On Trial for Being Great – Chupacabra Invade Pure Michigan.

June 16 – June 22, 2024

Continuing a Father’s Day tradition, Chupacabra Canoe took a band of sixteen paddlers north to Michigan to tour the Au Sable River in the lower Peninsula.

Chupacabra Canoe head out on Au Sable River.

River Time

The quiet serenity. You can almost hear those yellow Paluski’s coming.

Rockhound lights up stogie while Escargot masterfully navigates. The Au Sable is known for its sand, so not many opportunities for the senior member.

Seems the locals heard we were coming!

Hey Firestick, ask for some help with the sunscreen next time!

Trying to lose the “dead weight” badge under the tutelage of the Grumman Master.

What’s the deal with covered bridges? From the water, it’s all the same.

Outhouse and Summer Sausage Sailor are sporting the Chupacabra camo pattern. But you can’t hide that Paluski pride underneath.

Wildlife

That’s some good camouflage – for a bird!

He’s saying “Get off my river”, but all I heard was “quack quack quack”.

Rain – A Chupacabra Tradition

Yep, we did say rain Milkman! Time to gear up!

Beer Canoeist and Escargot are well prepared. They’ve done this before.

Rockhound spares no expense for raingear. Seacow spreading some good cheer despite the rain.

Camping

The tripod carefully perched above the fire, so steady.

Rockhound, the only one not mildly annoyed by the antics of those three.

On a day off, Chupacabra battle it out in the game of Kubb.

Summer Sausage Sailor contemplates the loss at Kubb, Munitions Master gets a whiff of his river musk, while our international participant is about to go for a run.

The most effective canoe team take a break and contemplate the paddling hall of fame.

Cap’n Canoe taking a toke and workin’ that farmer tan!

Chupacabra on the River

A gathering of stern men, where you can hear some say “I can’t believe how much crap I have in this canoe.”

He tried, but The Tick couldn’t haul in an Au Sable trout.

“Hey, I think I’m gonna jump off this bridge.” – The Dude.

What do you call a group of Chupacabra? Escargot says its two words.

Some would call this a mid-week shower.

Boys, come help Gumman Master find his keys!

Summer Sausage Sailor gets some big air… ok its only about 5 feet!

Restock point! Just the essentials.

Chupacabra on the road.

Thanks to Mark and Deb! We did feel welcome.

Bringing It Home!

Some father some bonding time.

Apparently, if you are bowman, the paddle isn’t in the water and the shirt is off. Seacow is actually floating straight.

Munitions Master paddles the “invisible canoe”.

Thanks to Carlisle Canoe Livery for their help with logistics and river knowledge!

Here’s to Au Sable and another successful tour for the Chupacabra.

– JStroke

Author: JStroke

Master Canoeist since 2012

Responses

Escargot

July 17, 2024

Paddling hall of fame???

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1. JStroke
  
  July 21, 2024
  
  That’s the comment that put a burr in your saddle? Strange.
  
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Cap’n Canoe

July 21, 2024

Hall of fame? That is some canoeing hubris. Where’s Uncle Jorts when you need him ?

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1. JStroke
  
  July 21, 2024
  
  Who do you think I learned it from?
  
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Rethinking Camping Tech – Chupacabra Canoe Est. 2012

February 15, 2025

[…] Canoeist had one that was on our latest trip, the Au Sable in Michigan (Check out the trip review AuSable ). My finicky lower bowels and the availability of state provided outhouses didn’t allow me to […]

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