From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 18 "Wide Open Spaces...and a Little Stinker!"

Janet & Don Beasley

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

----------------------

Don prepares for the day

From the Nose of Our Kayak

Don & Janet Beasley

Chapter 18: "Wide Open Spaces...and a Little Stinker!"

--------------------------------

While in Michigan we decided to try a new outing...Munuscong River. So we loaded up the new #WildernessSystems tandem kayak and headed out for the day.

Map of Munuscong Area

Munuscong juts off to the west from Munuscong Lake, a flat prairie-style body of water with an amazing view. The St. Mary's River, southwest of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, splits around Neebish Island and empties into Munuscong Lake northeast of Munuscong River.

The Objibway
heading south (down bound) into the rock cut

The lake freighters that are traveling up river take the channel of the St. Mary's River that lies to the east of Neebish Island, and those traveling down river use the west side of the island, which locals refer to as "the rock cut," a very narrow man-made pass between the mainland of Michigan's U.P. and Neebish Island.

Neebish Island is only accessible by ferry if you're driving a vehicle. The ferry has a schedule and is closed for the winter as of mid January and reopens April 1.

Neebish Island Ferry
Objibway heading on down river

We found the launch site on the Munuscong River and readied ourselves for the new adventure. 

As we paddled the river we spotted some beautiful wildlife including a blue heron and a king fisher. 

When we reached the open water of the lake we stopped paddling and to take in the the beautiful sight of Munuscong Lake.

Munuscong Lake
from the mouth of the Munuscong River

It made for a very different style paddle than we were used to, but impressive nonetheless. When we returned from our outing we loaded up the kayak and headed "out of the wilderness," back to the main road...but not without stopping for one more surprise. 

As we rounded the bend of the gravel road we saw something wiggling and "playing" in the middle of the road. We cautiously approached the critter only to find it was A SKUNK! YIKES!!! STOP THE TRUCK and wait for that little stinker to remove himself from the road and back into the woods.

Le skunk! Le Pu!

Finally he decided he'd had enough of whatever it was that was so interesting in the middle of the road and scurried off into the brush. As we passed over his play area we found ourselves gagging from the stink as if rolled into the truck through the vents! 

We laughed for quite a few miles, each time inhaling the stench and coughing over and over again. In about 15 miles the truck had finally aired out and it was homeward bound. We showered off then dashed off to enjoy a campfire with friends and family. We don't know if we ended up being two little stinkers ourselves, either we weren't, or everyone was just nice enough to let it go. 

-------------------------------------

Kayak Tip of the Week: Currents can be tricky to maneuver when going from a river mouth into an open body of water. Always stay alert to assure a safe exit and/or re-entry into a river or lake that are connected. 

------------------------------------

A few of the nature shots we captured on our Munuscong outing...enjoy!

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 16 "Paddling Back In Time"

Janet & Don Beasley

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

-----------

From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 16: "Paddling Back in Time"

Castaway Cay Beach

While going through our photos, we stumbled upon a kayaking adventure we had taken in 2009 while on a #Disney Cruise and wanted to share the moment with you. It was a lot of fun, and is a really fun trip for beginners and up. 

We began our journey by hiking to the beach where the kayaks were. It was a beautiful hike on Disney's private island, #CastawayCay , and when we arrived at the kayaks we couldn't believe how far we had actually gone by foot. It didn't seem as far as it looked; the ship was an amazing site to see over the water and island.

The hike was not only beautiful, but also educational. We learned some neat nuggets about the island and all it had to offer. 

Looking Back at the Ship from the Kayak Beach

In 1983, while still known as Gorda Cay, the island and its pristine beaches were used to film portions of the 1984 classic Splash starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, and the 2003 action - adventure - fantasy Pirates of the Caribbean:The Curse of the Black Pearl starring the popular Johnny Depp.

The Flying Dutchman at Castaway Cay

It's always fun to walk where the "stars" have walked, and experience the same places they have had the privilege of seeing. 

Ready for Action!

In 1783 Gorda Cay became a settlement.An airstrip on the island became a stop for bootleggers in the 1930's, and sadly later on by drug runners. But along came Disney in 1996 to save the day, and Gorda Cay was purchased and renamed Castaway Cay.

Starfish Under Water

There's some other cool facts about modern day Castaway Cay. Did you know that it took 18 months and $25 million to get it looking like it does today and allow Disney's cruise ships to safely dock at the island? And that's not all. There is a post office on Castaway Cay that visitors can use to send "snail mail" letters back home. The letters will arrive with exclusive, Disney Cruise Line Bahamian postage and a Castaway Cay postmark.

 

Sand Dollar

Another cool fact about the island is that is has 3 beaches: the family beach, the Cabana beach, and a beach reserved for adults only complete with massage services...yes, you can get a relaxing massage while overlooking the beautiful, tranquil waters of the Caribbean.

If snorkeling is your game you'll be thrilled to know that there are two retired 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea submarine-ride vehicles in the snorkeling area. And those are the only artifacts that have been known to be spotted on the island. The Flying Dutchman pirate ship from the film series stood as though appearing to have run-aground until November of 2010. 

There is a crew of around 145 who live on Castaway Cay that includes boat captains, landscaping professionals, and maintenance personnel to name a few. These people receive their supplies from the ships when they dock. And the drinking water is desalinated using reverse osmosis water processors.

When we reached the kayaks the view was nothing shy of amazing! We couldn't wait to get paddling over the top of the crystal clear Caribbean water.

We loaded up what few items we had brought with us: bottled water, sunscreen, sun glasses, and extra shirts in case the sun got too intense.

   

Don and Janet Beasley in the Bahamas
on Castaway Cay

It was our first experience in using "sit on top" models of kayaks. This kind of kayak is perfect for fishing, or for beginners just getting the hang of the sport. Many recreational (or occasional) kayak lovers prefer to use the "sit on top" models all of the time. It's really a matter of use and preference. For us, we enjoyed our time in the "sit on tops," but were happy to return to our "sit in" style kayaks back home. 

Once we launched and began cruising across the crystal clear water's top, we were greeted by such incredible sea life. We saw sting rays, star fish, fish, and plants. We couldn't believe how the time flew by. It's always a thrill to kayak in new realms of the world. We can't wait until retirement so we can travel a bit more with the kayaks and see what this incredible planet has to offer, in addition to starting our private kayak tours, "From the Nose of A Kayak."

   

Janet in the Clear Water of the Caribbean

Don at the Shoreline on the Kayak Adventure

The "long" walk back seemed even shorter than when we were hiking to the beach, probably because we were both so excited and sharing with each other all of the goodness the adventure had to offer. We couldn't wait to share the fun with our family back on the cruise ship.

Once we arrived back on the ship we relaxed for a few hours by the pool, then headed to our cabin to prepare for the evening's agenda including a fabulous dinner and a show. 

We have to admit, a walk around the deck of a Disney Cruise Line ship in the moonlight, after a late dinner, is just as awesome as kayaking the Bahamas.  

-----------------------------

Kayak Tip of the Week: When participating in a guided tour always stay alert and listen to what the guide is saying. In addition to the guidelines (which you need to follow) you'll be surprised at how much you will learn about the area. And don't be afraid to ask your guide questions. They love to share their knowledge!

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 15 "O-H-I-O"

Janet & Don Beasley

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

----------------------

From the Nose of Our Kayak

Don & Janet Beasley

Chapter 15: "O-H-I-O"

Our New-Used 16'  #WildernessSystems Sealution

In less than a month we hit the road for Michigan again. This time we decided to stop off in Ohio and visit family and friends...and do a little bit of kayaking in our ol' stompin' grounds.

But we must warn you...yeah...the addiction continued. We added another kayak to the "fleet!"

We had been looking for and dreaming about a #WildernessSystems fiberglass tandem kayak. This is not an easy find when you're being as specific as we are. But low and behold we found a single, 16', SeaLution over on the Atlantic coast here in Florida. Yeah, it's a single, but it's fiberglass, and we learned to "share" early on...just like our parents taught us. 

So we loaded up the Sealution and the T145 and headed north. Our first stop to try it out came 16 hours later when we arrived in our hometown of #Beavercreek #Ohio. There we joined up with Don's brother and headed for the lake. It was a beautiful day. Sun was shining bright and the wind was minimal. 

Don Performing a Deep Water Entry

When we arrived at the launch sight we hooked the kayak to the back of Don's brother's sailboat and off we glided across the lake to a place that was a bit less crowded. 

Don, with his life vest on, hopped into the water to practice his first kayak entry from deep water. He was successful! 

Success on the Deep Water Entry

He also had a waterproof camera attached to a helmet for this adventure, but goodness knows what we ever did with those photos?!  

Don paddled around for quite a while, then it was time to sun on the sailboat. Before the day was done he hopped back in the water for one last excursion, nailing the deep water entry, and paddled for another hour or so before we called it a day.

Don Taking One Last Trip Before Calling It a Day

Ohio has plenty of places to kayak. If you're planning a trip to the #Buckeye state and are looking for information on where to kayak and what to expect in Ohio, we invite you to visit this Paddling.net website link http://www.paddling.net/places/OH/ to check out several Ohio kayaking options.

When in Ohio, sometimes getting the destination of where you're going to kayak is just as scenic as the kayak trip! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Doing a deep water entry sounds much more complicated than it truly is. It is a great skill to add to your list, just in case you decide to paddle around a lake and either on purpose, or accidentally, find yourself in the water in the middle of the lake, or out in the ocean a good ways from the shore.

Here's a super little video from Pratkis.com to show you how a deep water entry is achieved. 




So what are you waiting for? Autumn is coming, and Ohio is one of the best places to visit in the fall! It's rich colors, rolling hills, and mid-western charm make for some of the most beautiful road and kayak trips during that time of year.  

----------------------------------------------

Kayak Tip of the Week: Always be sure to plan ahead for lodging or camping during peak seasons such as autumn. Whether you're planning an entire weekend trip or you're just going to kayak to see the autumn leaves make certain your are dressed properly for the temperatures of the air and the water.

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 7 Another New Kayak?

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

----------------------------------

From the Nose of Our Kayak

Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 7: Another New Kayak?

The anxious parents

If you remember from our last chapter, we warned you about the sport of kayaking being addicting, and justifying all of the new kayaks you will add to your collection over time. As you will see, our new-old kayak told us what we wanted to know...YES!...we loved the harder plastic and rudder, so it was time to upgrade to a brand new Wilderness Systems T145!

After much research we marveled at how the pictures showed us that the seats alone were worth the price...fully adjustable, softer, and the back of my seat would not fold over backwards when I leaned back. We loved the bright orange color so other boats could easily spot us on the water. There was only one teensy tiny set back...

Our brand new Wilderness Systems T145

...we lived in Florida and had to have it shipped to Michigan to greet us the summer of 2010 when we arrived at our (used to be) summer home on Waishkey Bay in Brimley. Luckily my folks had gone to the cabin a few weeks ahead of us, so they were there to receive the shipment. We couldn't wait to pull up to the cabin and get busy unwrapping our new "toy." 

We arrived at the cabin, and low and behold, the real set back...the folks were apparently as excited about it as we were! When we ran to the garage we found our kayak had already been opened! Then we were treated to the "unveiling" via digital pics. 

Don took the first test drive on the lake by himself. One of the great features of the Wilderness T145 is that you can tandem or single paddle the kayak. He adjusted the seat, and boom!...he was single kayaking in minutes. 

We splurged and purchased....wait for it...wait for it...oh, just watch the video:

After the test drive we headed for a "glamping" trip with my sis and brother-in-law. We went to Germfask, Michigan. The little cabins there were adorable! We enjoyed eating camp food and sitting around the campfire. And best of all, we had the pleasure of introducing the relatives to kayaking...on the Manistique River that runs right through the Seney Wildlife Drive. Here's a video that recaps the fun we had on that trip...

Germfask has an interesting history regarding its founding and naming. The name, Germfask, was created using the surname initials of eight of the original settlers of 1881: John Grant, Matthew Edge, George Robinson, Thaddeus Mead, Dr. W. W. French, Ezekiel Ackley, Oscar (O.D.) Sheppard, and Hezekiah Knaggs. The community served as a station on the Manistique Railway. A post office was granted on February 26, 1890. Germfask also holds a military history dating back to WWII. To read more we invite you to check out an article by the Military History of the Upper Great Lakes click here.

In the distant vicinity of Germfask you'll find the small town of Curtis, Michigan. Chamberlin's Old Forest Inn and The Lakeside Dining Room Restaurant are a main attraction. If you ever get the chance to feast at this marvelous establishment, we highly recommend the experience. Chamberlin's holds a history all it's own. Straight from the Chamberlin's

Janet at the entrance to The Lakeside Dining Room

website: Though dating from the late 1800's, the sprawling, 7500 square foot structure has only been at its present site since 1924. Built by a railroad company near the Curtis station to serve as a passenger hotel, the building was moved to its present location after the lumber boom for the tiny community located between two inland lakes, bringing homesteaders to the area and increasing logging activity. For more information you can visit Chamberlin's on the web by clicking here

Our first outing in the new kayak set the tone for the many adventures that awaited us. We look forward to returning to Germfask some day to relive the serenity, fun, and enchantment.

----------------------------------------------

Kayak tip of the week: Don't pack your hotdog buns in the bottom of the kayak if you're going to be loading the kayak with heavy items.