Waterloo SRA Hike: MI: Feb 9

“Here's the info.

Waterloo State Rec. Area is a beautiful section of southern Michigan. It has lakes, small streams and some of the best hills in this part of the state.

In our quest to conquer all high points in southern Michigan, the Michigan Moutaineers have scheduled the following hike:

Where: Waterloo State Rec. Area, meet at headquarters on McClure Rd.

When: Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10AM.

Target: Pond Lily Lookout, a death-defying ascent to the alpine-like heights of a glacial moraine.

Distance: About 10 miles. Hehe, they're all 10 miles, aren't they.

Who?: We have stringent requirements to join the club. You must be capable of enjoying beautiful lakes and forests. You must be able to endure occasional conversations about cookstoves. Most importantly, you must be able to put one foot in front of the other for extended periods of time.

Oh, yeah, bring a lunch and donations for the breast cancer walk.

Michigan Mountaineers.
We like breasts.

Mike”

“I'm pretty sure I can make this one, but I think I'm going to have to miss our Urban Hike in March, unless you all want to push it off again (like you did for Tarabull!) I'm pretty bummed, but I made a committment to my snotty 6th graders.”

“Note: must also be able to endure dogs peeing on yer pack occasionally.”

“You know, we may want to switch to the third Saturday of the month in March. The Washtenaw Hiking Club, I believe, hikes on the second Saturday, too. We wouldn't want to cherry pick.

BTW, I mentioned this on the other thread. Anyone want to hike this weekend?”

“I a going to go backpacking in Manistee National Forest on The North Country Trail this weeend more then likely.If any of you Mich people want to go please let me know.But I don't know if this is a done deal becuase I also have hoosier national in the back of my mnd also.I will keep everyone up to date.”

“I'll be at the Feb hike. I might be bring a couple of more people, if it's alright. One friend wants to start hiking this year and I'd like to see if the two other guys that hiked that trail with me before want to go. SuperB is a no go. She's still in a lot of pain from the last hike. She has an appointment some time this week.”

“I'm glad she made an appointment! I could tell she was hurting bad last hike, poor B.

Bring all the folks you want laqtis, the more the merrier.”

“Hope Super B's knee heals quickly.

I can't hike on Saturday, I have to work. Anyone want to do the 8 miles on Sunday?”

“Hey thanks for the kind words! I'll pass them on.

Sass - New phase for ya - "Don't piss on my pack and tell me it's raining"....”

“I'm up for it.”

“Are going to concider doing this hike on Sunday now? It doesn't matter to me, I just want to have the right date.”

“No fair! I work the weekend of the 9th! I think that you are all purposly trying to avoid me. Wait a second I just remembered I have no car so it wouldnt have mattered anyway. Why isnt there anyone from trail talk in GRand Rapids?”

“ITs just a matter of time before I'm there, Adventure Girl! Give me a year or so. I'm thinking about going back to school, then moving there.

When did we talk about doing this hike on Sunday? I'm lost....”

“AAAHHHHHHHHH my fault!! I though that when you guys were talking about hiking Sunday, I didn't notice that it was last week Sunday. Sorry for mixing things up!!

Still on for that weekend (Saturday)”

“Adventure girl, the hikes are always the 2nd saturday of the month. Get someone to loan ya a car and always ask for that day off!!! We want ya along, really. :o)”

“Looks like I will make the March hike after all. Thought I was going to have to take my 6th graders to the soup kitchen, but it turns out they're not really wanted just yet. They'll have to wait until next year. Too bad for them, good for me!!”

“Yea! Less time with snotty 6th graders and more time with fun hikers!!!!”

“Amen!! :)

How was your b-day, Sass?”

“Good news! My sister just got back from the doctors office. He told her that it looks like tendintious (sp?) of the knee. He has her on celebrex at the moment. He wants her to come inthe day after a hike to get a better look at the knee. She will be coming on this hike, but we might have to boot early if it gets too bad.”

“Glad to hear its nothing too serious. Knee problems can be nervewracking. So, the doctor said if it hurts, don't walk on it?? That's basically what my dr. said, but I haven't been having too many problems lately.”

“Right now, no, she's got to walk on it. He wants it to flare up again so he can really tell what happening. SuperB had a cheerleading accident (seems odd, I know) and never had it checked out. Her knee has some build up on the outside of it, which we know is not normal. I'm just real happy that she got it checked out. I like hanging out with her on hikes and I'm hoping that this doesn't put an end to it.

See you guys in two weeks......”

“Okay, we are still on for next Saturday. I'll try and get out to see about trail conditions sometime this week. So, who is going?

BTW, still no power at my house. Hopefully by tomorrow. I'm camping out in Livonia currently. Hi Sass/Birch!”

“Reformed, sorry to hear you have no power...

We will be there with dogs in tow.”

“Count one SuperB and myself. I might have one more, but I doubt it. Withthis last storm, I heard Jackson got a foot of snow. I bet there's not much left.

RL - Hang in there!”

“Power back, but no cable. Of course, my dish network receiver was covered with an inch of ice and had a big ole tree limb on it and was still working perfectly - buy stock in that company.

But an act of Congress means that I can't get locals on the dish. So, Congress is responsible for the fact that I'm watching the Super Bowl on a fuzzy TV. Vote them all out:)

Go Tom Brady! Go Blue!”

“Sass/Birch, can I catch a ride with you guys again? I'll even make the dogs behave again.”

“Yes. I don't know if we'll bring the pooches this time. Icey trails equal sore paws.”

“Have fun w/out me. I'll be up north skiing this weekend.”

“So we've got:

Laqtis
Super B
Sassafras
Birch
Refromed Lurker
Smiley Girl

Anyone else?

Laqtis, I'll try to remember to gather my IR info for you tonight. Depends on how much beer I have first. :)”

“Thanks, SG!! See you guys tomorrow!”

“Did you guys have fun? Hope you didn't have any beagle trouble!”

“Ya how was that?I know my backpacking trip this weekend was great...:)”

“It was a beautiful day! We did about 7.5 miles. The snow was between a dusting and 5-6" in spots. It was VERY icy snow though uphills were a drag,it seemed like every step required you to stomp to break the crust. It was exhausting but fun! We missed ya Tarabull and Max.”

“I'll bet we hiked 10 miles or so. Trail conditions were a touch challenging. We had some icy snow on the trail. Trail marking was, of course, poor. But I had a great time. We checked out the Pond Lily Overlook and hiked up and down lots of hills. That section of trail is really one of the most challenging in SE Michigan.

Needless to say, we had a good time. How 'bout you guys?”

“hehe, 7.5, eh?”

“Glad to see you had fun becuase I know I did...:)”

“Hey, as always, it was great hiking with you guys. That part of the trail is one of my favorite parts of the Rec Area.


Great weather for hiking!”

“Tarabull, how was the hot tub? Oh, and the skiing too? NO injuries I hope.”

“Skiing was great. Skiied Friday and Saturday. Really wore myself out! The weather was just right as well.

The cabin was adorable. I'm sure you would love it. It would make for a great summer weekend, too. They are on a lake and have a bonfire pit and three different boats.

Glad to hear ya'll had fun. Can't wait to see all of you again.”

“I like the 10 mile estimate better. It sure felt like more than 7.5...”

“By my math, Birch, it is 10 miles!”