Salmon Camp

The down-staters headed north earlier this week for my first experience at hosting salmon camp. With two rivers, the Betsie and Platte, minutes from my home with an abundance of salmon running, the conditions were ideal. We saw many and witnessed others catching their share, however, we have some work to do in pulling in those finicky runners as only a few were brought home.

Besides watching many large fish laugh at us while swimming by, some good hanging (and eats) with friends, which is what it's all about.

Trail Head

Ironman

This Sunday, the Ironman triathlon comes to town with thousands of competitors flocking to Benzie County to swim 1.2 miles, pedal 56 and run 13. I can do the pedal and run but don't think doggie paddling will cut it on the swim portion. I would need some arm floaties and don't think they'll allow those.

A gold star to the organizers of the event as all local residents received the attached pamphlet in the mail a few weeks back outlining where runners/bikers would be during the race. Locals tell me before Frankfort took over the race a few years back, the larger city to the east attempted to stage it and all hell broke loose with traffic as not enough locals were notified ahead of time. 

Three cheers for the small town and good communication.

Trail Head

deer vs blue tarp

My neighbor recently laid out a large blue tarp on his additional property in attempting to kill the grass in a general area. The local deer took exception to said tarp. Below is video of it from last night.

Trail Head

Bridge Walk, Benzie style

Labor Day brings about the tradition of a bunch of people walking across the Mackinac Bridge. 

Benzie County, at 321 square miles, the smallest of the 83 counties in Michigan in terms of land area, has its own bridge walk (no lie, look it up). 

I'm sure the local crowd doesn't impact Big Gretchen's walk but pride still the same. Instead of roughly a five mile walk on the Mackinac, it will be a grueling 23 feet on the Cold Creek Bridge...

I've seen the locals, 23 feet is good.

Happy Labor Day.

Trail Head