Michigan Hikers! (and Ohio friends)

“So, we have Joy, Birch, laqtis and sister (?), Adventuregirl (and up to 4 others?), Le Subtil, Smiley Girl and possibly two people from greatlakeshikes. Oh, yeah, and myself.

That's 7 definites, with the possibility of up to 14. Oh, and 3 people are definites for nearby campground (email for location) with a possibility of 9.

And the weather sure looks great today. I hope it lasts for Saturday!”

“Sounds like a good sized hoard.”

“Its freezin out! its rainin out! and Im goin campin! I am bringing all the clothes I own. And a ton of dry wood. Hey cant wait to see you all! So far i have one friend commin”

“Well now my friend who was comming with baled out on me too. She said shes sick. So it looks like there is no way i can pull off camping. But i will be there for the hike in the morning. Sorry gang.”

“Hey guess what! It looks like I dont have to work that weekend in November after all!”

“good deal!”

“Toledo Hike:

Who's going?
Who plans to camp Saturday night?”

“Just to refresh everyone's memories:

Nov. 10; Sat.; 10AM

Oak Openings Preserve

West of Toledo (Easy access from US-23, Ohio Turnpike and US-2)

Potentially 17 miles - flatter than Waterloo -with almost inexhaustible shortcuts.

I'm definitely going, but probably not camping.

BTW, we are looking for a December hike site. It'll be Dec. 8. I'm thinking we should pick a place in the northern suburbs. Suggestions?

Ralph Lauren”

“Directions:

SR-2 (not US-2, got the beaches in my head) West from 23/Toledo

Head South on SR-295.
Keep straight (South) onto Wilkins Rd.
Turn Right/West onto Oak Openings Parkway.
Meet at the Mallard Lake Area Trailhead on the left side of the parkway.

Note: The Mallard Lake is a change from the original meeting point. It has easier access to the 17 mile trail.

BTW, this is a covert operation of the Michigan Mountaineers into Ohio territory. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't be afraid to throw buckeyes if threatened.”

“We'll go but no camping.”

“I'll be there (swear to God) and I'll be camping along with my brother and probably General Custard. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you.”

“I was in, now Im out. My car is in bad shape and I have to empty out my bank account to fix it. I can still go, but me and the roomate would need a ride. Anyone up for comming to grand Rapids? It out of the way I know, but we want to go really!”

“More than likely I'm out.”

“I'm in.

Joy, are we still planning to car pool? I'll send you an e-mail for directions to your place when it gets closer.”

“AG if I went (big if) GR wouldn't be too far out of the way.”

“Smiley, car poolin's fine. Email me and I'll send ya directions and you can give us directions to your place so we can pick you up next Friday.”

“Buddha swears to God? Interesting.

I've invited my brother, my friend, and my man, of course!

I'll be there with or without them. And, I'm camping.

Are ya'll planning to camp Friday, Saturday or both?

Le Subil - do you have any suggestions for a December hike up in the Midland area? We'd love to come your way for a hike.”

“You have to get about 100 miles away from Midland to find any good backpacking. Hoist Lakes would be a good hike and is a spot I know quite well. I think it's the closest to "wilderness" in lower Michigan. The nightly coyote serenade is always cool.”

“Is it good for dayhiking, too? We've been planning day hikes for the second Saturday of each month.

Where does one find Hoist Lake?”

“Very good for dayhikes, 20 miles total trails.
It's just N of Glennie on M65 at M72 (AuSable River area). Huron Nat'l Forest. Another dayhike nearby would be Reid Lake, 6 miles total. Nice and hilly.”

“sounds good to me. i think it takes about 3 hours to get to mio from my house. so that's not so bad.

any objections to hoist lake for the december hike?

i believe that would be december 8.”

“I can't make that hike, sorry. The high school musical is that weekend. I'd rather be out with you guys, though...”

“Four hours drive in the winter, each way, seems like alot for a day hike.”

“party poopers”

“Who is camping and where and which night(s)?

I'll be there for the hike and camping.

Can't wait to see y'all again.”

“I actually am not sure if I'll be there or not, depends upon how fast I heal. I bet Birch will still go though. He wants to bring the hounds...look out everyone!”

“I hope you'll be there.”

“You looooove me don't you? BTW, I changed my name! How do ya like it?”

“I was thinking your new name might be Tamarack since they are so interesting and beautiful...

(good one, eh?)”

“Oh you..:o)..Birch calls me Sassafras; I've been thinking of changing to it for a few months.”

“Hounds? You'll never get a minutes sleep what with all the coyotes howling and the dogs barking...”

“No camping for us, just a dayhike LeSubtil.”

“Camping and hiking here. Suck it up sassyfrass! We need ya, and I need to try that pancake stuff you were talking about. Have birch bring the baby carrier, so you can ride along..... lol!”

“That thing only holds 65lbs! We'd have to leave part of me behind.”

“how about the snotty sarcastic part?










kidding!!!!!”

“lol tarabull!”

“Takes one to know one!”

“Okay, here's my idea for a December or January day hike at Hoist Lakes....

I've heard Hoist lakes is close to Mio. Birch and I rented a cabin/house in Mio two New Years ago for dirt cheap. Would anyone be interested in camping out indoors for the weekend? We paid $120 for three days, included all the firewwod you could burn. The particular place we had before was huge.

Now I know this goes against all that some of you stand for but just imagine after a nice long 10 mile or so dayhike coming back to a crockpot full of goodness, a woodstove full of hot coals, a nice warm shower and a sofa to lounge on.

Let the firing commence!”

“Sounds good to me!”

“Is the beer provided?”

“sounds good to me too!”

“i suppose i could suffer through the weekend.

we're just talking two nights, right?”

“Sassy, would you be speaking of Hinchman's Resort?”

“Naw,what's Hinchman's resort like? It was a house a menonite family owned. We don't have their number anymore but there's always loads of places for rent in the back of Michigan Outdoors. It's an adventure everytime....you never know what you'll get!

Tarabull, we thought this would be especially good for you because Max could come along and give the crockpot a stir while he's studying. It would cost us less than a kennel for Birchthedog and Cully, Sadie could come along and keep watch while we hike if she can't come out and play too.

And hey, if someone would rather camp that's okay. We could always meet up with them for the hike.”

“Great Idea. Let's do it.”

“The cabin was actually in Fairview. I will get info this week and try to setup reservations. Do we want to stick with the 2nd wknd of december or another time. We are flexible,we just need to decide asap.

We will bring our dogs for sure. They are tolerable LOL.”

“Doods! I just heard on NPR that there are panthers in MI! The DNR has no idea how many but they've found numerous scats and tracks and recently did dna testing on the scat to find that in fact, it is a panther poop. They said it was found in several areas too. Cool!

I once thought I saw something that looked like a panther crossing the road but it was after many hours w/o sleep. Who knows....”

“I've heard the rumors. It's great that they've found actual evidence. Are they confined to the UP? Or are they under the bridge too?

We also have lots of Bobcats. But they are so sly that hardly anyone ever sees them.”

“The official count of bobcats last year was 3500 or so! The report didn't specify what pennisula the evidence was found on. I'm assuming that it's both. I'll probably hear the report a few more times today. Maybe I missed the location.”

“I heard a report 2 yrs ago that a wolf had been spotted in Cheboygan Co. (just s. of the bridge) which would be the first in the Lower P. It was never "confirmed" but the person was someone considered "credible".”