"From the Nose of Our Kayak" will return November 16, 2016...

Hello fans of our free blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Just a friendly reminder...JLB Creatives and its divisions are entering a busy fall season and will be taking a break from their Wednesday blog posts.

But not to worry..."From the Nose of Our Kayak" will return NEXT WEDNESDAY November 16, 2016. with Chapter 20.

If you're new to the blog and are interested in reading our #FREE blog book, "From the Nose of a Kayak," Chapter 1 can be found in our archives starting in June 2016. 

Monday and Friday posts will continue on the blog so be sure and stop back to catch our latest excerpts and writing tips! 

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 19 "The Vast and Shallow"

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.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak

Don & Janet Beasley

Chapter 19: "The Vast and Shallow"

Don prepares for an outing

Our next adventure took place in an area of Michigan's UP known as The Shallows. The Shallows are near Naomikong River. It made for a wonderful day of hiking alongside and kayaking in the grand Lake Superior. The Shallows' shoreline actually graces the rim of Whitefish Bay which is part of Lake Superior.

We awoke to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying. After breakfast we were eager to get busy so we loaded up the #WildernessSystems T140 and the Sealoution and headed around the bay to our beach of choice...The Shallows. 

We parked the kayaks and began our hike into the Naomikong forest. We soon found the area to be as beautiful as any "water and woods" area of the UP. We strolled along wild blueberry bushes, and found some interesting shaped trees. For me (Janet) it was a good thing we didn't see any bears...I'm not real fond of those fury man-eaters! But we did see some birds and butterflies. 

View from trail

The shoreline peeked through the trees at points along the hike, and Lake Superior, once again, did not disappoint. The scenery uplifted your inner soul and the smell of the north woods played its part as calming aroma therapy. 

We hiked to the Naomikong Bridge. What a cool piece of woodwork tucked away in the soft pines. It allows you to walk over the Naomikong River plus catch a glimpse of the grandest of the Great Lakes. 

When we returned to The Shallows we readied the kayaks. It didn't take long to get out onto the calm, shallow water. The water remained still for the day (a rarity on any water off of Lake Superior), and the view divine!

Criss-crossing waves

At times waves come from different directions. It could be caused by wind change and the original direction of the waves has not dissolved, or it could be, in the case of The Shallow, rollers from the lake freighters that finally make it to shore crisscross with the direction of the breeze. In any form, as long as they are small (and not dangerous), crisscrossing waves can be a real treat to watch. 

The Shallows is just that, shallow. We had some fun watching our friends "walk on water." Kayaking in the shallow, and thankfully clear, water became tricky at times as large boulders were barely beneath the water's top. Keeping an eye on the "buried treasures" became a routine task, but not a hassle. 

Gull on a boulder in The Shallows

If you love to Geo Cache there's at least one really cool find in the The Shallows/Naomikong area.


It was a wonderful day spent on the trails and on the water. We are counting the days until we can return to the area and enjoy nature at its best once again. 

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Kayak Tip of the Week: If you're kayaking in shallow, open water be sure to remain alert to your surroundings, any unstable weather that may be fast approaching, and remain at a safe distance from the shoreline in case you need to make a fast exit. 

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More photos from our day's adventure at The Shallows...

On the trail

Janet in an oddly shaped tree

Approaching the Naomikong Bridge

On the Naomikong Bridge 

Naomikong Bridge

View from Naomikong Bridge

On the trail

The forest by Lake Superior

Don ready to "shove off"

Don paddling in The Shallows

Our beach spot for the day

Our Wilderness T140 tandem kayak on the shoreline of
The Shallows

Our beach spot from the water 

Friends preparing with Don to kayak 

The Shallows sandbar  

Gulls on the sandbar

Lake Superior driftwood

Gull in the early evening's sun at The Shallows

Gull in flight at The Shallows 

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 13 "Dreams"

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.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 13: Dreams

This week Don and I invite you to dream with us, to dream about the places you'd love to experience from the nose of your kayak. But be forewarned...once you start dreaming, it's hard to stop! 

The sky's the limit when it comes to adventure. Now days, Don and I prefer kayaking the smooth calm waters rather than white water. In our younger years we did a bit of white water rafting and thoroughly enjoyed it. If we would have taken up kayaking in our 20's we would probably have been Eskimo rolling our way down big white water, sailing through class 5+ rapids, going over falls, and spending our days in wet suits while camping and feasting on s'mores.

But just because we are approaching retirement age, and like to take life a bit easier these days, that doesn't mean we don't like to dream. Below is a selection of some of our favorite kayaking videos we enjoy watching and dreaming about the places we would love to kayak.

Some of our dreams are to kayak with the whales, navigate through the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin, kayak around the entire perimeter of Lake Superior (in the summer...on calm days only...with no bears...so may never happen! LOL!), discover New Zealand's and Ireland's shores, and the biggest dream that could ever come true for us both would be to see and photograph a moose...you guessed it...From the Nose of Our Kayak. What are your kayaking dreams? 

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Kayak Tip of the Week: Dare to dream...live your level of adventure...and introduce someone you know to the wonderful world of kayaking.

  

From the Nose of Our Kayak:Chapter 8 Discovering Wekiva River Rock Springs Run

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.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 8 Discovering Wekiva River Rock Springs Run

As hard as it was to leave our brand new kayak and actual kayak-wheel-thingy in Michigan until next summer, we decided to do so in case we would want to fly instead of drive. So it was back home to our new-old mean-greenie kayak...thank goodness it was home waiting for us.

After we got home, the locals found out we loved kayaking Silver River so much, they suggested we give Rock Springs Run a try. When they said it was only about 8 miles from our house there was no reason not to try it. Silver River is about 75 miles away (but worth it every time nonetheless). Rentals are available at both King's Landing and Wekiva Landing, but we use our own kayak. 

To launch onto the Rock Springs Run from King's Landing (or Wekiva Island) there is a fee. Launching from King's Landing (and if you're only going down river) you'll have to coordinate your time with the launch site's pick up time(s), or use two vehicles - one at the ending point to transport the kayak back to your starting point and pick up your other vehicle. If you're renting a kayak from King's Landing and going all the way down to Wekiva Island (approximately 8.5 miles) all you have to do is be at the pick up point at the designated time so you don't get stranded.

Our first trip down Rock Springs Run to the Wekiva River took place November 2, 2010. 

We began at King's Landing (near the top left of the first Google map below). On this inaugural run we connected to the Wekiva River and turned left, away from the actual springs (intersection of Rock Springs Run and Wekiva River is at the bottom right of second Google map below) to reach our pick-up point of Wekiva Island - and we made it in plenty of time to not miss the shuttle ride back up to King's Landing.

The meaning of Wekiva (sometimes spelled Wekiwa) is "spring of water." The Wekiva River is located in central Florida. It is 16 miles long beginning in Apopka, Florida and joins with the St. Johns River in DeBary, Florida. The Wekiva is is longest river in the state, so there is plenty of nature scenery to take in on this beautiful waterway.

We immediately fell in love with Rock Springs Run's "intimacy." Paddling this winding gem of nature puts you within only a few feet of flora and terrain at times. 

Compared to Silver River, Rock Springs Run is very narrow, winding, and shallow with many obstacles (sometimes calling for intermediate to advanced maneuvering skills). We highly suggest that you have been kayaking for a while before you venture on the full run from King's Landing to the Wekiva River, or go with someone who is familiar with the river and can help you.

We were more so concerned about navigating this trip, we didn't take a lot of time to photograph the scenic delight, but we were able to snap a few captivating shots on this first trip.

Little Egret: known by its black, slender bill
Feeds on a variety of small creatures found both in the water and on the shore

Little Blue Heron: known by it bluish-grey color
Feeds on fish, frogs, crustaceans, small rodents, and insects

Green Heron: known by its brown-green colors
Feeds on fish - sometimes using small sticks or insects as "bait" to lure the fish closer

Eastern Phoebe (also called a flycatcher): known by its song "phoebe"
Feeds on insects, and will favor fruits and berries in cooler weather

Osprey (sometimes referred to as fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk: known for its
rich dark brown wings and tail, and grey-ish head.
Feeds on fish: Its talons make it a marvelous fishing raptor

Needless to say, we wanted to return to the Rock Springs Run with two vehicles so we could take our time and not feel hurried to get to "the finish line." The nature and scenery are simply stunning, all of which you will see as you journey and discover with us From the Nose of Our Kayak. 

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Kayak Tip of the Week: When approaching an overhang, judge wisely. Never try to go under an obstacle, such as a downed limb, if there is a suitable "escape" route to the left or right. Sometimes, portaging is your only solution whether in the shallow water, or moving to the dry land and carrying your kayak around the obstacle.

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.

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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.

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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. 

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 5 Returning to Michigan's U.P.

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.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 5 Returning to Michigan's U.P.

The time had come to return to Michigan's U.P. We decided we wanted to try a longer jaunt this trip, so we chose the Tahquamenon River, starting at the mouth off of the highly respected Lake Superior. 

Kayaking Michigan's U.P. holds its own challenges: weather, cold water temps that average a whopping 52 degrees Fahrenheit in the dead of summer, big wildlife, and some of the most extreme "middle of nowhere" feelings to be had on the water.

Kayaking the big, open water of Lake Superior calls for a different kind of kayak, a far different one than you see we are using in our photos here. It also calls for a different set of advanced skills as a kayaker, and a much different set of equipment to be carried on board for starters.    

Weather in the U.P. can change in the blink of an eye. Even on a river, and not the open water, if you're paddling with the breeze you may find heat to be a factor, but when you turn and go against the breeze it can relentlessly "drop" the temperature on your front-side, by sometimes up to 20 degrees. You may start out with great intentions on a warm, sunny summer day, and end up your kayak trip dawning your winter gear because a nor-easter has decided to blow in.

Kayaking the open water of Lake Superior is something only Don has done on a short guided tour, (that story will come later). I have yet to get the nerve up to paddle those waters. 

I spent a lot of weeks on the shores and water of Lake Superior for much of my summers as a baby, a kid, a teen, and an adult. I've seen (and experienced) the "big water" going from glass to mayhem in minutes more times than I can count. I was raised to respect and heed the warning signs that the trees and sky so graciously give. Don had not been traveling there nearly as long, and figured "a lake was a lake." But after his many years joining the family every spring, summer, and fall, on Lake Superior, he has since learned that not only weather conditions can wreak havoc, but hypothermia is yet another concern on the big water. 

Lake Superior can go from this....

Don on the beach at Whitefish Point, Michigan
Lake Superior

...to this in a matter of minutes. (Same location: Whitefish Point, Michigan)

Video by Janet Beasley

Keep in mind, Whitefish Point is the home of the haunting Ship Wreck Museum where you can come face to face with pieces of the Great Lakes freighter, the Edmund Fitzgerald. The Edmund Fitzgerald sunk in some of Lake Superior's deepest waters during the hellish storm November 10, 1975. It is in the waters off of Whitefish Point that the Edmund Fitzgerald broke in two and violently plummeted to her rest on the floor of Lake Superior...one half laying upside down. 
































There are six theories as to how the Edmund Fitzgerald actually met its doom that November. If you do a google search, you will find several articles that will help you come to your own conclusion. 

The Algosteel sailing the rough waters at Whitefish Point  August 25, 2011
Photo by Janet Beasley

When you watch the You Tube video of Gordon Lightfoot's song below, you'll begin to understand the seriousness of what Don and I are trying to imply regarding the dangers Michigan's northern-most shores. 

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What would be Janet's dream shot of a bull moose

Wildlife in the U.P. is very different from the familiar "critters" Don and I encounter in Florida on a weekly basis. Michigan's U.P. offers up some very nice birding with its ducks, herons, and cedar waxwings. But it also brings bigger and badder wildlife such as bears, moose, badgers, wolves, and bobcats to name a few. All I ever wanted to capture was that amazing shot of a bull moose standing chest deep in the river with water running off of his majestic antlers...but Don and I have yet to actually see a moose while kayaking. As always it is wise to keep your distance and not antagonize any wildlife you may encounter while paddling on this vast liquid terrain.

That small dot in the middle of the pic is us

Kayaking alone is never recommended. Keeping your first aid kits well stocked, and a selection of clothing for "all" seasons should become a "no-brainer" when you're heading to the Michigan's northern territory to kayak. Hypothermia is a real concern. If the wind kicks up and you go over before you make it to shore, you need to know how to reenter your kayak from floating in the deep icy water. 

Paddling along

When we set out on our first trip on the Tahquamenon River, we took my sister along with us. She followed us by driving her jeep down the dirt road that winds alongside the river. She was able to keep an eye on us, and we were able to communicate. It was "big water" compared to the calm, pristine waters of Silver River in Florida. And knowing that Lake Superior laid only a short ways behind us made me a bit uneasy, but once we rounded the bend and Lake Superior disappeared out of sight I was much more at ease.

Following are some more photographs taken by my sister, as well of some of Don's and my photographs we took as we paddled our maiden voyage on the Tahquamenon River that beautiful blue-sky day in the summer of 2009.

Making headway

YIPES! That water's cold!

From the Nose of Our Kayak on Tahquamenon River

Janet and Don take a break to coast (Janet in pic)

The mouth of the Tahquamenon River
Lake Superior at our bow

Back at the dock safe and sound

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Kayak tip of the week: Be smart when you kayak. Make certain you have the right kayak, gear, and skills to match the water and elements you will be facing.

Happy kayaking!