Tag Archives: Grand River

Link to New Blog, Same Writer

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Joe Neely

I have started a new blog – http://www.theoccasionalpoem.com, also on WordPress – in order to share my poetry. Many of these poems have roots in The Great Isolation of COVID, when I set out to collect poems written 20 years … Continue reading →

Posted in canoe, Grand River, Great Lakes, Men, Michigan, nature, paddling, poetry, rivers, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Complete! Finished! Done!

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Joe Neely

August 8 – 10, 2020Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan Tom Writes . . .  Cranky Old Men with Stiff Legs and Sore RearsGlorious Michigan SummerTruly GRAND River We started at the southwest corner of Grand Rapids. The river loops south, … Continue reading →

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Closing in on Our Goal: Halleluiah!

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Joe Neely

Joe Writes . . .  After starting in southern Jackson County during the summer of 2016 and paddling, in fits and starts, all the way to downtown Grand Rapids it is finally reasonable to contemplate the end of our journey. … Continue reading →

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Two Days on the Grand in Photos

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Joe Neely

Joe Posts . . .  July 4, 2020 Your intrepid explorers, Tom (l) and Joe Neely. Click on individual photos for captions. July 5 Click on individual photos for captions. -30- We are glad you found our blog. If you … Continue reading →

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A Grand 4th of July on the Grand

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Joe Neely

Tom writes… Fourth of July, 2020 Ada to North Grand Rapids The logistics of canoe-ing are monstrous. You already know our boat, the Billie V, lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, far from our current paddling area in West Michigan. Well, … Continue reading →

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As the Brothers Resume Their Journey, Uncle Joe Calls BS

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Joe Neely

Joe Writes . . .  I’ve found a lovely spot for writing about getting older, here in front of the picture window in my living room. I can swivel the chair and look out over our lawn, with the sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, health, Men, Michigan, rivers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Our Quest Resumes on the 4th of July!

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Joe Neely

Just as our nation declared its independence from the tyrannical rule of George III on the 4th of July in 1776, we will declare our independence from the physical decline of advancing age – and our disdain for the despotic … Continue reading →

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The Headwaters Dam on the Grand River

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Joe Neely

Joe Writes . . .  With the news of the Edenville Dam failing on the Tittabawassee River near Midland and the resultant extensive flooding, I was motivated to take a 45-minute drive to the headwaters of the Grand River yesterday … Continue reading →

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I Hope John Prine Was Right About Old Rivers

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Joe Neely

Joe Writes . . .  John Prine died from the COVID-19 virus. I not an expert on his music, but I hope he’s right that “old rivers grow wilder every day.” Imagine the river my grandchildren would see if we … Continue reading →

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Official Grand River Expedition Cancelled; Neely Brothers Still Hope to Complete Their Quest This Year

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Joe Neely

Joe Reports . . .  Every ten years since 1990 an organized expedition to paddle the length of the Grand River has taken place, most recently under the auspices of Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds.  That organization has announced … Continue reading →

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