Bridges

More kayaking from yesterday - but not today, it is raining! Paddling up river, I came to the mysterious remains of a bridge. The bridge abutment leads to a narrow, high ridge, as were constructed for narrow gauge railroads in the 1800s, but now overgrown with huge trees. It would not be visible in the summer undergrowth. In the distance is the Fisher Lake Road bridge over the Portage River. Also mysteriously, Fisher Lake Road does not go to Fisher Lake. So many mysteries!

Phone Call

A kayaker braved the chilly day and cold water on the Portage River, but had to pull over to make a phone call. (Below the Boys' Dam in Three Rivers.)

Backlit

The sun shining through a row of kayaks at Three Rivers' downtown outfitters. Canoe and kayak are a great way to see the fall color, always at its most intense over the water. The outfitters call themselves "Liquid Therapy", a great business name!

Some rain, then the sun came out

The "watery wednesday" theme is pretty much a natural for a place surrounded by - and named after - water. A kayaker was paddling around in circles near the put-in on the St. Joseph. "Just chasing the geese," he said.

Lots more watery sloshing links here: Watery Wednesday and some really nice water on 2sweetnsaxy's Watery Wednesday blog.

St. Joseph River

Looking south down the St. Joseph River from the park in Three Rivers. The sign on the tree is a watertrail marker. The rivers here are having historic spots along the river marked with sponsorship from local businesses, most of the markers are only visible to the canoes and kayaks and other recreational boaters on the river. This one says -

CONSERVATION PARK
Until about 1836 Native Americans camped on the opposite bank, near the Cassoway and Gibson Trading Post.
SJ
20

Site sponsor is the American Electric Power Company.
The St. Joseph County Watertrail website: http://www.wmich.edu/glcms/watertrails/rctrails_stjoe.htm

Paddling the river

Canoes and kayaks spotted paddling in the Portage River. This is well inside the city limits - a little bit of wilderness at home.