Throw back to the 40's

Well the boys are at it again; this time over Labor Day weekend. A throw back to the 1940's when men were men and well women were not included; the ole rules said "Men Only"... oh how far we've come on the Au Sable River. This event... solo unsupported. (women welcome)

Mark's SPOT -click here

Bob's SPOT - click here

Jack's SPOT - click here

Gary's SPOT - click here

AuSable River Expedition Style Paddle

120 miles-unsupported-down the historic AuSable River
September 3rd - 4th - 5th , 2011 (Labor Day Weekend)
Start – Grayling at the Old AuSable Fly Shop at 4pm, September 3rd
Finish – Oscoda at the AuSable Inn by 8am, September 5th
All paddle craft welcome, solo, tandem or many
Rules of the paddle
Self supported at all time. Without feeders, land teams or pit crews
Portages at 6 dams along the river on established portage routes
All paddlers are responsible for their own safety at all times
Have fun and enjoy the Northern Michigan Wilderness

Next Up!!

The Iron Mushroom

September 30 - October 3 - be there - Sharoom!!

The Big Show - Comes to an end!!

A pictorial of the last couple of days of the Tip O Mitt Small Boat Adventure!!

Now that's entertainment!!

As the awards and dinner progressed, the last two Full Mitt participants finished!! Now that's entertainment; cheers hoot and hollering!! You couldn't have orchestrated this any better!!

This is a great finish to a great event!!! That is a long way in one of those skinny boats they call kayaks!! Jon Holmes (red and yellow kayak) and Dan Wyns (red kayak) - Wowzer!

Let the awards begin

Mark enjoyed the plank seating in Gabby sooo much, Team Project Lakewell comes up with a prototype seat for the Sea Wind and Cruiser. Mark receives the Plank seat award!!

oh my...

The finish party begins!!
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Scott "The Grillman" Smith works the "Smith Barbecue Magic" and gets things a cook'n! Great job to ALL the volunteers that made the dinner an outstanding success!!
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Now this is good living!! Thanks Volunteers!!

Gabby - On the Manistee

Captain Mike and select crew take a handful of admirers out for a spin on the Manistee; a real social paddle a dozen or so of boaters joined us for a 3 hour paddle.
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A great experience, a lazy day on the river.

Photo by: Bob Bradford

A rare photo opportunity finds the Hunter S. Thompson of adventure reporting hard at work; known in these parts as a cross between Twain and Hemingway; people close to him know him as the Capt'n of the O dark 30, a real William Shakespaddle.
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Call him what you like, just don't call him late to the pending pig roast!

Land ho

Team Project Lakewell finds safe harbor at the Insta Launch Campground, the finish line of the Tip of the Mitt. Mass exodus out of Gabby as team members fall to their knees to kiss the ground. Cries of joy as the cheers "were home, were home" soon drowned out by the clanking of cocktail glasses and bottles of barley pops.
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Three cheers for the Captain and crew of Gabby!!