TenaCity to WindyCity

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak July 25, 2019 Flint to Chicago  DAY 32 CLICK ON MAPS AND PHOTOS TO ENLARGE Again the run segment would be from bridge to bridge as last time, but the kayak segment would have to be filled in because of  aborting midway between the bridges last time. As usual the run would be accomplished upon arrival. Because the paddle would not be where the run finish, I'd have to bike back to the van. To make matters worse, 100 miles into the 130 mile drive to the bridge, I realized I'd forgotten the bike. That meant I'd have to get back to Stephan Bridge by foot after the 5.1 mile run. If capable I would have kicked myself in the ass. I ended up running 2 of the extra five miles. Over seven total running miles, but only 5.1 count as runyak miles. Down this trail is the house and river where I aborted last week and began portaging When time to kayak, it was decided portaging would be faster. 2 mile upstream paddle at 40 min/mi ...

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak July 17, 2019 Flint to Chicago  DAY 31 CLICK ON ALL MAPS AND PHOTOS TO ENLARGE I'd be going solo today for Kate had other plans. I devised the logistics of the days runyak on the two hour drive to McMasters Bridge. Which would be, about 2.5 miles upriver from where Kate and I aborted 12 days ago. I cabled and lock the bike there and drove to the next bridge, Wakeley and ran to the bike at McMasters. I then rode the bike back to Wakeley Bridge. The 7.8 mile run was unbearable because I was constantly, 90 minutes worth, being attacked by black flies. I used my maize Michigan hat to swat them away. On the bike ride back I went shirtless and used the shirt as a swatter. The worst black fly experience of my life. It will not be forgotten eVer. The run segment was complete. I now had to finish the section of the river that was left after Kate and I aborted at White Pine Campground. The campground is for paddlers so has no good road to get there. Th...

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak July 5, 2019 Flint to Chicago  DAY 30 CLICK ON MAP AND PHOTOS TO ENLARGE I had a tough decision to make today. I had a 3 mile portage before I reaching McMasters Bridge and to begin paddling. The past two drag portages ended with holes in the bottom of Green Snake. Fearing the same would happen today I did not want to launch with possible holes in the boat. The smart thing was to use one kayak for the portage and switch to another before paddling. That would mean bring Swifty out of retirement. He is the lighter of the two, so I chose to try and carry instead of dragging. I was not sure I could carry him all the way so the plan to switch kayaks before launching stayed in place. The 2.9 mile carry portage was a piece of cake compared to the previous drag portages.   Me carrying Swiftee. We averaged under 19 min/mi, much faster that the drag portages. Now that Swiftee is out of retirement, I suppose I should paddle with him...

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak June 24, 2019 Flint to Chicago  DAY 29 MAP ENLARGES BY CLICKING ON IT Again no paddling today just a run and a drag portage. I drove to where I finished dragging last week and left Green Snake. I then drove to McMasters Bridge where I began running back to the kayak. The first 2.5 miles of the run were paved after that it was trails and gravel roads the final 6 miles.