Michigan - Lower Peninsula Archives • Kristy & Luke

dog friendly hikes in hocking hills state park

Adventures

2019: My Year in Review

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…

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Winter Hiking on the Jordan Valley Pathway

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…

Posted on December 31, 2019December 28, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

I’m an NCT Hike 100 Finisher!

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…

Posted on December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Fall Camping and Hiking at Wilderness State Park

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…

Posted on December 28, 2019December 28, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Day Hiking on the Jordan Valley Pathway

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…

Posted on December 27, 2019December 28, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Fall Hiking on the North Country Trail

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…

Posted on December 26, 2019December 28, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

A Weekend Up North

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…

Posted on September 11, 2019November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

A Summer Backpacking Adventure

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…

Posted on July 28, 2019November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

A Weekend in Northern Michigan

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…

Posted on July 9, 2019November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Summer Camping + Hiking with Patronus

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,…

Posted on June 15, 2019November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Camping at Wilderness State Park

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…

Posted on June 11, 2019November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Backpacking the Potawatomi Trail

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…

Posted on April 24, 2019November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Our First Anniversary: Day Hiking + Touring Eloise Psychiatric Hospital

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,…

Posted on November 6, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Exploring Maybury State Park

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…

Posted on October 31, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Silver Lake from Potawatomi Trail in Fall

Adventures

Hiking the Crooked Lake Trail

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…

Posted on October 31, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Sleeping Bear Trip Report: Pretzels and Beer in Bellaire, MI

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,…

Posted on September 26, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Overlooking Lake Michigan from South Manitou Dunes

Adventures

Sleeping Bear Trip Report: Backpacking South Manitou Island

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…

Posted on September 25, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Sleeping Bear Trip Report: Camping in Glen Haven

When we arrived at the D. H. Day Campground in Glen Haven, the first thing we did after registering for our site and setting up our camp was to go check out the beach, which was only about a 5 minute walk away. Our original plan had been to spend…

Posted on September 25, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Backpackers on South Manitou Island

Adventures

Sleeping Bear Vlog

Video journal of my weekend backpacking trip to South Manitou Island in Michigan. Sleeping Bear Trip Report If you’re interested, you can read the rest of my trip report to South Manitou Island by clicking on the links below. Part One: Planning Part Two: Camping in Glen Haven Part Three:…

Posted on September 22, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Adventures

Patronus’ First Camping Trip

After months of preparation, the time for our first backpacking trip was finally upon us. (more…)

Posted on June 20, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy

Finishing 51 Mile Bike Ride in Northern Michigan

Adventures

Zoo-De-Mack Weekend

Last Friday, my friend Erin and I packed up the car and headed up to Mackinaw City for the 29th Annual Zoo-De-Mackinac weekend while the guys enjoyed the houses to themselves for the weekend. The highlight of the event is a scenic 51 mile bike ride through the northern part…

Posted on May 21, 2018November 26, 2019 by Kristy by Kristy