At each stop on our 2013 book tour, a drawing is held and a "free canoe or kayak or
rafting trip" is awarded to one program attendee.
These free trips are generously donated by the canoe & kayak liveries listed below.
At the bottom of the liveries list is a river story from some happy "free trip" winners.
Thank you to all of these businesses!...
AuTrain River Canoes - AuTrain MI
Big Bear Adventures (Sturgeon River) - Indian River MI
Clinton River Canoe & Kayak Rentals - Lake Orion MI
Crystal Adventures (Betsie River) - Thompsonville MI
Crystal River Outfitters - Glen Arbor MI
Doe-Wah-Jack's Canoe Rental (Dowagiac River) - Dowagiac MI
Good Ol' Redbeard's (Flint River) - Flushing MI
Harlow's Wacousta Canoe Rental (Looking Glass River) - Eagle MI
Horina Canoe & Kayak Rental (Pine River) - Wellston MI
Lakeshore Kayak Rental (Crockery Creek, Pigeon & Grand Rivers) - Grand Haven MI
Northland Outfitters (Fox & Manistique Rivers) - Germfask MI
The Woods (Tahquamenon River & Two Hearted River) - Newberry MI
Hi Doc,
Just had to zip off a quick note to you to let you know how much fun my husband, Scott, and I had canoeing the Grand River! We really enjoyed your slide show at the Saline Library on June 23rd! I went that night hoping to win the canoe trip, and was thrilled to have my number called! We appreciate your recommendation of the Grand Adventures trip, and as expected, our paddling experience was wonderful!
To begin with, the weather was absolutely perfect. We went on Friday, July 2nd and it was a delightfully sunny day in the mid-70's. We opted for the 5 1/2 hour trip, but since the water was so high, the livery owner thought it would take only about 5 hours. Scott and I arrived at the take-out point after just 3 1/2 hours! I don't feel like we were paddling particularly fast, but we were surprised to pass the Baldwin County Park as soon as we did! The fellow that drove us to the put-in spot was there when we finished, and he was quite surprised to see us.
What was so wonderful was the fact that we didn't see another person (or even any civilization) for 90 % of the trip! Just as you wrote in Rivers Less Paddled, we had a taste of the Loo-siana Bayou. I wonder if that river has especially low banks, because for much of the river, it extended into the woods on both sides a hundred yards or more. Only once did we get off the main flow of the river. It was fun planning our way around obstacles, and I can guess that is why paddling the same river would never be the same experience twice.
We saw turtles basking in the sun, a blue heron, and two deer during our excursion. I love seeing wildlife!
We didn't go to Archey's, but we drove south to the Irish Hills area and visited a couple of wineries before having dinner in Tecumseh. All in all, a delightful day!
I've attached a couple of pictures to share with you. The first is obviously a self portrait of Scott and me (before I knocked my sunglasses off and into the river!).
Thank you for the free canoe trip and for your infectious enthusiasm for paddling! Can't wait to go paddling again! We'll look through your book and find another good river and make another day trip. By the way, the livery host (was that Russ?) asked us to pass on a "hello" to you.
Marilyn and Scott McFerren
Saline, MI
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