Peche Island

Put in at the usual Belle Isle spot. Sun was shining, air temp about 50, water 63. Paddled up the water department channel and out into the river between Belle Isle and Peche Island. As I approached the light, I noticed an armada that appeared to consist of a dragon-style boat and 6-8 kayaks heading from the island to the Detroit side of the river. I was too far away to attempt to join up, so I got out of the wind on the Windsor side of Peche and paddled up stream. In a little cove across from the Windsor Yacht Club, I saw 5-6 Herons, 5-6 Egrets, many ducks, geese and cormorants. Got back into the wind and waves on the lake side of the island and ran back to Belle Isle on the Detroit side.

Saturday on the River

Put in at the DYC at about 10:30 a.m. Paddled downstream to tri-centennial state harbor to check out Detroit's waterfront from the waterside. On the way back upstream hugged the Detroit shoreline until across from the DYC and ferried over to the island. Then paddled up through the channel by the waterworks and back down the outside of the island. Beautiful day sunny with temps from 56 to 72. The wind was strong from the east, which made the upstream paddling a little tough. Next I hope to either get to Peche Island or to run the river from Belle Isle to Trenton or Grosse Isle.

Sunday in the Pool

Sundays mornings the Raw Strength and Courage Kayak Club holds pool sessions at the NCRB in Ann Arbor. I used to go to these sessions my freshman year at U of M in 1984-85 and then dropped out of whitewater paddling for 20 + years. Started back with the club last spring. Went out this morning and paddled little plastic boats in the swimming pool for a couple of hours. The roll is progressing but far from pretty. Brought the Lil' Joe and tried out one of the club's new playboats, a wave sport t-3 (I think.)

October 4, 2008

Just back from a kayak circumnavigation of Belle Isle in the Detroit River. Air temp in the high 50's water temp in the low 6o's. Partly sunny with wind blowing downstream at 10 knots or less. No waves to speak of. Put in beside the Detroit Yacht Club. Paddled upstream on the Detroit side and down the Canadian. Only paddle craft in sight. Passed by the freighter Michipicoten headed downstream at the upstream tip of the island. Saw many cormorants & canada geese. Paddled alongside a muskrat for a while 10 yards off the port side by the DPD Habor Master station. Finished with some bracing practice off the beach and a roll at the takeout.