In the Cathedral of the Great Outdoors
Some folks find comfort in various places. High, mountain passes, desert vistas, sea scapes, forests, lakes, rivers, deep swamps, etc. call to us in their own, individual ways. We respond in our own, individual ways. I like the North Woods. As a kid, I roamed the woods, fields, and streams of southern Michigan farm country. As a geezer, I paddle upper Michigan and Canada. Last week, I had the privilege to share a premier river - Michigan’s Au Sable River - with other outdoorsmen. Others will tell their own stories; here’s mine.
I’m paddling the Katie Bug, a canoe I built for my Granddaughter Kayla and me. As I age out of it, she’ll age into it. I will attach a dedication page to the inside of the boat. Here it is:
the Katie Bug
This craft was built in East Lansing MI in 2002 & 03, by a loving Grandpa (Jack Voss, "Poppa") for a bright eyed, intelligent Granddaughter (Kayla Elisabeth Duby, "Katie").
Katie, may you enjoy using this boat while paddling in the outback, traveling far waters, camping on distant shores, seeing, listening, and learning with Mother Nature. I urge you to observe the stars and galaxies; to watch animals as they live; and to learn about plants. The outdoors is the best place in the world. Make it part of you and your Life.
Seek and earn friends. Learn whom to trust and for what they may and may not be trusted - and whom to not trust. Observe the works of man, and seek to understand them for yourself. Observe the creations of God, and seek to understand them within yourself. Know yourself, and to your own self be true.
I present you with this vessel and with my love for you.
Your loving Poppa.
Kayak Jack
Doing what you like is FREEDOM
Liking what you do is HAPPINESS
We gathered, one by one, at Bud Hart’s cottage northeasterly of Grayling Michigan. It’s at the end of a two-track dirt trail, near the Au Sable River - about 50 feet this side of heaven. It was Saturday afternoon, 20 May 06. Participants here include, Bud Hart, a retired college instructor. Jim Pifer of Eaton Rapids MI. Al Dasen (Dapper Al) an experienced paddler and grinner at tall tales. Duane Niemi (Drano) a pretty darned good paddler and avid fisherman. Gerry Morin (Bear’s Buddy) a civil servant out of Bay City MI with a positive CAN DO attitude. Al Wells, a high school buddy who graduated with me fifty years ago - an experienced hunter and camper about to learn about paddling his own boat. Jack Voss (Kayak Jack) a reprobate and a clumsy paddler. On Monday evening, and until Wednesday morning, we were joined by Greg Shannon and his 13 year old son Marcus and dog Amy. Greg is an MD and experienced paddler and camper, just as he’s teaching Marcus to be. Amy is a bright, intelligent Hungarian Weimaraner. (Not TOO bright though - I could beat her at checkers three out of five games.)
Each of us fixed our supper at Bud’s, and sacked out upstairs that night. Sunday morning, we went to town for a store-bought breakfast at Denny’s and met Tom Brooks, the man who would do our vehicle shuttle. He joined us for breakfast, and we got acquainted with him. Interestingly enough, we have some mutual friends. Tom is an experienced paddler and camper too. After breakfast we went to Penrod’s Canoe Livery ( 888.GO RIVER jimh@penrodscanoe.com ) and loaded boats, bought souvenirs, rented a kayak for Al Wells, and talked with Jim Humes, the owner. He and Tom Brooks are two, great guys to do business with. We can trust them.
We launched about 11:30 for a leisurely three hour paddle to Burton’s Landing (N44̊ 39.829' W84̊ 38.858'). It sleeted small snow pellets into our boats! What started as a mist, then a patter of rain, turned into snow! It was about 26 that night in camp, and I was colder than I’ve ever been sleeping in camp. Jim Pifer reported that he was cold too.
Monday was a bit cloudy, but cleared. The group got on the water about 09:35. We started seeing wildlife. My list for the trip includes: four mink, three muskrats, two deer, 5-7 bald eagles, 2-3 osprey, hawks, countless Canadian geese with goslings, as many ducks with ducklings - one momma duck paraded through camp with family in tow, belted kingfishers, blue jays, tiger swallowtail butterflies, sea gulls, one beaver, crows, fox squirrels, and a red squirrel or two. There was beaver activity all along the river bank. Trees partially chewed through, many stumps, and beaver lodges all along the river. We got to White Pine Camp Ground (N44̊ 39.347' W84̊ 28.450') about 3:00. Set up camp, take a practice nap, eat some supper, tell tales, watch Dapper Al disappear to bed about 8:00 pm. By nine, we all were sacked out. It was chilly tonight too, but maybe two degrees warmer than last night.
Tuesday 23 May 06 was a gorgeous day. Bright and sunny. The crew got up early, and was on the river before 9:00. We’re in “Quality Fishing Watersâ€Â
Some folks find comfort in various places. High, mountain passes, desert vistas, sea scapes, forests, lakes, rivers, deep swamps, etc. call to us in their own, individual ways. We respond in our own, individual ways. I like the North Woods. As a kid, I roamed the woods, fields, and streams of southern Michigan farm country. As a geezer, I paddle upper Michigan and Canada. Last week, I had the privilege to share a premier river - Michigan’s Au Sable River - with other outdoorsmen. Others will tell their own stories; here’s mine.
I’m paddling the Katie Bug, a canoe I built for my Granddaughter Kayla and me. As I age out of it, she’ll age into it. I will attach a dedication page to the inside of the boat. Here it is:
the Katie Bug
This craft was built in East Lansing MI in 2002 & 03, by a loving Grandpa (Jack Voss, "Poppa") for a bright eyed, intelligent Granddaughter (Kayla Elisabeth Duby, "Katie").
Katie, may you enjoy using this boat while paddling in the outback, traveling far waters, camping on distant shores, seeing, listening, and learning with Mother Nature. I urge you to observe the stars and galaxies; to watch animals as they live; and to learn about plants. The outdoors is the best place in the world. Make it part of you and your Life.
Seek and earn friends. Learn whom to trust and for what they may and may not be trusted - and whom to not trust. Observe the works of man, and seek to understand them for yourself. Observe the creations of God, and seek to understand them within yourself. Know yourself, and to your own self be true.
I present you with this vessel and with my love for you.
Your loving Poppa.
Kayak Jack
Doing what you like is FREEDOM
Liking what you do is HAPPINESS
We gathered, one by one, at Bud Hart’s cottage northeasterly of Grayling Michigan. It’s at the end of a two-track dirt trail, near the Au Sable River - about 50 feet this side of heaven. It was Saturday afternoon, 20 May 06. Participants here include, Bud Hart, a retired college instructor. Jim Pifer of Eaton Rapids MI. Al Dasen (Dapper Al) an experienced paddler and grinner at tall tales. Duane Niemi (Drano) a pretty darned good paddler and avid fisherman. Gerry Morin (Bear’s Buddy) a civil servant out of Bay City MI with a positive CAN DO attitude. Al Wells, a high school buddy who graduated with me fifty years ago - an experienced hunter and camper about to learn about paddling his own boat. Jack Voss (Kayak Jack) a reprobate and a clumsy paddler. On Monday evening, and until Wednesday morning, we were joined by Greg Shannon and his 13 year old son Marcus and dog Amy. Greg is an MD and experienced paddler and camper, just as he’s teaching Marcus to be. Amy is a bright, intelligent Hungarian Weimaraner. (Not TOO bright though - I could beat her at checkers three out of five games.)
Each of us fixed our supper at Bud’s, and sacked out upstairs that night. Sunday morning, we went to town for a store-bought breakfast at Denny’s and met Tom Brooks, the man who would do our vehicle shuttle. He joined us for breakfast, and we got acquainted with him. Interestingly enough, we have some mutual friends. Tom is an experienced paddler and camper too. After breakfast we went to Penrod’s Canoe Livery ( 888.GO RIVER jimh@penrodscanoe.com ) and loaded boats, bought souvenirs, rented a kayak for Al Wells, and talked with Jim Humes, the owner. He and Tom Brooks are two, great guys to do business with. We can trust them.
We launched about 11:30 for a leisurely three hour paddle to Burton’s Landing (N44̊ 39.829' W84̊ 38.858'). It sleeted small snow pellets into our boats! What started as a mist, then a patter of rain, turned into snow! It was about 26 that night in camp, and I was colder than I’ve ever been sleeping in camp. Jim Pifer reported that he was cold too.
Monday was a bit cloudy, but cleared. The group got on the water about 09:35. We started seeing wildlife. My list for the trip includes: four mink, three muskrats, two deer, 5-7 bald eagles, 2-3 osprey, hawks, countless Canadian geese with goslings, as many ducks with ducklings - one momma duck paraded through camp with family in tow, belted kingfishers, blue jays, tiger swallowtail butterflies, sea gulls, one beaver, crows, fox squirrels, and a red squirrel or two. There was beaver activity all along the river bank. Trees partially chewed through, many stumps, and beaver lodges all along the river. We got to White Pine Camp Ground (N44̊ 39.347' W84̊ 28.450') about 3:00. Set up camp, take a practice nap, eat some supper, tell tales, watch Dapper Al disappear to bed about 8:00 pm. By nine, we all were sacked out. It was chilly tonight too, but maybe two degrees warmer than last night.
Tuesday 23 May 06 was a gorgeous day. Bright and sunny. The crew got up early, and was on the river before 9:00. We’re in “Quality Fishing Watersâ€Â
