our Team
Sue
Beware that Sue will gladly take you down every back road seen on a map to find out what's there. Sue holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from Aquinas College with majors in Geography (Cultural), Communication Arts, and Studio Art which doesn't really explain anything other than she loves to learn, is curious, and can sort-of read a map. She also attended Kendall College of Art & Design to study graphic design and operates a small design and photography agency. Sue enjoys reading nonfiction books about nearly every topic and is never short on random knowledge to share. She also makes killer oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. An avid photographer (who shoots with an iPhone, Nikon, Fuji, and DJI), she'll readily accept requests to stop and take a picture.
ACA Level 2 Instructor
ACA Level 2 Trip Leader
ACA Level 2 Skills
Wilderness First Responder (NOLS)
Appalachian Bike Institute (ABI) Immersion Course
Joe
Love for the outdoors has been Joe’s tagline for many years. This southern Ohio native got his start in a ‘yak in the mid-‘70s creeking whitewater in Tennessee and Kentucky before heading north with an 8-year stint with the US Coast Guard. The big lakes inspired him to jump into a sea kayak where he’s been paddling for the past 30 years — mostly in lakes Superior and Huron. Joe also loves hiking and has explored most of the North Country Trail in the UP. Joe can also talk rock climbing or photography, but his eyes light up when you inquire about blacksmithing. He makes all sorts of things, from the decorative to the practical for people all over Northern Michigan.
ACA Level 2 Trip Leader
Wilderness First Aid, CPR, AED
Mary
"All things outside" is Mary’s mantra. A Michigan native, Mary spent many of her adult years in California hiking and backpacking the Sierra’s with her family, participating in triathlons, biking throughout the state, and camping up and down the Pacific coast. Returning to Michigan, Mary has been paddling the Les Cheneaux for almost twenty years — often with her husband Jim. Mary can usually be found paddling either her kayak or SUP most summer days. If not on the water, she can be found in her garden, on a beach rock hunting, taking pictures (mostly of her grandkids playing outside), or baking up something good to go with a cup of coffee.
ACA Level 2 Trip Leader
ACA Level 2 Skills
First Aid & CPR
Brian
Brian works downstate in the technology field and is a weekends-only Yooper, however his college major was Political Science at Aquinas College and he loves engaging conversations on a wide variety of topics. He is constantly in search of great things to eat and drink whether at home or on an adventure. This desire has led to a passion for cooking and whiskey (rye bourbons!) which is counterpointed by his weakness for enjoying Miller High Life (in a bottle). When not seeking out the next adventure, gustatory or other, he can be found puttering around the shop. Brian enjoys bicycling and is the weekend bike mechanic. He also enjoys the planning and logistics aspect of the business, as well as improving efficiencies.
Biked Park Tool Advanced
Mechanic Course
Sarah
Sarah has maintained a lifelong curiosity about what nature has to offer. She has worked for the National Park Service, Illinois State Museum, two environmental education centers, and rounded out her full-time career with 28 years at the Kalamazoo Nature Center as an Interpretive Naturalist and Conservation Educator. She continues to love teaching how to enjoy the natural world to people of all ages. She has also founded a women-only adventure group which teaches outdoor skills and builds confidence for women who might never have enjoyed outdoor adventures growing up. With them, Sarah has guided many kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, and hiking trips. With her husband Wil, she has also traveled and hiked extensively, including several Muir-inspired long walks.
Certified Interpretive Guide
Certified Heritage Interpreter
Wilderness First Responder
Angela
In Memoriam
After discovering an old plastic kayak left behind by her home's previous owner in the Soo, Angela began paddling in Lake Superior. She soon made her way down to the Les Cheneaux, took several tours with Woods & Water Ecotours (the predecessor to Woods & Waters) and became completely hooked on sea kayaking. She then bought her first "real" sea kayak, a Valley Nordkapp, and began taking lessons to avoid regularly finding herself in an upside-down boat. She's since taken several guided multi-day kayak camping trips in the Apostle Islands, Michipicoten Bay, and Isle Royale. However, even after all those "big water" adventures, she'll admit that her first solo paddle in the Les Cheneaux resulted in getting lost. Angela no longer gets lost in the LCI and fell in love with the area so much that she now spends her summers living on her boat in Hessel Harbor with her partner and dogs (Matey and Skipper).
