“Hey, Harold, since Frada and I will be in town, let’s go for a short paddling trip.”
“What, Lois has already arranged a trip for May 14. Where are we going?”
“South Branch of the Au Sable River. That’s quite a shlep from Traverse City. I’m not sure I want anything as elaborate as an ‘official trip.’ Who all is going on this thing?”
“You and me, and Pam and Frada, and Sue, and John and Lois, and Marv and Marlene, and Tracie, and Jocelyn. And you assure me these people are cool.”
“What about equipment? You’ve got everything we’re going to need. Gore-Tex raincoat, waterproof pants, gloves, life jackets, paddles. OK. And remember, Frada and I haven’t paddled in many years. We’re way out of shape.”
“10½ miles. I thought this was going to be a short paddling trip.”
“Oh, this is considered short. What’s the water level like?”
“Really high, huh? No blockages or anything like that.”
“And you’re bringing a saw. And you say Jocelyn is an experienced lumberjack and can saw through anything.”
“Finish the trip with ice cream in Grayling. OK, we’re in.”
Written by George Starkschall (A friend of Pam, Harold, Lois, and John since 1978) Photos by John and Jocelyn
The put in.
A nice day on the river.
First log jam - the outfitter said the river had been cleared.
No problem for Jocelyn - who needs a chain saw!
This is the landing at the Castle. The river is about 3 feet above normal.
The second jam just needed the logs to be repositioned. Here are Harold and George shooting the gap.
Frada quickly recalled all she had learned at Nantahala in 1988.
Tracie shows everyone how it is done.
Marlene was having fun.