The Jordan Valley Pathway (aka Jordan River Pathway) is a popular backpacking destination in Michigan due to its challenging terrain, scenic overlooks, and ability to be completed as an overnight hike. While I had day hiked sections of the trail during the fall and winter last year as I was
Going beach camping is something I have always wanted to do. When you live in a state that is surrounded by water on three sides and offers picturesque sunsets, I guess that probably just comes naturally. After spending quite a bit of time listening to suggestions from friends, hoarding information
Although we’ve managed to get in a handful of day hikes this year, I’ve been itching to get out on another backpacking trip ever since my winter hike of the Potawatomi Trail back in early March. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything changed. As things in our state began
There aren’t a lot of things that can get me to willingly wake up before 10:00 A.M. (or later) on a Saturday, but a camping trip just happens to be one of them. After taking a couple months off from hiking to let my body heal from the miles I
In 2019 I hiked 100 miles of the North Country Trail AND completed the 52 Hike Challenge. Along the way I took at least one photo and/or video clip for each hike that I went on, then at the end of the year created this video using the app 1
I awoke bright and early at my friends’ cottage on a cold, snowy, Saturday morning in November, brewed myself a cup of coffee, and ladled out a big bowl of oatmeal. I am by all means NOT a morning person, but I was eager to get moving, because my friend
When I started off 2019, one of the things that wanted most for the new year was to spend less time trying to hit arbitrary self-made personal “goals” and more time going on adventures and creating happy memories. To help hold myself accountable, I decided to take on the 52
On a whim, my friend Megan and I decided to take an impromptu road trip to the Mackinaw City area to soak in the beautiful colors of the northern Michigan fall foliage. Naturally, we thought the best way to experience fall “up north” would be to get a few hikes
Continue reading…Fall Camping and Hiking at Wilderness State Park
For the third and final hike of our North Country Trail fall foliage camping and hiking trip, Megan and I decided to hike an out-and-back section of the Jordan Valley Pathway. While the trail system offers a hikers the option of doing a short, 3 mile day hike or a
It was nearly 11:00 A.M. on the second day of our camping trip when Megan and I pulled into the muddy parking lot for French Farm Lake to begin our 10 mile hiking adventure along the North Country Trail. I use the term “parking lot” loosely. After getting out of
Luke and I packed up the car late on a Friday afternoon, got Patronus ready, then headed out for another trip to northern Michigan. Both of us were ravenously hungry after a long day of work, so we made a pit stop at Burger King along the way. Luke got
Patronus and I pulled in to the parking lot for the trailhead just after 3:00 P.M. After taking some time to get our packs situated, we made our way to the edge of the lake where the trail begins. We had a 7 mile hike ahead of us before we
Luke, Patronus, and I headed up to northern Michigan to spend fourth of July weekend with our friends, Matt and Amanda and their two dogs. We spent Friday just hanging out, catching up, and relaxing with a bit of stargazing thrown in for fun. I was amazed at how clear
It was hot and sunny on the afternoon when Luke, Patronus, and I loaded up our car and headed out for a weekend of low key camping. There was still at least an hour of daylight left when we finally reached the campground. I decided to set up our tent,
Wilderness State Park is located in the northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula, near Cross Village and Mackinaw City. Its campgrounds stretch along the coastline of Lake Michigan. In addition to several hiking trails within the park, it is also located near the North Country Trail. My friends and I
The Potowatomi Trail is a beloved destination for hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and cyclists, offering over 17 miles of hilly trails in a quiet area of southeast Michigan. Ironically, when you look at it on the map it appears as if you’re going through Hell [Michigan]. Admittedly, unless you’re in
I crawled out of bed two hours before I actually wanted to, shuffled into the kitchen, and brewed myself a cup of coffee. By nature, I am a far cry from anything that could even close to resemble a morning person. It was the morning of our first wedding anniversary,
Continue reading…Our First Anniversary: Day Hiking + Touring Eloise Psychiatric Hospital
I awoke to a smiling Patronus in my face at 10:00 A.M. on the morning we had planned to visit Maybury State Park. Apparently he did not forget the night before, when I told him we were going to go on another adventure. The two of us were all ready
After weeks of patiently waiting for the trees to transform from lush and green to firey shades of red and yellow and orange, it was finally time for Patronus and I to head out on an adventure together, just the two of us. It was already almost 1:00 P.M. by
Early on in the planning process, we decided having a day to relax before making the drive home would be best, so the third and final segment of our trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was visiting Short’s Brewery in nearby Bellaire, Michigan. After a scenic hourish-long drive,
Continue reading…Sleeping Bear Trip Report: Pretzels and Beer in Bellaire, MI
The morning we departed for our backpacking trip to South Manitou Island in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore proved to be a bit of a scramble. Due to the gale warning issued for Friday morning, the ferry was unable to run until the following day, so our only option
Continue reading…Sleeping Bear Trip Report: Backpacking South Manitou Island