DAY 36 TenaCity to WindyCity, September 11, 2019

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 worse could happen. Trouble was, there was no way I could turn around on the 2-track through the woods. I encountered more sand but kept a fast speed, so not to be stalled, all the while looking for a place to turn around. Over one bump I heard a noise beneath the van. I knew I torn the bumper valance off the front of the van. No way was going to stop and go back and get it. Sally forth. After another half mile of white knuckle driving I found a spot to turn around. Heading back I made sure I was going at a fast enough speed to get through the sand. I came upon the plastic bumper valance I previously lost. When on solid dirt I stopped waked back and got it, tossed it inside the hatch and continued. 

I made it back to the paved Fletcher Rd and took the long way that I should have went initially. Well I already had enough excitement for the day and the kayak is still in the van. 

This is Riverview Road, same road I ran on DAY 35. It is now straighter and more improved.

Again no cars passed me the during 4 mile on Riverview. This time more houses were seen, well kind of houses.

Intersection of Riverview Rd. and Birch Run Rd!!!

Launchtime at CCC Bridge Camp landing

6 sightings of Bald Eagles. Not 6 different individuals but at least 2.

Bet you'd think that I would ring the bell? Not this beer snob. 90% chance of them bringing be a Miller/Bud product so I did not waste my time. 

This is called Sharon Rd landing although on Thayer Rd. When running earlier I saw a sign on Sharon that said it had moved a 1/4 mile away. I finished the 9.8 mile paddle before noon averaging 14:14 min/mi. Not bad for I was babying my right shoulder that was still suffering from the Ausable current of a month ago.

I new I wanted to do another leg so ate my lunch while driving to the next landing at Dutch John Road. This is where I'd normally run back to the kayak, but I wanted to reverse the order of the run-paddle. That's because rain was in the forcasted for 3:00 pm. If I was somehow delayed, I rather run in rain than paddle in it. I drove back to the kayak and began paddling. 

At 1:00pm and paddling I noticed a drop in the temperature. I took that to mean rain was coming. 

The river began to fog up.

Soon I heard thunder, and rain followed. I still had 1.5 mi to go and before finding the landing the rain was coming down like cats and dogs.

I hit the landing and dragged Green Snake up the stairway. There was a wood fence at the top. I wanted to lean the kayak against it to make a leanto and get out of the rain. But, the wood fence fell over. Oops. I then decided to just make a run for it back to the van, 5 miles away. Every half-mile I had to run through water over the road that was ankle deep, but the rain had eased up and finally stopped before getting halfway to Sharon Rd. Landing. 

Had I been able to use my cellphone I could have checked the weather after finishing the first leg. Not being able to, I assumed rain wasn't to be expected until 3:00. Heck, I was out of the water at 2:00 so my plan would have worked if not for the forecast change. Or was it ever forecasted? With no cellphone coverage, Hope back at home, never knew of my progress. She always like to know when I launch and land. She's a worrier. Best I could do is send texts that waited in limbo until going through. After getting to the van at Sharon Landing, and before retrieving Green Snake, I headed toward Kalkaska, some 15 mile northwest. there at a McDonalds, I hoped to get wifi send messages. Not until south of town at the US 131/M66 intersection did I get service. My phone rang, it was Hope wondering if I was out of the water. It was 3:30, I'd been out of the water and hour and a half. 

Since I was on M66 I drove to the where the Manistee crosses and checked out landings for DAY 37. From there I went back to get Green Snake from the opposite direction, all the while checking out the dirt roads I'd be running and driving next time. They did not look anything like I encountered while driving in the dark earlier. And that was all I cared about.