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Traverse Area Paddle Club

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Trip Reports

July 30 Kayak the Dunes from Glen Haven to Empire

Published on 7/30/2014

Participants: Leigh Baker, Kay Creighton, Henry Eckhardt, Lois Goldstein, John Heiam, Harold Lassers, and Ellen Roberts

 

After Lois and I checked the weather the night before the trip, we decided it would be best to launch from Empire and paddle to Glen Haven. When we arrived at Empire we found the wind didn't read the forecast, so we made a quick change in plans. We left a van at Empire, and drove to Glen Haven to launch. There was a one foot chop with light winds out of the northwest. Henry and I helped the less experienced launch into the waves. We had perfect weather, sun, light wind and pleasantly cool temperatures.  Ellen proved that size does matter as she paddled her 18' long sea kayak around the group taking photos. We stopped for lunch with a great view of the Manitou Passage. Henry found an old ship wreck 100 yards down the beach. After lunch we paddled under the dune overlook and watched the tourists climb back up the dune on their hands and knees. We landed at Empire Beach, glad we had spent the day on the lake.

  
Our lunch spot - watching a ship go through the Manitou Passage.
 
Our view of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Notice how the wind has blown off the top layer of sand exposing the stones underneath.
 
 Lois watches the tourists climb back up the dune.