Saturday 17th Oct. 09, eight club members gathered at the north side of the Manistee River at the U.S. 131 bridge site. We got a good look at the footing work for the new bridge being constructed there. All traces of the original bridge were gone. The coffer dams built for the footings in the river as well as a work barge narrowed the river and sped up the current past the construction site. We made safe passage - however this narrows may become a snag point for floating logs and trees soon.
An hour down river we found campers with the largest fancy white tent I have ever seen in the woods, and these camper guys were equally amazed to see us on the river and traveling at speed from US 131 that didn't seem possible to them.
The weather improved thru the paddle from mostly overcast at the start to mainly sunny by afternoon then back to overcast with a few spits of rain before take out. The water level was slightly elevated and gave us a good ride. In our usual form we moved down river with our din of continual chatter and laughter. Everyone was well dressed for the 40 degree weather.
The only wet foot I saw was Deena's tall pink boot settling into the mud and a little water pouring over at the final takeout.
Thanks to good advanced planning by Lois & John the preplacement of shuttle cars made for a prompt ontime start and ez recovery at the end.
Written by Henry Eckhardt, who graciously volunteered to do it - what a guy!
