John W, Linda P and Marlene P set out on a crisp but sunny fall afternoon to paddle the Manistee River from Rainbow Jim's to 131. John, who is from Texas, told us that Michigan has some of the best rivers to kayak. Texas is more of a hiking place. The golden maples were almost peaked so they were enjoyable to view as we kayaked down the big Manistee. We stopped for a snack at Lucas Rd. Linda noted we all had royal blue colored paddle jackets on. So we took a selfie with the whole group. At the snack stop we watched a work crew assemble the new bridge at Lucas Rd. Towards the end of the trip we offered to help two men who capsized their canoe. Brrrrrr......
Their firewood was floating down the river too. We all noted a red maple that looked as if it was ablaze with fire as the sun shone directly on it.
Marlene was the only kayaker that wore her boots. I wore my waterproof socks and Keen sandals. My toes did get somewhat chilly. I didn't hear any complaints of chilly toes from John W. He is definitely cold blooded for being from Texas.
by Linda Pelkey