Hidden Treasure: Geddes Dam to Peninsular Dam

There is a beautiful river connecting Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti, and it can be seen in all its glory paddling (or swimming) from Geddes Dam to Peninsular Dam. As Gary H., said as we started out on this stretch of the river Monday morning, "You are about to see the treasure of the Huron." And, was he right! The water was clear, cool, and deep enough for swimming. Just after the wooden bridge that leads to one of the famous Ford family's home, I plunged into the water. We were the only people on that section of the river on Monday morning. It was quiet, absolutely beautiful and seemingly untouched.

We saw some beautiful houses and even the Harry Bennett boathouse. Mr. Bennett was known as Henry Ford's right hand person. It is a long and very interesting history, but not one for this blog. Perhaps someone reading this blog could suggest a source for the stories.

Anyway, we made good progress towards Ypsilanti, enjoying the scenery with every breath. The crew was led this day by Gary H. and his son, Peter, who consider this their part of the river. Gary canoes this section nearly every day when he can.

One of the few if not the only dam that people rarely see is Superior Dam. We portaged around it and soon were in the next impoundment created by Peninsular Dam. This was a special lunch stop where we all got to meet the Huron River Radicals, a group of 4 young women who recently graduated from Lincoln Consolidated High School and have been involved in several Huron River environmental projects together. They will soon part ways as they head off to their respective universities: Eva and Elly to the U of M (Art School and LS&A); Heidi to MSU's Fisheries and Wildlife program, and x to Michigan Tech to study engineering.

We were greeted also by their moms who helped them prepare a delicious lunch. If you haven't had pizza from Aubree's in Ypsilanti, you have missed a real treat. Just like home made.

We also celebrated one of the paddler's birthday--Kate even had a cake with a candle!

Kate, who works for Google here in Ann Arbor, took the day off to paddle and celebrate her birthday, not knowing that Jen would have a cake, too!

Mr. Ernst, who I saw on the way to Barton Pond a few days ago was here again and in person. It was fun to talk with him. We also were visited by the Ypsilanti City Manager, one of the councilpersons, and Helen, who is the chair of the Glacier Hills Board of Directors.

The Ypsilanti delegate to the HRWC organized the event! She was just minutes from leaving to celebrate her wedding anniversary with her whole family in Banff, but she found time to do this too! Thanks so very much.

But the trip was only half done!

We pushed on through Ypsilanti, in a stretch of the river that needs some TLC. It goes right through the city, but is very unkempt. So much junk filled the river--everything from grocery carts to bicycles and much more.

We were met in Ford Lake by its champion, Mark Clancy. He guided us through while I swam. It was a long, and at times a hard swim with gusty winds and choppy "seas". Afterwards, at his home, he told us about the problems and their solutions to Ford Lake's prime problem: blue-green algae. Luckily we made it through before it "bloomed". He believes there is a solution, but there isn't the will to spend the money to fix it. But he champions on, hoping that those who hold the governmental pursestrings will find a way to make it happen. He is hopeful that the research that Prof. Lehman is doing on Ford Lake's problems will lead to concrete solutions.

Thanks to Mark's hospitality, the great paddling of Gary, Peter, Inger, Kate, and Laura Rubin, the Director of the HRWC, we had a successful and safe journey.

Hope to see you on the river!