Post Turkey Day Paddle 2005

The almost blizzard-like conditions on Thanksgiving Day had me wondering... just how many people are crazy enough to load boats on top of their vehicles in blowing, snowing, 10 degree weather, then put on 2, 3 or more layers of clothing before stepping in to a small boat and navigate a river with water just barely above the freezing point?

The answer may worry you. The answer worried me, as I was coordinator of these sixteen crazy souls who stepped into their boats on the Day After Thanksgiving Day Paddle. Snow showers, temperatures in the low twenties, and lots of ice both on and in the river... none of that kept these people from showing up that morning!

Kyle had driven by the take-out and noticed that the river was frozen in past the Wolverine World Wide plant upstream from the dam. After talking it over, we decided to cut the trip short and take out at our usual lunch spot at 12 Mile Rd & Summit. There was still a bit of ice there, but it would be a lot less work to get both boats and paddlers off the river. There would also be a lot less risk of something bad happening while getting every one off the water.

Shortly before 11:00 am in we went, one by one, into the river. I was helping another paddler launch when I heard the dreadful words "Oh, oh, someone's in the water!" I glanced over and saw that indeed for the third year in a row someone had joined the illustrious "Swimmers Club". Jean was quick to point out that at least this years' inductee had made it to the river!

After a quick change into dry clothes, the latest inductee launched his boat and made his way down the river.

Thankfully, the rest of the trip was uneventful. The water level was down a bit from previous years, but not low enough to be a problem. In the first couple of miles there were two or three areas where good maneuvering skills were a plus. The logjam that forced some of us to portage last year was cleared this year. The rest of the river down to the take-out was clear sailing. The shortened trip seemed like a bit of a cheat, but then we could have run into some very tough ice breaking above the dam.

Besides, it gave us a bit more time to enjoy each other's company at the Corner Bar!

Karl

(Photos courtesy Phil Pikaart)