W^2 or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, June 12, 2025
Portage means to change from one waterway to another; more specifically it means to unload one boat and transfer the goods to another boat.
Merriam-Webster’s definition of “portage” #makingthedayscount #newhome #growing https://t.co/peFpZmXu4Z
— Clay Watkins (@makingdayscount) June 11, 2025
During the annual canoe race in late July, the racers must navigate the Ausable River and ‘portage’ their canoes at several spots along the course. For the racers, it means they have reached a dam along the river, and they must climb out of the canoe, pull their canoe out of the river, and carry the canoe to the river below the dam. Then climb back in and continue paddling down river.
Portage is also used as a name for a city. There are five cities or towns named Portage in the United States – Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
It also is our daughter’s new home. Last weekend we moved her from her college home to a new home in Portage, Michigan. She took a job and needed a place to live; she chose well. It’s a great apartment (much better than my first) and it has a nice patio for the dogs where they can sniff and explore. It’s also a nice place to sit and sip coffee while watching the dogs – Fern and Nova.
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This morning finds us at the lake with our son and his family – the grandies. It’s their first visit and it’s the first time we’ve had three generations at the lake in long time. Our daughter will join us late Friday night or early Saturday morning for a full three generational photo. I can’t wait!
It’s going to be an exciting day with maybe a visit to the beach and hopefully some photos. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day or I’ll be left behind. Making the days Count, one day at a time, while watching the dogs, the grandies, or a sunset.
What are you going to watch today?
Fascinating facts about Portage – and portage! Have some wonderful family times.
Indeed. I first learned what portage meant several years ago when I was teaching geography and found an activity which asked students to read a passage and identify why a city was founded. A portage was often a good site for a settlement because of the logistics of travel and trade in the pre-industrial period of the early 1800’s in the United States. A natural port was the best location, but these were listed to coastal cities. Oddly, Chicago was a portage point. Where I live was settled because it was long the railroad. As for family. t=one of the twins was beginning to crawl and last night we had the sounds of ‘mama’ at dinner. They are seven and half months old and as cute as buttons. If only the weather would cooperate! low 60’s and overcast today.
Same abut the weather, but you’re finding about all the joys of grandparenting. All the fun …. but the buck doesn’t stop with you ….