Backpacking Grand Island National Recreation Area- June 12-14 2011

Last Saturday night I decided to head to Grand Island on Sunday. I love these spur-of-the-moment trips more than anything. There is no wasted time packing, just throw in whatever suits me at the time and whatever food I happen to have around.

It is still early season for the island but I was really surprised that I was the only one on the ferry. I headed up the west coast to one of my favorite parts of the island..the north end.

The area around North Beach is protected so one can not camp there but there is a camp site located not too far from there. I would set up in the back country spot and then spend the rest of the evening until sunset down at the beach.

I had the entire place to myself having not seen a soul since I left the ferry. I can't say enough about the evening....just watching the light patterns change on the rocks and just plain being happy!

As the summer solstice was nearing, the amount of daylight hours was substantial. I woke up early and hiked down the east side. I bushwhacked in to a favorite spot on the coast for a rest break and then continued on down to Trout Bay. I was there by 11:30 AM which meant I could easily make the afternoon ferry or stay on the island another night. Since the latter was my original plan I went for it.

After eating lunch and setting up camp, I took off for a dayhike secure with emergency gear. I bushwhacked into the thumb area and on the way back checked out a favorite spot on the coast line. Again the afternoon and evening was void of people other than a worker on the island who stopped by to chat just after I arrived. I also saw someone fixing one of the cottages. 

In the morning, I took the early ferry back (I was the only passenger) with many good thoughts of the last few days. I love that this treasure of a place is so close to where I live.

May 2011 Adventures

North Country Trail- Marilla to Baxter Bridge - May 2011

In Mid-May I joined the Grand Traverse folks for the annual backpacking outing that I have participated in for many years. This year the activity would be different as their chapter of the North Country Trail had organized a 100 mi challenge to hike all of the trail that the chapter has built and maintained. The latter is a continous process and effort. 

Ed laid out the plans for the challenge itself. A small group of us had decided to backpack (many of us could only do a part of it for now). There would also be lots of shuttling going on as many day hikers would join the backpackers. All told it took a lot of organization skills of many people. As of this date several people have completed the challenge and others are close to it. I hope to go back and finish it at a later date. During my three days there I hiked/backpacked with Dick, Sara, Nancy, Debi, Kim, and Andy.

 Sisterhood - May 2011

One of my friends in the Grand Traverse Chapter invited me to a three-day gathering of women that started right after the backpacking trip. Although I knew Kim and Sara too, it would be a good time getting to know twenty three other women. Being a somewhat shy person I knew this would be a challenge for me but I was amazed how quickly I fit in.

I arrived in my sweaty backpacking clothes looking for a shower. I guess everyone saw me at my worst and still welcomed me. Many kept saying that I was brave to join the group but really they were brave to have an outsider join them. The spirit of all these women are amazing. Most of them are members of She Bikes/She Skis in the Traverse area.

Terri organized the first gathering of her friends three years ago in celebration of life after a battle with cancer. Paula organized the other details for activities such as mountain bike rides and hikes. We all stayed at a quaint resort (Watervale) located on Lake Herring just off the Lake Michigan Shoreline. I will treasure this experience forever as it truly touched my heart. I have made many new friendships and I hope to do future outings with them.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - A Four-Day Backpack - May 2011

In late May my friends Andy and El organized a backpack trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Although I live close to it and get to it often I wouldn't miss the opportunity to enjoy a few days with them. We were joined by Matt, Jen, Joanie, Doug, Ken, Tim and Nancy. Our four day journey was marked by lively chatter, enjoyment of the surroundings and the common love of backpacking and the outdoors. It was great fun!

I have always enjoyed the emergence of Forget-Me-Knots flowers. They remind me of my Grandma Ursula's yard that was covered in them and they also have always had a place in my heart as the symbol for Disabled American Veterans. I also relate them to all the friends I have made through the years, none of them are to be ever forgotten.This picture was taken at Pictured Rocks recently: