Who: Lois, John, Mary Lee, Fred, Tracie, Jocelyn, Roseanne, Marv, Marlene, Deena, Dawn, Doc & Maggie Fletcher
Where: Boardman River from Brown Bridge Dam to Beitner
Boats: Lois & John in their Kevlar Swift Mattawa canoe, Doc and Maggie in L&J’s Swift DuMoine canoe, Jocelyn in her solo canoe, everyone else in rec kayaks
Putting in just below the dam we paddled to Beitner in record time, given the considerable head winds that appeared about an hour after launching. This trip was arranged specifically to include visiting guest, Doc Fletcher, who had given a talk the previous evening about his recently published book, Michigan Rivers Less Paddled. He was on his way to Wisconsin where he was researching rivers in order to write a similar guide for Wisconsin paddlers.
Since I (Mary Lee talking here) don't paddle as frequently as I'd like, I especially enjoyed meeting some new people new on this trip. My niece's "significant other" designs and manufactures kayaks for Liquid Logic. I was delighted to discover one of his bright red kayaks on this outing, responding so readily to demanding maneuveurs issued with clear enjoyment by Fred, who later told me that John had suggested he investigate this brand. Of course, Fred is not interested in simply heading downstream; he ALWAYS wants to play!
At trip's end some of the group went out for lunch (with Judy too) at Olive Garden. It was altogether a very good way to end the paddling season for some of us – good company, fall colors, no mishaps, and smooth paddling for everyone.
Mary Lee & Lois