Johnny Panther Quests. Ecotours

For a long time I've said I'm not a Doctor, but like to pretend. Of course I was referring to the boy/girl physical examine kind. Truth be told I'm a big wuss, and blood is not one of my strong suits. I've got some stories about on the track/trail first aid moments where I surprised myself.

Yesterday our dog Tank cut a pad while we were all playing outside. There was a lot of blood dripping out of his foot. We didn't have any gauze to wrap it so I had to improvise. I used a feminine napkin with adhesive, and a couple of strips of cloth tape. I cut the end of a sock off and pulled that over the dressing and taped it at top and bottom to keep Tank from licking the dressing off. He made it through the night, and I just got done assessing and redressing the wound. The napkin worked pretty good, and the wound looks clean. Aside from Tank having his nose stuck in everything I was trying to do, he is now resting comfortably on the livingroom floor. Playing Doctor now isn't nearly as much fun as it was years ago....

There were bluebirds outside our window a few days ago. The hawks are starting to move through. My son and I saw a pair of red-tails having a vocal dispute several days ago. I've seen quite a few robins, and the cardinals are starting their Spring chirping. I think the blue jay population is on the rise also.

We have had some snow lately, and as always I am cautiously optimistic for high water this Spring on our boat rides. If you get real bored, please check out my post from 2/14/09, it was a once in a lifetime afternoon. If you have a spirit for adventure, love the outdoors and a challenge, come out Johnny Panthering in the Spring. I guarantee it will be memorable!

We went riding up on Sand Lake Sunday and had a great time, I'm still sore. After much peer pressure, I set my bike up to turn right also. With Craig Pickett's help, my bike now turns better right than left. I was definitely the slowest "rider" there. I can't say guy because Nichole Cheza and Tiffany Sloan also put a whoopin' to me. I've often said if you want to be the fastest, ride by yourself! A bald eagle soared over as we headed back down State.

I hate riding and boating, I don't know why I do it. It makes my face and stomach hurt..... from laughing!

Icebergs on Lake Huron. It's hard to tell where the ice stops and the water begins.

I was looking through the image archives last week, and I am ready for Spring. Riding circles on the ice has it's moments, but I'd rather be Johnny Panthering. I took the boys up to Nana's, north of Oscoda this weekend, and left one of them there. It's nice to get some alone time with each of them.

I was running trips by April 4th last year, and am hopeful we will get a good thaw and start even earlier this year. Our first race at Bulldogs is April 4th, Easter Sunday. The club will have it's work cut out for them! I'm thinking I may have to dig out the canoe and run a trip down the Flint River from Holloway Dam. The water is open, and with this blanket of snow it will be beautiful.

Here is a link to some more crappy video of some great riding. Some of these guys will be heading to Datona in a few days. Jared Mees is the defending Grand National Flat Track Champion. Craig Pickett is a multi-national ice racing and motocross champ who won the 2010 50+ class at Soaring Eagle. Me? I'm still trying to make a living selling "swamp tours",and battling my motorcycle, writing, and photography addictions
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrLaidbacklenny#p/u/0/XuK4C6foJz4

I haven't done many boat tours lately, the water has been too hard! So we have been doing some riding on top of it. I live to be on the boat, alone or sharing adventure with friends and guests. When things get slow, the bikes get going. Riding gives me a different rush than Johnny Panthering. Spring will soon be here and I'm eager to get back out in the swamps near Frankenmuth and Birch Run. Few realize that 18,000 acres of rivers, marshes, and bayous lie just out of sight as they cross the Zillwaukee Bridge. A unique and vast ecosystem which makes up the largest watershed in the state of Michigan. Right now there are snowmobiles and ice fisherman out there. But hopefully in a few weeks we will be out there during the rushing waters of the thaw. We have made many lifelong memories out there navigating the high water during the migrations. Frankly I'm tired of riding in circles, and ready to go Johnny Panthering!

The Hay Bridge with lots of water

The Hay Bridge with even more water. What a lovely group of "Valentines"! There was a lot of love shared this day!

Counting this trip, I've made it this far twice in my life. Thanks to good friends with a spirit for adventure!