Authors give readers interesting views from freeway and rivers
by Jerry Nunn | The Bay City Times
Friday September 26, 2008, 9:59 AM

In "Weekend Canoeing in Michigan, The Rivers, The Towns, The Taverns," Doc Fletcher does the same thing for river bound travelers as Mertz did for the more conventionally wheeled variety by describing in detail 21 Michigan Rivers, then rating them for the canoeist from novice to expert.

Once Fletcher whets his reader's appetites for the wet and wild adventures described in the book, he takes them on a personally guided tour complete with landmarks and highlights to watch out for.

With his own brand of wit and wisdom thrown in, Fletcher provides all the information the reader needs, including canoe liveries, driving directions, Web sites and other useful information.

Best of all, Fletcher filled his book with histories of the towns along each stretch of river as well as his own recommendations of the best places to eat, drink and visit.

If there is one short fall to Fletcher's guide book, it is the lack of rivers in Northeast Michigan.

Nonetheless, his descriptions of the Rifle and Pigeon rivers, as well as the Au Sable River South Branch, are sure to draw a few canoeists, just as his descriptions of rivers elsewhere across the state will find serious canoeists in Northeast Michigan packing up their paddles, ready to go.