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Day 226

7/19/2010

5 Comments

 
Daily Stats
Start: 7:30 AM - Marysville, MI
Finish 2:15 PM - Lakeport, MI (Lakeport State Park)
Time: 6:00 hours
Daily dist: 15 miles
Total dist: 4200+
Companions: None
Weather: Mostly cloudy with highs in the 70’s head wind out of the NE at 10+ mph.
Notes: Entered Lake Huron at about 10:00 AM too rough for pictures
For the last three days I’ve been working hard against the persistent flow of first the Detroit River then the St. Clair river with my speed dropping well below my usual average. Today I only had about six miles of upstream paddling remaining on the St. Clair before I would be able to enjoy the “non flowing” water of Lake Huron. Unfortunately easier paddling was just not to be.

Picture
Randy waving good by from the beach in Marysvile
Yesterday both Randy then his friend Steve adamantly recommended that I cross over to the Canadian side of the river just below the bridge in order to catch the eddy that flows upstream on that side. When I saw how swiftly the river flows below the bridge I knew I’d need all the help I could get so I headed their suggestion and ferried over to the Canadian side of the river.

---- SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL LAW INFORCEMENT OFFICERS ----

Let it be known that I only paddled into Canadian waters, under no matter or circumstance did a actually touch land on the Canadian side. Lord knows what threat to our national security such a devious act could pose. It would have been completely irresponsible of me to put the proud men and women of our great nation at such risk and I dutifully refrained from such actions.
Picture
My ten minute visit to Canada

---- NOW BACK TO THE STORY ----

In slack water on the Canadian side I paused for a moment to put on my paddling jacket and eat a few mouthfuls of trail mix figuring by the building wind that it may just be too lively out on the lake to do it out there. From there I followed the eddy easily up to and under the pair of bridges that span the river between the US and Canada. At the second bridge it felt like something grabbed the back of my boat. It was there that the eddy ran out and the combined forces of the river current and a stiff wind out of the northeast worked to try to keep me from entering the lake. It took a half hour of very hard paddling to gain the couple hundred yards that would put me into the lake. As I paddled ferociously I kept waiting for the pull of the river to subside but it just didn’t seem to. It was then that I realized that it wasn’t so much the river flow I was battling but now the force of the wind that was blowing directly in my face. There would be no easy going for me once again today.

Picture
It always looks nice from the beach. It was a slog out there believe me.
It was against that head wind that I slogged for nearly four hours to gain only eight more miles to the Lakeport State Campground. The wind was showing no signs of letting up and hours more effort wouldn’t yield much more gain, so I decided to cut my day a bit short and stop where I knew I could find good camping and a bit of civilization to spend the rest of the day.

Unlike other state parks it wasn’t too much hassle to get set up here. When I checked in at the ranger station they said they’d actually gotten a phone call earlier in the day from someone that was asking if I had shown up. I don’t know who it was but apparently they were in a town in Canada. Once I was done with all the chores of getting the boat secured and camp set up I took a nice long shower to try to get some of the $23 worth out of my camp site fees. I had just returned to camp and was fussing with my tent when a large diesel engine was idling in the lane next to my camp and not going anywhere. I looked up to find Randy and Teresa (the folks I stayed with last night) sitting in their pickup truck.

Picture
Teresa and Randy visiting me in camp
Randy had been on shore watching me work against the river flow, wind, and rough water. He figured accurately that I wouldn’t be going much beyond this point in conditions like that. Especially knowing that tomorrow’s weather is supposed to be much better. Seems how it’s actually a short drive from their house they decided to drive up and see how I was doing. We hung out in camp for a bit then Teresa invited me to join them for dinner in Lakeport. So a quick drive to town took us to Duffy’s (very Irish) pub and grill where I almost made them regret having and AYCE fish fry on the menu.

With a belly very full of fish Randy and Teresa returned me to camp and bid me good luck on the rest of the journey. I suggested to Randy that I could give him a map of all the spots I planned to camp the next few nights to make finding me for dinner easier but judging from his laugh I’m apparently on my own from here.

5 Comments
dave lindo
7/19/2010 12:39:37 pm

What about leg muscle atrophy from lack of use?

Reply
Liz Sweet
7/20/2010 12:35:31 am

Jake, Have you been to Skoocumchuck Narrows on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia? I read some of your blog yesterday and you mentioned playing in some rapids of a tide change. This place is pretty scary at its peak.

Reply
Sean F. link
7/20/2010 01:11:42 am

All You Can Eat Fish Fry!!!! - **BIG MISTAKE** Danger,Danger,Danger Jake Stachovak is in Town!!! Forget his Paddling abilities, HAVE YOU SEEN HIS EATING ABILITIES!?!?
Jake, That is a nicer looking Beach than we have here in Florida- Whats up with that?? Lily Pads & Beaches are you sure your up North, could be the coast of Sth. America.

-Sean F.
GO, JAKE GO!!!! P.S. Happy B-Day Mr. Neil B. & Luke Stachovak.

Reply
Lyn Stachovak
7/20/2010 01:58:51 am

We're HOME!!!!! Pure Michigan was fun, but I'm glad to be in Wisconsin again. Now we have all the work of putting all the camping stuff away and getting the camper cleaned out - YIKES! It's amazing what 4 people (2 little kids) can do to a camper in a week???

Let Dad and me know if you still want us to meet you someplace on the shores of either Lake Huron or Lake Michigan - another camping trip would be just fine with us. I'd love it if we could meet at Straits State Park in Upper MIchigan... A side trip to Mackinac Island and the Soo Locks would round out your upper great lakes experience as well.

And - yes Sean we DO have beautiful beaches and shorelines in the north. I know, I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. We have to deal with a couple of awful months (January, February, March and sometimes April), but it's worth it when summer arrives. Remember, if you'd like to experience some of Wisconsin's finest hours you're welcome any time. Dave and I would love to have you. Wouldn't it be fun to finish out Jake's trip with him? You could even camp with us (we're going to shadow him again - this time with the camper) and feed him. Wonder if the camper can hold enough food for Jake? I'll be happy to feed you royally as well.

Now I'm all caught up on your blogs and experiences so it's back to a ton of dirty clothes and camping equipment. Dad and I love you.

Mom

Reply
Steven Krause
7/20/2010 11:53:37 pm

You're lucky the Canadians didn't catch you. They would have held you as a spy. Until they could trade you for a couple of American hockey players.

Reply



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