I Know You

The kids and I were standing on the bank fishing and watching SK play in the crowds.
The man to SK right has been fishing both days. He was called "Poppa" by the guys on the bank. Turns out those bank fishermen were his sons and friends.
One of the guys on the bank asked SK if he was from some other state. SK said no Alabama.
The guy then asked if he was fishing earlier because he knows he knows him.
I so mentally called where this was going. We've been here before.
SK finally asks the guy if he watches pro bass fishing.
Guy said, "Yes. Wait. What's your name!?"
SK said, "Kennedy."
The guy freaks out, "I KNEW IT! I KNOW YOU. I JUST TOLD THIS GUY I KNEW YOU. WOW. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
SK laughing, "Trying to catch a salmon."
Later, Poppa asked SK to take his picture with him as he was landing a fish! Superstar.

The Last Leg

Paddling got us away from the crowds. We pulled into a roadside park for lunch. Then took out at the ramp we visited before. We had a parked the jeep earlier.
I asked the rental guys about the keg sign. He said many people had tried to float with a keg...so many that they had to make a sign!
We drove next to the weir by jeep. Fished until sunset. The mosquitoes were as plenty as the fishermen. Some were as equally pleasant.
Yep. Ready to leave this area now. Wish I had landed one of those big fish! I had a license to catch. And I tried too. Oh well. Next year!

SJ Fighting Fish

SK had to grab the rod and lift SJ's line so a canoe could paddle past in front of us. Cluster.
I love the look of uh-oh and oooooooh on their faces when the line snapped back at me! That's right be afraid of momma revenge! Lol

The Honey Hole

Well someone told. It was crazy. There were lines crossing. Canoes and kayaks passing. Just madness! SJ hooked up but didn't land it. Straight line broken off...lines crossed snap.

One More Day

The Platte River needed to be floated before we could leave...so we thought. I think Wednesday would have been a better choice. Crowded...a little.
The photos can't even truly capture the moment.
Breakfast was at a very cute, I want to say retro, but I'm thinking most of it is ORIGINAL, diner named the Flap Jack Shack. It was good enough. Pancakes were dry.

Better Than TV

After checking out an access to the Betsie River, SK learned from fishermen taking out about another place to fish the river. It had a dam that the salmon were jumping. The kids LOVED watching it!
I knew when one jumped and didn't make it by the "Awwww". Cheers that followed a successful leap! The salmon had cheerleaders for a while. Everyone else knew too where every fish was because SJ verbally pointed them out!
Michigan has been fun.

Daddy's Turn

After helping both kids cast and fish for salmon, we headed back to the field. Catching grasshoppers, the kids loved throwing them in the river to watch the fish hit and eat them. It's survival of the fittest when it comes to kids entertainment. And well, grasshoppers lose.
There were tails all through the woods too. We hiked and searched. Found a few "lost things"-pair of sunglasses, fishing lures, fishing line. Beavers had hacked off a few trees which made for adventure finds.
When the cranky/whine alarm started going off, We made a food run, then returned to watch SK in action.
He landed two while we gone. It's a good thing he had 7 fisherman surrounding him to be a witness. He had no photo proof!
Soon after, he hooked one for the camera. Platte River, very cool place!

Back to Weir

So it was decided...fish below the weir. SK an SJ were on a mission. Rods in hand. The plan, wade and let SJ fish on his shoulders. Went well...until the first step.
I don't have a photo. Wish I had taken one. In the moment, it seemed rescue was paramount.
SK stepped forward one step and sank to right below his armpits! SJ was like a rat on a sinking ship climbing for higher ground. No loyalty, he wanted off this Titanic! A fisherman in waders right next to us ran over and grabbed SJ off SK shoulders. Turned and handed him to me on terra more firmer. Then, this Samaritan pulled SK up out of the gunk to his waist. There should be a sign:warning! You may sink out of sight or Caution:first step 5ft sinkhole! It's really funny...now.
SJ fished for frogs...and even hooked a salmon. He didn't land it, but it was a good fight. From the bank...

More Platte

The first photo is at the weir. All the dark lines are salmon! They open the gate and do a head count here. It was REALLY easy to tell where the 100yds fishing area below the weir began.
We rode to the mouth of the Platte where it meets Lake Michigan just to check it out. Beautiful park for picnic and taking out kayaks and canoes surrounded by sand dunes.

Seen on Platte River

We started the day off with a fabulous breakfast at Randy's. Love diners. This one had checkered tablecloth and crowded.
Next stop was Platte Rive Picnic area next to a canoe rental place. Checks out the fish. Saw a frog staring at a caterpillar on a post. We knocked the bug off and watched the frog swallow him! Kids laughed.
They had the coolest launch assisting rail I've ever seen and never seen anywhere else!
This handmade canoe was also launching and cool to check out. Cedar and ballistic nylon all sealed with polyurethane.

Sigh

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore...thumbs up. One of the most beautiful views I have seen!

Sunset

Glorious