Sept. 20 Burgers and Boardman
Lois Goldstein | Published on 9/20/2022
We (John & I) began today's adventure by meeting up with Donna & Tom and Sue W at Bergstrom's Burgers, just north of Chum's Corners, for a tasty lunch - it's on our list of "places to return"). The burgers are great, and the portion of sweet potato fries is wonderful and huge!
On to meet the rest of the group at Brown Bridge Landing, which was surprisingly crowded with other paddlers, though they were not taking the same trip that we were, downstream to Beitner Road. Love that new roundabout when River Road hits Beitner! Marlene's hubby Marv once again provided a shuttle service, and we were also joined by Jacqui.
Phil R had to cancel at the last minute, and forgot that all TAPC members have access to cell phone numbers via the Membership Directory (you do have to log in first), so he graciously met us at the launch area to let us know that he and Lynne wouldn't be able to join us. That was much appreciated, since we were all set to go (we were running on "Lois Time"), and we were itching to move.
The trip downstream was mostly uneventful, and surprisingly fast. A lovely late summer outing, in tee shirts and shorts; we think it's the lst shorts day of the season. Part of the group stopped for a short break at Shumsky, and meanwhile, the rest of us floated leisurely downstream and looked for trash which Donna collected. Just at the end, there was a bit of excitement. Here's part of a note that John sent to Steve Largent from the Grand Traverse Conservation District:
As I was about to take out at Beitner, I noticed there were already five of our group at the dock, so I decided to find an eddy and wait. I was heading toward the eddy on river left by that little island across from the take-out. Somehow I put my kayak right on top of the railroad rail that is sticking up just at water level. There was no damage to my kayak, and I was able to get my kayak off that thing with a LOT of body “English”. I quickly had a kayak full of water, but I was able to paddle over to the dock. When I was contemplating a swim with my kayak on top of that rail, I was thinking of how nasty it would be if I was swept through the tubes that go underneath the highway, right intothe rapids.
Sandy Graham was there with his group of whitewater paddlers, and I talked to him about pulling that rail out of the river. He said he has tried with a “come-along”, and that rail didn’t budge. He said it was a leftover from the old cog rail road that used to cross the river at that spot. I thought of just flagging that thing, but the ice would take out anything we did along that line. Do you have any ideas?
Here is Steve's response:
Yes, we've tried to pull it out before as well without luck. Marking it is a good idea. Let me see if anyone has ideas around here....
Stay tuned for updates, if any. Lois
Photos by Jacqui
Lois & Donna
John & Tom
Marlene
John & Tom again
