The Platte River trip in September

paradise even without the salmon

We put Skip in the middle so he could take pictures as we paddled. We’d

unknowingly paid for a seat for Skip and he suffered a lot with a post at his

back. Sorry dear, we found this out when settling up and did not have the

heart to tell you. Last time Skip and I made this September journey was

seven years ago. The river was packed with silvery salmon then. We saw just one

today, though a pack of kayakers near the weir were circling salmon who

had not figured out how to navigate the structure. We got around it by portaging

some 20 feet. I love to portage! So macho. The salmon are due any minute, soon as the

weather cools.

Another change was my hands. Ouch! Danny did much of the work in back

and let me switch sides regularly. Use it or lose it. We were slightly

apprehensive as we approached the often choppy Loon Lake. Granny scared

me to death about the round reedy lake, saying it was so deep they never

did find the bottom, a typical Granny tale.

Travel Tip: If you find yourself anywhere near Benzie County before October 11

or another summer, go to Riverside Canoes on the Platte River, which connects our

ancestral Platte Lake with Lake Michigan. You drive to the river mouth and they

pick you up, so you have immediate transport at journey’s end. It’s lovely and

I recommend September, though you might prefer a kayak or 2. We are still

old fashioned and get a canoe, as we have for years and years. Traditions are good.

Stopping at a roadside farm fruit and veggie stand, we brought home deliciously

sweet yellow corn, 35 cents an ear on the honor system. Paired with bread,

cheese and meats from Fogarelli’s Italian Market in Traverse City (another Hot

Tip), we ate very well. I am not finishing the wine as the fruit flies discovered it

before I had the chance.

In between Monday night football games, Danny and I suddenly asked each other:

how would we know if something happens to Janet? So I called and demanded to

hear the answer. Janet laughed and laughed, ending the call by promising not to die soon.