September 11 Upper Platte
Lois Goldstein | Published on 9/11/2020
Report by Lois, photos by John & Jocelyn
After a string of rainy days for most of the week, Friday dawned chilly, but very sunny. It was in the high 30s when we ran the shuttle, but as the trip progressed downstream, everyone ended up removing a variety of layers. By lunchtime we were down to tee shirts and no jackets, hats or gloves.
We were a bit delayed in our departure, since we had to wait until three guys launched their inflatable fishing catamaran and sit-on-top kayak. The members of our group who stayed back while we ran the shuttle regaled us with tales of those guys. The highlight was unclear. Was it the Bud Light they drank at 9 AM, the hole in one guy's ear, the cigarette smoking or the hassles they had when they discovered that their anchor was tangled in the rest of their gear? In any case, we passed them by about ten minutes after we launched.
Donna and Tom were on their maiden voyage on the Upper Platte, and Tom discovered that his 14 foot Tsunami might be a bit long for the twists and turns we find in the upper sections. No harm done, and he stayed dry while the rest of us waited upstream to evaluate the situation. Later on, John went ahead to set up a photo shoot at the little drop right past Zimmerman Road.
Kathleen had been on this stretch some years ago, in the rain in November (BRRR), so it was also a delightful surprise for her to be able to paddle such a nice stream that's only 20 minutes or so from her home. Marv handled the shuttle duties, while Marlene added to the fleet of four NativeWatercraft / LiquidLogic Inuit 12.5 kayaks. Mike R and Jocelyn looked very sleek in their Wenonah Vagabond solo canoes. And John Walton expertly maneuvered his 16 foot canoe with Piper (the dog) moving around trying to throw off the balance.
We took a short break for stretching, and continued on to the takeout at Deadstream Road. Afterwards, eight of us enjoyed a well-deserved lunch at Oaky's in Interlochen.
Lois points out a bald eagle
Marlene and Donna
Kathleen, Jocelyn and Mike
Kathleen in her carbon fiber Wee Lassie
Lois and Donna
Donna
Tom
Marlene
Kathleen
Jocelyn
Mike
Mergansers
Mike checks out some very tall purple loosestrife
