May 15 Betsie
Published on 5/15/2011
Who: Karen, Tracie, Marv, Marlene, John and Lois
Where: the Betsie from Homestead Dam to Lewis Bridge
The five of us met in the afternoon for our adventure down the Betsie. When we arrived everyone noticed that the river level was quite high as evidenced by the water that was almost over the edge of the put in...it is normally about a foot below! The river was moving along at quite a fast pace but since we had all paddled in the flooded rivers in Missouri two weeks prior, no one was concerned.
The marsh marigolds were in bloom as we made our way down stream. Very pretty!
We did encounter several downed trees and two that were blocking the river. With John's nagivating skills however we were able to get through both spots without having to portage. After pulling ourselves through these obstructions one paddler noted "I have a stick poking me in my butt" to which someone else responded "If you stop, I'll come over and help you get it out!" Sometimes this is the price you pay for pulling yourself through a downed tree rather than portaging!
Another fun day on the river!