Originally planned for August 24th, this cleanup was to cover Walker Bridge to Elm Flats. However, due to construction occurring at Elm Flats in August, the date was swapped with a planned post-Labor Day cleanup from Peterson Bridge to Low Bridge. It was expected that the construction would be complete by Labor Day, and by delaying the outing a couple weeks, the cleanup of these upper sections could be completed as planned. Unfortunately, Elm Flats had still not reopened by the time September 8th rolled around. Undaunted, the trip leaders boldly decided to extend the trip and take-out at Dobson on this final scheduled Pine River Cleanup of 2009.
Although somewhat forced by circumstance, this new plan worked out well, and the group couldn't have hoped for a more beautiful late summer day to be on the river an extra couple hours.
All the participants arrived in a timely manner at the Walker Bridge Canoe Livery, a private put-in immediately below Walker Bridge, and were ready for the 10:00 shuttle departure time. In attendance were Henry Eckhardt, Bob Fitch, David Fred, Norm Fred, Lois Goldstein, John Heiam, Maxi Neugebauer, Marlene Puska, Marv Puska, Fred Swartz, Judy Swartz, Jocelyn Trepte, and Angie Willis. After the shuttle back from Dobson, graciously provided by Mark Miltner of Pine River Paddlesports Center, the group made final gear preparations and set out on the river at 10:45. There were nine-kayaks, two solo canoes, and a tandem canoe, the latter provided gratis by PRPC.
Walker Bridge is just upstream from Silver Creek Campground and the smell of wood smoke wafted over the river as we set out. The first section was reasonably clean (except for a couple of "mother-lodes" found in log jams) and by the time we arrived at Lincoln at 12:20 for our lunch break, the group had collected only a few half-full small bags which we dropped off there. The only large item found on the first section was a 3 gallon plastic gas/oil container dug out of the muck by Henry. Lunch was enjoyed by all and an educational discussion ensued on how to tell anatomical fact from fiction, as it were.
We got back on the river around 13:00 and Jocelyn almost immediately found a lawn chair that was taken back upstream and left at Lincoln. With a fair bit of river still ahead of the group, questions were raised about when "Second Lunch" would be occurring. Our fearless leaders decreed that it would occur at 2:30.
A large old turtle was spotted above Elm Flats and was described over the walkie-talkie as a "giant 18-inch turtle", however it remained unclear to some participants exactly which turtle-measuring protocol was used to arrive at this figure. Like the first section, Lincoln to Elm Flats was fairly clean and only moderate amounts of trash were found. The new Elm Flats access looks nice, but they are having trouble installing pilings for the new ramp.
The group left Elm Flats at 14:40 with the general idea that only trash that was both "offensive" and easy to retrieve would be collected on this section. As a result, only a small amount of trash was picked-up before the end of the trip. (Editor's note: we had just cleaned LIncoln to Dobson a few weeks earlier, so there wasn't much left to find anyway.) This decision made for quicker and more enjoyable paddling of this final section - we could concentrate on the gorgeous early fall scenery and dream of future outings on the Pine where we will be simply paddling for pleasure. The group arrived at the Dobson take-out at 16:35, proving the estimates quite accurate that the trip would take two extra hours due to the extra section. After a climb up the stairs to our cars, folks loaded up and were heading out by around 17:00. Some participants reassembled at the Outback Steakhouse in TC for a much-needed dinner. Special thanks to Henry for the "Bloomin' Onion" appetizer.
This was a great trip and a fitting finish to a great series of Pine River Cleanups this summer. Thanks to Lois and John for taking on the details in arranging trips on the Pine and for helping to keep this river clean and beautiful! Also special thanks to the rangers at the Huron-Manistee national Forest for all the free permits, and especially to Mark and Val for all the shuttles and loaner boats.
Submitted by David Fred