A hot September afternoon on the Huron

I've lived in Ann Arbor for just over three years. In that time I have made numerous trips to the closest section of the Huron River to to try my hand at catching whatever would bite. I was never impressed with the mutants that I was pulling out; rock bass with white eyes, all-black bluegills, and other varying offerings that I refer to only as "panfish." Due to the many dams on the Huron I regarded it as a few long, slow-moving, oligotrophic lakes strung together that could only support halfbreeds and muttfish.

But this summer I found out that people catch some sizable carp on the Huron. The sub/ counterculture of carp fishermen deserves a post of its own. Pictures of people landing 10 lbs + carp not far from where I live got me super stoked. I picked up appropriate tackle, but the season's best time coincided with my last set of law school finals. Needless to say, my dreams of horsing in copper-colored softmouths yielded to the necessity of my school duties.

Fast forward a few weeks: I'm done with law school for good (graduation in a week and a half). Now, barring preparation for the Bar Exam (honestly, not a pun) my free time is truly free time. Today I put some of my free time to good use: I gave the Huron another shot.

I'm very glad that I made a serious effort to find a fishable portion of the Huron. It will give me one more resource to call on when I need a reprieve. We caught many Bluegill, a few smallmouths and quite a few decent-size rock bass. There were no trophy fish willing to suck up our flies but they were out there, in the water... and that will keep me coming back.

You get that Chernobyl Hopper little man!

Carp carp everywhere and me with my little 6 wt. Next time.

Hunter with his prize of the day.

J.

Freshly brined dirt roads

Got back from California and decided to go out for a nice 27 miler on the local dirt roads.

Met with Hunter on Friday and headed out. In spite of a nasty headwind that seemed to synch up with each of our turns it was a great way to jump back onto the fitness wagon.

Thanks Hunter for the companionship and the Washtenaw county road commission for brining the roads. Nice and smooth, just like I like it.

J.

Stuff from Summer Biking

Here are some randoms from when the leaves were green and the ground was parched. Enjoy.

-J

Morning at Gallup Park

Sunday morning we took a stroll through Gallup Park on the East side of Ann Arbor. Though the Huron River is not much more than a slow-moving oligotrophic lake, the critters and the landscape offered a welcomed reprieve from being in town.

New Snow and The Huron

-J

Afternoon frolic to Olson Park

Day off, that means light grocery shopping, tying up some reading for the rest of the week and a quick trip to the kiddie bouldering wall at the local park.

Hopefully in a few weeks I will be doing this in the comfort of my living room.

-J

Rainy Sunday Mtn Bike Ride

 Despite Sunday's rain I took to a loop that is just up the road from my apartment, Marshall Park. It is not very long, but it gives you enough time to get out of the house and do something that you like without having to travel a great distance.

 There is a decent change in elevation and nothing too technical for a beginner like me!

 This winter I look forward to snowshoeing out here. Since I have only seen one other person on the trail I think that it will be a good place to get some deep winter solitude without running into other people.

-J

Proposed Ann Arbor Whitewater Project (possibly) gets a little help?

(Question: why put such a pic with a post about whitewater? Answer: because this post is a little preachy, and is kind of walking the like (get it) between political advocacy and just pure excitement for an outdoor activity!)

This story from last October, regarding a possibly whitewater park on the Huron River, close to downtown Ann Arbor) really caught my attention: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-park-advisory-commission-recommends-117-million-reconstruction-of-argo-dam-headrace/

However at the time it seemed rather pie in the sky, that is a lot of money, and not everyone would really be into that. (Side note: I think that there are a lot of people around here that would really dig something like this!)

I was reminded of this proposed park earlier this year when the City of Petoskey opened its own park: http://upnorthnewsandsports.blogspot.com/2011/05/petoskey-opens-whitewater-paddling-park.html. News of that park was very exciting. Face it, whitewater yakking is just something that just does not exist in this state.

So upon seeing this story: http://www.annarbor.com/news/dte-energy-offering-to-pay-for-whitewater-features-included-in-argo-dam-headrace-project/ which talks about DTE Energy footing the bill for the whitewater portion of the project, I was very pleased. This would be a very beneficial installment in the community.

Parks such as these offer local paddlers the opportunity to experience diverse conditions in an artificial (local) setting. They have the potential to bring people in to towns and area thus making new destinations for tourism. There is also a potential for new businesses to form as a result of whitewater parks; kayak rental/ sales shops, and an opportunity for persons with experience to give lessons on whitewater kayaking.

I really hope that I am around here long enough to see this plan come to fruition.

-J

Practice Video Post: a quick trip.

On my way into Ann Arbor yesterday I decided to tackle the hill on Geddes, below you can see the video of how quick I got going by the end of it. Aside from a passing ambulance it was not too bad!

Enjoy my first video post:

The video is a little shaky, I am currently working on a better way to work it with less vibration, maybe I will mount it to my helmet, or try to find a gorilla pod, something to dampen the vibrations.

If you have any suggestions on how to mount it or any settings to change as far a video capturing go that would be great. I have an Olympus Stylus tough 8010HD.

More videos to come, Chelsea is going to roll up her sleeves and make a compilation with music and all of that jazz! Look for it soon.

-J

Soggy little walk

The seasons of Michigan are both unique and diverse. This spring we have seen a great example of this. This area has had a few days in the 60's followed by a weekend covered in snow. We have had bright days with temps in the single digits and mellow days which facilitate a lust for summer.

Today, however, the weather is the best that Michigan Springs have to offer: the temp is around 40, the air is humid, and a gentle, steady rain is falling just enough to keep most people hunkered down indoors.

These types of days are the best to take a walk in. At home one of my favorite places for a spring rain hike is the Spirit of the Woods Nature Area. The canopy of the trees keeps you sheltered while allowing you to hear the rain coming down.

Now that we are in Ann Arbor though, I have grown to favor the Parker Mill Park area which abuts the Huron River.

Today I had Chelsea drop me off at Gallup Park and began walking East toward Parker Mill.

As expected, the trail was empty, most people are either at work or just didn't find merit in venturing out in such weather.

While I originally thought that such a walk would be a poor choice as I should be studying for finals, I remembered that I have hours and hours of audio podcasts and audio files focusing on the main topics covered in my courses; no brainer! Enjoying the outdoors while learning about Contracts? AWESOME!

The much needed break from studying and interaction with people provided to be the break that I needed.

Though I did not see any people on the walk I did run into my fair share of animals.

I guess that you could say that rainy days as this are truly fowl weather!

I guess it it easy to hangout in the rain when you have such sweet rain jackets as these feathered dudes have!

-J

A Sunday snow trip

We awoke early Sunday morning and trodded out the door and down the road to Parker Mill Park.

This park provides beauty year-round. It offers boardwalk hiking through a typically Michigan marsh, and single-track jogging and biking trails.

There is also a nice creek that runs through the park.

This was a great way to recharge my batteries for the upcoming hectic week of midterms. I think that we will be making a trip to Barton Dam this coming weekend to celebrate the ending of midterms!

I think that this spring I am going to use Parker Mill as a place to practice slacklining. Since I have never done it this seems like a quiet, and safe place to learn with looking like a spectacle!

Time to get a little more studying done!

Oh yeah, I have an extension, in photos, of this little hike over at: http://natureshotz.blogspot.com/
Check it out please!

Have a great Sunny Day!

-J

What a Saturday!

So, we thought that our blizzard was on Wednesday right? Wrong! We had our own mini blizzard today!

There was heavy, wet snow, drifts, blowing snow and whiteout conditions:

Look at this lonely, abandoned bike... I feel bad, somewhere out there exists a person who would put it to good use this winter.What a shame.

We left the house just before this storm really began, and let me tell you, when it started, the people all stopped. Our trip was not a waste though. We used some Kohl's cash, and hit up the local REI.

I snagged a sweet flannel at Kohl's and these bad boys at REI:

These are the top part to the REI Sahara convertible pants. However, somehow a patron received them with no bottom parts and brought them back. Their loss is my gain! I picked up these 45 dollar duds for 6 bucks at the REI yardsale! Oh yes it pays to be a member! I also gained some knowledge as to what I need to get hooked up with my new skiis! 3-Prong boots. So I am on the lookout.

I hope you all are enjoying you weekend. I am studying for some Midterms but tomorrow we are taking a quick break; not for the superbowl, but for some morning snowshoeing! Expect pics.

-J