Category Archives: paddling

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 →

Posted in canoe, family, Great Lakes, Michigan, paddling, rivers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

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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A Summertime Cucumber Treat

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Joe Neely

Joe Writes . . .  Tom and I will be on the river again in mid-August. We planned four consecutive days of paddling to finish our quest but Tom’s butt has forced us to change our plans. He got so … 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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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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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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Our Perfect-Sized Adventure

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Joe Neely

March 3, 2019 Joe Writes . . .  Our adventure is just about the perfect size for me. I decided this after attending the Quiet Water Symposium in East Lansing yesterday. At the symposium I met a nice couple who … Continue reading →

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An Inkling of Home

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Joe Neely

September 7 and 8, 2018 – Saranac to Ada, Michigan   Tom Writes . . .  Two lovely days on the Grand River. Recent rains have given us a strong current, in our direction. The Lords of the Winds have … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Michigan, nature, paddling, rivers, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments