Trip report was written on the way home by everyone; photos below by John Heiam.
NO bugs and a tailwind! A miracle in the making!
Despite ominous predictions during the previous few days, sunny skies and warm temps prevailed for "John squared" - one from Texas, one a Yooper, Danny - the "Sturgeon Virgin", and Lois. The previous day's rain caused the river flow to increase from 210 to 285 CFS (normal is 180), but we coped easily - not so much for the rental folks we found along the way. The shuttle was very efficient, since we all came in the same vehicle, and Lincoln from Brasswind Landing was waiting when John arrived with the van at Fisher Woods Road.
We launched at Wolverine with the water level about a foot above the normal summer level. Everyone enjoyed the challenge of splashing through the standing waves and maneuvering around the downed trees. After our lunch stop at Rondo, the excitement escalated. While John H was assisting the first overturned rental canoe, John W got to watch a second one capsize in the same location. Danny decided to join in the fun, and took his first unplanned swim break. He proclaimed the experience was actually quite pleasant, since it was a pretty hot day. Lois didn't mind getting into waist-deep water after she pulled over to find an appropriate eddy for that recovery.
So - while the "John squared" team helped dump out the second rental canoe, Danny picked up some pointers from Lois on how to efficiently empty his kayak (which was now nice and clean).
The fun wasn't over yet. Shortly thereafter, John H and Danny found a distraught man sitting on the riverbank. He said he was too exhausted to continue paddling his rental kayak. He explained that he had already capsized four times, and he didn't think that he would have enough strength to save himself the next time it happened. We hailed a passing raft, deposited the guy in the middle and had him transported to our takeout point about ten minutes downstream. Meanwhile, John H towed the empty kayak to the end. What a guy! Danny declared John the savior of the day!
We all celebrated another happy day on the river with the obligatory Dairy Queen stop in Indian River, and relived the day's adventures as we wrote the trip report on the way home.
Leisurely lunch stop at Rondo
Danny Pinegar
John Walton
Lois Goldstein