Sunday, July 22, 2007
Life Lessons from The Swim
The End
July 20 Expedition: Flat Rock to South Rockwood
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Last Swim in the MetroParks
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Swimming along the MetroParks
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Hydro Park to French Landing
Hidden Treasure: Geddes Dam to Peninsular Dam
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Barton Dam to Huron River Day at Gallup
Dexter Huron MetroPark to Barton Dam
Friday, July 13, 2007
Hudson Mills to Dexter Huron MetroPark
Our trip was a quick one, leaving at 9 ish and arriving around noon. I swam some, but after many in and out trips from the canoe, we settled down and recognized that the river was really too shallow to swim safely. This swim project is not just about swimming--it is also about heeding safety rules, giving all the paddlers as well as me, the best experience possible.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Glacier HIlls--My Home Away From Home
I miss you very much and hope everyone is well and beating the heat.
I am asking Madelyne to print out the blogs that I have written about the swim to post on appropriate bulletin boards.
I'm looking forward to seeing you on Sunday at Gallup Park. We are scheduled to arrive a little before noon. I think I will actually be able to swim in Argo pond and then ride a canoe to about the Arb, afterwhich I can swim again right up to the Gallup Park Canoe Livery. That is what I think now and if anything changes, we'll let you know. See you Sunday if not before.
A Non-Swiming Swim Day: July 11
UM Sailing Club Picnic and Ice Cream Social
July 10 Swim
The paddlers including Inger, Scott, Chuck, Tricia, Jane, and Bob. With his incredible knowledge of the river, Bob was made the lead kayaker to guide us. The "wings" right begind Bob were Jane and Scott. Those three people are always on guard for any obstacle or problem that may impede the expedition or cause harm to me, the swimmer. I'm here writing about this the day after the swim, so you know they did their jobs very well.
Chuck and Tricia, in a canoe, were my immediate lifeline, communicating with me when I was in the water, helping me in and out of the canoe when it wasn't safe to swim, and generally cheering me on. Inger has taken the role of being my "handler". She will come on all the expeditions to help in every way she can, and especially to keep me focused on the work and not worrying about anything else. It was a most generous and auspicious offer she made that we could not turn down!! She also helps Jennifer by being in constant communication with her about logistics and the care and feeding of Liz.
July 9th Paddling
Monday, July 9, 2007
July 8 Swim
Over the dam, I got in the canoe with Inger and Bill because the water was too low for me to swim. We saw more evidence of human disregard for the environment--picnic tables pushed into the river, the ever present bait cartons, and just junk.
But we did also see families picnicking and children splashing in the water.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
The Huron River Swim Begins
- Starting at Proud Lake on 7/07/07, we had a wonderful and lucky send-off. Channel 4 caught the actual beginning of the swim from their mobile television studio truck.
- The personnel of the the DNR's Proud Lake Recreation area were very hospitable. They served sweetrolls, coffee, and water to all of the crew, and threw open the doors of their fine education building and the "facilities".
- People lined the street overpasses as we neared Milford and there was one fellow in particular that I hoped I would meet at the Ice Cream Social in Milford's Central Park, but didn't. I'll describe him. He was an older gentleman dressed in white shirt and pants. I could hear him tell me that we were almost "there". The last time I saw him was just as I finished at Central Park. Then I didn't see him again. And everyone with me says they didn't see him. I guess he was my angel. Thanks for your good vibes, Mr. Angel.
- The ice cream social was fun and since i had done a fair amount of swimming, I indulged!
So much for stories. You probably want the facts:
How many miles did I swim on 7/7/07? Probably about 4 of the estimated 5 miles. The swim team (paddlers, staff, etc.) have limited my swimming to where the water is at least 4 feet high. Sometimes we go to 3.5 feet, but that is the final limit. So there were some times that I had to sit in Nels Christensen's canoe. The timeouts are actually a blessing. It is tiring to swim for hours.
How many paddlers did we have on that first day? About 7. Probably too many but it was a great party.
What were some of the highlights of the trip? The wild and beautiful flora and fauna of the Huron River. Everything from sandhill cranes to green herons and kingbirds as well as wild roses and arrowroot in full bloom! Also some interesting snakes, lots of small pan fish and a beautiful blue sky.
What were the low-lights? Seeing litter everywhere. Why do fishermen/women leave those white plastic bait cartons and water bottles along the shore? Why do people throw perfectly valuable used beer cans (10 cents a pop!) in the river? And why does anyone through picnic tables in the river?
I hope this swim reminds people how important the river is to all of us. We are cooled by the water on these hot days, we get our drinking water from the river, it provides beauty and solace. We must be mindful of its importance in our daily lives.
It is hot in the room where I am blogging. Gotta go and get a drink of water . . .
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
PADDLER MEETING
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Kayaking the Huron
One month and a day until the Swim begins
Whilst I swim, the Watershed Council works overtime. They are starting to see the fruits of their labors with some significant underwriting from very caring, environmentally oriented businesses like KeyBank, CDM, and Toyota. Individuals are also sending donations in support of the swim. We'd really like to see the goal of $20,000 met if not exceeded. The need is great, the cause is good, and I really hope to see all my friends, neighbors, and all those who care about water (should be everyone!) participate in meeting the financial goal.
Check out the web site for some ways you can make a difference! Lizzie
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Streamgirl
Answering Readers' Questions
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Trekking the Huron River
Nutrition Aspect of Long Distance Swimming
Is Swimming in the Huron River Hazardous?
Others have heard that waste water plants sometimes dump raw sewage into the river.
It is a rare event. For that to happen, first there must be a power outage. Second, the back-up generators (installed to keep the plant online in the event of a power outage), must fail. I can only recall this happening once in the last ten years. Of course, if that happens while I am swimming, I will have no choice but to get out of the water. At that time, it would not be safe for anyone to go swimming in the river.
Then there is the Big Question that was asked at my friends' weekly Thursday afternoon tea party today, "What about E. coli?"
There is E. coli in the Huron River. Studies by the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner have used DNA testing to determine the sources of E. coli. The main sources are goose, raccoon, cats and dogs. I would be more concerned if high levels human E. coli showed up in the sampling because we know that it can transfer from one person to another. And just in case, I did get my hepatitis vaccinations prior to the swim since I will be in the water for such a long time each day.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Awesome workout
More Stories from Glacier Hills
Monday, April 30, 2007
How you can make a difference
Another thing you could do is tell your friends and relatives about the swim. My niece who lives in southern California is so geeked about the swim that she sent an email to Oprah! Yeah, you can do things like that too.
You probably have read that I am hoping to raise $10,000 for the HRWC. It only takes 1,000 people sending in a check for $10 to meet that goal. Or 100 giving $100. If everyone who uses or lives on the Huron gives something, we'll make the goal with room to spare!
By the way, how do you use the Huron River? I'd love to know your stories.
Another dip in the Huron
This morning as I write this, I am rather stiff and sore from the long paddle. But it is worth it. This was a beautiful day to be on the river, watch people shoot the Delhi Rapids, soak up some sun, and see the trout lilies and even some trillium in bloom.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Excitement at Glacier Hills
The professionals at the Council have been talking to businesses about sponsoring the swim, members of the council are having parties, and we are also sending letters to the many people who support the HRWC. If you want to be a sponsor or donate to the swim, please contact Margaret Smith at MSmith@hrwc.org
If you would rather participate in helping with the swim, please contact Jennifer Wolfe at jwolfe@hrwc.org, an amazing woman who is organizing all the volunteers.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Talk about the future of the River motivates me more!
I went to a talk tonight about the future of the Huron River, with projections out to 2030. Based on the models, it doesn't look good. The speaker, UM professor Mike Wiley, pointed out that the only thing that keeps the Great Lakes healthy is clean rivers - that if the rivers draining into the Lakes are polluted, then the entire system is in trouble. But he also pointed out that these are just models - the future does not have to look like this, with degraded rivers, streams and lakes. And he stressed that local stewardship will make the difference - which motivates me even more! We need to reverse our current trend of ignoring our fresh water resources. We cannot live without fresh, clean water. This swim gives me hope - lots of people are getting involved already - let's make a real difference!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Getting ready to swim 100 miles!
I am getting really excited about my upcoming swim down the Huron River this summer! The article in the Ann Arbor News yesterday made this event hit home for me. I got up at 4 am this morning, waiting for the pool to open so I could do my training for the day. I swim 2 miles each day at the local YMCA. I try to work my training times in during the day, before work or over my lunch hour, as I am more of a morning person. I also do some weight lifting, to help build up my shoulders. Of course, plenty of sleep and eating well are also important. My daughter is a dietitian and she has helped me devise a great “diet” to follow to be sure my body is optimally fueled for endurance events.
Ironically, on a kayak outing this past weekend, I fell in the river. I was actually thrilled! It was warmer than expected, and got me thinking hard about what 100 miles of swimming down the Huron would be like...