Sunday, June 8, 2008

Time to go Canoeing!

Put "canoeing the Ausable River" in Grayling, MI on your to do list this summer! This beautiful river has a slow moving current and is perfect for all types of canoers - beginners, families and even experienced canoers. You can take a 2 hour trip or plan a canoeing adventure for several days.

Places that offer lodging and canoe & kayak rentals include Borchers http://www.canoeborchers.com/ and Penrods (pictured below) http://www.penrodscanoe.com/ . My husband and son went this past weekend to Penrods for a 2 hour leisurely ride and saw all sorts of birds along the way. Additionally, we have rented Penrod's cabins in the past and they are very quaint and clean. A word to the wise - the owner is very specific on who he rents to - and if he thinks you will be drinking and creating a ruckus - then he will advise you to go someplace else. This is definitely a family environment.

Grayling's Ausable River is also home to the famous Ausable River Canoe Marathon www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/ which has been going on for over 60 years! It is the longest non-stop race in North America. Be sure to check out their spectator guide which offers some humorous yet helpful information if you would like to watch this marathon. This year's race is scheduled to begin on July 27, 2008.








Penrod's canoe & kayak rental










6 comments:

Christy said...

I will say it is definitely worth it to do this. I have before and I loved it. I have actually been down the AuSable and the Rifle Rivers. Even though I have tipped my canoe everytime well I guess I haven't actually tipped the canoe but I have ended up in the water on all three of my canoe trip experiences. Somehow I managed to always walk away with the worst injury (a giant bruise) every time. But always so much fun. We always went as a group with my church. Haven't been since I was a teenager though.

Shelley said...

Christy - haven't been on the rifle river yet - but heard it's more challenging than the ausable?

Christy said...

In all honesty, I couldn't tell a differnce. I was a teenager at the time and was out having a good time with my church. I enjoyed all of our canoe trips. I will say that all of our trips took way longer than the supposed two hours that they were supposed to be.

Marvin said...

"a slow moving current" sound about right for me. Whenever I go canoing I plan on getting wet. Great photos.

Marvin @ Nature in the Ozarks

Jessica said...

Makes me want to grab a paddle and hop in a canoe.

Shelley said...

Marvin - I enjoy the slower rivers too!

Jess - Fall is a good time to go canoeing too & see our state in all its glory.