Life Lessons from The Swim

Somewhere along the river I figured out that this swim meant more to me than just an expedition or even the opportunity to promote the wonderful work of the Huron River Watershed Council.

I think it began when people would say, "I can't imagine swimming all day!" I realized that I had imagined myself into becoming a long distance swimmer. I certainly didn't know that I could swim and swim and swim, no matter how much I like the water. I had no training or background in swim clubs and swim meets. But I did have training in Imagination. It goes back to my childhood when my mother would tell me that I could fall asleep easier if I thought about what I would like to do the next day, or how I could write a story or anything like that. Every since childhood I have been imagining my life. I had never really put this all together until I was doing the swim. This concept called Imagination is akin to the Army's slogan, "Be all that you can be". And you don't have to join the Army to find your Imagination.

Another Life lesson from the swim has to do with jumping to conclusions. Everyone does it, but not everyone has the opportunity to see that there are more than one way to jump to conclusions.

When I met this person who had volunteered to crew the Swim, I jumped to the conclusion that I didn't particularly care for his personality. He seemed to be quite a know it all and besides, talked alot about himself and his adventures. A day on the river in a kayak with him nearly drove me crazy. And that was also the day that I saw the error of my ways. There was much more to him. He really cares about people and doesn't want any harm to come them. His fierce love of nature and people were demonstrated many times I saw him in action. The gift he gave me, probably unwittingly, is that he helped me see that jumping to conclusions is a very risky thing to do--much more so than a swim in the Huron River for sure! Furthermore, if I hadn't realized what he was really saying and doing, I would have missed out in knowing a fantastic, imaginative person. The loss, really, would have been mine.

Stories always come in threes, so the final one in this Life Lessons from the Swim must be about the intrinsic value we gain when we volunteer. There were 50 volunteers on the river throughout the 14 days of swimming. There were at least that many more that helped the staff--people like Elsie, Eric, Inger's husband and friends who took care of her so she could take care of me, and countless more. One that stands out is Mark Clancy, an airline pilot who lives on Ford Lake and is on sick leave while he has some cancer treatments. While he knows that his cancer is not curable, it can be treated. His personal story is not unlike the lake he loves. Ford Lake may not ever be pure and free of blue green algae blooms in late July, but he is working very hard to convince the people with the power of the purse to at least treat it right so that it will be clear of some of its problems. Mark is taking his treatments to stay alive; he would also like Ford Lake to have the treatments it needs to also stay healthy.

The swim has been a beautiful experience. I know so much more about the river, and especially about the people who love it, take care of it, and play in and on it. Let's celebrate the 40 years of clean up that the Watershed has led and help them make the next 40 years see the end of degraded water anywhere in the 'shed.

The End

We were practically an armada as we paddled away from South Rockwood's Labo Park on Saturday morning, July 21. My immediate family, Gary, Karin, Kirsten, and Kirsten's husband, Serge, paddled their kayaks. Canoeists, Nels and Linda, were again on the team, as they had been the first day, as well as other days. Bob, who had traveled with us yesterday, stayed in the area and joined us as he was paddling from Pt. Mouilie. And, Inger, who has been crewing every day except one.

The water was fabulous--the best yet! And it had a good current going. Finally!!

We literally sped to the finish line. There were many people along the way waving from their docks and boats, but one in particular stood out. The Irvings who live very near the Marina had decked out their porch with signs about the swim, like "Go Liz Go!" and all their extended family were waiting for us. We HAD to stop and talk to them for a while.

Then a shortly we could see the Marina and in the distance, the DNR Pt. Mouilee park.

We were supposed to arrive at 1:30, but it was more like 11:30. There were some people waiting for us--the staff of HRWC and people who were just interested in the swim.

Over a celebration lunch and cake and lots of stories, it was time to say goodbye. Inger left to get back to Washington DC and others had other responsibilities awaiting them.

We are sorry if you missed the finish. It was truly a great feeling!

July 20 Expedition: Flat Rock to South Rockwood

This is the second to the last leg of our journey down the Huron River. We knew there was shallow water after the Flat Rock Dam and scouting had indicated that we would see very little water until we were almost to South Rockwood. Thus, I paddled my own kayak along with Inger, Bob, and my daughter, Karin. We were done within about 2 hours, surprising the people of South Rockwood who were busy getting ready for our arrival.

This historic village had plans for us. One was to dedicate a tree to honor the swim. It is a very handsome Cleveland Pear Tree, donated by DTE, Ford Motor Company and others. Tim, the HRWC board member in this area had made arrangements for the city of Rockwood to supply the siting and installation of the tree. I contributed a few ceremonial shovelfuls of dirt and then they took over.

This community was really into the Swim. They went all out with their warm hospitality.

They let us know we could expect a big crowd the following morning when we would be swimming to Pt. Mouilee.

Last Swim in the MetroParks

Today was the last of our swimming in the MetroParks. It has been a beautiful trip in each of them. From Kensington to Oakwoods, we swam through Huron Meadows, Hudson Mills, Dexter Huron, Delhi, Lower Huron and Willow. They are treasures of the River.

Our crew today included Mike George of the MetroParks administration, who is also a first rate paddler. He and Larry, a friend of his who is also an experienced paddler took good care of me on the river. I think someone even took a photo of me slurping the last of my Gatorade which was one of Larry's job to make sure I got all my morning carbs.

We also had Donna S., Inger, Eric, and a photographer, Kohl, from The Monroe Evening News, the daily newspaper of Monroe, Michigan. Look at their website for the story tomorrow afternoon!

We aborted the swim about a mile from our destination at Rockwood due to thunderstorms and finished at the nature center at Oakwoods MetroPark. If ever you are in the area, you should see this beautiful and well done center. We saw some kids from a camp in Gibraltar having a ride in the magnificent replica of a Voyageur canoe. Mike promised that we could have a ride sometime after the swim. I'll keep him to it, too!

Just two more days till we are done. It has gone by fast and given me some important life lessons. I'll tell you what those are on the last blog! I promise!!!

In the meantime, think about coming to Zukey Lake Tavern on Monday, July 23, the Liz Swam event that will celebrate everyone's hard work and great adventure!

Swimming along the MetroParks

While swimming is forbidden at all the Huron-Clinton MetroParks, the Watershed Council did get permission for me to swim the river as it flows through the parks. Today we covered nearly 10 miles traveling from the Lower Huron MetroPark to Willow MetroPark.

The water was low, as it is all along the river during this drought, but still we found deep-enough water that allowed me to swim about 5 miles. The rest of the time I was in the water on my flotation device, kicking like crazy and enjoying a lovely fresh and strong current. I always expected to be "going with the flow" in the river's current, but in fact we have had very little of that kind of experience. Until today! It was great fun and I had time to do some river botany along the way. We saw butternut trees laden with their oblong fruit, some button bush groves, bladder nut trees, Paw Paw trees and Joe Pye Weed to name just a few. The two main birds sighted very often were the Great Blue Heron and Kingfisher. There was at least one sighting of a cedar waxwing sporting its summer colors.

This section of the swim reminded me of the 2001 swim in Lake Michigan. We moved right along but had time to have two rest stops with great food donated by Whole Foods. We sat on sand banks that have surfaced since the water is so low and in one place even provided us some downed trees on which to sit.

The crew included Inger, Donna, Ron, and Michael.

As we clambored out of the river in Willow Park, we couldn't help but wish that the MetroPark would install some permanent, safe canoe/kayak access to the river. Currently all the access spots are random and created as catch can. This is a beautiful river and deserves to be accessible to small non-motorized watercraft.

Hydro Park to French Landing

I considered wearing kayaking clothes. It had rained during the night and there were thunderstorm warnings for the area. But the optimist won out. I pulled on my swimming gear and waited for Inger. Right on time, we headed for Hydro Park. The rest of the crew were already there when we arrived. Nels and his red canoe, Carole, Bob, and the ever present, Jen Wolf of the HRWC. While cars where shuttled to the take out, Carole got the Liz Swim flags on the kayaks (with a bit of help from me...). We talked to some folks who came out to see us off.

Right on time, we all pushed off into the water and were on our way to Belleville Lake.

Around 11 am we reached the UM rowing club where we were to meet some children who were participating in a Van Buren Township summer camp. We also were met by the Channel 4 NBC crew. You may have seen Roger Weber's report on the 5 o'clock news show.

After playing questions and answers with the children, we had a little lunch and continued swimming.

We were again escorted by Mark and his trusty and beautiful white boat.

We finished about 2:30 or so. It was a great day on the lake.

The lesson continues to be learned. The people who live and play on this fabulous river really love it and know it well. They are helping me know just how important it is that we continue to improve the water quality of this an all of our rivers.

Michigan is a very special place in the world. We have access to four of the five Great Lakes, our map is filled with rivers and lakes--all fresh water. No place on earth is like it. We must remain vigilent to make our rivers the safest, cleanest, and most beautiful of all. Not only does our drinking water come from the rivers, but they also feed the Great Lakes.

Water Wonderland was Michigan's theme many years ago. I remember it being on our '59 Ford when I was in high school in the Soo. It is still a good theme!

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!