Homie's Ultimate Hugh Heward Adventure

In 2009 Jon (AKA Homie) joined a group of expedition paddlers in an attempt to paddle from Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL. Rather than paddling around the Lower Penninsula, they chose to attempt a re-creation of an historical crossing of the state by trapper/adventurer Hugh Heward.

In 1790 Heward was searching for a more direct trade route between Fort Detroit and Chigaco. While successful in his crossing, the route proved to be more challenging than other options and was never used again.

In 2008, Jon, who had been steadily honing his sea kayak skills for 7 years, felt a call to put those skills to use on a larger scale. Initially his plan was to paddle the archipelago of islands between Sleeping Bear and Mackinaw Island in the spring of 2009. After hearing of his idea, a friend presented Jon with information on an expedition race being planned for spring 2009 called the Ultimate Hugh Heward Challenge. A group of Kruger Canoe enthusiasts, along with local historian/topologist Jim Woodruff, developed the race based on that 1790's journey.  In 2008, one of the Kruger paddlers, Charlie Parmalee, paddled much of the route doing mostly day trips. This scouting paddle would prove instrumental in the success of those willing to attempt the 2009 challenge.

"Because it was logistically right out my back door and had the additional elements of upriver paddling, portaging dams, paddling multiple watersheds, downriver paddling PLUS the open water adventure I began to seriously consider this as an option. Plus there was an appeal of the historical sense of the journey,"

After some test paddles and many discussions with family, friends, and his employers, Jon decided to join the event. We hope you enjoy reading about this journey and all it entailed.

2008

Dreaming of Adventure Call it a mid-life crisis if you'd like but having done lot's of small adventures, Jon begins seeking an epic that could be done near home.

7 p's

Practicing the 7 P's A lot goes into preparing for a trip like this. The better the planning and preparation, the better the chance for a successful journey.

Day 0

Heading To The Start Every adventure starts with a step out your front door.

Days   1 & 2

It's On!  All the preparation is over. Time to start paddling

Days   3 & 4

A Day of Misery. A Day of Progress By pushing through the low point of the trip I found confidence in myself I'd never known. It's hard to imagine being lonely in the most populated part of Michigan!

Days   5 & 6

It's All Downstream Now! Paddling is so much easier with the current at your back. And making it on to my home river gave me another boost of confidence that I'd be successful on this journey.

Days   7 - 9

The Expedition Turns Social After days of being alone, the middle river section proved to be quite social. Company abounded as I enjoyed a special family event, was joined by my wingman and paddled in the 1-dayHugh Heward Challenge.

Days 10 - 12

Homie Reaches the Big Lake! Jon describes how important his clothing kit was for the trip before laying out the final days on the river and his arrival at Lake Michigan!

Days 13 - 15

Cruising South Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline

 

 

 

 

Miles of shoreline pass by as Jon goes past ports from Holland to St. Joe. Along the way he gains perspective on living on the lake, for the volatility of spring weather, and for the Coast Guard!