P is for Pere Marquette River

 
If you are a regular reader, you have seen quite a few pictures of the Pere Marquette River. It's one of several rivers near where I live, but it's the one closest to me, and I often walk near it. But I thought you might like to see how it fits into the state.

Here's a map from Wikipedia



Yes, it's a little confusing with the Middle Branch and Big and Little South Branches. Don't worry about it. Along the main branch, the dark blue, from the east end of the dark blue (Where the Middle Branch and Little South Branch join) west to Scottville, the waterway is a National Wild and Scenic River. This means it has "outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values." There are some protections this designation brings.

I decided to show you a picture of the Pere Marquette from each season of the year, beginning with spring. I took this picture a couple of weeks ago at Scottville Riverside Park.



Here is a lovely view of the river near Walhalla, taken in 2007. Fishing is popular in most seasons. Trout and steelhead are the most popular fish.



For fall, we'll go to the Big South Branch and do some canoeing. It's a great river for canoes and kayaks- lazy enough to be safe for family trips, but enough current that it's not a complete bore. As you can tell, the scenery is great.



Most winters, the river becomes hushed and magical. For this shot, we are back to Scottville Riverside Park. The river is named for Jacques Marquette a Jesuit priest, who founded Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace, Michigan, explored Lake Michigan, and with Louis Joliet were the first Europeans to explore and map the upper Mississippi River.



Hope this has provided a little more perspective. I added links to some previous posts about the river.

	See A Lovely December Hike See Hiking and Watching the Fishermen
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