The Speedy Sturgeon

June 14, 2006

Hot summer days in Northern Michigan call for cool summer fun on the water. Big Bear Adventures in Indian River offers a variety of river excursions sure to get you wet (or safely keep you dry) depending on your preference.
“We started back in 1980,” says owner Patti Anderson. “We rent canoes, kayaks, rafts, tubes and cats.”
All trips take place on the crystal-clear Sturgeon River. The fastest river in Michigan’s lower peninsula, the Sturgeon offers narrow passages and low-hanging branches.
With a varied depth from three to eight feet and an average descent of 13.8 feet per mile, the river does most of the work. Just make sure you have someone along who knows how to steer.
“We have different lengths and different trips – something for everybody,” says Anderson. “We make sure people don’t pick too advanced of a trip.”
Old Town canoes ($15/1.5 hrs/person) and kayaks ($30/1.5 hrs/person) are perfect for more experienced paddlers and are available for up to five hours per day.
Inflatable rafts (5- or 7-person, $15/1.5 hrs/person) and catamarans (2-person/$15/1-1.5 hr/person) offer more stability for challenging longer trips. Don’t expect to find any whitewater here, even though your raft is built for it. Perfect for families with young children, the rafts are spacious, comfortable and your chances of getting wet in them are slim.
“The rafting has become the most popular, because people like to be together,” says Anderson. “We’ve had (the rafts) for seven years, and they’ve never tipped as long as people were just paddling.” Many patrons pack a lunch and enjoy a leisurely trip back.


WET & WILD
On a hot sunny day water lovers will most enjoy the tubing trips ($10/1-1.5 hrs/person or $14/2.5 hrs/person), which can be a very wet and fun group adventure. Pack a snack or lunch and stop at Burt Lake to swim while on the tube trip back. As long as customers are back by 6:30 p.m., regardless of when they leave in the morning, there’s no extra charge.
Safety is a priority as all river trips include U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III life vests, and each guest is required to watch an eight-minute safety video.
Paddles and shuttle service by Big Bear’s outpost location, Tomahawk Trails, to the put-in location near Wolverine are included at no extra charge. All trips end up back at the outpost location in Indian River.
Day packages can be arranged to include lunch (all-you-can-eat hot dogs, pizza or Subway subs) and some fun at Big Bear’s 18-hole Adventure Golf Course, TwinSpin attraction (think Sit ‘n Spin for four) and Water Wars (water balloon throwing station). An inflatable bouncer is also available for kids.
Big Bear’s main location – their log cabin general store and Subway restaurant – is near the entrance to Burt Lake State Park and conveniently located near other family-friendly lodging and restaurants on S. Straits Highway. Tomahawk Trails is just around the corner on M-68 close to I-75’s Exit 310.
True outdoor enthusiasts may want to check back during the winter for a chance to brave the elements on a guided winter raft trip.
For more information, visit their web site at www.bigbearadventures.com.