Middle of the Mitten

Well we are a day out from the start of the Bushwhacker extravaganza; looks to be an exciting time out on the river, 17 hearty souls have signed the birch bark parchment for the adventure.
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Just a reminder if you go screen right we have a few participants that have SPOT navigation; which makes it fun to see the event, view the route and estimate time of arrivals to certain locations for bridges and shoreline paddle bys.
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If anyone gets pics and wants to share, send them to me as the event(s) unfold; to brian0017 AT yahoo DOT com

yo yo... SPOT users

Here is the Bushwhacker Roster as posted on the VKM site; Please send us your SPOT URL if you would like it here on the shared page.

Five days until you get your bush whacked!!

Manistee Rivers Run

As a warm up for the up-coming Bushwhacker and a test run for a potential new event; Mark and Jack put in for an 80+ miler down the Big Manistee and up the Little Manistee Rivers - check SPOT - click here

Hugh Heward 2011

What a great day for paddling; The Kruger Memorial would like to thank everyone that helped through out the years; It is most appreciated, this was a day to remember - Dan Smith

Round Two of the Triple Crown

Hugh Heward - Bushwhacker - Tip of the Mitt

VKM Bushwhacker 2011

May 21st to the 25th

3 Events to choose from:

10 mile Bushwhacker Sprint

75 mile Halfwhacker

150 mile Bushwhacker/Backwhacker Challenges

Start for all events & Finish for the Bush/Backwhacker is located at:

Lumberjack Park

9160 N. Lumberjack Rd.

Riverdale, MI 48877

There will be a Captains meeting on Friday May 20th at 8pm for all participants. All events will begin with a shotgun start at 8am Saturday May 21st. Cut off time for the Bushwhacker and Backwhacker is 10pm Wednesday May 25th. There will be an awards presentation on Wednesday, May 25th at 8pm for Bushwhacker and Backwhacker finishers. more...

The Hugh Heward - Kick off!!

With the restoration complete the 21' tandem canoe that journeyed 7000 miles across the continent poses for a few glamor shots in front of the Verlen Kruger Memorial.

Today the Green Monster returns for another historic paddle, as does Ole #10 another Verlen restoration. Both will be participating in the Hugh Heward 2011.

Thanks Mike for sending us your spot information!

Ole # 10 - Mike Smith

Thr Green Monster 21' - 7000 miler

The Decals go on and the Cross Continent Canoe is complete; Now lets get her on the water and see what she can do! - Nice work Gentleman!!

Never before Never Again...

Well here is the canoe AGAIN - The "Green Monster" LIVES!



The Movie Trailer - Purchase the movie on Amazon




Dared to go Beyond 30 Years of Reflection
by Norm Miller

In 2001 I interviewed Verlen Kruger and Clint Waddell about their historic record paddle journey by canoe. It was the 30th anniversary of this endeavor; which to me is one of the most incredible canoeing accomplishments ever.

The story below I compiled from that interview in hopes of getting it published in a canoeing magazine. I had been a friend of Verlen's since 1997 when one day I just decided to call him on the phone and talk adventure. This is just one of our many conversations. Sadly Verlen passed away in August of 2004 after a long bout with cancer. - more....

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It's Wednesday tic toc tic toc

Made good progress on Monday getting the hardware and the gunnels started. Plan is to finish the gunnels and have the end caps in place today.

The boys are making good on their goal in regards to completing the canoe, but will it be enough. The plan is to have it ready for the Hughy on Saturday; Personally I would have them all wearing life jackets, It's gonna be that close. But they are sneaky moving closer to the river...
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Looks like they moved the 7000 mile canoe to a secret workshop; look at all those dang tools!! I've been there myself, blindfolded and sworn to secrecy and forced to drink Michigan beer.

I know sad day being from Wisconsin.

The Refurb continues

A big day at the Superior Canoe Shop of Scott Smith; Another step was completed in restoring Verlen's 7,000 mile canoe.

A 12 and 15 inch layer of cloth down the middle, then a full layer to seal the entire canoe reinforcing the bottom bring the Green Monster back to new.

Next the foam will be added to the ends "a new addition" followed by the gunnels, Stern and Bow end caps, and the original seats, along with the new stickers identifying this as the 7000 mile canoe.

Six days to the Hugh Heward and the forecast at this time is - Temps. in the 60's and partly cloudy. The river is high with all the rain we have had; paddlers should enjoy a great fast day on the river.