Versluis Lake, Plainfield Twp, MI

It's Really That Color

We met after work to check out Versluis Lake. It is just north of Grand River Drive along the East Beltline; in the summer this lake has the appearance of someone having dumped a whole lot of tidy bowl in it. We checked out the lake on google maps to see if we could find a launch. It looked like Versluis Park on the north shore was the best spot, but when we got there we discovered that the park wasn't open for the season yet. Yet, with another unseasonably warm day with a high of 85 degrees, we were eager to get out on the water. (If you try to come here in the summer, you'll have to pay the park entrance fee.) The gate to the parking lot was up, but so were the snow fences and there was a gate across the path to the canoe/kayak launch. Fortunately, there was a handicap-accessible walk to the water that was open and just a simple rope with a clip in front of the launch. We were in...!

We had another delightful row. This is a beautiful lake. It had a few surprises for us: it's actually bigger than it looks, the water is really clear because of it's gravel bottom-so the color is natural, and the condos along the south shore are actually really nice from the lake side and they do have a little variety in appearance from this view.

The condos have their own launch on the east side of the lake, this is not likely for use by the public but we didn't see any signs visible from the lake.

I hope you like Lady bugs!
This is what Ted said as he handed me the newest edition to our rowing adventures.
Love It . . .

Until next time . . .

Reeds Lake, East Grand Rapids, MI

First Day on the Water

After hundreds of hours in The Shop, being shaped and detailed, Little Fish emerged  on March 2012, in time to enjoy unseasonably warm weather. Ted, the boat builder, took her for a float test in the afternoon at Green Lake, near Moline, MI, not far from The Shop.


Later that evening, we met at the East Grand Rapids Library, Ted's favorite spot to study, which also happens to be on the shore of Reed's Lake and has a very nice kayak/canoe launch and floating dock. We simply unhitched the boat trailer from the car and walked it down to the dock, where the two of us easily picked Little Fish up off the trailer, placed her in the water and climbed in. What refreshing delight to be afloat in our little boat.

Some fun memories from this voyage:

• The man who offered to buy Little Fish before we even put her in the water; he actually waited until we came back from our row so that he could see her once more.
• The 70+ degree evening and the gentle breeze across the water.

• Learning the I actually enjoy rowing. I wasn't so sure this was going to be my thing, but I love it! I actually rowed both of us for awhile before Ted insisted that I try it on my own.

• Seeing Ted's dream to build his own boat come true . . . Priceless.