Johnny Panther Quests. Ecotours

Wow, it seems like I've been running WFO lately (wound flat out). So much to say. Here is a link to a video from yesterday Johnny Panthering. I will follow up with Bay City's also eventually. What an incredible afternoon shared with frinds in the Shiawassee Flats, and then downtown Saginaw. The images give me goose bumps and remind me of all the years spent out in the Flats on the 4th. Skiing, scars, and conception, I could go on and on. I am truely blessed to have been able to enjoy such a life (and still be here to talk about it!). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fmMyiol8g8

We took the big boat out for the day Saturday. Cruising Ojibway Island and the music festival. Skiing down by Bay City, and eventually making our way back up into the Shiawassee Flats. It was an awesome day shared with old friends. The Island was packed. The beach by our old practice track near Bay City had at least thiry boats hanging out. I skied a couple of times and could barely walk on Monday. Following is a clip of the opposite extreme. A glimpse into an area few have seen or even know about. It was part of my latest "marathon trip" during a brief period of high water, headed up into the Shiawassee State Game Area. The best time to go is when you are breathing, but high water is an added bonus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYmEfHFEn08

Having trouble falling asleep? Want to go Johnny Panthering vicariously? Ready to get out of the mainstream? Turn your sound up and join me as I drive you into part of the largest watershed in the State of Michigan, the Shiawassee Flats. My church, playground, and escape, I call it the "Everglades of Michigan" minus the poison snakes and alligators! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjAdsa3K1EA

There is a time when the water is too hard for boating and too soft for riding. Now is not the time. I have had quite a few boat rides out in the Shiawassee Flats lately, but as always too much is not enough. Maybe I am getting too carried away posting video on YouTube, but I hope it gives friends a glimpse into my life on a given day. One of those rides I didn't want to end. I prayed for weather, a little storm action. Torrential rain, thunder, wind, waves, I was ready. What I got instead was dramatic, peaceful, balmy, and sweet. A link will be following shortly to a video from that day. I tried to edit (shorten) it as much a possible while keeping the feeling of that afternoon. Now I have too much to share and too little time. The rubber band is pulled tight, loaded with images and stories from adventures Johnny Panthering. Following are some images that don't do any justice to an afternoon seeing how far I could get the big boat. It threatened storm but only sprinkled. Sometimes deceptive, the water was up just enough to get me into the "narrow part". A solo, rare adventure I wish I could've shared. The best time to go Johnny PAnthering? When you are BREATHING! Thirty years ago there was at least ten feet of shore between this tree and the Bad River. On the St. Charles side of the Second Hay Bridge. Pretty rare we get the big boat on this side.

Here is a link to a clip from the Shiawassee Flats the other day. I did a trip in the morning, and went on a recon in the afternoon with the big boat. I've been out a few times and have a ton of images. Unfortunately I haven't had time to load them on here. I am still trying to learn this new blog program, and frankly it's a pain. I maxed out the memory from this particular day on my camera. Stayed tuned for a full length "feature" at some point. It's balmy and humid today and I think were going to Baja to watch the regional qualifier. I rode this series way back in 1984! My how things change and time flies. Funnily, I don't feel the years I would jump at the chance to do it some more... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAGNjzv4uX8