Report by Leigh Baker
A trip down the Jordan River would have been great in and of itself, since it’s one this Texas gal’s favorite paddles when visiting Lois and John, but an added bonus was starting off the morning with a stop at Shirley’s Café in Mancelona. There were eight of us dining, John Heiam, Lois Goldstein, Sue and Gerry Wilgus, John Gerty, Marlene and Marv Puska. The food was really excellent and the portions were enough to keep us sated way past the end of the trip.
With Marv generously acting as shuttle bunny, the remaining seven of us put in on the river at Graves Crossing. It was just as I remembered: fast, twisty, clear, beautiful, and best of all, serene! While taking in the idyllic scenery, we were escorted down the river by several Belted Kingfishers and an “ear-full”, yes that’s a name for a group of Cedar Waxwings. They are also sometimes referred to as a “museum”. John, the designated photographer, would occasionally paddle ahead to get shots of us coming down the river. We stopped for a short break at Webster Bridge where everyone got out and stretched their legs. The river began to widen and before long we reached the takeout at Rogers Rd and the end of another wonderful day on the river.
