weir, we stopped at an old fish hatchery for a break, enjoying Dane's water snake, turtles sunning on the logs, daffodils, and a quick siesta for James, before finishing our journey. Sara & Jocelyn traded canoes with Ann to try out her Bell Flashfire, and fell in love with its sleek performance. It reminded me of my C-1 carbon fiber race canoe, being able to lean so much on the turns. On the way back to the put-in, we snugged up in my van, 2 playboats & 5 paddlers with my solo canoe on top, and the other 2 solo canoes on the trailer, so a purr-fect ending to a wonderful day with friends! And, a hug from Dane for making his day, too!

Here are 2 photos. See my separate Photo Page for 10 more.

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