Much has changed. Little has changed.

I started researching the Huron River a few weeks ago after watching a segment on Michigan Outdoors about fly fishing the Huron.  I asked a few friends about the river.  I went to see the guys at Colton Bay Outfitters in Ann Arbor.  I looked at my topo maps.  I found some great websites for the Huron Clinton Metroparks.  But, the best way to learn about a river is to float it yourself.  I did just that and learned what I needed to learn.  But I also had time to let go of reality and imagine life along the river 300 years ago when the Wyandot (Huron) people lived here.  They were farmers.  We are still farmers.  They grew tobacco for trade.  We grow crops for market.  The Jesuit explorers described the Wyandot as “healthier than us”.  The metroparks along the river are heavily travelled by joggers and bikers.  The Wyandot lived in long houses where 30-40 people lived.  The river’s edge today has dozens of long and tall houses that could easily house 40-50 people.  The Wyandot were devastated by disease brought here by European settlers.  Invasive plants, insects and diseases are still coming.  In 300 years we really havent changed a whole lot.  Except now there are more of us.  Thankfully, the Huron River corridor was saved from too much development.  Thankfully, there are people out there who realize the value of nature and it’s preservation.  I wish this kind of love would spread to Lenawee County.  If I had a gazillion dollars I would buy up property along the River Raisin and create similar parks.  But they wouldn’t have a parking lots.  Leave your cars at home.  Ride or walk.  Get out of your steel guzzler and smell the fresh air.  Walk in the woods.  Get rained on.  Take a mud bath.  Climb a tree.  Catch turtles.  Why?  Because the Wyandot were healthier than us 300 years ago.  That should be a good enough reason.  Enjoy your long weekend.  Have fun outdoors!