Day Twenty-Four - Midland to Mackinac

 
The proof! Here I am in Mackinaw City at the sign where the Midland to Mackinac Trail heads south. It was eight years ago that I stood in this spot (older signpost then), having reached it from the North Country Trail side and first thought about hiking this trail.

Just go to the next sign, and you can keep going on the NCT- either direction you want! (toward New York or North Dakota)

My timing was perfect- perfectly wrong! I sat indoors all day yesterday in warm and beautiful weather, and today I hiked in rain and wind, the entire day. Well, I'm not complaining. I wasn't too hot, and I really needed some rest. Gumby II did the job. And the water enhanced the colors of the leaves.



Can't stop taking pictures of the beautiful stretches of autumn color along the trail.



It was pretty windy too. Look what came down from somewhere. Glad it's late enough in the year that the inhabitants have died off.



First view of the Mighty Mac from the trail! Made me realize that I've walked a long way!



Today's trail angel that made these 12.5 miles possible in one day- Janice Dillaha, a new trail friend who is also interested in the North Country Trail. Thanks, Jan! And I hope our paths continue to cross.



Saw one other walker- a woman out with two Malamutes. They sure didn't mind the cold and wet, the dogs that is.

One other hilarious incident. As I was just coming into Mackinaw City there were some construction guys putting a roof on a new shuttle bus waiting pavilion. They had their radio playing loudly. Suddenly I heard the announcer say (you can't make this stuff up), "Is the trail calling to you?"
"Why, yes," I thought, "but I don't think they've perfected interactive radio yet."
"Do you wish you could hike, but you're just afraid to?"
"Not so afraid, but certainly curious what you have to offer."
"Visit our orthopedic clinic...."

Forward progress on the trail today: 12.5 miles, which is the same number of miles walked- Hooray! Total trail miles: 198.5

Tomorrow I'm hoping Nancy K and I can get to one of the places I need to connect, and that she won't have driven a bunch of miles to help me for nothing. We shall see- then home.

	See Day Twenty-Three
if you like this blog, click the +1   or

Day Twenty-Three - Midland to Mackinac

 
Today I had the pleasure of hiking with a buddy I haven't seen for a long time.



Less than a mile into the hike the trail crossed the Cheboygan River on the old railroad bridge. Just the ordinary truss kind, but they are still interesting.



The view of the river was fun too. When I came back past here there was a group of people on the bridge shouting and waving to boats as they passed below.



Saw a group of Shaggy Mane mushrooms. Good eating! But I wasn't on a mushroom quest today.



This red squirrel was impressively and loudly upset that I was passing beneath his/her tree.



And, I know it's just a robin, but it was so bright and happy, it just wanted a picture taken.



I loved the mixture of shapes and textures with the New England Asters and cattails.



The colors seem to be nearing their peak along the roads, but only small portions of the trees have turned along the rail trail.



Today, it was extremely grievous to turn around and walk back to the car. I was only 12 miles from Mackinaw City! But I would have been truly beat if I'd gone on. However, I joined and switched to the North Central Rail Trail, and turned the corner westward toward Mackinaw.

I met a Vizsla named Otis (and his owner). Otis leaned on my leg (velcro dog) and wanted his back scratched. The owner and I talked about doggie things. She was impressed that I knew the breed. I told her about my Maggie.

There were quite a few people using the trail for a weekday, during work/school hours. I saw 14 pedestrians (four of which were runners, two were pushing strollers, and two were children), the two tiny humans in the strollers, two dogs, and three people on bicycles.

I expected the trail to go through some ugly places in Cheboygan, because rail lines usually passed through the industrial sections. But this trail continued to feel rural or suburban at the most crowded. The only real change was more street crossings.

The temperature shot back up. I should have worn shorts! I knew it was warm and humid, but found out why I was feeling miserably hot. But I did NOT get rained on.



Forward progress on the trail: 7 miles. Total miles walked today: 14. Total miles accumulated on the M2M: 186.

	See Day Twenty-Two
if you like this blog, click the +1   or