I'd had to cancel this event due to wintry weather on April 13, and couldn't have picked a more purr-fect replacement than today, cool but not cold, lots of sunshine & wonderful friends, 5 who had not paddled with me before, and no "unauthorized" swims! Everyone was so helpful with the very complicated logistics, so thanks to all for making it all work like a well-oiled machine!
Cyndi & Terry arrived on their own, Harold with his tandem, Edie from her brother's cabin near Wakely Bridge, Jack from Frederic, Joe met his daughter Mindy from Toledo, who drove up at the last minute, just for the paddle, Allen from Kalkaska, and I picked up Kate from Benzie & Bob B from Interlochen at Chums Corner, then Trish at the E Bay Roadside Park. After we arrived at Smith Bridge off of M-72 east of Grayling, we loaded up 7 kayaks & Harold's tandem on my "Energizer" van & trailer (forgot to take a photo), for the shuttle to Chase Bridge.
Henry wasn't able to join us due to a cold he caught in Italy, so his spot was quickly snatched up by Harold, who shared his wooden tandem with me, and it was a blast from my racing past! He would drag his paddle in the stern, so we wouldn't totally "dust off" the rest of the group, and I accomodated, by asking him to eddy out, so I could take group photos. Everyone had fun getting acquainted on this gorgeous stretch of river, esp since it was high & fast, and enough challenge to keep everyone on their toes, while enjoying the scenery, too. We stopped at Canoe Harbor for lunch in the sun, then almost immediately arrived at Smith Bridge, to make the transition to hikers! We had left Al's truck behind to store our paddles, PFDs & other paddling gear, then locked up our boats & got rides across M-72 to the Mason Tract trailhead with Harold, Mindy & Joe, since they were done for the day. My xc ski girlfriend, Carole, joined us for the hike back since she & Ernie have a weekend home nearby on the Main AuSable. We stopped for a snack at Durant's Castle to enjoy the local history, since only Jack & Carole had ever been on this trail before, then finished up among High Banks' red oak forest & cedar swamp back to Chase Bridge. Jack led the way back to Grayling, where his wife Karen met us for our celebration dinner. Another all-day adventure shared with friends who had never paddled the S Branch of the AuSable, or hiked the Mason Tract, and want to return in the fall & winter now, too!
Trip Report & Photos by Trip Leader, Sara Cockrell
Chase Bridge on S Branch of AuSable, paddle back to Smith Bridge with Trish, Jack,
Terry, Edie, Cyndi, Kate, Joe, Al, Sara, Harold, Bob B (Mindy took photo)
lunch at Canoe Harbor
only passed 2 fishermen & 2 other kayakers today, on Memorial Day weekend!
hike Mason Tract along S Branch of AuSable from M-72 back to Chase Bridge with
Kate, Mindy (paddle only), Sara, Carole, Trish, Jack (& Caddis), Al, Edie, Cyndi, Terry & Bob B