TenaCity to WindyCity Day 10 April 28, 2018

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak
April 28, 2018

TenaCity 2 WindyCity DAY10
CLICK ON ALL PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
It's been 27 weeks since DAY9, back on Oct 8, 2018. We probably should have waited a couple more weeks. 
When I arrived back at Pine River Access, 5 miles east of Stanish, I was thinking it was to be my first solo runyaking day of T2W for nobody had committed to meet me. While prepping Swiftee Matt Bartman arrived. Yeah! someone to run and kayak with today.
We drove our vehicles to the planned finish, Port Au Gres Campground and Marina where Matt's family has property. From there we ran 12.5 miles back to our kayaks. 
We found two more paddlers waiting for us at tehe rvier access. Kate Ferris and her father Bob had their tandem folding kayak assembled and ready to launch. The maker of the folding kayak was Klepper, so I named them Kleppermaniacs. 
Kleppermaniacs
 Matt Bartman

 Kate Ferris and father Bob 

Paddling out of the calm Pine River gave no indication of ambush that was about to occur. Once on Wigwam Bay, arm of the  Saginaw Bay, waves came at us from 2 o'clock starboard. From all weather reports we were expecting waves, if any, to be at 7 o'clock portside. 
Waves were bad enough that no photographs were taken, and worse no beer could be drank. Oh No!
I paddled close as possible to the marshy shoreline while the other three paddlers were out further. I was concerned about Bob, being 82, acould he handle the tough situation. I should not have. What a tough old bird. A better man than I.
We converged at about three miles and agreed that paddling 30 minutes a mile, going 11.8 miles would be crazy. I thought of going up the Rifle River, but never saw a mouth. It was not seen because not marked, and marshy vegetation block any view of it. When discussing options we'd found that we had passed the Rifle's mouth by looking at Google maps. We began looking for 'Davis Road' that ran close to Wigwam Bay, but marshiness prevented us from seeing it. After about 3 hours of battling waves we saw a couple houses. 
We picked one that had a long channel, and paddled for refuge. We had no idea where we were at the time but landed at the last residence at the end of Dreyer Road. A dog began barking but nobody came out. It was oblious then that nobody was home. We were all wet and shivering, trying to figure out our next move for we were at least 5 miles from our vehicles. Thankfully, Matt had friends in the area. He called one and they soon came and gave Matt and me a ride to the marina/campground. 
By the time we got back to our debarking point the Kleppermaniacs had their kayak disassembled. Kate rode with me, and Bob with Matt, back to Pine River Access where the remaining vehicle was. In the end all wondering how were we going to be able to launch on DAY11 on the property on Dreyer Road? But the debacle was over. Finally, I could drink a beer and I did. Hop Slam!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DAY 48 TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak August 24, 2020

Image
                  TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak August 24, 2020 Flint to Chicago DAY 48 ALL PHOTOS AND IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WHEN CLICKED Porter Creek, launch site of DAY 48 Kayaks along the shore Early morning swim for campers at Lake Michigan Recreation Campground                                                                           Nordhouse Dunes                                                                  Big Sable Dunes           ...
Read more

DAY 36 TenaCity to WindyCity, September 11, 2019

Image
TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak Sept. 11, 2019 Flint to Chicago DAY  36 Going alone today, Kate could not make it. On the drive up I exited I-75 near Roscommon and headed west. South of CCC Bridge about 8 miles, my launch point today, Google Maps it wanted me to take a 2-track trail. It would be shorter and I'd be on the 2-track for a mile. I decided to take it. I did the mile and at the next turn, Six-Point Rd, I drove, still a nasty trail, for less than a mile to Sunset Trail. The same road that crosses CCC Bridge. I was on that road last week and it was not bad. The south end 5 miles from the bridge should only be traveled on by 4-wheelers.... I soon found out. Damn Google Maps! It was still dark out as I turned onto Sunset Tr. it was a 2-track, curvy, bumpy and sandy. I rounded one curve and the tires bogged down. Like in snowy conditions I babied he accelerator and managed to escape the dune-like sandtrap. I now did want to go any further thinking the same or...
Read more

DAY 42 TenaCity to WindyCity, May 29, 2020

Image
TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak May 29, 2020 Flint to Chicago DAY  42 ALL PHOTOS AND IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WHEN CLICKED DAY42's most memorable moment occurred not during the paddle as usual, but during the run. At the 9 mile mark I planned to stop and drink the liter of Gatorade I had in my drawstring backpack. After taking the drink from the bag I sat the bag on the ground along side the road. Dogs were barking incessantly from the adjacent property. I hoped they'd stop barking if just walked away from the property, back the direction I had just came. No sooner than I began walking I heard a man yelling. "Pick up your bag!" I said, "I will soon as I finish my drink." "Pick it up now!" the gruff voice said. I told him I wasn't littering, I would return and pick it up soon as finished my drink. "Pick up the damn bag NOW!" I obliged but was not happy. The dogs continued barking so I continued walking away from the property, while carrying th...
Read more