At 10.50am eight stalwart paddlers took to the waters of the Pine River at Dobson Bridge. The fleet numbered two canoes (Jack solo and Lois with John), four kayaks (Tracie, Karen, Judith and Ian) and a mini kayak (Fred). The day had dawned clear but chilly. Many fashionable precautions against frostbite and hypothermia were in evidence in the group. In those circumstances, Ian’s ensemble of shorts with short-sleeved shirt raised some incredulous murmurs.
Jack and Ian took the lead in heading down the river.
(Here is Judy showing off her red paddle)
Jack started taking off layers of clothing, much to his paddling companion’s satisfaction. Another couple of groups of intrepid paddlers were encountered but overall the river was lightly populated. A bright sun showed off to advantage the foliage that was beginning to turn. In spite of recent rains the river level and flow seemed to be about normal for the season. The merits of Jack’s Au Sable River were discussed at length as the float progressed.
We all met up again for a snack at the campground just above Peterson Bridge. Fred eventually joined us in somewhat breathless fashion, muttering about the potential merits of his sawn-off kayak were he ever to encounter Class III rapids that day. War stories about past hiking debacles were shared over lunch, as were our succession of upstream encounters that morning with a particularly disgruntled fly fisherman.
Back underway after lunch, we did not give way to the temptation to take an afternoon break and summit the steep sandy bluff on the north bank. Instead, we admired in passing another party whose members were strewn and struggling all the way up and down the slope. The float down through the waves and riffles continued. At the front of the group Judith and Ian earnestly discussed the merits of various locations that might vie for the “best place to live” title. They ran out of time with no conclusion in sight. However, you’ll be comforted to know the Traverse Area rated very highly indeed.
We finished up at the access point just above Low Bridge after some 2 hours 45 minutes of leisurely paddling. It had been an invigorating fall day and the early colors showed promise of great things to come over the next couple of weeks.
Ian Millar