Johnny Panther Quests. Ecotours

Here is a link to one lucky turtle who was saved from the parking lot of a party store. Following are the live recorded images of it's haroing return to nature. We were all smiling on this one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkSJMZJ6Yvw

Things are really greening up. I did a trip a couple of weeks ago out of Frankenmuth during high water. We made it to Tuscola and back in the big boat! I had some guests with me along with my Dad for a rare journey where it is usuaully nearly impossible to get my little boat. Last week we went out into the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge with the big boat. I wanted to take the small one, but the trailer needed some work. When we pulled into the cut the wind and current were so strong, there were standing rollers at the mouth. We could see an eagle perched on it's nest, presumably tending to it's young.It won't be long and it will be nearly invisable, disguised by the foliage. It looks like Fall out there as the different shades of buds blossom into leaves. We need rain desperately to keep the water level up, the dust down, and the grass growing. Following is a link to a little adventure my boys shared in returning a lost turtle to some hopefully safer habitat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkSJMZJ6Yvw

People often ask me when the best time to go for a boat ride is. I always say when yer breathing, the alternative's not so good! This coming weekend will be one of my personal favorite times. The trees are in bloom, we still have a little bit migrating through, and the water will be up. To see the forests from a distance it looks like Fall with all of the different shades of buds and leaves. The eagle nests are in plain sight. I've spent a lot of time out at the club with my boys lately and we've seen some neat stuff there too. A bald eagle was soaring over the driveway last Monday, and a pilated woodpecker frequents the woods. I love riding, and watching Luke ride yesterday brought tears to my eyes as he rode around in the parking lot. It was pretty crappy and drizzly out. Every time he rode back to the truck I asked if he was done yet. Every time he said; "No, I'll ride a few more times." Finally I had to drag him off so we could get home in time for Survivor! Next weekend marks the beginning of the Bringin' Back the Eighties Festival in Frankenmuth. I will be running boat tours at special rates there all weekend long. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can blow some of those head bangers hair back on the Cass River! One of my prerace or prerock favorites is to head out in the boat and "meld" with nature!

The sun is shining and the air is sweet this morning. Tank "dethatched" the yard running around like a super race dog. Tail between his legs, smile on his face, and grass and dirt "roosting" from his paws as he ran around the back yard. Work to be done on the boats, bike, house, and let's not forget Bulldogs. Lots to be done, and I'm just looking for a reason to go for a boat ride!

The video does not do justice to the beauty we had that day on our boat ride up the Cass River. Turkeys, mink, and deer rounded out an afternoon filled with boulders and rapids just upriver from Frankenmuth. Here is a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB07ZphoUKI