CANOEGUYSANDGALS ITINERARY

2011 ITINERARY

2011-02-13T13:10:00.000-08:00

please note: Schedule is subject to change without notice (weather and low water happen). Always contact Bob (574) 289-6059 or Mark (574) 309-3057 or email us at michianacanoeguysandgals@gmail.com if you have any questions. Trip calls are sent to those on our mail list and on our Facebook page, Paddle Michiana.

Also, if you are looking for something a bit more adventurous, Check out:
BOB TRIPS

also note Saturday trips will be highlighted red, Sunday blue, Camping weekends Green, Mondays brown.
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FEBRUARY

Sat. Feb 19 TBA (watch yahoo group site or your email if you are on our list. Otherwise, call 574-309-3057 Friday after 9am)

Sat. Feb 26 TBA (see above)

Sun. Feb 27 Lee's Adventure Sports Polar Bear Paddle #2 PAW PAW RIVER (Van Buren Co MI) Phone: 269-381-7700 or Email: contact@leesadventuresports.com
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MARCH

Sat. March 5 Quiet Water Symposium, Michigan State University campus. http://www.quietwatersymposium.org/

Sat. March 5 Local paddle TBD. (see Feb 19)

Sat. March 12 GRAPEVINE CREEK (US 20 to Johnson Rd.)

Sat March 19 PRAIRIE RIVER (Centreville MI PAS to Lutz Rd)

Sat March 26 CHRISTIANA CREEK (Adamsville Rd to Redfield Rd)

Sun March 27 Lee's Adventure Sports Polar Bear Paddle #3, KALAMAZOO RIVER (New Richmond to Douglas / Saugatuck.) contact Lee's for details 269-381-7700 or contact@leesadventuresports.com
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APRIL

Sat. April 2 FRIENDS OF THE ST. JOE RIVER CLEANUP (meet at Veteran's Memorial Park by IUSB at 9am) Wear heavy shoes, long pants, and bring sturdy work gloves!

Sun. April 3 ST JOSEPH RIVER (Berrien Springs to Jasper Dairy Rd.)

Sat April 9 ST. JOSEPH RIVER (Sherwood MI to Colon MI)

Sat April 16 EEL RIVER (North Manchester Dam to Stockdale Mill)

Sat April 23 FAWN RIVER (Greenfield Mills IN to Fawn River Village MI). Caution: Be prepared for a "Bob Trip"

Sat. April 30 MUD CREEK/LONG LAKE/TROUT CREEK/ST JOE RIVER (Union MI to Bristol IN)
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MAY

Sat. May 7 PORTAGE RIVER (Portage Lk to Three Rivers MI)

Sat. May 14 CHRISTIANA CREEK (Redfield Rd to St. Joseph River)

Fri - Sun May 20 -22 MISSISINEWA RIVER CAMP AND PADDLE (Peru IN) Sites fill quickly, contact us for reservation info. Sooner the better!

Sat May 28 ST JOE RIVER (Colon MI to Mendon MI)

MONDAY May 30 DOWAGIAC RIVER (M-51 to Sink Rd)
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JUNE

Sat June 4 PAW PAW RIVER (CR 681 to Hartford MI)

Fri - Sun June 10 - 12 WHITE RIVER/MUSKEGON RIVER PADDLE & CAMP (Newago MI)
Sat June 11 alt. paddle OTTAWA MARSH (Allegan Dam to Hoffman Landing)

Sat June 18 EEL RIVER (Stockdale Mill to Mexico IN)

Sat. June 25 21st annual HUCKLEBERRY FINN FLOAT (place TBD)
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JULY

Sat. July 2 NOTTAWA CREEK (Factoryville MI to Mendon MI)

Fri - Sun July 8 - 10 PIGEON RIVER PADDLE AND CAMP (Mongo IN)
Fri night: Tiki Torch paddle (campground to Nasby Dam)
Sat. Pigeon River (Howe IN to Scott IN)
Sun. Fawn River (Halsey Square Rd to Kime Rd)

Sat. July 16 ELKHART RIVER (Bainertown to Rogers Park) cookout following paddle!

Fri - Sun July 22 - 24 STURGEON RIVER PADDLE AND CAMP (Wolverine MI)
Sat. July 23 alt paddle PAW PAW RIVER (48th St. to Lawrence MI)

Sat July 30 FAWN RIVER (Fawn River Village MI to Star Mill IN)
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AUGUST

Fri - Sun Aug 5-7 INDIANA PADDLER'S RENDEZVOUS, Wildcat Park, Lafeyette IN
Sat. Aug 6 alt paddle SURRENDER THE BOOTY PADDLE (our annual scavenger hunt) Leeper Park to Niles dam.

Sat Aug 13 ELKHART RIVER (Rogers Park, Goshen to Studebaker Park, Elkhart)

Sat Aug 20 PAW PAW RIVER (Hartford MI to Watervliet MI)

Sat Aug 27 DOWAGIAC RIVER(Sink Rd to Old US 31)
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SEPTEMBER

Fri Sept 2 - Monday Sept 5 KANKAKEE RIVER PADDLE AND CAMP (Willow Slough F&WA, Morocco IN)

Sun Sept 11 KALAMAZOO RIVER (Verberg Park to Plainwell)

Sat Sept 17 TRAIL OF COURAGE PADDLE (Tippecanoe River, Rochester IN)

Fri Sept 23 - Sun Sept 25 MICHIGAN PADDLER'S RENDEZVOUS (Wellston MI) (note: Many people will arrive Wednesday and Thursday, and leave Monday) We will have an early bird paddle Thursday afternoon, so feel free to come early.
Sun Sept 25 alt paddle PAW PAW RIVER (Lawrence to CR 681)
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OCTOBER

Sun Oct 2 PAW PAW RIVER (59 1/2 St. to Hartford)

Sun Oct 9 St. Joseph River (Union Lake to River Lake)

Fri Oct 14 - Sun Oct 16 KALAMAZOO RIVER PADDLE AND CAMP (Mosherville MI)

Sun Oct. 23 EEL RIVER (Liberty Mills to Laketon IN)

Fri Oct 28 - Sun Oct. 30 HALLOWEEN CAMP AND PADDLE, featuring visits to taverns preparing some of the best fried fish anywhere! (Pigeon River, Mongo IN)
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NOVEMBER

Sat. Nov 5 PIGEON RIVER (SR 327 to N 900 E, Orland IN)

Fri Nov 11 to Sun Nov 13 SUGAR CREEK PADDLE AND CAMP (Crawfordsville IN)

2010 PADDLE MICHIANA ITINERARY

2010-02-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Like to explore? Looking for adventure? Our fearless leader has some paddles he'd like to do that might be right up your alley. Check out Bob Trips

note: Sunday is rain day for all Saturday trips

MARCH 21 (Sunday): Stretch out on the Grapevine! Grapevine Creek (St Joe Co. IN) - US 20 to Johnson Rd. Shake out the winter rust with a local paddle!*

MARCH 27 (Saturday): Riverbank Cleanup: St. Joseph River (Veteran's Memorial Park, South Bend) 9am. Bring good work gloves, wear sturdy shoes or boots. Water, trash bags will be provided.

APRIL 3 (Saturday) Blossom Lake to Sturgeon Lake (Branch Co/St. Joseph Co MI). This trip could include a lot of pull overs and short portages. If all goes smoothly we may extend the trip past Sturgeon Lake down to Bennett Rd.

APRIL 10 (Saturday): Muskrat's April Fool on the Big Pine (Big Pine Village, Warren Co, IN). Love whitewater? This is for you. Genuine class II. For those of you not enamored of whitewater....

APRIL 10 (Saturday): Dowagiac River (Cass Co MI): M-63 to Sink Rd.

APRIL 16-18 (Fri-Sun); GLAC's Kalamazoo Spring Jamboree. (Fennville MI). Three days of paddling the Kzoo/Ottawa marsh. Camping available. Paddle any or all days.

APRIL 24 (Saturday): Paw Paw River (Hartford MI to Watervliet MI). This could turn into a camping weekend.

MAY 1 (Saturday): Long Lake/Trout Creek/St. Joe River (Union MI to Nibbyville IN)

MAY 8 (Saturday): Prairie River (Centreville MI PAS to Lutz Rd.)

MAY 15 (Saturday): Fawn River (St. Joseph Co. MI, Watt Rd to Big Hill Rd.)
MAY 16 (Sunday): Paw Paw River Clean Up tbd

MAY 22 (Saturday): Dowagiac River Clean up (Dodd Park to Pucker St.)

MAY 30 (Sunday): Memorial Weekend Paddle and Cookout. Turkey Run/Elkhart River (Kosciusko CR 350 N to Violet Cemetery, Goshen IN). Cook out afterwards at David and Helen Muram's on the Goshen Millpond.

JUNE 5 (Saturday): Eel River (North Manchester IN to Stockdale Mill IN)

JUNE 12 (Saturday): Dowagiac River (Sink Rd PAS) to Old US 31, Niles MI)

JUNE 19 (Saturday): Eel River (Stockdale Mill to Mexico IN)

JUNE 26 (Saturday): Huckleberry Finn Float. Build your own raft or float on one of ours! Location to be determined.

JULY 3 (Saturday): Christiana Creek (Redfield Rd, Cass Co MI to Elkhart IN)

JULY 9-11 (Fri - Sun): 5th Annual Pigeon River Camp and Paddle (Pigeon River F&WA, Mongo IN)

JULY 17 (Saturday): St. Joseph River (Sherwood MI to Colon MI)

JULY 24 (Saturday): Kankakee River (LaSalle F&WA IN to Momence IL). This may turn into a camping weekend.

JULY 31 (Saturday): Elkhart River Canoe and Cookout ( Goshen IN Mill Dam to Studebaker Park, Elkhart IN): This will be an all day affair. We'll put in early and paddle to Oxbow Park. There we'll break out the Smokey Joes and Frisbees and have a good old fashioned cookout. After which, we'll paddle on to Studebaker park.

AUGUST 6-8 (Fri-Sun): Indiana Paddler's Rendezvous (Wildcat Park, Lafayette IN). Come join paddlers from all over the midwest for three days of paddling, camping, and partying on Wildcat Creek, designated a National Scenic River!

August 7 (Saturday): Paw Paw River (Hartford MI to Watervliet MI)

AUGUST 14 (Saturday): Nottawa Creek (tbd)

AUGUST 21 (Saturday): St. Joseph River (Three Rivers MI to Mottville MI)

AUGUST 28 (Saturday): St. Joseph River (Colon MI to Mendon MI)

SEPTEMBER 5 (Sunday): Kankakee River (LaSalle F&WA IN to Momence IL). This may turn into a camping weekend!

SEPTEMBER 12 (Sunday): Surrender the Booty! St. Joseph River (South Bend IN to Niles MI). Our annual Scavenger Hunt!

SEPTEMBER 18 (Saturday): Trail Of Courage Paddle. Tippecanoe River (Talma IN to Germany Bridge). We'll stop at the Trail of Courage Festival along the way for Buffalo Burgers and deep fried Turkey legs, and enjoy the exhibits and shops!

SEPTEMBER 24-26 (Fri-Sun) Michigan Paddler's Rendezvous (Coolwater Campground, Wellston MI). Come join paddlers from all over the midwest for three days of paddling, camping, and partying. We'll paddle the Manistee River on Friday afternoon, the Pine on Saturday and Sunday.

OCTOBER 1-3 (Fri-Sun): GLAC's Kalamazoo Fall Jamboree. (Fennville MI). Three days of paddling the Kzoo/Ottawa marsh. Camping available. Paddle any or all days.

OCTOBER 10 (Sunday): Paw Paw River (Lawrence MI to Hartford MI)*

OCTOBER 17 (Sunday): Christiana Creek Redux*

OCTOBER 24 (Sunday): Fall Colors Paddle. St. Joseph River (Berrien Springs MI to St. Joseph MI)*

OCTOBER 29-31 (Fri-Sun) Paddle Michiana Halloween Camp and Paddle (tba)

NOVEMBER 7 (Sunday): Dowagiac River Redux (Sink Rd. PAS to Old US 31, Niles MI)*

NOVEMBER 14 (Sunday): Eel River (Liberty Mills IN to Laketon IN)*

JANUARY 1, 2011 (Saturday): 2nd annual New Years Day Paddle and Party! (Grapevine Creek and Toolman's Party Garage). Betting we are going to have LOTS of snow drifts to paddle under this year. As always, bring dish to share and your swinsuit for the hot tub. For complete details, make sure you are on our mail list. Just email us at michianacanoeguysandgals@gmail.com. And make sure you put this in your address book, otherwise, any messages from us will get kicked into your spam box!

*May be moved to Saturday depending on weather forecast.

2009 Paddle Schedule

2009-02-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

Sunday, Feb. 22 KALAMAZOO RIVER (Kalamazoo MI to Plainwell MI)
Saturday, Mar. 21 DIXON DITCH/KANKAKEE RIVER (Crumstown Hwy to Kingsbury FWA)
Saturday, Mar. 28 ST. JOSEPH RIVER CLEANUP (Veterans Memorial Park, South Bend IN)
Saturday, Apr. 4 *Muskrat's 32nd annual APRIL FOOLS ON THE BIG PINE (Pine Village IN)
Saturday, Apr.11 EEL RIVER (Laketon In to Roann IN)
Saturday, Apr. 18 KALAMAZOO RIVER JAMBOREE (Allegan Dam to Saugatuck) could become camping weekend. Details to be announced
Fri-Sun, Apr. 24-26 PAW PAW RIVER CAMP/PADDLE (Watervliet MI)
Saturday, May 2 DOWAGIAC RIVER (M-51 to Dodd Park)
Saturday, May 9 LONG LAKE/TROUT CREEK/ST. JOE RIVER (Union MI to Bristol IN)
Sunday, May 17 PAW PAW RIVER (Lawrence to Hartford)
Fri-Sun, May 22-24 *cancelled* WHITE RIVER CAMP/PADDLE/PAN FOR GOLD (Hesperia, MI) *cancelled* new trip tba
Fri-Sun, May 29-31 MUSKEGON RIVER CANOE/CAMP w/Great Lakes Adventure Club (Newago MI)
Saturday, June 6 KANKAKEE RIVER (Kingsbury FWA to Kankakee FWA)
Saturday, June 13 PADDLE TO DINNER (St. Joe River, Twin Branch Dam to Viewing Park via Oaken Bucket)
Saturday, June 20 EEL RIVER Iron Bridge Festival (Roann IN to Mexico IN)
Saturday, June 27 19th annual HUCK FINN FLOAT (Build your own raft or ride one of ours!) Location to be announced
Sunday, July 5 CHRISTIANA CREEK (Adamsville MI to Elkhart IN)
Fri-Sun, July 10-12 4th Annual PIGEON RIVER CANOE/CAMP (Mongo IN)
Saturday, July 18 ST JOSEPH RIVER (Sherwood MI to Colon MI)
Saturday, July 25 DOWAGIAC RIVER/ST JOSEPH RIVER (Dodd Park to Buchanan Dam)
Fri-Sun, July 31-Aug 2 INDIANA PADDLER'S RENDEZVOUS (Wildcat Park, Lafayette IN)
Saturday, Aug 8 ST JOSEPH RIVER (Three Rivers MI to Mottville MI)
Saturday, Aug 15 FAWN RIVER (Fawn River MI to Star Mill IN)
Saturday, Aug 22 ELKHART RIVER (Goshen IN to Elkhart IN)
Fri-Sun, Aug 28-30 KALAMAZOO RIVER CANOE/CAMP (Hanover MI)
Sun. Sept 6 FAWN RIVER (Greenfield Mill to Fawn River Village)
Sun. Sept 13 Annual SURRENDER THE BOOTY SCAVENGER HUNT (Leeper Park to Niles Dam)
Saturday Sept. 19 TRAIL OF COURAGE PADDLE (Tippecanoe River, Talma to Germany Bridge, with stop at TOC Festival)
Fri-Sun Sept 25 -27 MICHIGAN PADDLERS RENDEZVOUS (Wellston MI)
Sat Oct 3 HCC 2nd annual PIRATE PADDLE (Indianapolis)
Sun Oct 11 KALAMAZOO RIVER (Verburg Park. Kzoo, to Plainwell)
Sat/Sun Oct 31&Nov 1 HCC HALLOWEEN WEEKEND PADDLE ON THE FAWN AND PIGEON RIVERS (Pigeon River F&WA, Mongo IN)

*Experienced paddlers only! Class 2 whitewater

In addition to the above trips, Bob Owens has a number of exploratory research paddles on small streams he would like to do. These trips can turn into "adventures" rather quickly. Call him at 574-289-6059 or 574-360-0503 if any of the following interest you!

Sand Creek (Hillsdale Co MI) 2 days
Soap Creek (Branch Co MI) 4 hours
Tekonsha Creek (Branch Co MI) 3-4 hours
Tallahassee Drain (Branch Co MI) time will vary with water level
Fisher Creek (Branch Co MI) see above
Little Swan Creek (Branch Co MI) 8 hours
Blossom Lake Drain (Branch Co MI) 4 hours
Little Portage Creek (Kalamazoo Co/St Joseph Co MI) ?
Portage River, 38th St. to Q Ave, (Kalamazoo Co) ?
Pine Creek (Elkhart Co IN) full day
Croft Ditch (Noble Co IN) 4 hours
Bear Lake Drain (Noble Co IN) 3 hours
Brandywine Creek (Cass Co MI) all day
McCoy Creek (Berrien Co MI) 3 hours
Turkey Creek (Lagrange Co IN) 8 hours

CANOEGUYSANDGALS 2008 SCHEDULE

2008-03-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, MARCH 29: Riverbank Cleanup!

*SATURDAY, APRIL 5: Hickory Creek (Stevensville to St. Joe)

*SATURDAY, APRIL 12: McCoy Creek (Buchanan)

SUNDAY, APRIL 13: St. Joseph River (Mottville to Bristol)

*SATURDAY, APRIL 19: Brandywine Creek (Niles)

SUNDAY, APRIL 20: Long Lake/Trout Creek/St. Joe (Union to Bristol)

*SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Juday Creek (Grape Rd to Darden Rd)

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: Kankakee River (Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area to Dunn's Bridge)

*SATURDAY, MAY 3: Pine Creek (Elkhart Co)

SUNDAY, MAY 4: Float To Dinner! Put in at Twin Branch. Portage Mishawaka dam. Stop at Oaken Bucket for dinner. Take out at Viewing Park.

*SATURDAY, MAY 10: Tekonsha Creek (Tekonsha MI)

SUNDAY, MAY 11: Kankakee River (Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area to Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area)

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 16-18: Ely Lake/Kzoo River Canoe/Camp

*SATURDAY, MAY 24: Sand Creek or Turkey Creek

SUNDAY, MAY 25: Christiana Creek (Adamsville to Elkhart)

SATURDAY, MAY 31: Paw Paw River (Hartford to Watervliet)

SATURDAY, JUNE 7: Fawn River (Fawn River Village to Star Mill)

SATURDAY, JUNE 14: St. Joseph River (Berrien Springs to I-94)

SATURDAY, JUNE 21: Iron Bridge Festival on Eel River (Stockdale Mill to Denver). Note: this could turn into a camping weekend, with Friday evening paddle from SR 15 to the mill, and Sunday paddle from Denver to Mexico.

SATURDAY, JUNE 28: Huck Finn Float

SATURDAY, JULY 5: Elkhart River (Goshen to Elkhart)

FRI, JULY 11 - SUNDAY, JULY 13: Pigeon River Canoe/Camp (PR Fish and Wildlife Area, Mongo)

SATURDAY, JULY 19: St. Joseph River (Sturgeon Lake to Mendon)

SATURDAY, JULY 26: Elkhart River (Benton to Goshen)

FRIDAY, AUG. 1 - SUNDAY, AUG. 3: Indiana Paddler's Rendezvous on Wildcat Creek (Wildcat Park, Lafeyette)

SATURDAY, AUG. 9: Dowagiac River/St. Joseph River (Dodd Park to Buchanan Dam)

SUNDAY AUG 17: Kankakee River (SR 4 to Kingsbury F&WA)

SATURDAY, AUG. 23: Kalamazoo River (D St., Kalamazoo to Otsego)

LABOR DAY WEEKEND: TBA

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6: SURRENDER THE BOOTY SCAVENGER HUNT! St. Joseph River, (Leeper Park to Niles)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 14: Elkhart River (Oxbow Park to McNaughton Park)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20: Tippecanoe River (Menominee Fishing Area to Leiters Ford). Stop at Trail of Courage Festival and chow down along the way.

SUNDAY, SEPT 28: Geyer Ditch/Kankakee River (US 20 to SR 4)

FRIDAY, OCT. 3 - SUNDAY, OCT. 5: Pine River (MI) Canoe/Camp

* these are "Bob trips". If you enjoy challenge, adventure, and hard work, these trips are probably right up your alley. If you are more the float and enjoy the scenery type of paddler, you might want to avoid these.

2007 ITENERARY

2007-03-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

MARCH
Sat. March 31: Riverbank cleanup sponsered by The Friends of the St. Joe. 9am at Veterans Park, South Bend

APRIL
Sat. April 7: POSTPONED (rescheduled at later date) Juday Creek (call for details)
Sat. April 14: POSTPONED (rescheduled at later date) Fawn River, town of Fawn River to Star Mill
Sun. April 15: POSTPONED (rescheduled at later date) Sand Creek , Hillsdale Co. MI (alternate, upper St. Joseph river)
Sat. April 21: Fawn River, village of Fawn River MI to Star Mill IN. Meet at diner on southeast corner of SR 9/SR 120 in Howe IN at 11 am. Call 574-309-3057 with any questions.
Sun. April 22: Brush Creek, Van Buren Co. MI (alterante, Paw Paw river). A trip for the truly adventureous! Call 574-309-3057 for details
Sat. April 28: Dowagiac River, Dowagiac to Dodd Park

MAY
Sun. May 6: Christianna Creek, Adamsville to Elkhart
Sat. May 12: Christianna Creek, Vandalia to Calvin Ctr. Rd.
Sat. May 19: Long Lake/Trout Creek/ St.Joseph River to CR 17
Sat. May 26: Tippicanoe River, Old Tip to Menominee Fishing area

JUNE
Sat. June 2: Prarie River, Centreville to Withers Rd.
Sat. June 9: St. Joseph River, 20 Mile Rd. to Tekonsha
Sat. June 16: Iron Bridge Festival and Canoe Rally, Eel River, Stockdale Mill to Denver
Sat. June 23: Huck Finn Float, St. Joseph River (tentatively from Jasper Dairy to St. Joseph)
Fri., Sat., Sunday June 29-July 1: Pigeon River Canoe/Camp, Mongo IN

JULY
Sat. July 7: NOTE: DUE TO LOW WATER, WE WILL BE PADDLING THE KALAMZOO RIVER INSTEAD. Call Mark or Carol for details. Elkhart River, Benton to Goshen
Sat. July 14: NOTE: DUE TO LOW WATER, WE WILL BE PADDLING THE KALAMZOO RIVER INSTEAD. Call Mark or Carol for details. Elkhart River, Ligoneer to Benton
Sat. July 21: Carol's choice (tba)
Sat. July 28: Carol's choice (tba)

AUGUST
Fri. Aug. 3 - Sun. Aug. 5: Indiana Paddler's Rendevous, Wildcat Park, Lafeyette
Sat. Aug 11: Dowagiac/St. Joseph Rivers, Dodd park to Buchanan Dam
Sat. Aug. 18: Elkhart River, Rogers Park (Goshen) to Studebaker Park (Elkhart)
Sat. Aug 25: John's Choice (tba)
Fri. Aug 31 - Sun. Sept 2. Kalamazoo River Canoe/Camp

SEPTEMBER
Sat. Sept. 8: St. Joseph River, Leeper Park (South Bend) to Niles Dam
Sun. Sept. 16: Bob's choice (tba)
Sun. Sept. 23: Flat River, Greensburg to Fallasburg
Sun. Sept. 30: Galien River

OCTOBER
Fri. Oct. 5 - Sun. Oct. 7: Pine River/Little Manistee paddle and camp