It was another GR-R-REAT day on the Little Manistee, but the water level had come down, and some downed trees had been cleared, including Jack's branch, so not very challenging, compared to our 5/29 trip. In fact, I was almost in tears on our first paddle downriver this morning, at the loss of excitement, and from my sore shoulders, from slalom waterskiing too much on Sunday afternoon!
The gravel bars are still well-covered, but the swift current is still a challenge on many tight bends, as Fred discovered when he flipped on a logjam & almost lost his paddle. After his paddle was retrieved from the bottom of the river, under the logjam (thanks to the yellow tips), Fred & I cleared the overhanging branches upsteam of the logjam for Thursday's cleanup crew. The next big obstacle was 2 huge, downed trees that we had to portage on 5/29. Today, with the water down some, the opening was passable with a little work, but Jocelyn & Fred decided to open it up. Even after their sawing, it was still tight, low & swift, only 10 minutes upstream from the 6-Mile Bridge. Though we were a small group of only 4, we still managed to get tangled up several times from being too close, when our progress didn't go as planned. I even worried under one low tree that I shouldn't be wearing my sunglasses, in case they got shattered on impact when my face passed so close to the bark, since I prefer leaning back, instead of forward, as Jocelyn does.
Fred met Jocelyn, Roseanne & me at 9-Mile & provided the shuttle back from the 6-Mile Bridge twice, but couldn't stay after lunch for our 2nd paddle downriver. It was faster the 2nd time down (1:40 hrs vs 2:15 hrs), for our "double your pleasure, double your fun" trip, since we knew better what to expect around each corner & what line to take under the low trees. Even then, Jocelyn ended up being carried by the current to the low end of a downed tree, and was hanging on, avoiding a swim, before I came to the rescue, paddling back upstream & grabbing her bow, pulling her to the gravel bar & safety. We had all made it under on our first trip, but the wild Little Manistee is not to be tamed! That's why this section is for experienced paddlers only!
PS Norm: We saw very little trash on the river, so Jocelyn will bring what was collected from the river & the 6-Mile Bridge area on Thursday, so maybe your crew can fill it up.
As reported by Sara Cockrell, The "Energizer" shuttle at your service!
See separate Photo Page for more photos.
From Jocelyn: "What a fabulous day! We had a very relaxed paddle the second time around. Thanks for the shuttle again, Fred. And bless you, Sara, for getting us out there doing." From Sara: Jocelyn is the "Limbo Queen" & my inspiration! I only hope I am as agile, strong, adventurous & youthful at 70, as she is!!!
Sara's limbo under low tree upstream of The Maze (photo by Jocelyn)
Fred found his paddle under logjam (easier to spot with yellow tips)
Roseanne makes it through tight, low opening under 2 huge downed trees (photo by Jocelyn)