Whenever we arrive at Outdoor Adventures it is always a gamble on what sites are available. We know what ones we like, but it seems as if we can never get the same one twice. We knew since we were going to be here for 2 weeks that we wanted a full hookup site. We also tend to prefer the end ones. We got lucky; we got exactly what we were looking.
This luck ran out with the first rainfall. This month had started out as the driest on record and has now become the wettest. Apparently we had setup our RV in the middle of what would become a huge puddle. Not only were we in a low spot, but since the ground is mostly clay the water will not seep into the ground very well. This left us with a moat around our RV.
We both have been working during the week and commuting to our jobs from here each day. This gets old after a while since the drive is so much longer. We also have been eating out quite a bit and by the time we get home at night there isn’t much time to wind down.
Terri’s parents stopped by for a visit. We had a little cookout and enjoyed some really great “home grown” sweet corn from the local market. The following weekend the resort had a Pig Roast which was spectacular.
In previous posts I have mentioned that this resort has an outdoor chapel. I have also indicated that the pastor rides in on a bike. On the way into the park the other day I noticed the bike he rides was parked alongside of the road. Check it out. I love the custom paint job.
Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t get very excited over sporting events. Last night, however, I witnessed an event that totally astonished me and I can’t seem to get over what took place. This was the most fantastic sporting event I have ever attended.
When I called last week to reserve the site at the campground we are currently at, I was asked if we were coming to town to watch the canoe race. I replied that I didn’t know what he was talking about. The guy from the campground just snickered and proceeded to explain that it was a canoe race from Grayling, Michigan to Lake Huron along the Au Sable River. I thought it would something fun to see if we had nothing better to do.
When we arrived at the campground my wife picked up a brochure about the race. It said the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon was a 120 mile race on the Au Sable River. It would take the contestants 15+ hours to complete the race. The Marathon started in Grayling at 9 PM with the canoes staged downtown in the street. We decided to head over and check it out. We arrived in town to find thousands of people waiting for the race to begin. Shortly after we got there the starting gun was fired and the paddlers picked up their canoes to make a mad dash for the river. The Au Sable River at this point is only wide enough for about 3 canoes. The contestants bumped and crashed as they try to enter the river at the best possible spot.
The crowd roared as the last contestants set their canoe into the river. This was definitely the home town favorite. It was Al Widing and his partner, 21-year-old Hailey McMahon of Grayling. At 87 years old, this is Al’s 40th attempt. Al currently holds the records: Most Marathons Entered, Most Marathons Finished, Oldest Paddler to Compete, and the Oldest Paddler to finish in the top 10.
This event is advertised as” North America’s Toughest, Richest Canoe Race and the World’s Toughest Spectator Race!” The contest pays out over $50,000 in cash & prizes. The contestants come from all over the world for a chance to compete in this distinguished event.
To get an idea of how fast they paddle down the river, we made a trip on the Au Sable earlier that morning that lasted just over 3 hours. The pros get down that same stretch of river in 1 hour 8 minutes. This is amazing.
Back in Mio we woke from a brief cat nap to go down to the dam to wait for the Paddlers. This was spectacular. There were crowds of people waiting for the paddlers. The canoes were approaching the Mio Pond in total darkness. Some had a small lamp but others had nothing at all to guide them through the obstacles in the river. We have a hard time avoiding these things in broad daylight. The only thing to alert us of their arrival was the faint sound of paddles entering the water and an occasional ” Hup!”
I really can’t belive that I have lived in Michigan all my life and never head about this event. While the world watches Olympics events like Synchronized Swimming, Trampoline, Badminton and Ping-Pong, we have the grand-daddy of all canoe races right in our back yard. Next year give yourself a treat and check this out. It will be an experience that you will never forget.
This has been our richest kayak trip to date. We left McMasters Bridge at 8:30 am. The temperature outside was in the mid 50’s with a small breeze. The weather was perfect for a ride down the Au Sable River. The river here is about 60 feet wide and 2 or 3 feet deep.
There was absolutely no one else on the river but us and a couple of fishermen in a rowboat the entire morning. The only time we come across anyone else is when we got to our destination at Parmalee Bridge. This place was a mad house. There was a constant flow of traffic trying to get to the river and dump people in.
During our trip we encountered a lot of wildlife this morning. More than ever before. We saw a Bald Eagle, a Marten, Ducks, a Great Blue Heron, Hawks, Geese, Fish, Turtles and even a White Tailed Deer. This was a very productive trip.
I made my reservation at Oscoda County Park with Dan. He said that the place was pretty much full due to the upcoming canoe race. He said he would reserve me a site near the river. He also took the time to explain about the Au Sable River Marathon that was to take place while we were there. Make sure you read my posting about this event.
When we arrived at the campground, Jim checked us in at the office. We then headed over to our site. What we found was a small site with no water and a bush in the middle of it. Knowing that this site would be a problem we headed back to the office. We were told that all the other sites were taken. After a bit of coaxing, Jim did. however, reluctantly switch us to a new site.
Our new site was really nice. This one even had water. Most of the sites here are shaded. Some are rustic, some have electric and others have water and electric. The dump station also has potable water even though it is located on the wrong side of the one-way entrance. There is not much of a view of the Au Sable River from any of the sites due to the tree coverage. If you go up the hill at the end of the park you can catch a bit of the water from there.
Friday, Terri and I hauled the RV up to my parents place on the lake for the weekend. We joined the rest of the family to meet up with my brother and his kids who were visiting from Tennessee.
It has been a long time since we have all been able to get together. It wasn’t much of a camping trip, but it was a very nice reunion.
Here are the girls posing with a couple of nice cars.
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