Weekend Sports Blog

Weekend Canoeing in Michigan The Rivers The Towns The Taverns

Weekend Canoeing in Michigan The Rivers The Towns The Taverns

Twenty rivers in Michigan are featured in detail for the weekend canoeist (novice to veteran). No canoe? No problem. Doc Fletcher gives information on area canoe liveries and writes a play-by-play account of his experience in the river leaving few hazards unmentioned. The rivers selected by Doc are less popular ones but are no less beautiful to canoe or kayak.
Four of the rivers are in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and included is the Two Hearted River of Hemingway fame near Two Heart Michigan. Bonus information about nearby towns and local taverns makes this book fun to read, and the less paddled rivers exciting to explore.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Not for the serious paddler
A fatal fault of “Weekend Canoeing in Michigan” is the fact that every marker is written in time instead of miles. Instead of using a GPS and giving a point to point reference the author simplistically states something like - From 30 to 40 minutes in we encounter light rapids or 2 hours in their is a large sandy beach on the right. If I am a faster or slower paddler than the author or if the current is moving faster or slower than when he made his trip his entire method of making reference points is completely useless. Since each and every river is described this way I feel that what should have been an interesting guide is nothing but an exercise in frustration.

5 Stars Paddle Hard On Your Left!
Doc Fletcher’s book provides a wonderful journey floating down the rivers of Michigan. Written with an attention to detail and slight irreverence to the great outdoors-its river journal and illustrations left me smiling (and thirsting for a cold, celebratory beer).

Doc Fletcher paints a wonderful picture of Michigan with his “hopelessly Midwestern” river and tavern characters. He demonstrates a wonderful eye for connecting the rivers to the local towns and the stories that follow. It is a pleasure to have him as a guide.

5 Stars weekend canoeing in michigan: The rivers, The towns, The taverns
This book was a great read. I picked it up from a table just to kill some time and could not put it down. I wanted to find out what the next river, town and tavern were like. I found the history tid bits on the towns to be very interesting. This will be a great book for those who are planning a canoe trip. It will help you make choices on the level of difficulty and length of the trip. The authors descriptions give a vivid picture of the scenery with visual landmarks to help you gage how far you have left to go and convienient stopping points along the way. If your going to canoe in Michigan, GET THIS BOOK FIRST and be assured of what river you are choosing complete with the Livery contact info. The author shows a keen wit and sense of humor that made me laugh. I actually got the feeling I was on a vacation as I read this book and has inspired me to want to become a canoeing enthusiast.

5 Stars Attention Michigan enthusiasts…
I never tire of vacationing in Michigan, there is so much to do and see, and Weekend Canoeing in Michigan by Doc Fletcher is a wonderful addition to my collection of travel books. The pictures are beautiful and the historical tidbits are morsels to savor. I read the book in one sitting and laughed out loud all the way through. His writing style and sense of humor makes sure that every chapter leaves a smile on your face. He includes comprehensive information on the Rivers, Towns and Taverns so you will have everything you need to know for an exciting trip to 5 Upper and 15 Lower Peninsula Rivers.

This book is essential reading for anyone considering their first or fiftieth canoe trip and is one book you will want to share with other Michigan enthusiasts.

I recommend it for Michigan natives, anyone heading into the area and for community library travel collections.

5 Stars What a treat!
What a treat this book is for anybody who has ever canoed, wanted to canoe, or just wanted to live vicariously through the adventures of others. You can just tell by reading the book and looking at the pictures that Doc Fletcher loves the whole experience. More than just a guide to rivers, it’s a guide to the whole experience, including the towns and taverns, along with a little history. Well-written and fun to read, you couldn’t ask for more, except maybe an invitation to join one of Doc’s caneoing trips!

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