Hello Summer!

Gorgeous summer weather finally found our beautiful state, unfortunately because of the rain the mosquitoes are thick and they have voracious appetites. The blog may appear to be inactive but I am working on research and other trail related things offline so in due time posts will start flowing, hopefully one a day or at least 4 a week. Plus it's graduation season. My extra time has been depleted by getting another child ready for the adult world, and we couldn't be more proud. She's going into the physical therapy and prosthetics field. She won a very large academic scholarship from her school of choice. As a person with permanent damage due to a knee injury, I am happy to see her enthusiasm for her choice of career. We need more doctors who understand us and our quest to walk, hike and run around on every trail we find. Until another post my friends, stay safe =) and do let those bad bugs bite!!

Strollers, Low Impact and Handicap

If you are venturing out on trails with children and want to take along a stroller or wagon or just don't want something that's "hard" to walk, like hills and stairs, make sure to read the trail guide from the book or website to see if it describes the type of trail it is or if it's handicap accessible. The ones that are can be the most stroller and wagon friendly. I'll try to make sure I note which trails are best in these situations when I have that information available myself and there's not a companion website for the trail.

Please, if you know of any trails that are handicap, family friendly and great for low impact walking, let me know. There are many people who want to lose weight but cannot take on a trail with a lot of sloping and stairs at first because of how much they currently weight, circulation issues, inactivity disabilities, etc. These trails are VERY important to their baby-steps into weight loss. It's so much easier to go for a walk where it's beautiful than to stay indoors on a treadmill.

To contact me, you can comment to the blog post (if the information is beneficial to all of my readers) or to michiganonfoot@yahoo.com. Remember, I'm also on Facebook and through Networked Blogs (see right hand column to connect). I'll be adding a twitter feed this week.

Bad Weather Benefits

It seems that when we look outside we say "Oh, wow, sun" instead of being surprised it's raining. Although I love a good thunderstorm, this rain is really putting a damper on many outdoor activities, no pun intended.

Unless it's thunderstorming, a walk in the rain isn't bad and for those wanting to walk to burn calories, colder weather does help as your body is trying to heat itself. Many of you that like to kayak or canoe, a lot of Michigan trails are along rivers and do have public boat launching sites and water activities available, including rentals. Do keep in mind many of our rivers right now are under a flood watch or warning and currents are a lot faster than normal, so please take extra safety precautions. Deeper water hides debris and fallen trees. If you're an inexperienced boater, stay on foot until the water levels go down.

Speaking of flooding, word has gotten back to me many of the trails that are in flood plains, even if some are flooding over the trails, are still open and quite the sight to see. The excess water brings some wildlife and fish closer to the trails. Just keep in mind some sections of the trails may be closed where the water crosses the path, currents could be present and unseen. If you see water damage to the trail or trees down, please take the time to notify those that manage the trail. Taking a photo of the damage will help.

So if you're brave enough to walk in the rain, find a trail near water that could be interesting to see "under water". Remember, even when the rains stop, the water can still rise for a day or two before it recedes. Do not ignore signs placed around the grounds by trail managers.

Ride the Keweenaw Weekend

Event details here (Facebook link).

Justice For Lily Champions 4 Children 5k Run/Walk

Saturday, May 21, 2011 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Category: Main category.
Added by: trussell

5K walk run to raise money for the Lapeer Child Advocacy Center and to raise awareness of child abuse.

Location: Rowden Park

Phone Number: 810-614-3012

Sponsor: Jutice for Lily

Wild Lapeer Foot Race

Saturday, May 21, 2011 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Category: Main category.
Added by: trussell

Promote local natural resources/agriculture/Recreation and Education.

Location: Ponds & Prairies, Chatfield School and Rolland Warner Campus.

Cost: FREE

Phone Number: 810-664-5647

Sponsor: Joseph Stock

Michigan Trail Maps Started

View Michigan Trails in a larger map