Michiganers-wanna hike with me June 21-2 3?

“Yes, that's right. I'm spending my last week in the Midwest in Michigan! I'm going to be in the UP June 18-20, and then after that in Southern Michigan through the 23rd, and I'd be pleased if some/all/any of you would join me for a hike the weekend of June 21-23. I'd be happy for company earlier in the week in the UP, too. Gonna spend some time at Pictured Rock, I think. You guys can decide where for the weekend... anywhere you choose will be fine with me.
The 24th I am loading up and heading toward Arizona.
So whatcha think?”

“The Little Guy and I would very much like to meet up with you in the UP the 18-20. What do you have in mind?”

“I have nothing specific in mind. I'd like to do something overnight.
I'm open to suggestions since I don't know the best spots at all. I've been to Pictured Rocks and that's it.”

“We never went cross country skiing!!

Those days are definate maybe for me. The girls will be in Florida so I'll only need to find day care for one. Now, if I can just get the time off work! This just might work for me. Keep me posted!

Also, I have a new computer and don't have outlook anymore. Please send me an e-mail so I can update my new address book. Thanks!!”

“That weekend sounds good for me. I'm thinking northern lower Michigan or Eastern UP.”

“Sounds good!”

“So.... where?”

“I'll be at Pictured Rocks that weekend, Cindy Lu. You're more than welcome to join us that weekend if you'd like.”

“At this point, I'm a maybe. I may have to be in Marquette during that time period for work... so I probably wouldn't be able to hike.

I'll keep checking back here for more details once my plans are finalized.”

“Sounds like fun, but to far away.:(
I hope you have a great time!”

“Hey Cindy Lu I'd be up for a hike that weekend. Fri is the summer solstice. The bugs would be bad in the up, eh?”

“I think we could probably make it that weekend. I'll mark the calendar!”

“Da bugs ul be bad but da company can't be beat, eh.

Besides, Cindylu is so sweet, the bugs will be all over her. Stinky me will be chillin' by the fire.”

“lol, maybe we could market her as bug attractant?”

“So is it going to be Lower Michigan somewhere for the weekend of June 21-22-23?”

“Ever been to the manitous Cindylu?”

“what the heck is manitous?”

“I am soooooooo excited!!!”

“They're islands off the coast in Lake Michigan. Part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat. Lakeshore. North Manitou Island has nice, easy trails, hills, several lakes and old ruins. That would be way fun, but logistically more difficult than other possibilities.”

“Okay. so what are some other options?”

“Hmmm...hmmm...we could work on some NCT segments. "C" is 28.8 miles. That would be okay for three days. Looks like it may be a busy stretch though.

We could also do some of the midland to mackinac trail. I think LeSubtil may have done that one; he'd probably have some good info on it.”

“We could also do NCT segments A and B, 41 miles total. 13 a day...I've done "A" and it's gorgeous, along the Manistee River.

Another option is the Pere Marquette segment. Never been there yet. It's 45 miles.

We could also do parts of the shore to shore trail but it's a horse trail and has on;y private horse campgrounds. Wait, I takethat back...segment A has camps along the trail. It's 45 mi too and goes along the AU Sable.

The Vasa pathway is 35 km (KM?!).

Can you tell I'm leafing through the MI Trail Atlas? LOL.”

“NCT Mackinaw ST Forrest 3 looks nice. Dunes, pine forrest, wilderness camping...33.2 mi. Says it's beautiful, but aren't they all mostly?

There's the High Country Pathway, 70 mile loop...we'd have to backtrack. Passes through sinkhole pathway (that sounds cool). This one looks neat.

That's all I found in the lower peninsula. I wouldn't mind crossing the bridge if we stayed on the east side.”

“I've put the dates in my calendar. Pick someplace cool! Oh, wait, everywhere we've been has been cool. I love this state!”

“well, how about a revisit to someplace cool? I've been virtually nowhere in Michigan. But anywhere with you guys is the BEST!”

“What kind of milage would you like to do Cindylu?”

“oh gosh... what can we comfortably do in a weekend? I am not as concerned about distance as I am about being with you folks in a great place in Michigan, yaknow?”

“so... who's in?”

“I can't confirm yet. We're waiting to hear when my nephew's graduation is. If my sister is in Alabama at that time, I won't be able to go. Someone has to hold down the fort. As soon as I know for certain, I'll let you know.

As far as your time in the UP, you pick the place. :o)”

“I'm in also. Sassafras your Mackinac idea sounds good to me but I'm up for anyplace.”

“What are the dates on this?”

“Look at the thread title nutsy.=)”

“Oh, Duh! Man, this insomnia thing I've got is really messing me up....”

“It's looking more likely that I'll be able to attend. I think my meetings in Marquette (and Iron River and Escanaba) have been moved up a week. Which means I'll be done by the weekend of the 21st.

SG - I think you'll be in Pictured Rocks that weekend...”

“Thanks for keeping an eye on me, Tarabull! :)

We got our permits from Chapel Beach to Au Sable. You guys can come hike with us if ya want!”

“so... I've received a suggestion for Manistee River Trail

I know some of you have done this hike... so where's the best starting place? Can we start Friday night, or what works best for youse?”

“Yes, this is a VERY nice trail. Would you like some copies of the map?”

“Its a great trail but its just a overnighter for me.

8)”

“Yup. Crazy Mike is too advanced for the rest of us.”

“I am?

8|”

“Sorry, I like my ham on wry.”

“What are you talking about????

I don't get it??????

8|”

“I'd love a copy of the map...

:)”

“lol Mikes..I like starting at Seaton Creek campground and heading out on the NCT side of the loop. I would usually do this hike in two days but would enjoy stretching it out a bit if you want to make it three.”

“http://www.jenisonbsa.org/maps/manisteetrail.html

Go to that link and you can get the map.

8)”

“Thats what I like to do Sass!!!

8)”

“cindy lu - I will work up something for you. I have three different maps of the trail. I think that between the two of them, you should be able to get the jest of it. I might have to scan them in if I can't find them online. The link Mike provided was good, but the maps are iffy. At worst, give me a day or two.

So far, I am planning on attending. I am set to hike that trail the week before this hike with some friends of mine, so it would be neat to hike it two weeks in a row. I'll see if SuperB (my sister) is up for this trip too.”

“coooooooooool!!!!”

“We'll be doing some pre- trip scouting too. Will look for extra camp sites. =)”

“you guys are too good to me!!!”