The Celebration officially ended last night but there were a couple of hikes today. Since it wasn't very far for us to come back to my house, we went on a 6 mile hike.
![hike](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHyIDBH-Vj_nHfR1O_LHOTRY3U4gCZEeSjjuQlV5jdRq24PQgqgpYDBaTOsn6xQGPHP9TQQilq9EH8SILXMh0jmGddjTDQ9nUIP3nSr6uqGqJLoKd6m0_kD0JyCdVAlSXnmmlFJ0zWlI/s280/NCTAConf2019-16hike.jpg)
This was an out-and-back hike to reach an area with a number of large old trees.
![advice from an oak](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwMgMKwWsIGOgcklR5ZdArAbVBAeTyASEkQlyZKgtKk4dNZ8vRF6JD50MFYUEYC_Rd3b21W2FIxOCKe8SjDJXeId15sCNPcD5vXsruAf08_9bgDVGCeJwMNL3EOBSl6nPZqPs-qy178w/s280/NCTAConf2019-17oaksign.jpg)
And the oak that inspired it.
![large oak](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB6YcXaxGolM9ufC_idX9tt9LzkgIG17CemVVX0TFGR2p4kf48EsLBeEfEegd4l0ssMj4tdXUJP2dbq2Q9aZccj-y_NHq4FImFxJcOu7B2ctj1VDoGKoc71uXnalBWy6mfXq9Cxk_RMo/s280/NCTAConf2019-19oak.jpg)
Then we entered the Valley of the Giants.
![Valley of the Giants](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EwyynsZtRTXfMcGqlHwH3zw2Mdsw5xrHSzyvZZzbG0SiANr07AB7WOYsTfWCAmbJcA6c3-trCZzMfvgFw9A-xQjHZ7xwWJlIkay2N2m7mWU2DRKE7ExJOI0LZ_3PrMkm70yLppjAhhM/s280/NCTAConf2019-20ValleyGiants.jpg)
There are a number of white pine in this area that are at least 150 years old, somehow spared by the loggers.
![large white pine](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__x2oho4hu6otfzGETPQzYHSJGW_6RU2_M1nfoHN3fbpeotl2UI26aIhmbvDbTLlw6vV6W4F96IsLg0JBtmDxTjysSl1rNZLMEIXBrr10yIXyhjZvjd_pEsp3SuQ_9B5iVPu5dmuHFac/s280/NCTAConf2019-21ValleyGiants.jpg)
After that, we walked along 22 Creek, a lovely stream
![22 Creek](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLoALXG67QeQKYKotn4pSpkSXGqggFrtmBRXjSKOanzw1pka0rBN5wjbXLJub0J2HvcxZ5uA9ChtSN0og0FHKi_-1BH8fgC5siTxwNQzQp72yWm054UCWRC-gUF_RPSeNGyXxQPN5Las/s280/NCTAConf2019-22-22creek.jpg)
In some places along it the beavers have been busy. Here's their largest pond.
![beaver pond](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIMsh8XXs7j5iW4C5qVfea0a-dsVTGtU34sBodUrxVkKm3VPed5Qsw4FkkRIrL-eClHMhtCWj3fwapLr2HKsSxynBoTNABbQtcsu2barsbgFaMhlVG_17ycWGcVrHVEmhLWycjsiD_pY/s280/NCTAConf2019-23beaverpond.jpg)
And a good-sized area they have cut all the trees for food and building.
![trees cut by beaver](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4_dH3WYHjICvVuqoofmvosQnbPEDd6Eqqqxf2OO9E847FmdXVl3Z2JE3GfRCJNJ2rhhWG5qaAX9doRjLc-EsKFVc9yM0Eo6lG7Xn_tSuD6xVjvYRUMFelU8LE4cWYxi5jz9gs4N_CHs/s280/NCTAConf2019-24beavertrees.jpg)
The annual Celebration is one of the highlights of my year. So many friends who care about the North Country Trail as much as I do. Good stuff.
Hike 100 Challenge= 34 miles
North Country Trail south of Scheck's Place, Wexford County, Michigan. 3 miles each way
![]() | See Celebration- Saturday |
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That's some oak tree.
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