|
Cathy Core and I met her and a friend at the Yellow Dog Bridge on CR 510. I was immediately struck with her huge smile, her hearty handshake and an irrepressible, bubbling personality. Well, we showed her the river all right. She was prepared to hike, and this 74-year-old woman out-walked the younger crew easily. We took in the stretch of falls from the 510 to Bushey Creek Falls - and back again. We waded the river frequently and took a few dips as well. I have an unforgettable picture of her reclining fully clothed in a little rock basin of the main Bushey Creek falls - throwing her head back in delight. From that day on, she loved the Yellow Dog River and became one of our most avid supporters.
Jean Farwell came every year of her life to the Huron Mountains. Her family has been charter members of the Huron Mountain Hunt and Fish Club since its Inception in the late 1890’s. As an avid trout fisherwoman, she loved the waters of the club and you could see her both alone or with a gaggle of young ones - taking great delight in introducing young children to the joy of fishing the streams for the ever-illusive trout.
They used to say that Mrs. Farwell was the only adult that they were comfortable with as she showed them how to tie flies, cast and learn the intricacy of actually pulling a trout from the water. As a photographer, she took particular delight in capturing the youth of the Club in nature’s environ.
Jean Farwell succumbed to an illness early this fall and left a family desirous of carrying on a tradition of love for the Huron Mountain area by giving something back to the community - particularly something to do with the Yellow Dog River. Jean’s husband Frank, their children Marion, Susan, Frank and Edie, their eight grandchildren, and other family members are in the process of purchasing 160 acres of the “Yellow Dog Swamp” which encompasses property at the mouth of the Yellow Dog as it braids its way to Lake Independence. This property (see associated article in this newsletter 160 Acres - A lasting Legacy) is situated between two large State of Michigan owned tracts and is one we have been seeking to protect for the last year. The Farwell family’s gift will ensure that the mouth of the Yellow Dog will have similar protection as its source in the McCormick Tract.
We are excited about the potential for hiking, birding, fishing and other public-awareness activities on this property - and in particular continuing our work with the children of the community - those little ones that Jean so loved. Our thanks to the Farwell Family for this momentous gift to the memory of a woman who laughed with delight one day on the Yellow Dog River.
|
