Kayaking the Sturgeon River
Typical for August, the weather has been absolutely amazing here in the Keweenaw! This has allowed us to engage in all of our favorite summer activities. While I prefer not to post on back-to-back days, I am getting in two posts this weekend to keep my backlog of activities in check!
Monday we hiked the Chassell Fitness Trail and put in repetitions at its fitness stations. Located on the lower portion of the cross country ski trail system, this 10-station, 4K trail is a great option for rounding out your fitness regimen. Many thanks to the Portage Health Foundation, local taxpayers, our partnership with MTU/Purdue Northwest, and local volunteers and Chassell Township Schools student for making the fitness trail possible!
Tuesday we ventured out to Lake Superior at the mouth of the Huron River. This sandy beach is an outstanding place to spend a warm summer afternoon! The location offers a great view out toward the Huron Islands and the Keweenaw peninsula!
Wednesday we went kayaking on the Sturgeon River from Otter Lake to Chassell with our Airbnb guests from Colorado, Alice and Steven. This roughly 9-mile paddle took us about 3 1/2 hours.
We spotted several bald eagles along the way with some flying overhead and others in the trees. We also came upon a whitetail doe with its fawn drinking from the river’s edge. In the late 19th and early 20th century the Sturgeon River was an artery for floating white pine timber cut in the interior to the Sturgeon River Lumber Company and subsequently the Worcester Lumber Company which operated along Pike Bay in Chassell from 1888 to 1902 and 1902 to 1929, respectively.
You can see a somewhat limited GoPro video of this paddle (I only had one partially charged battery with me) on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
We completed our paddle at the new canoe/kayak launch site at the US 41 bridge in Chassell. Last year the township contracted with DP Construction to notch the bank of the river and to install a headwall to which a gangway and floating dock with an ADA transfer will soon be attached. This project was made possible by a recreation grant from the Portage Health Foundation and the Chassell Township recreation millage. We are also working on two signs for this launch site. One will provide a map with an historic interpretation of the river. The second will provide an interpretation of the wildlife and fishery found along and in the river. This signage is being made possible by a grant from Visit Keweenaw.
Thursday, I made a lunch presentation about Remote Workforce Keweenaw to the Houghton Rotary Club. Since the focus of our social media efforts are so outwardly focused, it was nice to have the opportunity to inform key members of the community about the efforts of the initiative.
This past week Remote Workforce Keweenaw featured Logan Halley-Winsett and his wife Karen who have come to the area. Logan works remotely in logistics for Ricoh.
You can learn Logan’s story and those of other remote workers who have come to the Keweenaw by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.