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Monday, August 25, 2014

Hiking and Home Again

 
Didn't get a chance to post last night. When we finished activities I would have had to use WiFi through the phone, and a thunderstorm was starting, and I wanted to get in my tent before I got wet.

Yesterday, I got to stay an extra day after the non-conference and hike again with Dan and Ruth Dorrough. I had hiked with them for a day when they were here in the Manistee National Forest. This picture was taken in this morning's sun, after the storm.

Dan & Ruth Dorrough

We met for the first time over 10 years ago, but have only really gotten acquainted more closely in the last couple of months. We agree that it's like we've been friends forever. I wish I could just disappear from real life and hike on with them as they continue their section hike of the North Country Trail. Yesterday, we were on the Superior Hiking Trail piece of the NCT from Martin Road to Lismore Road. Only 7 miles, but it was enough because we had to all get re-organized from the days at the villa. It takes a while to get all the gear re-shuffled to a different lifestyle. And they will be continuing on with their hike, so they had a lot of organizing to do.

SHT sign

The day was damp and drizzly, but not bad. This mushroom was doubling as a little bathtub for someone.

mushroom

Most of our walk was in nice woods, but there were occasional openings with beaver ponds or former ponds that are now meadows.

beaver meadow

Sometimes on a damp day all the colors just seem to pop out. These little beauties wanted to show off.

red mushrooms

We finished in good time, and did some necessary shopping and eating, then returned to our campsite. Dan and Ruth will be doing more backpacking than they usually do in the Minnesota Arrowhead, so we went through their packs, because they wanted to hear my suggestions. Pretty much as soon as we finished that a fairly amazing thunderstorm rolled in, and we all scooted for our "bedrooms."

Mine was still dry and snug this morning (on the inside, but that's where it counts).

Big Agnes Fly creek tent

Sadly, I did have to leave this morning. About 3/4 of the way home I crossed the Big Mac.

Mackinac Bridge

And arrived home in time for sunset through my pines.

sunset

Wonderful trip. I'd like to keep hiking forever.

See North Country Trail Section Hikers Over 2600 Miles
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4 comments:

D.G. Hudson said...

Beautiful sunset, and photos.

Ann said...

it sounds like you enjoyed yourself and you certainly had a beautiful welcome home

rainfield61 said...

Oh, the mushrooms mushroom.

vanilla said...

I just had a wonderful hiking experience, and didn't have to get out of my recliner!

That you captured the play of light and shadow in the first picture is quite nice. We see this sometimes, but preserving it in a picture is tricky.