Trip report by Rachel Kumar from California; she's a friend of Mariah's
On Friday, August 19th we met up at Bowman Bridge for a trip down the Pere Marquette. Five kayaks and two canoes made the trek together. Lois and John planned the route and made sure we were all prepared for the adventures ahead.
Rachel and Mariah took some time to find the right rhythm for paddling together in a tandem canoe. Paul and Irene used the slower stretches of the river to practice their eddy turns in their kayaks. Marlene’s bright orange kayak was usually in the center of the pack, keeping a steady pace, while John Walton often brought up the rear with trusty dog Piper as his (non-paddling) canoe partner.
With clear skies, the trip was mostly uneventful. One stretch of rapids caught Rachel and Mariah off guard, and caught their canoe on the rocks. Mariah jumped out and with a good push (or two… or three) they were back afloat again. John’s dog Piper got impatient waiting for their turn at the rapids, so hopped out for a moment, and misjudged her jump back into the canoe - dumping John into the river and adding a few hundred pounds of water into his boat. Still, after sorting it out and heading down the rapids, they all enjoyed the rest of the journey until finally arriving at Upper Branch.
Added info from editor: Five of us had dinner afterwards at Trak's Bar & Grill in Brethren, and later were joined by two more for an outdoor concert at the Log Cabin Theater in Kaleva. It made for a rather long day, but a wonderful one. We loved listening to Ruth and Max Bloomquist, and especially hearing "Michigan Girl". Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMVG4TJL0lE
Photos by John H
Paul
Irene
Mariah & Rachel
Marlene
Mariah saves the day!
All is well in Rainbow Rapids
Lois concentrating
Marlene makes it look so easy
Paul keeping the paddle nice and low (and in the water)
Irene learned a lot the previous day (at the J&L moving water clinic) about controlling the kayak
John W tried to get Piper to help, but she had a hard time holding the canoe paddle in her paws
