Giving Back - Au Sable River Clean-up

In September, our family joined the Au Sable Big Water Preservation Association (ASBWPA) in an organized clean up of the river near Mio. Paul, G and I participated as did our good friend Mike. As neither G or I had waders, we were assigned a riverside campground and Mike and Paul waded the river nearby. Armed with bright orange garbage bags, G and I trudged about in rubber boots finding all kinds of garbage and discussing all the reasons you should not litter. In this, as with so many other activities, he did not grow bored or complain. A point of pride for me and a source of my wonder for him. A good boy he is.

We all met up to clean a trail running along the river. And when the trail ended, Mike and I forged ahead on deer trails. Not the best choice, as we had to crawl through brush, wade the river--Paul carrying G and me just plain getting wet--and pretty much pioneer our own way to the next river access point. No complaining from G on this either, but he did ask if we were going to make it out. He accepted our assurances and forged ahead. And man, you wouldn't believe the trash we found in the hard to reach places. Beer cans dating back decades.

Clean up was followed by an ASBWPA-hosted BBQ. Very nice group of folks, led by Tom--Paul's cousin. Some of these folks are featured in the pics below:



At day's end, Mike returned home and we completed the weekend by setting up camp in a nearby rustic campground. G and his Dad fished, I cooked dinner and we all settled in around a campfire. Well, Paul and I settled. G rode his bicycle until it was too dark for him to see.