Legend or Myth...

Photo by Sandy Krueger

"The river holds the answer" - The Capt'n

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The Michigan Challenge 2012

Oscoda to Manistee in Canoes, Kayaks and Small Sail Boats

Human and/or Wind Powered

General Overview

The Michigan Challenges 2012 are journeys for canoes, kayaks and small sailboats. The distances are roughly 300 miles for the Shore to Shore and Tip of the Mitt and 150 miles for the Manistee 150 and Lake Michigan 150, depending on your route and course selection.

Shore to Shore

Start in the town of Oscoda Michigan. Paddle and portage up the AuSable River some 113 miles and 561 vertical feet. Up and over 6 hydro electric dams and across 6 open water dam impoundments to the town of Grayling. Take out of the AuSable River at The Old AuSable Fly Shop for the start of the 7 mile portage to the Manistee River. Portage West on M-72 past Lake Margrethe to the Manistee River. Put in on the Manistee River. Paddle and portage down 160 miles and 561 vertical feet, over 2 hydro electric dams and finish at the Insta Launch Campground just before the Manistee River dumps into Lake Manistee.

We will start the Shore to Shore 2012 in Oscoda on Saturday June 23 at 8am. Finish in Manistee by Saturday, June 30 at 6pm. We will have a Captains meeting on Friday, June 22 at 6pm on the beach in Oscoda.

There are no charges or fees of any kind to participate.

Tip of the Mitt

Start in the town of Oscoda Michigan. Paddle/Sail north along the Lake Huron coast. Pass under the Mackinaw Bridge and head south on Lake Michigan to the town of Manistee.

We will start the Tip of the Mitt 2012 in Oscoda on Saturday June 23 at 8am. Finish in Manistee by Saturday, June 30 at 6pm. We will have a Captains meeting on Friday, June 22 at 6pm on the beach in Oscoda.

There are no charges or fees of any kind to participate.

Manistee 150

Start at the M-72 bridge over the Manistee River in Grayling.

Paddle and portage down the Manistee River, over 2 hydro electric dams and finish at the Insta Launch Campground just before the Manistee River dumps into Lake Manistee.

The start for the Manistee 150 will be at 8 AM, June 27. Finish in Manistee by Saturday, June 30 at 6pm.

There are no charges or fees of any kind to participate.

Lake Michigan 150

Start at the Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground in Mackinaw City. Paddle / sail under the Mackinaw Bridge and south on Lake Michigan to the town of Manistee.

The start for the Lake Michigan 150 will be at 8 AM, June 26. Finish in Manistee by Saturday, June 30 at 6pm.

There are no charges or fees of any kind to participate.

More info - here

Storm the castle

There are do overs in life, each day offers a new beginning, put to rest your demons regrets and past, Storm the castle, Make bold strokes, make mistakes, succeed. ~ "Soar...."
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The Capt'n

Into the wild...

I find pleasure in the simple things; good conversation, good food and nature. I have been looping the movie "Into the wild" for about a week now. The sound track, is outstanding; the man's journey, epic; and of course his walk into the wild, a courtship with death.
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I spend many hours watching the river, studying its form; drawn to water it's my journey, my wild.
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The Capt'n