Paddling Practice
by Denise Janus

We met at school at 9 a.m. with Mark Phillips (Rouge Master) and our advisor Dr. Vogt.  We reflected on yesterday’s canoeing and Mark suggested we get the replica canoe in the water and learn how to handle it.  Off to Proud lake in Wixom we went -- Mark, Dr. Vogt, Will, Chris, Mike, and me.  Mark's expertise was invaluable. He taught us how to steer and handle the replica canoe.  And let me tell you, being a sterns-man and steering that beast was quite the event, and tons of fun!  We spent about four hours on the lake and had lunch at the far end by the bridge where a bunch of people were fishing.  "Hey, are you the people I read about in the paper," one fisherman asked. He really liked our canoe and wished us well on our trip.  We canoed back to the launch and returned to the University, feeling much more confident handling the replica canoe.