The Crazies Let Loose!

“
Jusat a silly little doodle from my journal (I had to hide mike, he was nearly nakid :) )

Saturday- I was excited to finally be escaping the city, it's hustle and bustle, after too long a time away from the woods. We left home too late (in my opinion) but Mike really likes to sleep in and it was a miracle to get him up at 8 a.m. as it was. By 9, we were on the road- the road that takes to long! I daydreamed of being the inventor of some kind of teleportation device that would have us in minutes to the trail head. We hit Cadillac Michigan just after noon, and had reached the Highbridge trailhead about 45 minutes later so it was nice and warm, dry and sunny for the hike in, WOHOO!



Leaving the trail head behind we followed north along a road and very tall grass for 10 minutes or so and began to veer away from all sounds of humanity. Behind us were the cars and tourists. Ahead- meadows, oaks, birds and surprises.

Hiking in the Midwest does lack the amazing views that out west has, so we take them when we can!

The trail was primarily down hill at this point but began to rise a bit above the Manistee river, which looked lower then last year but refreshing. I SOOOOO wanted to go swimming. Or first view of the river was at a little bridge with a sign that marks an old historic train bridge foundation.

I stood there appreciating it while munching on a wild apple. Yes, there was but one apple tree I saw the entire hike, and there was only one apple on it and it just happened to be at the perfect height for me to pick. It was small, had a couple blemishes on it but oh was it flavorful! I haven't even had store bought apples that tasty for years. I truly was blessed.

We rose in elevation slowly, nothing to break a sweat over and came to another view where we could see endless trees for miles. We then left the views and the river for a while, hiking in the shade of oaks primarily, through an understory of bracken ferns, dancing with pipe vine swallow tail butterflies. Clumps of green moss were plentiful.
Mushrooms of all kinds and shapes were displayed. Tall white ones, cupped ones that held water, slimy yellow ones, clumping yellow ones, bright orange tiny ones, ones with orange caps, yellow coral fungus to mention just a few.

We stopped to admire a humongus oak tree- old growth for sure, and the only one I saw the entire trip. Yes, before you ask, I did hug it.

The path headed towards the river again and took us down about 6 or 7 switchbacks in deep shade with lots of mushrooms, then the forest opened up and the hiking became primarily flat through tall grass, and blooming golden rod, and over a couple streams that were blooming with snake root and other flowers I do not know.

At this point we decided to start looking for a camp where the access to the river would be easy so we hiked a while along the Manistee but could not find any way down for water before the path started leaving it again. Taking a break under an oak and dropping our packs we took a break to eat snacks and to discuss the situation. Finally we decided to turn back along the trail about 10 minutes to the last good flowing stream. We cut away from the trail across a grassy meadow and set up camp beneath a nice sized tree.

It was here Mike took a rest and I did some exploring and playing with the camera (until the batteries decided to fail and I didn't bring spares!)



I explored the creek and going through a lot of brush and logs discovered a really cool water fall that was flowing very good despite the drought. I climbed out to the middle of it over logs to a mini island, where water was crashing all around. It was so cool! Its just a shame I couldn't get any pictures.

I relaxed the rest of the evening. We listened to the owls and coyotes, insects and other night sounds. The stars came out, which I had not seen in so long. I always miss the stars in the city. We both slept well.

Morning came, everything was covered in dew and misty fog making the world seem like a magical mysterious place. We dallied around until the sun came up, filtered fresh water from the creek, packed up camp, and headed out along the same way we had hiked in. Although the trail was mostly up, we did not feel winded- and infact mike says since he quit smoking, he can breath easier on the trail. The ups were nothing to sweat over and we made good time, faster time then on the hike in. We saw a bald eagle watching for his breakfast over the river in a tree, and lost of fish in the water.We were back at the trailhead by 9. I really enjoyed my trip, and though it was short, it was well worth it!”

“BTW, I posted this on my Blog, but I'm not lettin ya in on all my secrets so I posted it here also :P”

“Nice pics and TR.”

“good tr and pics, how's married life? are you expecting yet?”

“Nice report! No rain on you guys?! Lucky ducks.”

“dat was one neat little story.

Later SC
~Tim”