TenaCity to WindyCity

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak Sept. 29, 2019 Flint to Chicago DAY  39 Fred Smith runyaked with me today. First time he has joined me since DAY 1 and DAY 5. Fahrney Bridge Sandbanks and sprinkles on the water An hour into our paddle it began sprinkling and did not stop. Our hand felt icy cold even though it was in the 50s. More sandbanks Fred Smith More sandbanks

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak Sept. 18, 2019 Flint to Chicago DAY  38 Inset above is rectangle below Landing of DAY 37 and Launch of DAY 38. Northwest side of the river and M66 crossing  This is Seth from Bellaire. He is a bikeyaker. We saw his bike at the Fahrney Rd landing while positioning Kate vehicle there for our later landing. We returned to Coster Rd and our kayaks and had our lunch. When readying for launch and paddle to Fahrney Seth rode in on his bike. Here is in his vehicle and heading back to Fahrney to get his kayak. Kate at Coster Rd Landing. We ate our lunch using one of the boulders, seen above, as a table. Coster Road Bridge We seen a few craft with paddlers who were dropped off  by outfitters downriver at Chippewa Landing near US 131. Crossing the Line After landing at Fahrney Rd Kate packed up and went home. Me, I still had a 5. 7 mile run to do to keep with the M...

TenaCity to WindyCity Runyak Sept. 15, 2019 Flint to Chicago DAY  37 The above map is a inset of the map below. It gives a good idea where we are in relationship to Higgins lake and Traverse City. We began paddling after a 4.6 mile run from this landing at Dutch John Rd. I've been calling it by that name but signage says that it is Sand Banks. Hope ready to begin the paddle part of her first runyak. Leaving Sand Bank Landing  Runyaking, no problem! About a third of a mile from our landing is the M66 Bridge  Another runyaker earns her wings. Since runyaking began in 2009 there have been 153 expeditionary days (37 plus the 116 to New York City). Today's runyak is the shortest runyak day of them all at 8.2 miles. Hope did kayak on DAY 2 of Flint to Chicago, from Flushing to Montrose but this is her first runyak. I've been looking forward to getting off the Ausable so others could join me on the beautiful Manistee River...

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...