River Journeys, Inc.

I am making a real effort to communicate to you some of the joy and wonder I find as I spend time on the river each year.  I have written in a journal, however; I have not been real deliberate about documenting and making an effort to formally communicate my experience.  As those close to me will attest, for me, the trips on the river are not just on the river.  I get excited as soon as I have one "on the books."  In fact, I am pretty discontent in my life if I do not have river time scheduled.  I intentionally schedule the next trip as soon as one is complete so I anticipate.

The first of May is my next event, Cara and I will be traveling and looking for mushrooms on the Manistee.  We should have great fun.  Then I am off to Wisconsin for a Memorial Day trip with the Canoebie brothers, a group of men I attended college with and this year will be our 32nd. annual trip together; a tradition steeped in fun and friendship including many different rivers and states.

Then we move on to our summer solstice trip which still has openings.  It is a great time to see wildflowers and in particular the numerous wild irises in bloom on the Manistee.  A great opportunity for photographers.

Celebrate the fourth of July with us as we paddle on the third through the fifth then I will take a group of Boy Scouts from South Bend on a five day trip the week following the fourth of July.

The first week of August, I am taking a group of men from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart for a three day trip and some time in August Cara is scheduled to take a women's trip.  There is still room available.

Perhaps our favorite time of year is Labor Day weekend as there are few bugs with warm days and cool nights.  We have openings for that weekend as well.  I will follow that in a few weeks with the Osceola United Methodist Men's group and this year will be their 6th annual adventure.  

Finally, mid-October brings us to fall colors and for those who can brave the cool nights, and thrill to the beauty of foliage ablaze, this is a great time.  Again, no bugs!  It is a nice way to close the season as we once again prepare for winter.

That sums up our season.  I hope to use this venue to share ideas, experiences, recipes, camp lore and all kinds of goodies that hopefully will encourage you to join us or at least spend some time out doors.  That is what is most important.  That is what brings me joy, that is why I do this year after year.  Sharing the natural world with others inspires me, it gives me hope, it is another way I think I can make a difference in the lives of individuals, groups and the world. 

 Keep your eye on the horizon and your coals hot.

David 

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