Michigan Hikers! (and Ohio friends)

“AG - YEAH! (What's your friend's name?)

With AG and her friend, that's 14 confirmed. My goodness. We Michiganders really know how to throw a party.


Smiley - I've been to Deerfield as well. It's nice. My dog really loved the bridges and running around in the river.

Max and I have talked about canoeing into the backcountry sites. I didn't realize there was a problem w/ locals. To tell you the truth, I'm surprised. The campground always looks really clean and and rarely used. Both times we hiked there, we did so on Saturdays and the place was deserted.”

“Le Subtil, anyone interested in meeting there sometime over the break? As much as I love my parents, they drive me crazy (and vice versa) and I'm going to need to get out of the house. Not much else to do up that way, especially since I don't do much gambling.”

“Adventure girl GREAT news! Email me at joenjoyharvey@msn.com and I will send you a map to the cabin post haste!”

“BTW, I finally received the map for the Mason Tract pathway from the dnr. Will bring it along just in case.”

“Hey smiley - send me your email, I think you have mine. I won't be able to access my old computer until tomorrow, and I'm stuck with the laptop. The only email I have on here is tarabulls (plus I carry her info in my wallett at all times in case of emergency)

lol”

“Sassy, will make it for the Sat. day hike only . . . provided driving conditions aren't iffy (my lil green monster + icy roads = trailhead in the ditch). Please throw me the directions to the trailhead. (addy should be in my profile, I hope)”

“RL, prepare yourself :-)”

“I called the cabin guy today. 3" snow. Sounds like quite a crew comin' cant wait.”

“Smiley - I'd love to meet you there, but I'll be relaxing in the Rockie's for Xmas!

BB - in case of emergency? Dare I ask? LOL

SB -look forward to meeting you. Hope the weather cooperates for your drive. Of course, I'm also hoping for snow so we can go sledding... Now, I'm torn!

Birch - 3" of snow is a start. Looks like snow is possible for Thursday and Friday. Of course, that's after a couple days of rain. That won't make for the most optimal snow conditions.”

“tara - look forward to meeting you also . . . and everyone else! BTW, I only need good . . . errr decent . . . uhhh non-white-out driving conditions to make it there. Love hiking (less than knee depth) in the snow.”

“Hey, laqtis, watch it with that 'wholly cow' stuff! Uh, great menu, so I'll definitely be sleeping outdoors!!

The snow was melting today. We'd have to get a lot more b4 using snowshoes.....or skis. And maybe we will!

Smiley, I could meet up with you to go to Deerfield Park. We'll talk later.

Great that you can be there, SB, to boost the Hoosier numbers, and Buddha Bear - awwwright!!”

“Smiley - sure I'd be interested in some holiday hikes. I'm off work between the holidays also.
Craig”

“I'm excited to meet some new people, not that I don't like the rest of you, of course!

Cow Patty and LeSubtil, we'll have to chat about Holiday Hikes next weekend!

Buddha, check yer e-mail.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!”

“Birch and I are planning on heading up to Claire over the holidays. Keep us posted about what date and where you all will hike and maybe we'll be in the area and one or both of us can join you.”

“SB, email headed your way!

AG...Where are yoooou?”

“Where's Lurker? He's in Dearborn, trying to adjust to city life for a weekend. How do you city folks deal with this stuff? Give me a twisty country road that I can do 80 on.

In case I never said it before, my sister and I are definites for next weekend.

Nice to see all the Hoosiers heading north. We'll ease the border crossing restrictions just this once.

Laptops are cool.”

“All right here I am.
Joy sending you an email as soon as I get done posting this

Friends name is Annie.
I look forward to seeing you all.
I am not sure If i have to work friday night or not yet, so we may come saturday morning or late friday night. I will know by tomorow, if my boss did the schedule like she is suposed to.”

“Reformed, are you doing a great lakes hike this weekend? If not, we're doing a rails-to-trails paved trail (in anticipation of the Avon 3-Day) in West Bloomfield on Sunday. I'll send you the directions just in case.”

“Sassy and Birch, or Tarabull, whoever I end up riding with next weekend - I just informed my anal retentive boss I'm leaving early next Friday. Can it just be today instead? I'll just have to go have a drink instead....TGIF!”

“SG - The WB Rails to Trails path is not paved. Just extremely compacted gravel. The same applies to the Paint Creek trail.

Sass/Birch -Strollers, etc are NOT a problem on this trail, though. I've seen them used many many times.”

“Tarabull, mind if we bring the dogs?”

“Cool. We have a jogging stroller so it covers all sorts of ground with ease. I was going to bring along her carrier just in case, now I won't. Thanks Tarabull.”

“YES - BRING THE DOGS!!

I think Sadie may be up for the hike, too.!

We've taken her on the "hilly" 2.5 mile trail a few times recently. Her back seems to be doing good. The Rails To Trails is pretty flat, so I think she'll be alright!

Nah, no need for the carrier. I've seen little kids on bikes and strollers many times. Piece of cake.”

“Hey guys!

Is the cabin full? I'd like to bring someone else along. But if the space is too tight, I won't.

Have we come to any conclusions about where we're hiking?

BTW, how was the West Bloomfield hike today?”

“I think theres room the more the merrier is what I think.”

“Bring 'em along, RL! What's one more person? More fun! But just to forewarn you, I'm not a moring person. Best not to talk directly to me for a while in the morning. :)

The walk yesterday was nice. I can't believe the weather we've had! I finally got to meet Max (he actually exists!) and Abby (what a doll!). Max, my aunt and I did half the hike. I had to drive her back home, so you all probably got home before I did!

By the way, she said you all "are a very nice group." Way to fool her, guys! :)”

“Thirteen in the cabin right now. What's one more person? If CP changes her mind about sleeping outside it'll be 15. We'll all squeeze in! $8.57 with 14, $8 with 15. Makes it easier to pay with one more person.”

“Who is this person? Name, info....

BTW, the hike was great! Gorgeous weather. It was fun having the pups and Abby along. For once everyone behaved well! It was a nice trail. There's a blue heron rookery off of it with loads of nests up in the trees and a viewing platform with a telescope. I can't wait to go back in the spring/summer to see them!”

“Forecast calls for a rain/snow mix on Saturday, and snow on Sunday. Doesn't look like we'll have any sledding, though, pretty warm until the weekend.”

“Smiley, what time are we picking you up?

Great walk yesterday. Unfortunately I wont be doing the 3 day walk. I couldnt get a major sponsor and raising $1900 for the two of us would be to much. Have fun though. Maybe I can be on the Michigan Mountaineers Support Team LOL!

I hope the weather is nice and chilly, I am tempted to sleep out on Saturday to test out my bag...again.”

“I got a question for you Birch- does the cabin owner know that we are going to have this many people in one cabin? All the cabins I've rented have some kind of max for insurance reasons. If we run into trouble whats a second cabin cost?”

“A second cabin would be $100. I was up front with the owner and told him we'd have 14 people in one cabin. He said it wasn't a problem and there'd be enough parking for all of us. He did sound intoxicated but he always does! We've talked to him a few times about next weekend. If we feel too cramped I'm sure there'll be another cabin free. He's an easy going guy and I bet he'd be pleased to rent us a second! It's all set as is; he's had fair warning.”

“BTW, any of us can check in, (cabin #3) but whoever gets there first has to cough up $80 cash.”

“wheeze, wheeze, choke (grasping neck) cough.... damn, there's 80 bucks right there. I've gotta cough more often!”

“Birch, if you still want to get involved, you could volunteer on the 3-Day Crew. They aren't required to raise any money. Just a thought.

I'm planning to get out of work about 12:30 or so on Friday, run home to do some last minute packing, and I'll be ready anytime after that. Just let me know an approximate time, I know you have to drop off Abby and the dogs. Sass was going to check if she still had directions to my house, if you can't find them, send me an e-mail.

Buddha, sounds like a nasty cough! You should cut back on those cigarettes! LOL!”

“I've got the directions SG. We'll be along about 1:30 or so.”

“Binra's work schedule may prevent us from leaving as early as we had hoped. Looks like we might leave after Sass/Birch. He has promised to let me know by Thursday so that you will be prepared w/ the $80 if necessary. I'll give ya a call.

See everyone there!”

“We'll have it just in case anyways.

If you guys are going to be really late we could stop by on our way to get SG and take the chilli fixins and get it simmering so it'll be ready.”

“Nah, it shouldn't be that late. We had talked about leaving by noon so we could get up there early. But, we will probably be leaving closer to 3ish. It's still up in the air.

I'll know for sure on Thursday.”

“You just don't want to take a chance at having to wash dishes! :o)

BTW, all you cabineers, the cooks don't clean up so bring your dish gloves!”

“Hey guys! For an extra $7 bucks, I'd go for another cabin, if this is still possible. I think the extra space might be nice. Is this still possible and what do we think of the idea?”

“Oh, and the my little crew of Irish Hills crazies will be heading out at 3:30. We should be there by 8 or so.”

“PARTY!!”

“we are not leaving her until 4 or 5, and I might have to make a little stop at camp on the way up, so we are gonna be commin in pretty late. I am fo keeping our costs as low as possible and I do not mind a crowded cabin.”

“RL, we can most likely get another cabin once we're there and see how great or small the space is. I wouldn't mind paying alittle bit extra but how're we going to decide who gets which cabin? It's up to you folks. I can call and reserve another anytime.”

“I'd really hate to see the group split into two.”

“I'm w/ you, Le Subtil.

Cramming 14 of us into a 3 bedroom cabin will be the true test of our patience and understanding for one another... Personally, I'm up for the challenge!

In fact, I am looking forward to it.

Smiley - no worries about your grumpy demeanor in the AM. My early morning cheer will bring a smile to your face! :)

P.S. Girls - as you already are aware from childhood slumber parties.... first one asleep gets her bra frozen!!!!!”

“Okay. I'll crawl back into my little hole. One cabin it is!”

“I'm leaving early Friday morning or Thursday night, deepending on how I feel. I prolly be the first one there, and plan on maybe day hiking Hartwick pines, and then going to the cabin. Plans are loose, so they may change.

If the cabin is too crowded, I could always sleep outside, it is , afterall, a bears natural habitat.

BTW - I'm bringin' some wine!”

“Tarabull - So don't wear one!

Buddha Bear - Red or White? I'll prolly have both. I'll also be hiking Fri. so wanna see if we can get to the same place?”