10 More Newaygo County Miles

  Today, I hiked another 10.5 miles. 10.25 were on the North Country Trail, and 0.25 was a bushwhack to get from a road to where I finished hiking last Wednesday. I've recently hiked some of these miles with groups- links below if you like to compare seasons.

I started just south of the Centerline Road crossing. The other day I found several really large white pines. This time, there were big red oaks. Still alive- I could see buds on the tips of the upper branches. You can be assured that the pines were not there when this baby grew up.

I'll just take you along with me past the features of interest. West of Centerline, the trail passes Pearl Lake. Lots of swampy area around it, but you could get water with difficulty. I did not even notice it last November!

But this is the hike I took with friends to see the new boardwalk across an extensive marsh. I ate my lunch on the deck in the middle of it today.

It's a lonely landscape- very wild and northern looking. I like the view back from the other end where you can frame it with some trees.

Spring is coming! I saw a few flowers today- will probably share those tomorrow. But the Shadbush is starting to bloom. That's a sure sign. Nice arrangement, Mother Nature!

And here we are at the White River again. However, I haven't actually shown you the bridge itself before. These are brought in on a big piece of equipment and just plopped in place- they are all one piece. Standard Forest Service issue, but very practical where equipment access is possible.

And here's the river itself. This may be the same view I shared in November. But I like it.

A little farther, and the trail parallels and then crosses Rattlesnake Creek. There are a lot of white cedar along there. Very pretty.

Just north of M-20 is Second Cole Creek. This is always shaded, and reminds me a lot of the unnamed creek close to home south of Upper Branch Bridge.

I passed quite a few of the large red oaks today.

Got to the car sooner than I expected- that's because I apparently can't subtract. I thought the hike was going to be longer. Well, it was nice. The temperature was perfect- right around 60 degrees, I wasn't tired at all when I finished. Now I have to get this data processed.

North Country Trail miles so far in 2021 is at 189.

North Country Trail, Newaygo County, east of Centerline Road to 3 Mile Road, 10.25 miles

There isn't really any other news. A trail friend spotted me, so I didn't have to walk both directions. That was awesome!

See Hiking is Back on My Radar See White River from the Other Direction

White River from the Other Direction

  Today, four of us drove to the M-20 Trailhead of the North Country Trail in Newaygo County. This is just far enough away from home that I don't get there too often. So, here we are: Becky, Laura, Peg and me in front.

It was a gorgeous day for a hike on my favorite trail. We didn't need snowshoes, as the treadway was well packed. It was kind of mushy on the way back, as the day warmed, but not too difficult.

Temperatures were above freezing and the sun was glorious!

I think this is my favorite picture of the day, with the two shades of brown leaves (beech and oak) looking so rich.

We crossed Rattlesnake Creek and then walked beside it for a distance.

Our turn-around destination was the White River. Here's the bridge. This was just over 3 miles, so our total was 6.

On the hike in November (link below), this was also our turn-around point, but we came from the south on that hike. We met one of the hikers from that day, today!

This picture wasn't taken on the trail, but I really like the way the vines are curving up the tree, and the moss on the tree is just glowing in the sunshine. I didn't go look closely at the vines. They are not Poison Ivy or grape, and I don't think they are Virginia creeper. That leaves me with bittersweet. Next time I'm at that spot I'll have to check my "drive-by botany" skills.

Hike 100 for 2021 is at 73 miles.

North Country Trail, Newaygo County, M-20 south to the White River and back for a total of 6 miles

In other news; There isn't much. We went out to eat afterwards, and when I got home I prepared for tonight's virtual book event. When that is over, I think I'll be done for the day!

See Hiking is Back on My Radar

Hiking is Back on My Radar

  An impromptu hike on the North Country Trail was organized via Facebook. (And I did not have to stay home and work on projects!) Eight of us met to hike a new re-routed section near White Cloud, Michigan. The new piece includes some great boardwalk through a marsh and it took a couple of miles of trail off road. Always a goal!

The boardwalk goes through a beautiful unnamed marsh. Not the most beautiful time of year, but still some subtle colors.

Just slightly beyond where the re-route joins the old route is the bridge over the White River. I haven't been back to this particular location since I first hiked it, and when it counted toward my End-to-End hike in May of 1997. It was pouring rain that day!

The bridge is the same, and the river is the same.

We returned to the cars via the old trail and road. Not quite 4.5 miles. Pretty short, but it was good to see some old friends, and meet two new ones.

Speaking of friends! Before the hike, I had lunch with Sue (who served us some yummy chili, cornbread, and salad)...

...and snuggles with Sophie. (Sue had things to do, so she couldn't go on the hike.)

In other news: Isn't that enough news?! But there is a little more. Since I was doing all this via Baldwin to Whitc Cloud I accomplished another errand in Baldwin. And I wrote 289 words. I know... lame... but it's better than nothing.

Total North Country Trail Miles in 2020: 237

North Country Trail near White Cloud Michigan, Centerline Road to White River

See Finishing Calhoun County

Views of the Day

 
I had to go to Grand Rapids today, and of course couldn't chance being late, so the interstate was my route going there. However, coming home I got to play one of my favorite games... just take a road going in the right direction and see where I end up.

There was one stop I had to make on the way, so the road had to wander there, but it wasn't time constrained, so I had a blast.

I loved this small wetland beside the road.



And you know I found a couple of really good back roads. This is 132nd Avenue (between Pierce and Baseline if you are local and care). These pretentious names on seasonal roads always crack me up.



Another stop at the White River was on the agenda. I needed to collect information for my newspaper column.



And finally, I discovered another place to get a nice view. This is on 128th Avenue, just south of Clock Rd, looking north.



This is two-week old news now, but I quit the job that had me driving all over several counties. Increasing constraints with no increase in pay... anyway. So, I won't be out and about as often, unless it's for something I want to do.

	See Exploring Hesperia's Parks
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Exploring Hesperia's Parks

 
I'll probably show you a few more things from Stan Hywet another day, but I did something interesting this morning that I want to share.

There is a small town about 45 minutes from me that has quite a few parks, and I wanted to research them to use in my newspaper column. So I went there and collected information for a couple of hours before the rain started. I had to come back to get to work anyway.

They just added a "history trail" to the central park in town. I read about that in the Oceana County weekly paper, and that's what kicked off my interest. Hesperia has fewer than 1000 residents so I hadn't thought of it as a big recreation location, but they actually have quite a lot going on. The main park is Webster Park. It's nicely decorated.



They've just added 13 interpretive panels along the perimeter sidewalk. It was pretty interesting reading. This isn't one of those signs, just part of the entrance gate that I liked.



The primary natural feature of the town is the White River, and the dam which has supplied power for various industries since about 1867. Now it provides recreational fishing grounds.



There was a short trail beside the lake above the dam. I just liked these two stump terrariums.



Caught pictures of two interesting birds. There were a couple dozen killdeer on the mud flats along the lake. I don't think I've ever seen so many killdeer in one place. It seemed odd. Perhaps there was some invertebrate they found particularly tasty.



I did get a very bad picture of a kingfisher. It's not worth showing you. I did, however, catch the footloose robin. Quite a few of them actually. The town was decorated with plywood trees which had been painted by school classes. I liked this one.



I need to go back on a day with bluer sky to get nicer pictures.

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Oh, the Greenness of It!

 
I had to go out on assignments this afternoon. I don't usually do that on Saturdays, but it was the only time I could make an appointment for one of them. A lot of miles in the car, but who could complain with these views to soak in?



I know I've been sharing this kind of thing all week, but it's just so wonderful, it's still giving quality to my days. I love the textures and shades of green.



The colors along the White River were so luscious, and the water was high. You just wanted to be swept away with the current to explore more places.



And, what trip would be complete without another shaded back road?



Today was also very warm. Felt like summer. Some good sleep and it will be perfect.

	See Can't Get Enough of This
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Holiday Bike Ride

 
I did take the bike and went for a ride right after the paper route. Since it ends pretty far south, I went just a little farther and rode the south section of the Hart-Montague Rail Trail, from Rothbury to Whitehall.

You should know that it was already 80 degrees at 4 am. I got on the bike at 6:45. I'm certain I haven't been on a bike that early in the morning since the days of long-distance bike trips. My internal clock is just destroyed this week.

However, the ride was pretty nice. About 16 miles out and back.

Here's the White River as I crossed. It looks as if the sun isn't up, but it really was.



Most of this piece of trail is straight and narrow and nice for riding, but not too stimulating. However when you get into Montague/Whitehall it becomes a really nice urban (small city) trail. The garden clubs have done a lot of landscaping. Here's one of the largest gardens.



They also have an Art Walk with quite a few sculptures and constructions. Most are somewhat contemporary, but this one is a whimsical eagle in a wooded section, that's a lot of fun.


Coming back, Montague is visible across White Lake (same bridge as above, just different direction and angle)



When I got home, it was blasting hot. I took a cold shower, ate, tried to do some stuff and ended up vegged out with a book. Then I slept for a while, and worked on paperwork for the assignments I did yesterday.

Tomorrow and Friday are supposed to be even hotter. I'm not sure how I'm going to do all the stuff I have to do. Stick around, and you'll find out...

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