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Traverse Area Paddle Club

Remember: all TAPC outings are listed on our event calendar and are color coded using this scheme:

 

Small Inland Lakes   

Great Lakes   

Easy Rivers 

Intermediate Rivers  

Difficult Rivers 
Clean-up Trips 

Out-of-town Trips 

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Trip Reports

April 10 Jordan River tandem afternoon

Published on 4/10/2010
First, we mtn biked the North Country Trail n.e. of Kalkaska from Pickerel Lake to Starvation Lake with 4 other Cherry Capital Cycling Club friends. Then, since the rain went south, my tandem road bike partner, George "The Captain" Gambert, joined me, "The Stoker", in my tandem canoe for my TAPC paddle.

On the way to the river, he had to drive home to Bellaire to let out his dogs, and lucky for us, he was able to pick up 2 canoe paddles at home, since I'd left all 4 of mine in my solo canoe in the garage, when I was loading my mtn bike on Fri night. Since we had never paddled together, I gave George a few tips on bow strokes I might need, "draw", backpaddle, and brace, then he set the pace through the gorgeous tunnel of cedar. The livery has done a great job of keeping the river clear of downed trees all winter, though there are still plenty of overhanging branches to keep you alert. After the recent rain, the Jordan was fast, high & wider than normal, so only 1:15 hr from Graves Crossing to Webster Rd Bridge, with a few tight bends, when I had to ask George to switch sides, to assist me with the turn.

But, like our riding, George is an easy partner, and we enjoyed watching a pair of eagles soaring above, 2 pairs of mergansers taking flight in front of us, over & over, and 5 fishermen hoping for a little luck. Although George thought swimming the Old State Rd rapid was "a rite of passage" on a Jordan paddle, I don't think he was disappointed that we sailed right down the middle of the "V", with only a small splash in his lap. I know his 6-yr old "grandpuppies" (twin granddaughters) would enjoy this paddle, too.

A big thanks to Sandy at BackCountry for setting up my new canoe trailer for me, which worked really well. It's definitely going to make it easy to paddle my tandem more, since I no longer have to load it onto my van at home alone, risk a back injury, or damage my car. And, just in case anyone asks George, I don't sit on the back of the tandem putting on make-up, either on the bike, or in the canoe, unless chapstick is considered make-up (just kidding)! Oh, what fun! Life is way too good!

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