The canoe trip agenda for the weekend is relaxed and flexible, to allow you to experience what happens in a beautiful place by or on the water, when you are quiet and open. There are no structured activities; it is best to "just be" on or by the river and do what you want to enjoy
Each person's experiences will be unique. Some may feel they are simply relaxing, while others feel they are connecting with nature, or with what they call spirit. Still others just like being there. There are no "right," "wrong" or prescribed outcomes.
This is an opportunity to leave your routines, distractions
and roles of everyday life and simply be
on the river. With only each other and the support
of a skilled guide, you discover the ease and fun
of guiding a canoe, setting up camp, and relaxing
in nature. You learn to rely on forgotten or yet-to-be-discovered
skills as you reconnect with yourself and with the
beauty of the river. There are many moments of "Oh,
wow, I did it!" as well as, inner relaxation and joy.
For three days and two nights, you and the other women will be canoeing, sharing a tent, and camping in "primitive" areas along the Manistee River in Michigan. Generally, the sunlight wakes you by 7 or 8 in the morning. As a group, we prepare (and enjoy!) breakfast. Then we'll strike camp, load the canoes, and be on the river by late morning. We'll paddle for a few hours, taking breaks to float quietly and enjoy nature, get out on a sand bar, snack or eat lunch as we wish. We'll pull in to the next campsite by mid-afternoon and again, as a team, set up the tents and "kitchen," prepare dinner, and relax.
Everything is geared to feel fairly leisurely, with
time for swimming, walking, reading, personal reflections,
or simply listening to the wind and watching the clouds.
As an alternative, instead of traveling along the
river, you could be “base-camped” in a
wooded area, beside a river, and go for a day-trip
on the nearby river.
As needed, you will be given instruction in canoeing
and low-impact camping skills. Canoe Reflections LLC
supplies most of your camping gear and food –
you will only need a sleeping bag, and your clothes.
These skills allow you to enjoy and respect nature
while leaving little or no trace of having been in
the area. Campfires are small or non-existent, noise
is kept minimal, left-over food is packed out, and
vegetation is carefully walked around or through.
Where no outhouses are available, we will dig “cat-holes”
away from the river.
The Manistee River, which
flows in Northern Lower Michigan, is Class I –
the easiest of all – a gentle stable current,
no rapids, no scary anything! This serene river has
only been gently touched by man – there are
few cabins and occasional road noise, some fishermen
and canoeists.
The 3-day canoe-camping
trips may be scheduled June through September. They
usually begin early Sunday morning, ending Tuesday
evening. Dates are set to accommodate your availability.
Canoe day trips are often run on Sundays; week days
are certainly possible.
for more
information about the trips' rates and/or alternative
trip dates.
Click 
to see more photos of our canoe/camping trips!
