Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-22
WHERE TO BE COOL
Delightful Resorts Along the
Noble Grand.
BEAUTIFUL SHADY BAY0uS
Where the Bass and the Water Lilies
Delight the Heart Of the Pleas
ure Seeker.

Comparatively few people know OF
the beauties Of the Grand river above
and below the city. The few that are
partial TO river trips lind good fishing.
undisturoed repose and beautiful
scenery al along the River Grand.
Floating down stream with the current
the first stop 10 generally made on the
west bank near the Eagle plaster mills,
where spring of ice cold water bub-
bles musically throughout the year.
The refreshing liquid Is gratefully re-
eeived by boating parties. who MI
their cans with it for future use. All
along the river the banks are covered
with fresh green grass and
tail trees. After passing the
Lake SHORE bridge ali refuse
FROM the city disappear sand though
the river water 10 not exactly Clean
vet 1t is tree from the grosser kinds OF
DIRT. Before reaching Grandvilie the
most sceptlcai would DC converted to
the beauty of the scenery. In the
spring time the banks are covered with
nodding blooms OF every hue and COL
or. Blue violets attain size aud
briIliancy OF color unknown elsewhere.
Later in the season come the summer
blooming sweets and trip down the
river now would disclose the scarlet
torch OF the cardinal flower Frightening
Doggy lands, while the delicate blue
flags wave over spongy marshes. All
along the river banks in the little
hooks are lily pads, but few blossoms
annaar Aftar IN Rio Ran1 %
which every boatman knows stops are
sometimes made at Haire's landing,
Eastmanville and other points but the
Of civilization, but hurrles on to the
banks aud where black bass snatch
eagerly at shining minnow.
When To Get Sinners.
The fisherman has always forethought
enough to cast his dip net in the waters
of Plaster creek thereby providing u
supply of minnows sufficient to last
several days with proper care. II the
little "shiners" die or escape from the
jail more can be secured from Sand
creek and other ANAL streams, but the
supply is not what 1t is in the Plaster
creek. Good bass fishing can be found
twelve miles down the river and as the
banks are dry and pretty at that point
and an ice cool spring 10 conven-
lently near several days may be
pleasantly spent there. A few miles
farther down, just below Lamont, the
bayous. hidden by tall trees, spread
their CLASSY surface frescoed with lily
pads for q distance Of several miles.
Boats may be made secure to the river
bank. tents staked out and q short walk
of few rods brings Que to the bayou.
The water ID deep, 80 deep that the bot
tom can be reached only with difficulty
and the shores are cool with tall grasses
and luxuriant marsh vegetation. Tall
trees enclose the scene. which 10 one of
absolute calm and sequestration. In
this spot grow the most wonderful
water lilies. Their mOesy faces and
golden eyes adorn the surface Of the
bayou in endless profuslon and their
size is enormous. Down at the end
of the bayou the blossoms are
so thick that boat caG
scarcely DO pushed through them.
The water is full of bass and they can
be brought to the surface as often and
"a quickly as the hook can be baited
and cast.
There is q cham of bayous beginning
ut Lamont and extending nearly to
Spring Lake. Boats or RATS are on
nearly all of them, but the distance il
so short portage can easily be made
from the river to the bayou.
Beautiful River scenery,
The scenery up the river 10 even pref
tier than below the city, though there
are no bayous. Quick turns in the
river show landscapes OF rolling field!
alternating with wooded hills. Long
stretches of maize contrast greenly with
golden fields OF grain. Cool rills tricklt
down the bank and an occasional
island dots the river. Just abov,
Grand island the River Rogue, q
saucy, sprankline fellow, flows into
the Grand, and good fishing abounds
IN that vicinity. Just above reposes the
village OF Plsinfield, with its new iron
bridge and old-fashioned weather.
beaten houses.
At "a point beyond PIainfeld q boat
ing party landed one moonlight nignI
and pitched their tent there because
the sound Of little spring source nv
ulet came TO their ears. The nexI
morning they arose when the mistl
were on the river and the cobweb.
were on the grass. The campfire wa.
kindled, the bacon broiled, the coffee
brewed, and after the hasty breakfas
was eaten boats were taken and fishing
tackle played an important part in the
history OF that mornings outing. There
Was good catch of bass and two bis
shining pickerai were safely landed
During the heat OF the day the camper,
| lounged about In hammocks, sleeping
| or reading and when the cool Of the
early evening came they again turned
their attention TO the river. Severa
days passed In this way. and the spoi
was christened "Camp Happy" be
cause the time passed there Was GO
happily spent On that occasion th.
trip up the river was extended twenty
seven miles, and several other "Camy
Happys" were found. The person
that composed the party do not need &
peruse summer resort literature K
| tind . place suitable for rest, recrea
ton, change and good fishing. The,
can find such q spot not very far from
the city and on the hanks Of the rive
called Grand merely by courtesy.