This is the first time we were split into two groups: Group A was first to head down the river, while Group B was being shuttled by Tom from “Paddle Brave” to the take-out at Smith Bridge. Lois & John explained that there would not be enough room for nineteen boats at Durant’s Castle for our lunch stop.
Group A consisted of our leader John Heiam, their house guests John Veasey and Susan Benz from Niceville Florida, Angie Willis, Barb Rodenberg, Betty Gardiner, Diane Tobias, Judy Swartz and Marlene Puska and me. The day started out a bit dreary with a gentle drizzle and a gray sky, but things started to improve quickly as we paddled in a fast and high flowing river, laced with marsh marigolds on the river banks. Spirits were high, and we all enjoyed visiting and catching up with everyone after a long winter.
Judy, as always, was in the lead and paddled past Durant’s Castle (our lunch spot) as the dock was gone, and the river being high she did not recognize it. John H caught up with her, and they had to come back upstream, while John V was diving several times into the river, and then helping us ladies getting out of our boats by pushing us up to shore to avoid the muddy water.
Enjoying lunch at the historic site and reading Durant’s Castle history, we were ready to return to the river to get away from the pesky mosquitoes. We were shedding our multiple layers of clothing as the day had turned to be sunny and warm. Gallant John V was again helping us getting launched without having to get into the muddy water and then rinsing off our shoes before putting them back into the boats. I don’t think we will ever be spoiled like this again!
The scenery was so beautiful, I kept saying to John H that this could be anywhere in the US, it is like a Fata Morgana with the mountain like clouds. Then Angie pointed out the Open Air Chapel high up on the river bank, which John V, Susan and I had never seen. We tied up our boats including John H and hiked up to take a close look of the Chapel. The vista from up there was spectacular. What a beautiful tribute to Mr. Mason who contributed this entire stretch of “The Mason Tract” to the public.
Then all of a sudden I heard voices and I knew the take-out was near, almost too soon for such a beautiful day to end. Eager helping hands were there to get the boats out of the river and on to dry land.
Now we were waiting for Group B, who were not too far behind us, except the always obsessive river clean up sweeper Fred Swartz with his team Dean Tobias, Mike Rodenberg and John Willis. They brought back a loot of full beer cans and a large bag full of garbage.
A day well spent on the river! This was my first paddle of the year, and definitely an unforgettable one! Thank you all.
Written by Maxi, photos by John H.
John Veasey from Niceville, FL tests the water.
Marlene is given all the beer Fred found in the river.
One of the two bags of trash Fred collected in the river.
Peg Anderson took the picture below (so she's not in it); she schlepped all the way from Manistee to Roscommon for this outing! Our group consisted of two Mikes (Gardiner & Rodenberg), Dean, Peg, Becky, only one John (Willis), Marv (who zoomed ahead at lunchtime to meet up with his sweetie), Fred and Lois. Our lunch stop was an easy takeout on a beach a few minutes upstream from the Castle. We had shade and sun, and a nice breeze, with no bugs.
Our quotes of the day:
Lois (Group B Leader) talking to Group A Leader, John H., on the radio. "Do you miss me?" John H. replies, "I have been married long enough to know the correct answer".
Mike G: "Did you know that if you can get up off the ground by yourself, that you will live for at least five more years?"
The upshot is, we could all do it!
Group B (Becky, Lois, Mike G, John W, Fred, Dean, Mike R) Peg took the picture and Marv kept going downstream
And one more thing, from L&J: we are so incredibly grateful for everyone's cooperation on this trip; you all made it happen so smoothly! Everyone had a great time! Our Florida guests also enjoyed the obligatory stop at Dawson & Stevens for ice cream afterwards.