May 31 - Sturgeon Thrillseeker
Published on 5/31/2009
When we arrived in Wolverine, it was 46 degrees, and very windy, so didn't feel much like spring, as we all put on fleeece caps and other warm layers. The Sturgeon was the easiest paddle ever, after heavy rain earlier in the week, since it was swollen, approx 3 feet wider & 6" higher than normal. All of the gravel bars were completely covered, so lots of room to manuever. And, some downed trees I had gotten around, under & over 2 weeks ago, when I scouted it, had been removed, so much safer. But, as usual, there were 2 groups in short kayaks, one in rentals, who were unprepared for their journey, only dressed in shorts & t-shirts. One of each group went for unplanned swims, and looked a little chilly. Our group, John Heiam & Lois Goldstein, Marv & Marlene Puska, Mary Lee Orr, and I had a fast & fun paddle, manuevering between the cedars, logjams and riffles. The takeout at Fisher Woods had received work in the past 2 weeks, too, with 5-6 big boulders placed on the short but steep bank, to prevent erosion, but made it difficult to get the boats out of the river very easily.