Choad Bond and Gold Gooch, a TR

“After a lunch with Sass and myself, Nigal and I cruised north in the homo-mobile (not that there is anything wrong with that) to the manistee river trail.

We were on the trail by 5pm and hoped to cover 3 miles to the creek crossing (one of two spots on an 11.5 mile route) to find camp.

The trail was very well marked and we cruised along happy to be out. We crossed a big suspension bridge dubbed the little mac (as in the sibling to the real and big 5 mile long Mackinaw bridge further north). The trail got harder to find shortly after. It was dark so we donned headlamps and found the reroute on a road for a few hundred yards then back into the woods.

We slowly gained elevation, so gradual that it never got tough. We crested the ridge and were on high ground for a spell then dropped to our creek. It was cool and we expected 33 degrees and since we had good water yet we'd push to high ground and get water in the morn.

Up another ridge and we found a great flat spot with a HUGE downed tree. We had a great fire within minutes. Camp was set and the bar opened. The temps dropped, the cans emptied, the conversation flowed....10pm and we were out. The wind was mild so tarpin wasnt bad.

I woke up at 4 to get rid of some beer and realized how cold it was, I am sure we hit the high twenties. All the leaves were cold and crunching under my bare feet. I crawled outta the fart sack at 730a only after making sure nigal had the fire going( thanks again). I didnt see the point in both of us suffering. Quick breakfast and coffee and we were off.

The second creek was bone dry so we back tracked down a dirt road to a creek and filled up. Nigal found a sweet Orvis fly box stocked with 50 or so nice flies...score! We have found beer, gear and now flies while hiking, I wonder what'll be next? Back to the trail, a long series of gradual rises and falls for about 8.5miles. No really nice views as we were far off the river now but occasionally we could see the beautiful fall trees along the river in the distance. We took one break at noon and then made the road, bridge and outhouse at about 145p. There was a reroute (much needed and very well thought out) prior to the road. The NCT chapter for this area ought to be commended. Lunch was good, ramen and tortilla with pus fish (pics later) for me and noodles and cheese and shrooms for Nigal.Had a discussion about gold bond powder. Nigal brilliantly observed a missed market for its users. There and a few specific types of gold bond meant for different uses but none for the lowly, choad, gooch or taint. And honestly who hasnt had some chafing down under eh mate?I liked the name Choad Bond, he opted for Gold Gooch, I geuss the company will decide....

Filtered water, loaned the filter to some unprepared hikers (they counted on a seasonal well) chatted with some fisherman and left about 3p.

We wanted to cover 4-5 more miles to keep sunday short. After starting I went ahead, I was tired and wanted to be done. Up and down up and down up and down till I found a spot at 430p. Nothing great but flat, near water, on high ground with an well used firepit. I setup camp, made fire got water and wood (loads of downed trees all over). Nigal came in at 530p happy to be done. We were both smoked, we covered about 13 very hilly miles. We ate (mashed taters on tortilla for me with beef broth to drink) he had ramen. The bar opened for our last beers and we enjoyed some wonderful scotch and relaxed. At 9p its started to rain, we packed it in and went to bed.

I was up at 417a to dehydrate and saw a lightening storm far off. I was hoping it'd pass as it wasnt raining then. Back to bed, no more rain all night. Nigal got up and insisted that I just stay in my cozt fart sack while he built a fire outta wet wood(I tell he ya he is one helluva guy).

Ate broke camp and headed out at 920a for the last 6 or so miles. We both were achy and stiff, we plodded along slowly and enjoyed the high bluffs and river views. We saw a few hikers from yesterday and made it back to the car at 1201p. We were done, sore tired and cold.The sun never really came out, and the wind shifted from the north blowing steadily. A quick change of clothes and we were homeward bound.

It was great to finally do this trail with Nigal, its been 5-6 years for me and this was his first trip here. Groggily he said that this is fav michigan trail. Another amazing wknd, good weather, good drink great trail and fantastic company, it doesnt get better than this.”

““Intercepted transmission burst:

Chode Bond...Gold Gooch has reached the LZ...Operation Cosby Kids completed...

21:32:24

Gooch out””

“WWF sunglasses do not count as gear!”

“I went on some fly fishing web boards saying I found a fly box near the Manistee and if anyone lost one they should e mail me and describe their box to me to see if I have it. I know what a man's tackle box means to him so if I had lost this box I'd be thankful to get it back.”

“That must've been some box.


Glad yall had fun.”

“Don't you ladies know how to post photos?”

“PS, I had to look up those 2 words on Urban Dictionary. I must live a sheltered life or something.”

“I'm glad ya'll had a rootin' tootin' time!”

“Nice TR, Birch. That's a great trail. Probably my favorite in lower Michigan. I'd like to go up there in January, or February for a winter hike.”

“....sitting by the fire......sipping a beer.....listening to the crickets.....chatting about chafing crotches.....good times.



LOL! You guys Bond like the Gooch powder itself.”

“No Noncon, we were discussing gooches and chodes over lunch. Beer and campfires are specifically reserved for talking about boobs and taints.”