Photo Journal

This is only the second reunion we’ve had since we stopped playing ball in 1997. There were quite a few people who couldn’t make it this year who wanted to attend, so we may have another one sooner than we had this one! The carp trophy was in attendance along with the two Hallowed Books of Carpness, which is a compilation of the insulting missives our law firms sent to each other over all the years we played, along with photographs memorializing all the insanity which, as Janet Kusch so aptly put it, “we were lucky to live through all of that!!” Amen to that! So here’s a few photos along with names since you might not recognize these folks after 26 years. At some point during our long run of this annual event, the paper mache second place carp trophy that I lovingly created went missing whilst in the possession of the Feiken’s firm (since they had it most of the time anyway). For years I asked whoever I came across if they ever knew what happened to it. Well, surprisingly, I got my answer at this reunion when I looked in one of Jackie’s two photo books. —–> She stuffed it in the porta-john! I was SHOCKED!!! It was a work of art! As I drove away from the Brown Iron Brewhouse (excellent place BTW – lots of gluten free options including beer!!), I received a text from Janet, who I left temporarily possessing the trophy and the Hallowed Books of Carpness, saying “She’s doing it again!!!”

I probably shouldn’t be telling everyone about this gem, but the south branch of the Au Sable coming out of Roscommon is nirvana. Every year the waterway is different, due to falling trees, so you never know if it’s going to be an easy trip or one with a bit of adventure. Almost as soon as we put in at Steckert Bridge, we had to maneuver underneath a fallen limb that blocked our way, about three feet off the surface of the water. Next time, these photos will show a winter scene!

Have you wandered downriver yet to visit the International Wildlife Refuge?  It is the perfect place to reconnect to nature.   Their hours can be found here. You can launch your kayake or canoe at this site to the right. You can walk the pier and go fishing.  You can stand inside an actual eagle’s next!  They have wildflowers and swamps and more.   The visitor’s center has a hands-on activity for children.    This is a gem in our neighborhood and well worth the visit!