Paddle Information

• Plan no more than five hours in a day for paddling time. This leaves time for hiking, eating, or playing on the river, unexpected slowdowns, such as retrieving your gear from the river after a tip-over, headwinds, or portages over downed trees.
• The level of protection you need, in regards to failed equipment, elements, insects, and food, is based on the time on the river and distance from civilization. A short trip in a populated area requires much less precaution than an overnight trip through the wilderness.
• Plan on getting hungry on the trip. Pack things that don’t generate much waste, and will still be palatable when wet.
• Time. To plan the duration of a trip, estimate 1.5 mi/hr in a kayak and 2 mi/hr in a 2-person canoe, paddling at a moderate pace in still water. Add 2 mi/hr with a medium river current. Listed times are average paddling speed, and do not include stops.
• Weather. Unless there is lightning, or freezing drizzle, a rain shower should be no reason to cancel a trip.
• Hazards. On river routes, watch ahead for hazards, such as branches, rocks, and structures. Log jams can occur any time, and are more common in spring after the winter season, before outfitters clear obstructions.
• Keep your body low when entering & exiting the boat – low center of gravity to prevent capsizing. Get your butt in the seat, then worry about body limbs and gear.
• Practice boat handling – forward, backward, sideways – in calm waters to insure proficiency of the water conditions on the river. Back paddling skills are more important than front paddling skills, on a river. Use paddle as a rudder.
• Avoid overloading the boat with gear, and keep is well distributed and low in the boat.
• Plan for tip over. Secure gear to the boat and protect it from water. Everything that you care about not being saturated, lost in the river, or damaged must be in a bag. Preferably double bagged, and secured or taped to the boat. Everything.
• River Stops. Respect private property and do not trespass. Do not climb sensitive river banks, or disturb vegetation.
• Bugs. Even when bugs are thick in the woods, often times they are often not too bad on the river.
• Poison Ivy. Always plan on it being at all put-ins and along river bank.
• Leaches. Watch for leaches. Maybe take salt.
• Wildlife. Look for animal tracks in sand edges. Watch ahead when coming around bends. Look into the woods along the side.
• Kayak paddle. Keep the O-ring on the paddle between your hands and the water. Ideally, just outside your hands, and not dunked in the water. Keeps hands dry.
• Shallow Water Paddle. When in shallow water (1′ or less), you can go faster with gentle paddling vs strong paddling, due to the drag created along the bottom by the wake.
• Shallow Water Path. Where the river widens and you see gravel riffles, stay near the outside of bends to utilize the most depth. If lightly stuck in the shallows, move your weight by throwing your torso toward the deepest water to dislodge your boat.
• Non-Summer. Autumn on the river can be an excellent way to experience the fall colors. Easy rivers better for non summer. Less chance to tip over & freeze.

Trip Planning & Staging

River

Staging a vehicle or bicycle is necessary to retrieve your boats after the float.

Don’t park in front of easiest loading/unloading area.

Always do the hardest section first:

• River: 1st=Bike, 2nd=Kayak.
• Lake: 1st=Kayak, 2nd=Bike. Kayak with tailwind.
• Lake: 1st=Walk, 2nd=Kayak. Kayak with tailwind.
• Trail/Lake: 1st=Walk, 2nd=Bike.

Shuttling can happen in many ways.

• 1. Hire the local outfitter to transport you.
• 2. Use two vehicles and place one at the end of the trip.
• 3. Pedal, hike, or hitch a ride from one end to the other.

Listed here, are some points for consideration in placement of your transportation off the water. Each bullet is indicated as PRO or CON.

• Leave a fresh set of warm clothes in the vehicle at the end of the trip. Plan on being wet and cold, and consider it a bonus if you are not.
• Hide your keys at the car, so no chance of losing them in the river or leaving them at the wrong end of the trip. Don’t forget to leave them at the downstream car!

Staging the vehicle at upstream end of the float.

• Locked Equipment. Only a bicycle is needed down stream, which is easy to lock. PRO.
• Equipment Access. You have accessibility to the vehicle and all of its contents, right until launch time. Convenient, so nothing is forgotten. PRO.
• Stage Ride. The return ride must be completed after the float, which can be a challenge if wet, weary, and buzzed from the float. CON.
• Boat Load. Double back needed, by first riding back upstream to retrieve the vehicle, then drive downstream to load the boats. Equipment needs to be secure if concerned about theft. CON.

Staging the vehicle at downstream end of the float.

• Locked Equipment. Everything going on the river must be locked upstream or carried on the staging ride. If staging on a bike, then kayak, paddles, life jacket, cooler, snack, etc – Everything must be secured while making the run. Best option is having someone stay with the gear if theft is a concern. CON.
• Equipment Access. All trip stuff comes out of the vehicle, long before the float begins, as described in the first bullet. CON.
• Stage Ride. The return ride is completed before the float, while dry, energetic, and generally more sober than after the float. PRO.
• Boat Load. At the end, the boats go directly from the water to strapped on the vehicle. Then a quick drive to pick up the bike or staged vehicle. PRO.

Personal Preference. Stage vehicle at downstream. Reason- When getting off the river, it is real nice to load the boats on the vehicle, then change into dry clothes.

Lake

If concerned about effort/energy level/or a beginner, paddle quickly to your destination, then leisurely back. This allows judgment of how difficult the return trip will be, based on the effort it took to get to the halfway/turnaround point.

If concerned about time, paddle leisurely to your destination, then quickly back. The time it takes to get to your furthest point will be much less than the time it takes to get back.

Paddle into the wind first.

Lake Michigan. Offshore winds, wind coming from land and blowing out toward the water, are the most dangerous condition in open water. What appears to be calm and flat near shore, can quickly become wavy and windy when the trees and land are not protecting the air movement. Pay close attention to the winds before getting out away from shore.

Prepare of change in weather and wet conditions, and bring gear for cold temperatures.

Trip Time.

• Leisure: 1 – 1.5 mph
• Moderate: 1.5 – 2 mph
• Brisk: 2 – 2.5 mph

Equipment

• Gear Protection. Put cell phone, keys, camera, & electronics, in a heavy duty ziplock bag and duct tape to inside of the boat near you. Allows easy access, but will stay dry and with the boat, if (when) you tip over.
• River Protection. No littering. Secure all loose items to your boat.
• Kayak Selection. Each type of kayak serves a different purpose. From the low cost and small ones, which are great for rivers or short lake trips. To the big and expensive ones designed for the Big Lake.
• Paddle Size. Check the fit of the shaft size in your hand. The right size blade will not create too much resistance for your strength, and long enough to keep from hitting your knuckles on the boat.
• Life jacket should always be worn. Problems occur during flip-over, because: yelling at tipover causes air to be exhaled before going under, and as water rushes into the cockpit it holds you in making escape difficult. If in a river – you’ll keep traveling downstream into something.
• Foot Protection. Wear water shoes or old tennis shoes, as most places where you get out will be rocky, slimy, or with sharp sticks.
• For beginners or children, wear eye protections (sunglasses) and a hat to protect against stray twigs or if get pushed into the brush.
• Anchor. Simple anchor. Carry a rope and mesh bag. Put rocks in the mesh bag when need an anchor.
• Drink Holder. Cut 2 liter bottle, smooth edges, from about half way up with “tongue” to the top. Put 6″ of tape on the tongue, taping the top two inches of the plastic to the boat. Let there be some dangle, so it doesn’t tip. See Video.

Boat Selection

• Generally speaking, it takes 10 hours to be proficient at canoeing, it takes 10 strokes to be proficient at kayaking.
• Pros-Canoe: sitting higher above the water to see fish and river bottom better; more cargo space.
• Pros-Kayak: maneuverability; best if going solo; good in winds and waves; easier carrying.
• Canoe Fundamentals. Center your weight. If alone, ride in the middle of the boat. If a small child is in front, and adult in back, then put a full cooler with the kid. This is most important in strong winds or current.

Equipment List

Fishing Information

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Equipment

Bicycling Information

Bicycling exposes you to so much more than vehicular travel, and often times is a quicker means in town. Each city provides safe biking, with trails and primarily low speed roadways. Biking exhilarates a sight seeing outing, both with exercise and close proximity to the sights.

Equipment

Short Ride

Medium Ride

Long Ride

Drive Information

Driving the highways and byways of Northwest Michigan exhibits culture and water views of exceptional awe. Stop in the Villages to find those incredible discoveries, then meander less-traveled routes to see the definition of picturesque.

The rolling hills and beautiful lakeview vistas offer spectacular scenic driving tours. Meander along the byways or cruise the highways, all with a view. Take a break at any of the quaint communities, for a bite to eat or drive through the picturesque neighborhoods.

The inland lakes provide panoramas which are no less dramatic than the Big Lake, nor is the exploring any less adventurous.

When Nature Calls

Fall Color Tour

Nature begins the process of winding down from a summer full of exciting activities, by providing it’s color show in the form of the changing leaves of Fall. The many varieties of hardwoods delight us with flaming reds, vibrant yellows, and stunning gold. Take a tour to take in the views, as the forest readies itself for winter.

The colors of Fall are always stored in the leaves, it’s just that the green chlorophyll dominates the leaf in summer. When the days get shorter, the production of chlorophyll slows, allowing the other pigments to appear.

The Fall Colors, from a scientific perspective, is the draining of dominant green chlorophyll from the leaves, leaving the natural reds, yellows, and golds to show themselves.  From nature’s perspective, it’s when the trees tell the leaves that the days are getting shorter, and it’s time to go dormant for the winter.

When To Go

The exact “day” of peak color depends on a number of factors, such as geography, air temperatures, rainfall, and even the soil that the tree lives in.  And unfortunately, a strong wind can knock all the color to the ground in one night.  Your best bet is to get to your destination and see what you see.  If it is prime color time, drive around the area and take it all in.  If too green, head inland, and if too brown, head toward the nearest Lake Michigan coastline and drive South.

If the weather conditions are right, the color change begins around mid-September.  The best conditions are mild day temperatures, cool night temperatures, some periodic light rain, and low winds.

• Late September. Inland, Lake City, Mancelona, Boyne Falls.
• Mid October. Lake Michigan Coast, Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula.
• Everywhere else, between Late September & Mid October.

Weather Factors

As the air turns cooler, our green landscape transforms to shades of red, magenta, orange and gold.  The intensity and duration of the fall color season are primarily dependent on the weather.  Wet and windy make for a short season, while dry and calm keep the colors blooming for a longer period.

Best colors come from warm days and cool nights. Low temperatures, but above freezing, brings out the deep reds. Early frost weakens the bright reds.

Warm and cloudy weather turn leaves yellow. Orange, red, and gold colors occur when the days are warm and sunny, and the nights are chilly but not freezing.

Lots of rain in late summer and early fall greatly diminish the vibrancy of the colors. A long period of dry weather can cause the leaves to brown more quickly. Light rain & overcast, during the tour, can sometimes intensify the brilliance of the colors.

Lake Michigan Effects

An additional color factor is the effects of Lake Michigan.  The farther you move from the warming effects of the big lake, the sooner the colors appear.  Although the season falls within a range of dates each year, you can generally expect the peak to be earliest – the farther inland you go.  A tip to remember during fall – if you see green leaves, veer inland, and if you see brown leaves, veer toward Lake Michigan.

The Colors

• Dogwood, sumac: reddish, purplish. 
• Sugar maples: bright red. 
• Oak: brown.
• Tamaracks are golden.  Later part of October, generally after prime colors.

The Science

Maple trees are the brilliant reds.  The intensity of the color dependent on the sap.  The sugar within the leaves produces the red pigment, and the amount of sap affects the brilliance of the color.  This explains why the colors may be more bright in one region over another, and vary year by year.

The process of the sap going into the tree trunk and roots for winter storage, is dependent on the temperature.  Warm nights slow the process, allowing the sugars to remain in the leaves as the chlorophyll production stops and the green is replaced by red.  If the leaves freeze, however, they simply turn brown, instead of transitioning through the red phase.

Snow Ski Information

Snow skiing and boarding can be a healthy, fun, and social outing for all ages and physical abilities. The ski areas provide facilities for anyone looking to slide down the hills.

Tips- Equipment

Insure boots are comfortable and warm. Wear long socks to prevent chafing of skin on ankles and shins.

Helmets and goggles are not only for safety, but also comfort.

Trail Information

One of the most peaceful ways to experience and photograph the beauty of Northern Michigan.

Multi Use trails are not for the hard core biker. If you love to pedal fast and long, trails are prohibitive to a good ride. There are too many stop signs, small children, roller bladers, and other obstructions which will get in your way and slow you down. The better option is to ride roadways with shoulders.

Tips- General

Water Information

The lakes of Northwest Michigan offer so many options. Some with connections to Lake Michigan and others chain-linked together. Bring your own boat, or rent one to float around the places that the view seekers observe from afar.

Tips- General

Wine Information

Wine tasting is an experience. Something to be enjoyed throughout, and not treated as an accomplishment. Let your journey stimulate all your senses. In basic form, wine tasting is mostly olfactory, stimulating the sense of smell. The wine should be swirled in the glass, releasing the aroma to be sampled and enjoyed. Let the scent lead the taste. View the depth of color within the glass, expressing the depth of fruit in its fermented state. Then sit back and enjoy the flavors.

The tasting rooms are each unique, and express a different atmosphere for your tasting experience. Some are new and contemporary, others are Old World with grand architecture, and many offer breathtaking views of the bays, vineyards, or the scenic peninsula. The people in the wineries are there to enhance your experience. Often times, the owner and/or winemaker will be on hand to chat or discuss their wines. The staff will be knowledgeable on the grapes and wine, and will educate and entertain as you enjoy your tastings.

Wineries are excellent places to experience art. From peaceful walks through the vineyards, to the craftsmanship and décor of the tasting rooms. Some wineries offer artwork for sale. Visiting wineries takes you off the beaten path, often near access to trails and remote parks.

Tips- General

During off season, or when traveling to remote destinations, call ahead.

Select a Play Plan!

• Little Traverse Bay Snow Ski 127-1
• Peninsulas Snow Ski 277-1
• Shanty Creek Ski