Did You Guess Bill?

I spent last night with Bill and Anne in Ann Arbor.

This morning, Bill and I took a short walk on a nature trail that wasn't yet built when I lived in Ann Arbor. It's near Barton Dam.

The trail wanders near the Huron River.

But what a surprise at the other end! I had no idea where we were going to end up. This now connects with Bandemer Park, and they have built a pedestrian tunnel under the railroad so you can safely get into Bandemer.

The inside has backlighted laser-cut artwork on the walls.

The reason this was such a fun surprise is that when I lived here, I could walk from my place to the Argo Dam on the river, and then up along it for a couple miles to get to Bandemer Park. But there was no way then to walk on to Barton Dam- at least not a trail. I just love connections like this!

Here's the picture you probably expected. Hiking buds.

Last night's clue? I know it wasn't much of a clue. It's part of a computer memory system. Bill has a board that is about 16x18 inches covered with wrapped wire like in that picture, and the whole thing provided 16K memory! That was a "few" years ago.

Tonight's clue is a little more helpful, but I don't think you'll guess where I am anyway.

Miles walked in 2026: 47.9

Barton Nature Trail, Ann Arbor, MI. 2.4 miles.

See Home Via Ann Arbor

Proof and Fun

Not much that's newsworthy today. I made soup, but didn't take a picture. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. It's yummy, but not visually stunning.

After I said I have no pictures from yesterday of Bill and me, someone sent me two. Neither shows us at our most attractive, but hey, we were having fun.

I signed the group in collectively at the trail register, and Bill held the lid to make a desk.

About half of the hikers went to Bitely Bar to eat. Here we are again.

I was super good today. Edited longer than usual, made soup from the Christmas ham bone, cleaned the kitchen (well, it's not done but is it ever?)

Here's more fun. I know that sharing pictures of my games is probably low on your interest list, but I'm kind of tickled about this. I managed to make this fox family by collecting prizes from three different events. The fox in the stump pops in and out. The fox on the left alternately crouches in this "play" pose and stands. I just got the kit today. It definitely makes me smile.

See Spirit of the Woods- January

Transition to Civilization?

The day began with a civilized and very good (and huge) breakfast at a cafe next to the motel.

Then we had to say goodbye to Marie (always a sad event for me). But we drove to Diane's where were were welcomed and hosted yet again! Yeah, we are on the way home, but in stages.

Diane has pretty flowers on her deck...

... and a cannon in her driveway!

Perhaps this is one of the reasons Diane and I have become friends so fast... she has as varied interests as I do, and she isn't neatly predictable.

OK, it's a reproduction cannon, but it really fires. She and some of her family members have been taking part in civil war reenactments for years. It's in her driveway waiting for the paint to dry after its yearly touchup.

No hiking occurred except a short walk around the block for Bill and me after dinner (yet more delicious food provided by Diane).

See Low to High

Day Six- Racing for the Motel

We had under seven miles to go to get to the car and a motel. We were on a mission!

We had to climb 700 feet and after that it was "all" downhill to Raymond Brook TH.

A loon sang throughout the night and I caught this picture in the morning of it shaking out a leg.

It was a day of bad bridges...

And good, even new bridges!

We began the long downhill with high hopes for speed. I "remembered" it as a gentle grade with mostly smooth trail through dryish woods. Ha! I only remembered the couple hundred good feet apparently. The trail dropped 1300 feet over several miles with really difficult footing and a number of steep areas.

One of the most fun things is this historic ski rescue shed from the 1930s. Yes, this is a ski trail. You can see how much snow was typical by the height of the shed.

I also forgot about this beaver flooding. The trail used to go right through that area (I know because there are blue discs on trees out in the water). Now it crosses the dam and climbs up to a ridge on the far side. Still mostly marked with flagging ribbon. Things happen slowly here. I would think that in three years it would have been marked with discs.

One more interesting encounter. There was a team of four researchers from the health department out doing a population study on deer ticks. She wanted to tell us all about it!

Another quarter mile to the car, motel in North Creek, shower, lunch (tuna melt for me, burger for Bill), laundry, sorting, blogging, etc. No one can trash a motel room like a couple of hikers!

Despite the elevation challenges, we finished around 1 pm. Not too shabby!

Miles hiked in 2025: 265.8
Miles hiked on NCT in 2025: 147.6

New York, Adirondacks, North Country Trail, Botheration Pond to Raymond Brook TH. 6.5 miles

See Longest Day