The 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 is no structured guidance; it is best
to “just be” on or by the river, without
direction from someone else.
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” nor
prescribed outcomes
For three days and two
nights, you will be sharing a tent and canoe, camping
in “primitive” areas along the river.
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 somewhat steadily for a few hours; taking
breaks to float quietly, 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.
- June 24 - 26, 2011
- July 15 - 17, 2011
- August
19 - 21, 2011
- Sept 23 - 25, 2011
:
for more information about the trips and/or alternative
trip dates
