Michigan Hikers! (and Ohio friends)

“Grayling. 400 ft past the entrance to Camp Grayling you can't miss it. (Grayling is in the upper third of the mitten right in the middle. HEY! maybe we can take a Saturday evening drive to Atlanta and sneak a peek at the Elk. Orrr we could just lounge and eat and drink and talk and play euchre!!!! (I'll whip ya all!)”

“Yup. It'll probably take you about 6 hours.

Sass - you'd better not get to cocky. I've been known to win a game or two of euchre. (ooohhh we could be partners and really clean up!)”

“Deal! (I'm a really sneaky cheater so if I'm not on your team you have to watch me like a hawk-don't tell anyone)

Hey Buddha, you can catch a ride with us for the 3.5 hrs to the cabin from our place. Be here by 2pm!!!”

“Same here Buddha. Not sure, yet, what time my brother and I are leaving but I'll let you know once I figure it out (probably 3ish).

Sass - did you use to watch the Cosby Show? Do you remember the one where Cliff and his dad are playing Pinochle and the other team was cheating.... in a very obvious way?

Not really relevant. Just what came to my mind when you brought up cheating.”

“Tarabull< i remember that Cosby. They talked about diggin' holes with "spades"...

BTW I wont be going to Ohio either this wknd. There is a roof with my name on it....”

“What the heck is going on? No Sassy and now no Birch? Now I'm actually going to have to print the directions and pay attention? I was hoping to sleep in the car on the way down there.... :)”

“Smiley - you can come w/ me, but I'm camping both nights. Your choice.”

“Sorry. It's all my jack@ss brother's fault. That surprise trip to Georgia is going to be costly.”

“Tarabull, what time you leaving on Friday? What time you coming home on SUnday? I'm not sure I want to camp all weekend, I've still got a bit of a cough and don't want to relapse. On the other hand, I missed camping up at Jordan River, maybe this could make up for it. Think I'll pull a laqtis, and sit on the fence for at least one more day. :) If I come can we play Euchre and cheat???

Sassy, I didn't mean to get you all riled up! Family is supposed to be warm and happy and full of love...oh, my mistake, that' only on Leave it to Beaver.”

“No cheating unless I'm there! No fair!!!

Smiley Girl, you didn't get me all riled up, my jack@ss brother did. He is definately NOT Wally Cleaver! :o)”

“Smileygirl - You should definately come this friday. I will personally bring some cough syrup, and keep the fire warm and toasty so you won't catch a cold.

Let's see, me, Tarabull, smileygirl, a couple bottles of wine, a roaring fire, and a penchant to cheat at euchre, hmmmmm, this should get ya off that fence smiley.

BTW - I'll be at the campground early to reserve the space and get the fire going. I'll have firewood, so there will be no need to bring any.”

“We're just hiking on Saturday, right? Anyone know how far? Is it posted somewhere above? I'm just too lazy to go looking for it.”

“smiley -

Camp friday night.
Hike saturday (about 17 miles)
Camp saturday night.
Leave early sunday morn.

That's the trip, in a nutshell.”

“How long of drive would it be for me? I only work friday so I could easily come late friday night, if It isnt a huge drive. I was thinking that cold would be a factor but its suposed to be pretty warm. So map people help me figure out if I can do it. Reformed are you going?”

“Hey, SG!

Nobody can fence sit like I can. I'm a pro! You guys have fun!”

“Smiley Girl - I'm thinking I'll be on the road around 3ish on Friday. My plan is to try to beat rush hour in Toledo. Picking you up would be a piece of cake, you live w/in 15 - 20 minute of me. My car is a company car so gas is FREE.

I'm going either way... So just let me know if you want a ride and I'll pick you up. No reason for me to know right now. (check your email)

I would be leaving in the morning on Sunday. 10ish, maybe? Just enough time to wake up, drink coffee, eat oatmeal, and pack up my stuff.

Also, the length of the trail is 17 miles. However, as Reformed Lurker mentioned, it can be made shorter by taking side trails.

AG - How long did it take you to get to the Brighton dayhike? Add about an hour and fifteen minutes to it. Take 96 to 23 (which is Brighton) and go south for 70 miles. Reformed has specific directions somewhere in this thread.

Cold will not be a factor. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the mid 30s. Should be perfect. Campfire will keep you cozy.

P.S. Yes, we can play euchre. Cheat if you must, but I'll be watching! AG - euchre is better w/ four... I'm thinking you are now obligated to come along.”

“Smiley - I sent you an emai, but it was returned. ??”

“me again...

Sass - I hope you're still coming to the December hike. Cause I got a present for ya!”

“Tarabull, I had your e-mail address from one of Birch's e-mails. Check YOUR e-mail!

I'm still sitting on the fence.”

“How does it look from there?”

“I'm wanting to do the Dec trip. Could someone do a recap of the who(all is going to stay at the cabin and who is camping) what(are we supposed to bring games,food?) when(are the dates?) where (in the heck is this place) it sounds like a zillion miles from Springfield,O. Sounds like another Toyota Hobo road trip.”

“I'll be at the December do with bells on! Is it moleskin?! Duct tape? Large bandaids? :o)

Okay Tanya, here we go...

We will be staying at a cabin, so far no one has decided to camp and we haven't decided exactly where we'll hike but there are numerous places to choose from. We had originally planned on hiking and staying at Hoist Lakes but couldn't find a cabin free in the area. (Maybe next time-January anyone?!) So we'll be in Grayling which is in the upper third of the mitten right smack dab in the middle, right off of I75. We've rented a three bedroom cabin that has a firepit outside. I think it sleeps six so we'll all have to bring our sleeping bags and draw straws for the beds. (Or maybe the losers in euchre will get the floor). No need to bring food, Sissyboy Brian has taken on the camptramp duties of suppling and preparing vittles, just bring a bit of moola to reimburse him. Bring any games you like and we just might play them. BYOB if you want. Plan is to arrive at the cabin Friday Dec 7 and leave on the 9th, hiking on the 8TH. It's about a three and a half hour drive from metro Detroit. As always, anyone who can get to Livonia by 1:30 Friday is welcome to climb in the jeep and be wisked away up north!

So far we have comitments from:
Birch and I
SmileyGirl
Buddha Bear
Tarabull and SissyboyBrian
Reformed Lurker and Sis
did I miss anyone?

Maybes:
You
Adventuregirl

And just where is LeSubtil in all this? How bout it man? Will you come along for the weekend or the hike?”

“And maybe CowPatty too?”

“On tippytoes, sneaks toward that fence & - nudge - Smiley's off the fence & facing south! Yup, guess she's going to Ohio!

Hey Tarabull - no charge for the car......wanna come pick me up, too? LOL

But I am thinking of heading South if there's room for one more this weekend. I tried to entice another TTer to meet the group there but no dice; that person is headed in another direction.

Sassafras - it's a hmmm, ?, on the Dec. weekend. Possibly camp at the very near S.F. campgrd. with the cabin being a full house. My problem with smoke inhalation- took 3 days to recover just from the campfire so I'd need to try harder to stay away from that. Darn windy weekend!”

“You people are corrupting me ;-)

I've been gone, hiking, 6 out of the last 7 weekends, including a 10 day trip, and have opportunities for the next 5. And there is still a post Christmas trip me and Hyper are talking about and a big Jan winter trip?

Wait, there's someone at the door ? what does "You've been served" mean?

Yeah, I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world. What is my share of the cabin rental fees?


You might even see me Saturday morning.”

“Hey! You used my real name,does that mean I'm in trouble?”

“Well, you'll all be glad to know I'm off the fence. But, I'm not going to camp with you guys. I'll be there Sat. for the hike.

AG-if you want, we can meet somewhere in Brighton and carpool from there if you're just going Saturday. It would be nice to have company on the drive!”

“cow patty - You are absolutely welcome this weekend. Are you thinking about camping? Or just hiking? We could meet in the Brighton area (96/23) and I could drive the rest of the way.

Le Subtil - glad to hear your coming. I believe birch said the total price was $120 for the weekend. With 8 or 9 confirmed (not sure if Reformed's sister is in for sure) the totoal would be no more than $15 per person + your contribution towards food + your beverages (Jaegermister, anyone?). You can't beat it!

smiley - I got your email. Thanks. I was using the one on your bio. Didn't work. Sorry to hear you aren't camping. Maybe you and AG would be up for camping Saturday night??? Think about it.”

“Opps, sorry Wolfsister!

I'm kinda hoping we can make the cigarette smokers step outside at the cabin. I'm still trying to quit and I know it smells rank to those who don't partake!

LeSubtil, we'll figure out how much everyone owes once we're there. It's $120 for the weekend. We'll split it up once everyone arrives, just in case there're last minute cancelations. Won't be much!”

“Cigarett smoking outside is a splendid idea.

Sass - I forgot to tell you...that I'm NOT telling you what your present is. You'll have to wait until December. SissyBoyBriand knows what it is, though!

By the way, how is the quitting going?”

“Not well. Birch leaves me smokes everyday. I'm going to have to get MEAN soon. He just ignores my threats! He has no conscience. He is my coruptor.

Is it funny pants? :o)”

“Has Sunny been invited to Grayling?”

“Birch should STOP leaving you smokes or trying to get you to plain cruel. On the other hand, you've been known to make up stories about who "makes" you smoke. I.E. Buddha was making you smoke at Waterloo... So, not sure if I should believe your story.

Yes, funny pants, Xmas ones. With reindeer, santa, and misletoe...
No, dork - that's not it. Guess all you want, but you won't get it right.”

“I'll smoke outside, if I'm still smoking!”

“wow. major typing trouble. should read

...trying to get you to smoke. He's just plain cruel...”

“He IS! :o)

I'll email, or better yet call Sunshine asap!

Buddha are you trying to quit?”

“right now, i'm doing anything to increase my bacheloric value! :)”

“You shouldn't have to do that!

Sunshine has been officially invited.”

“So is she coming?

Sassy, I'm not sure I'll be headed up there with you at 1PM. I can't cut out of work that early. I'm a consultant, I'm not supposed to have a life outside of work!”

“Great. I was planning on using Sass and Buddha as an excuse to cheat. With my luck, birch will have quit by then, too!”

“Don't count on it! He's incouragable! He doesn't want to quit and won't if he can help it.

Smileygirl, we have to drop Abby off at my mom's at 2, then on to Grayling. Probably by the time we get to the Novi area it'd be 2:30-2:45 or so.”

“Sassy, (my mom used to call me that when I was little...I wonder why??) 2:30 or later might work. I'll have to see how the week goes, but at least I can plan to get my required 45-50 hours in earlier in the week.”

“There is a high possibility that that could work Smiley. I have to see what one of my friends is doing first, maybe we will both come. I will let you know tomorow.”

“Ok, just got home from working, decided I'm going to Ohio!

Thanks, Tarabull, for the ride offer. I'll meander down some roads kinda closer to the middle of the state & meet you at MJT. Not keen on leaving my chariot parked for the weekend for a reason or two. NOT working tomorrow!

Be great if Sunshine could get to the Grayling weekend!”

“If she doesn't respond to my email by Saturday I'll call her. She's been sick (pnemonia) so she hasn't been checking the computer much.”

“Oops, forgot this: Tarabull, I'll be camping. Both nights.”

“Great. It'll be nice to see you again!”

“Adventure Girl - I don't have internet access after I leave work, so let me know by the end of the day (probably 5PM) if you want to carpool. We can meet at the McDonald's on Lee Road. Take 96 to 23 South, Lee Road is the first exit south of 96. We should meet about 8:30AM.

If I don't carpool with AG, I may pack my stuff to spend the night on Saturday.”

“Smiley Girl - we hope you'll be camping. We gotta talk AG into it, as well.

Reformed Lurker mentioned going to Tony Packos (sp?)for dinner after the hike. Not sure if that is still the plan. But if it is, I'm sure we'll have a couple beers. You don't want to have to drive all the way home after that!

Come on AG. You can come up w/ a good story for your mom!”

“Sorry, I just had to post to put the thread at an even 200. Have fun!”