Quite a few years ago, a retired teacher I knew died in the woods after going cross country skiing up near St. Ignace, MI, about an hour away from her house. She had fallen, injured her leg, and was unable to return to her car or call for help. It wasn’t until she didn’t showContinue reading “Staying Safe When It’s Cold”
Tag Archives: Hiking
Backpacking in the Rain
Forecasts for the weekend varied from 40-60 percent chance of scattered showers, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Week three of my new school year was wrapping up, and a getaway seemed like the best thing ever, in spite of the dismal forecast. The hiking route that I had planned was not a great distance,Continue reading “Backpacking in the Rain”
You can plan all you want, but…
In which a planned 50-mile hike on the North Country Trail goes a little off the rails.
Testament of a hiker, and a thank you to Robert Traver
I fish because I love to; Because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; -Robert Traver Thus begins one of my favorite poems, “The Testament of a Fisherman,” in which the poet, Robert Traver, (penContinue reading “Testament of a hiker, and a thank you to Robert Traver”
Becoming a Backpacker, Ch. 9 Shenandoah National Park: Mountains and a Bear!
Two days in Shenandoah National Park–getting closer to our 100 mile AT goal. (July 2017)
Becoming a Backpacker, Chapter 8: Flash Floods and Changes of Plans
As we left the trailhead in Harpers Ferry, mist quickly wetted our clothing and skin. The forest felt lush, and we easily followed the white blazes along a trail that was alternately soft packed dirt, puncheon, and lichen-covered rock. Eventually the mist stopped, but there were thunderstorms in the forecast for later on in theContinue reading “Becoming a Backpacker, Chapter 8: Flash Floods and Changes of Plans”
The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail: In which I am humbled by hills
A weekend section hike of the Waterloo-Pinckney trail.
Becoming a Backpacker, Chapter 7: Adventures on the AT: Hosteling in Harpers Ferry
Our second day on the Appalachian Trail was more steamy green tunnel with bigger ups and downs than I was used to, being a Midwesterner. The bliss of being on the trail had not worn off though, and as we sweated our way down the trail, we laughed about what our friends back in Michigan,Continue reading “Becoming a Backpacker, Chapter 7: Adventures on the AT: Hosteling in Harpers Ferry”
Becoming a Backpacker, Chapter 6: Our Appalachian Trail Adventure Begins
In which my friend Robin and I begin a 100 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail.
Becoming a Backpacker, Chapter 5: Pictured Rocks
I was feeling practically like an expert as I prepared for a long weekend hike of Pictured Rocks in May. I expected that it could be at least as cold in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as it had been on my two previous backpacking trips in lower Michigan, even though it was later on in theContinue reading “Becoming a Backpacker, Chapter 5: Pictured Rocks”
Exploring Michigan and other cool places 