Johnny Panther Quests. Ecotours

The best time to go Johnny Panthering? When you’re breathing! The next best time? When the water is high! I took some friends out this weekend into the flood waters of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge and State Game Area. I’ve been doing this a very long time and live for adventures like these! Sorry for all the exclamation points, but words and images fail to do justice to the Shiawassee Flats during high water (any water for that matter). I had to clear a tree floating in the boat launch Saturday morning, and drove past, or watched many more float by. The water was muddy and full of debris that has had a long time to accumulate along the banks of the largest watershed in Michigan. The water rose an additional foot from Friday and allowed us to run at speed into the “narrow part”. Needless to say I had my boat bag nearly empty passing warm clothes out to my guests- I really should have busted out the Pantera hat! We saw a few turkeys, and many eagles working the updrafts, perched in their nest, or trying to just balance on a branch (the young ones). I am sure the nest will be obscured by foliage now, but it sure was cool watching Ma and Pa eagle tending to their young. We caught a huge beaver “sunbathing” in the tall grass. He torpedoed into the river and disappeared. He stealthily reappeared in the flotsam, sheltered by a canopy of poison ivy. The water roared through a break in the dike, filling the marsh on the other side as he the beaver casually made his way up the cut. I headed to Vintage Point for lunch and then returned to my “driveway” on the Cass River for a siesta before my next trip, it was Cinco de Mayo after all. I fell asleep several times as the wind whispered to me. The sun was warm and the air was sweet with the smell of blossoms. Frogs chirped, birds sang, fish splashed, and the clouds blew by as I melded and became one with the Flats. It doesn’t get any better than this (thanks Dad and Don)! It actually can get better- but that is inappropriate for public conversation…

I’ve seen a lot of things out in the swamps of Saginaw. Watching beaver and eagles rate right up there, and once in a while (like every ten years) we’re lucky to catch a glimpse of an otter. Every year the carp run up a spillway into a marsh to spawn. I like to call them “Saginaw Salmon”, and it’s pretty dramatic watching these huge fish swim up through the rocks. This year we caught them on a beautiful afternoon as the wind raced above our heads and the water blew out into the bay. I will compose another one of my patented grainy videos to try and convey what a cool sight it was. I’ll spare you most of the images of those who were unable to complete the gauntlet of rock and rushing water; those that became prey to the eagles and other s depending on their nourishment. We stopped at another tributary whose water was almost crystal clear. Eagles occasionally soared overhead, and wood ducks quacked their displeasure at us occupying their hangout. As the wind faded to a breeze the sounds of birds, ducks, and geese permeated the air. The weather closed in and teased of the sunset we were going to miss. After nearly getting doused with turkey poop I spotted a large beaver enjoying a branch on the beach. We stealthily crept closer with the electric as another turkey cackled overhead; apparently irritated we invaded their evening roosting space. We saw eagles, “salmon”, beaver, and turkeys- not a bad afternoon out in the “Everglades of Michigan”.

In an effort to help make people aware of Johnny Panther Quests I created a FaceBook page. I consider myself computer illiterate, and know enough to make me dangerous! If you want to stay as up to date as technologically possible on our adventures in Michigan and sometimes other unusual places, please “like” Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Johnny-Panther-Quests-Adventure-Trips/47151562001 Not everything we do is an ecotour, but usually involves adrenaline, adventure, beauty, serenity, or all of the above. Even though my trips out East to New Hampshire are too infrequent, I know the pools, falls, and trails like the swamps of Saginaw. I’ve got lots of scars, stories, and arthritis as testimony to trying to live life to its fullest! Feel free to share some of your favorite places or adventures with us. My mission is to get people out of the mainstream, please join me, or tell us where to go (in a nice way) to get to one of your favorite places!

The trees are in bloom, sometimes the water is high, and the air is sweet with the sounds and smells of life. Water trickled through the spill way while ducks in the “hush marsh” foraged in its clear water. As we headed into the sunset, our "spotlight" snuck up behind us. I often complain about how much I hate going out into the Shiawassee Flats(very sarcastically), and don’t know why I do it. Surrounded by what I affectionately call my playground, showing off the good side of my hometown, life couldn’t be much sweeter. A huge “pink” moon blinded us all the way back to the Montague Inn. Some call me "Johnny" and it doesn't hurt my feelings a bit. I tell them I can find my way around out here on the darkest nights with no moon. On this trip, I could've worn my sunglasses at night!

We did some hiking along the high banks of our "Dam Trip" this weekend. I have dreams of clean flowing water, and this is where they are reality. In the summer we'll take the big boat out with tubes and skis to rip n tear and do a little "cardiovascular chaos". From the zenlike springs and creeks to the soaring sand dunes, this tour resounds with everyone. The worst part is loading up and leaving such a beautiful place. From the smallest tributaries to the big water, I've run most of the AuSable River, and I can't recall an unpleasant stretch. When the water is flat enough we'll run Lake Huron, and maybe even chase down a freighter. This time we left the boats at home and Tank and I had the beach to ourselves. Kick back, listen to the waves roll in, and watch the clouds blow by- It doesn't get any better than this!