The wilderness landscape and breathtaking beauty of Northern Michigan provide plenty of opportunities to challenge Mother Nature — and yourself. Check out a few unique adventurous options during a visit up North:
 

Current trends

The Sturgeon River that runs through the region is a swiftly flowing waterway that’s a playground for adventurers.
“It’s the fastest  and most challenging river in the Lower Peninsula. It’s not whitewater, but it is a very fast, quick current,” said Patti Anderson, who with husband Scott owns Big Bear Adventures in Indian River, across the road from then entrance to Burt Lake State Park.
Big Bear offers canoe, kayak, raft and tube rentals and trips down the storied Sturgeon, where narrow, winding twists and turns add to the excitement of hours-long journeys.
“We have something for every age and skill level,” added Anderson.  
Beginners and families would do well to rent the rafts or tubes, while more experienced river-riders can choose from canoes and  kayaks.
The crystal-clear waters aren’t exactly warm, she added with a laugh: “We call it ‘spring-fed,’ and then we smile. But on a hot, 90-degree day, it’s the best thing you can do.”
Trips range in duration and now end in Burt Lake State Park rather than a nearby parking lot, allowing for families to enjoy the park’s amenities after fun on the river.
The Andersons are casual about how long it takes for renters to traverse the river. They understand that sometimes  families like to stop and swim, have a picnic lunch or meander on the river’s slower sections.
“We don’t care how long it takes you, as long as you’re back by 6:30,” she said.
Rental rates vary for the different vessels and tubes; visit www.bigbearadventures.com for more info, or call (231) 238-8181.
Big Bear also has an 18-hole adventure golf course and sandwich shop on-site.
 

Up, up and away

There’s not a much better view of the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits than from 600 feet in the air, swaying under a colorful canopy on a parasailing adventure with Mackinaw Parasailing.
The most common response owner Jim Rizzardi hears when his guests land back on the boat deck: “That was great!”
His parasailing operation opens for the season on Memorial Day weekend, offering flights 300 or 600 feet into the sky. For those who request it, he’ll dip their feet in the Straits during the airborne tours of Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island and St. Ignace, from which his operation launches.
Rates for the 300-foot ride are $60 for a single and $110 for tandem; the 600-foot soar costs $70 for a single and $125 for two riders. No experience is necessary.
“It’s just beautiful,” Rizzardi said, “to feel the wind blowing. It’s a lot of fun for summer.”
Reservations are available and walk-ups can also be accommodated. Call (866) 436-7144 or visit www.mackinawparasailing.com for more details.

Speaking of flying through the air, Skydive Harbor Springs will be back for another season.
It’s the ultimate thrill for adventurous souls capable of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane for a freefall at 120 mph.
“It is one of those great life experiences that will leave you thinking and dreaming about it for days and weeks later,” said Jeff Genschaw, a Petoskey resident who took the leap and loved it several years ago.
Skydive Harbor Springs owner Luther Kurtz reopens his operation for the season May 1.  He accompanies jumpers seven days a week throughout the summer.
Located a mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline, jumpers can see Beaver Island, the Mackinac Bridge and even Green Bay, Wis. First-timers can take tandem leaps with a trained jumper; or the “accelerated freefall program” teaches participants how to make a solo skydive.
Call 231-242-8822 or visit www.skydiveharborsprings.com for more details.
 

Horsepower vs. paddle power

Traveling the Inland Waterway between Crooked Lake and Burt Lake is a great way to spend an afternoon, and area businesses rent pontoon boats and personal watercraft (like Waverunners).
Spanky’s Powersports in Alanson has three pontoons and four personal watercraft for rent, according to assistant manager Mark Cook. Prices for the three-seater vessels are $100 for two hours, $150 for a half-day and $250 for a full day (9 a.m.-6 p.m.). Pontoons rent for a full day at $175 for a smaller boat (8) and $195 for a larger vessel (10).
Reservations are needed for the pontoons; some walk-ins may be accommodated for the personal watercrafts.
“Usually with the Waverunners, they like to take them out on Crooked Lake. If they do a full day, they’re capable of going out to Burt Lake, which is about an hour on the river,” said assistant manager Mark Cook.
Call Spanky’s at 548-4800.

Requiring some elbow effort — but worth the workout — is a day spent paddling the basin at Harbor Springs, a favored location for kayakers, according to Josh Baker, owner of The Outfitter. The business specializes in kayak lessons and rentals, offering sit-ins for more experienced paddlers and sit-atop models for novices.
The Harbor harbor and stretch of water toward Wequetonsing are ideal for spending the day on the bay, with views of Harbor Point a bonus.
The Outfitter staff will shuttle kayaks to a number of area lakes for customers, including Crooked and Round lakes. Rental rates start at $26 for two hours minimum. Visit www.outfitterharborsprings.com or call 526-2621.

One of the most scenic rivers in Michigan is the Jordan River, and Jordan Valley Outfitters can get you out on it.
“We offer canoes, kayaks, big inflatable rafts and tubes for floating down the river,” said Kay Harper, who owns the business with husband Scott. “It’s a beautiful river. It was Michigan’s first designated wild and scenic river, in 1972.”
Jordan travelers can expect to see few houses and lots of  wildlife, like deer, turkeys, otters and ducks. The various vessels offered for rent are suitable for individuals or all members of a family.
The business is located near the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix as well, another good paddle-about spot. Visit www.jvoutfitters.com or call 536-0006.

Also try, for motorized and nonmotorized rentals:
- Ryde Marine, Ponshewaing, 348-7040
- Bahnhof Sport, Petoskey, (800) 253-7078
- Bear River Canoe Livery, Petoskey, 347-9038
- Dee Z’s Recreational Rentals, 487-9579
- Windjammer Marina, 347-6103
- Swan Valley Marina, East Jordan, 536-2672
 

Reel world

An unusual find found its way to the hook of Bernie Ward last summer: a drum fish, which looks like a whitefish but with more scales and a longer, slender shape.
“I had never caught one before on the charter boat,” said Ward, co-owner with brother Don of Ward Brothers charter fishing operation out of Charlevoix.
Passengers on the Wards’ three 31-foot vessels can expect plenty of adventures and fun out on the waters of Lake Charlevoix, trolling for trout and steelhead in the spring and early summer and later salmon, lake and  brown trout.
The excursions venture about 13 miles north and south of Charlevoix, begin May 1 and last through October. Most trips are half-day outings, and rates are $120 per person with a minimum of four. Up to six passengers can be accommodated per vessel.
Reservations are recommended during the peak of summer and can be made by calling Ward Brothers at 547-2371. The address is 106 E. Antrim St., on Round Lake.

Also try:
Ruddy Duck charter fishing, Petoskey/Little Traverse Bay, 347-3232.