Spring is here - Season starts for 2010

Date: 4/01/2010

River Conditions: Val's is busy clearing the driveway this morning, but believe it or not the ice is actually out of the river. The usual winter-time accumulation of woody debris has the river blocked in several places, and dangerously constricted in others. As soon as it warms up a bit more we'll be out there doing the appropriate safety work. As the navigation work gets done we'll post it right here.

Bare Ground Trash Trudge: As is our practice each year shortly after the snow goes off, we will be walking the river flats this week on both sides of the river picking the litter that's no longer hidden by summer grasses and foliage. We pitch the full bags in a garbage canoe as we go. Last Spring we cleaned the river flats and log jams from Elm Flats to Peterson Bridge. This week we hope to do from Skookum Access Site down to Elm Flats. More later.

For real-time water temperature and volume measurements on the Pine click here.

Great News for 2010 Season : First, PRPC 2010 rental rates and camping fees will remain the same as they were in 2009. Second, we are thrilled to tell you we are working on a slate of new, off-the-charts fun, and off-the-charts invigorating outdoor adventures for you to enjoy this season.

Don't let the names throw you…..know that anybody can (and should) indulge themselves….. young, old, big, small, and be refreshed, inspired, and rejuvenated for having done so.

What we're doing is laying out a number of Tri-Fun-Athons, Dualathlons, and Triathlons-With-A-Twist for your to enjoy this summer. Some very short, some not so short, many, many options to pick from, any of which will have you wondering why haven't we done this before? when can we do this again?

We know that the more folks that get to see and enjoy these beautiful rivers and forests, the more there will be that advocate for the preservation of them.

So for now, please know we're having a blast working on laying out these fun-tastic opportunities hoping to nudge you to surround yourselves with the beauty and magic of the Pine & Manistee River Valleys.

We'll post the fun stuff here as soon as the web page explaining all of the Fun-athon options is loaded.

Words can't describe how thankful we are to YOU: each and every one of you!! for choosing PRPC to facilitate your waltzes with the Pine and Manistee Rivers. You keep the PRPC boat afloat. And know it also floats our spirits as we hear about the wonderful time guests had on the river and while staying here at the PRPC Campground. Mega-thanks!!!

Store Specials: We will be running store specials of up to 50% off on items in the store as long as supplies last. Subscribe to our email list to receive the discount coupon code to take advantage of these special offers.

River Access Sites Re-construction: The 2009 River Access Site Re-construction is finished, done, kaput, Hallelujah!! All access sites will be open throughout the 2010 season.

Reminders for folks paddling their personal craft: Reminders for folks paddling their personal craft: If you are bringing your own craft, you will need to buy USFS Parking Passes @$5/day, $15/week for your vehicles. Also remember that from May 15th to September 10th, you must obtain river-use permit(s) from the USFS. Permits can again be reserved through the US Forest Service Baldwin District Office for $2/craft. Call 231-745-4631 to check availability and reserve your permits.

An interesting statistic …..24% percent of our rental guests actually own their own craft, but find it much cheaper and easier to rent ours. Why? It's easy and it saves you money. When you rent from us, we pay for your boat permits and parking passes. And the bigger upside is that not having boats on the top of your vehicle significantly improves your gas mileage, it saves you from having to load them, unload them, risk losing them, shuttle them around while here(or pay us to do your shuttle), and then wash them up and put them away when you get back home.

Please Remember: Alcohol and river-sports are a destructive mix. For safety, social, and resource protection considerations, please wait until you're off the river and off the road, before partaking of any alcohol. Please also remember that Styrofoam packaging or coolers, glass, water balloons, and firecrackers are prohibited on the river. Thanks for preventing litter by using your litter-bag and making sure all cargo is securely tied to your craft.