When we made the announcement that we got a new RV lots of people sent congratulatory remarks. There was one phrase that recurred regardless of gender, background or whether or not they even owned a horse: “Good for you, get right back on that horse,” or a more complete thought, “You get right back up... Continue Reading →
Sweet-Nature
Gumbo came to live with us in the spring of 2017. He graduated from obedience school with a B+ average because he could not sit still if there was a person to greet, which meant he bounced up every time the instructor walked by. His tail wags furiously in the presence of any human. At... Continue Reading →
Dip-n-Scoop
I took a kayak safety class several years ago. Ben has learned most everything he knows about kayaking from me. While we were at Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands, I learned our favorite outfitter, Trek & Trail offered a safety class. We’d paddled with them last year on a tour to see the famous sea caves In... Continue Reading →
A Family Affair
We spent 10 windy days in the city of Ludington Michigan, which is perched on Lake Michigan. With miles of beaches and sparkling blue water, Ludington is a wildly popular summer destination. Taking a break on Hamlin Lake Ludington State Park is a family affair. The park straddles Lake Michigan and the much smaller Hamlin... Continue Reading →
Dam It!
When our friend Jim suggested we take a trip down a stretch of the Mohican river, we accepted immediately. None of us had been on this stretch of the river but the Mohican is generally placid, the upper part of which is popular with families and novice boaters. Our planning included how to get there... Continue Reading →
Water Rescue!
Lots of waterfowl and a real-life water rescue made last night's paddle a unique evening on the water
Michigan UP Miscellanea, Part 1
Having ticked the major boxes on our trip to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula (Soo Locks and Whitefish Point) it was time to check out a few other area attractions. We were in the area at kind of a shoulder season of sorts, in that summer festivities were over but fall/winter activities had... Continue Reading →
Itty Bitty Boats; Great Big Rocks; Big Big Water
Humans have paltry imaginations when it comes to the size of natural wonders. We underestimate what is required in terms of time, distance and effort to experience such places. We look at the dots and splotches on maps that indicate where such things are located, ogle photos from slick publications and imagine ourselves in the... Continue Reading →
Serendipity Strikes
The haze of smoke shrouded the mountains around Glacier National Park all day so we decided to go paddling on McDonald Lake rather than hike. Late that afternoon we loaded our boats and headed for the boat ramp. Timing a visit in any of the parks is essential, as crowds are largest between 10 -... Continue Reading →
Good Paddling: Wakulla River, Florida
As with all my hobbies involving any athleticism I started paddling seriously later in life. When I was in college I spent time on the Youghiogheny and New rivers rafting and kayaking in these inflatable kayaks they called “duckies.” Once I started working I only hit the water a few times on canoe trips or rafting... Continue Reading →