A Kayaker's Dream

By CONNIE STAFFORD

The lakes, rivers and streams that abound in Northeast Michigan provide ample opportunities for exploration by kayak and a different perspective of local beauty spots normally viewed from the road.

Dick and Marti Couture are residents of Wilson Township in Alpena County and while they still consider themselves novices in the activity, they are very enthusiastic.

“We were introduced to it by some friends of ours,” Dick Couture said.

Three years ago the couple were camping at Clear Lake State Park in Atlanta and their friends loaned them kayaks to try out. Even though the models they tried were narrow and more suited to speed, the Coutures were hooked.

Although care must be taken when boarding the boats, they found they were not as unwieldy as they anticipated.

“I had no problem going out in the lake in 20 feet of water. You think you’re all by yourself and you’re only inches off the water, but I feel secure in mine,” he said. “Kayaks are very safe as long as they’re handled properly.” Plus, he added, paddlers always must have life jackets.

Marti agreed, saying this is true but at first she was apprehensive.

“It took maybe 15 minutes and I felt secure,” she said. “Now, I feel safer in my kayak than I did in my canoe.”

Since their introduction the two have paddled along the shore of Lake Huron, riding the swells of the wave and explored many of the more placid local rivers, finding each its own kind of adventure.

“It was wonderful to look at the shore and see the houses along US-23 South in a different perspective — from the water — I loved that,” she said of the Lake Huron experience.
She also enjoyed the experience of guiding her own kayak at her own speed, rather than the two-person paddle synchronization required in most canoes.

“I love kayaking because I can maneuver where I want to go and it responds quickly,” Marti said. “We’re not experts at all. We just bought them for fun.”

The pair have explored the upper portions of the Thunder Bay River near their home and enjoyed the variety of scenery including farm land, swamp and deep woods. They’ve surprising a few deer, but otherwise have that part of the river mostly to themselves.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous and very little used,” Dick said.

They also paddled a stretch of that river behind the Alpena County Fairgrounds.

“That was a wonderful experience. I had never been back there before, and the swans were swimming and we could almost reach out and touch them. It was wonderful,” Marti said.
Another trip was made with a large group of friends on the Cheboygan Black River in late summer, finding its faster water and twists and turns very entertaining.

“It was rustic, because of the fact it doesn’t have many houses on it,” Marti said. “What a great way to spend the day.”

No matter where someone chooses for their kayak adventure, every body of water offers its own special scenes and experiences.

Rentals are available::
Summit Sports, at 224 E. Chisholm, rents kayaks by size at rates starting at $30 a day. For more information call, 356-1182.
Camper’s Cove, at 5005 Long Rapids Road, rents canoes and kayaks for $6 an hour and offers trips beginning at $22 for three hours. Transportation to launch site is included. For more information, call 356-3708.