Mark & Mike checked in at 7 PM. They were in Graying, and were stopping for supper. They planned on paddling to a planned camp site for the night...obviously tired already as Mark was continuously yawning as we talked. You go guys...you're doing awesome!!

posted by Kathy L.

Motley Crew of 6 (MC6)

Upper row: Mike, Brian, Jack, Dan - Lower row: Todd, Jake

.

I give you MC6 - expedition shore to shore. The naming of the *Motley Crew - click here

.

*During the reign of Elizabeth I, "motley" served the important purpose of keeping outside the social hierarchy and therefore not subject to class distinction or expectation; in other words going your own way with out judgement. The way of the jester. - Having a little fun!

.

Or so eloquently put;

Break loose from all the usual excuses and conventions that keep you bound to a lifestyle that does not totally fulfill". -Verlen Kruger

.

Past Kruger adventures have had team names of: The Magnificant 7. the Intrepids, Tres Amigos - It's all in good fun!

MC2 restless night

6:11am 9/30/10

Capt'n reports: MC2 up very early, must have been a restless night as Manitou's SPOT shows them on the move as early as 2:10am. If I was a betting man; they paddled out earlier then expected with weather that may move in tomorrow afternoon, A race against the rain. Paddle now it great weather, sleep some as rain taps on the tent... Just speculation.

Keep the paddle

in the water
8:50pm 9/29/10
Manitou reports: Plan stands -Up by 3;30am on the water by 4:00am - Planning a 24 to 36 hour run down to Manistee; including the estimated 7 mile portage. Now that's big medicine.
.
6:07pm 9/29/10
McLov'n reports portaging the Mio Dam - Looking good gentleman!
.
6:00pm 9/29/10
Manitou reports they are pulling off for the night; The plan is to be on the water O-dark30 and push on. MC2 is on river time taking all things into consideration - like when to rest and when to push. Look for a 4:00am start.
.
1:55pm 9/29/10
Jake and Dan both broke rudder cables today; had the tools and the means to fix them... back on the water - and Lov'n it. I'm tempted to start calling Brian Keel "McLov'n" - borrowing the name from the smash hit teen movie "Super Bad"; what does the viewing audience think? Done!!
.
9:30am 9/29/10
Manitou reports Motley Crew of 2 (MC2) are off to Grayling; hopes to knock out the portage as well today. (Grayling is named after a fish that was once prevalent to the area) This sounds like a whopper of a fish story to me!!
.
8:04am 9/29/10
Brian Keel reports: On the water going to try to pass Mio dam today; It's a beautiful morning on the river!
.
8:15am 9/29/10
Manitou reports: "Well first he called me a dirty dog"; "I replied with I think you got into some bad pudding." ...Law enforcement was not contacted, Motley Crew of 2 were able to work things out through diplomatic relations with Brazil. Oh that Manitou, just a crazy mixed up kid in a crazy mixed up world; Plan is to sit tight and wait for RiverRunner to portage Mio dam

paddle paddle... pull

photo by: K Calmeyn

10:30 am 9/27/10

Brian K called early yesterday morning I missed their call (work gets in the way); he left a message stating it looks like a great day for paddling; the rain stopped, got a bit of a late start getting on the water around 8:15am; Just finished portaging the Alcona Dam.

.

2:15pm 9/27/10

Eva Murgittroyd forwarded this message: Talk to Jack this morning they are a little wet but, are all good they think Mike and Mark are about 10 miles ahead of them. It was 9:30 am when he called and they had just got though Alcona Dam. They were pumped!~

.

4:30pm 9/27/10

Mark reports pulling up at the Mio dam; will portage over and sit tight to wait for RiverRunner Plan is to head to town to do some shopping for the holidays while he waits. This is a coded message to Jake from Manitou, "Eh ya Turkey ******, No Mama's boy float trip eh?"

.

9:30pm 9/27?10

RiverRunner reports he is below Mio Dam, didn't quite make it up to Manitou. Working his way through sand and gravel bars; lots of pulling the Kruger through the shallows; Nothing like taking your canoe out for a walk. RiverRunner said his GPS took a crap and something about loosing a teddy bear.

.

All in all spirits are high - plan is to meet up with Manitou in the morning.

The Boys are at it!!

See new photos in the drop box>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

.

Sweet Judy! I think I dropped my Sea Wind!

.

It's been an uphill battle for the Motley Crew as they pick off dam after dam. A 10:10am call had the crew at the roll away resort topping off water. ( I hope they got water after this stair climb, yikes).
.

Jake and Todd Cesar are on an adventure to remember; Father and son, both have put in many miles in Kruger Boats.

.

RiverRunner reports that it has been an uphill battle today; some where around 48 miles total since the trip started. Put in a long 13 hour day, made a little bit longer with a dropped paddle, being spun out in the current and a close encounter with shore brush. All in a days paddle on Ausable.

.

Manitou reports seeing a double rainbow this afternoon; still raining with a 40% chance to continue the next couple of days. Current running too fast to paddle during the night. Looks like long hard 13 hour days till they hit the Manistee.

.

RiverRunner and Manitou are now camped and settled in for the night; stay tuned!

The Dedication Video

Parting the waters

600am - trip report.

Manitou and RiverRunner have pushed from shore around 6:00am, the rest of the Motley Crew leisurely breakdown camp and prepare for the day. Let the adventure continue.

Motley Crew

See new photos in the drop box. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

.

With the dedication behind them the "Motley Crew" pushes on till dark

"Motley" refers to the traditional costume of the paddler or the harlequin character in commedia dell'arte. Our crew wears scruffy beards and functional hats, a fashion motif.

“Motley is the only wear.” --Shakespeare

Back on the water

See new photos in the drop box. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It appears the Shore 2 Shore and the tad more joined forces to arrive at the Canoer's Memorial Monument for the 2pm induction ceremony. The Boy's are on their hike up from Largo Springs!

The paddlers to be inducted this year are John Wojahn, Gerald Cesar, Meb Lemieux, Ronald Kienke, Ted Engel, Roger Carriere, Harold Spencer, Charles Hennigar, Marion "Mern" Ferris, Percy Jocks, Richard Kent, and Bill Schmitz