Mike and Betty Gardiner, Fred and Judy Swartz, Marv and Marlene Puska, John Heiam and Lois Goldstein, Norm Fred, Tracie Lord, and Peg Anderson met at Dawson & Stevens in Grayling for lunch. After lunch, we drove a few blocks to Penrod’s to join Deena Barshney, Becky Beach, and Mike Terrell to unload our boats.
Everyone drove their car to the take-out at Stephan Bridge, and Penrod’s drove everyone back to their place for the launch. Right from the start, several of us noticed some trash in the river, and we commented that we should schedule a cleanup there next season. Fred decided he would just pick up all the trash he saw.
We all paddled at a comfortable pace, and soon the group broke up into small conversation groups.
We stopped at Canoe Harbor Campground for a “short break” that stretched out to about thirty minutes because everyone was enjoying the warm sun and great fall colors.
As people were thinking of launching, Fred showed up with his load of trash.
We helped Fred unload his trash, and then we proceeded down the river. We all noticed that the temperature dropped pretty quickly after the sun dipped below the trees. Luckily Stephan Bridge was just around the next bend.
Submitted by John Heiam