On a cool but sunny day, twelve of us (John B, John H, Lois, Tracie, Marv and Marlene, Fred and Judy, Jocelyn, John W, and Sue and Gerry Wilgus) put in at Carmean Rd on the Betsie River, and took out at the Betsie River Campground. It was a swift and interesting paddle since the water was high, the current often strong, and the obstacles (or challenges) frequent. The river had not been cleared and there were many trees down. A certain amount of sawing, breaking of branches, bumping over logs and squeezing through small openings was required. At one point, several of us chose to do a very easy portage rather than try to get through a very small opening in a downed tree. All this made for a paddle that was never boring, and it was at many times peaceful and extremely beautiful. Despite several points at which we had to slow down and saw or portage or assist people, the paddle was surprisingly fast.
Narrative by Judy, photos by John H