Map My Ride App and Website

I haven't actually used this but I see more and more friends posting on Facebook about it so I'm sharing here.  Looks interesting.  Here's the link to Map My Ride.

Whitefish Point 5k-10k

Upcoming event:

2nd Annual Whitefish Point: Run For The Light - Saturday, October 13

For more information click here (registration is at the bottom of the page).

Michigan On Foot Is On Pinterest

I wear many hats.  Besides being a mom and a wife, I'm also a genealogist, a photographer, a graphics designer, a painter, a housekeeper and a volunteer.  I keep busy, sometimes too busy.  I go from one project to another when one priority presents itself or boredom sets in.  Yes, boredom.  I love each of my projects, even if other things in life take me away from another, I still find the road back.

I'm still researching, trying new trails and mapping.  Now that Pinterest exists, I have a separate account for my Pinterest, boards are separated by county.  Some pins I haven't thoroughly read through, so feel free to leave comments on them if they are helpful or not.  I do post pins for snowmobilers and bikers.  I found out that my readers do more than walk.  We are in Michigan and there's so much to do, so that comes to no surprise.

Here's my Pinterest page for Michigan On Foot.

Be sure to stay safe and hydrated on those trails!

Hi there! Remember me?

As much as I adore my hobbies and passions, I got called back to work for a 6 month assignment and worked many hours a long way from home.  Now the assignment is over and I'm home for a "spell".  Housework is nearly caught up and I'm getting back into the swing of things.  I've also discovered Pinterest.  So between Blogger, Google Maps, surfing for research, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest, I should have a pretty well rounded site going here with a lot of tools for you to work with.  It's really important for me to get this out in a format you can pull up on your phone while out enjoying Michigan.  The more areas I can share, the more choices you have and you can pick what works for you.  Feel free to add a suggestion in the comments.

While I was working I had a chance to visit Stony Creek in Shelby Township (Macomb County).  I took some amazing pictures.  I'll be covering that location soon and sharing some photos as well.

Fayette, Michigan - A Ghost Town

This historic town site has a beach, campsite, trails and the town itself as a self-guided museum.  I've been here and camped with 5 teenagers who had a blast.  For more information, see this link for the site dedicated to the town.  If you do visit, be cautious of poison ivy growing along pathways.  Also, if you're able, make a donation, even if only $5.

This page also has information about the town and trails, though I could not locate a map.  There is a map in the parking lot of the town site.

Til our paths meet again...

Today I said goodbye, for now, to a good friend and an amazing person. What does she have to do with you and this blog? As hikers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts in general, we are at higher risk for things such as skin cancer.

My friend Tina has left us a legacy, defying the statement that the good die young - just because her physical time on earth was only 38 years, she lived many lives during that time frame. She has accomplished what many of us could never do. While cancer was beating her down, her head was held high as she helped others with their journeys. Her strength, class, grace and determination is contagious. She made the most out of the good days and the bad. She never wasted a second, even when she didn't have mobility, she was still fighting the fight.

In her honor, celebrating her spirit and to say thank you for being a part of my life, I share with you the blog of Tina Sullivan, melanoma warrior, and inspiration for Pale Skin Is In. Cancer may have taken her body from us, but it didn't stop her heart, quiet her voice or end her fight. Team Pale Skin Is In is dedicated to continuing where she left off.

To her husband Todd, daughter Teya, parents, brother Cory, extended family and fellow friends - I find it an honor to have known her and if there's anything I can do to continue her journey, I'll be there, you have my prayers and support.

To Tina - Forever in my heart, with the big hair, wrinkling your nose, sticking your tongue out at me saying I'm more stuck up than you are! You have to watch out for those quiet ones, they bite!!

The Big Spring - Kitch-iti-kipi

Okay, this isn't really so much of a trail or hiking spot, but if you are tired of walking long distances and are up in the UP looking for something breathtaking - here you go. I can't say more about it than what's on that site other than I'll be back here every time I'm in the area. The kids had a great time, amazed at the fish, watching coins fall to the bottom of the spring and steering the raft.

Copper Harbor Mountain Bike Trails

Found a link for mountain bike trails in the Copper Harbor area with a lot of great info.  Trails maps in jpg form are on the site.  I'm sure you can download these to your smartphones.

Ahhhh.....

Feels good to finally have the open house over with, my kitchen is still a disaster. I have a batch of photos to edit and two senior photo shoots as well as a historical photo shoot coming up this week, and it's going to be a hot one!

Your emails are full of amazing suggestions and THANK YOU for the compliments. One email in particular said "even though you only have a handful of the existing trails on the map so far most of them are close to most of us... has made for nice short trips just an hours drive". This isn't why I started in the southern part of the state but she has a wonderful point!

To answer another email: Yes, I am going to document closed trails. The reasoning is, if it was a trail once, it may be a trail again. It may have been closed due to budget costs, safety hazards or a sale of the land. Whatever the reason, if you know it exists, there's a chance YOU could make a difference to get the trail re-opened. Just remember to read and obey the signs in and around all trails. If it's a closed trail, you may get permission to enter if you find out who the property owner is and ask, doesn't hurt. Trespassing is against the law. I will do my best to provide information on the owners of the closed trails, but that's not always that easy from here if it's miles away from me - so no promises!

Pure Michigan has wrote me about being a guest blogger and I'm going to take them up on it. I don't know what exactly to cover so I think I'm just going to brag about how we have nearly as many trails in Michigan as we have beaches, campgrounds and rivers and many of these trails are a part of the park systems of the cities, counties and state. Of course I won't be able to get to writing it until next week.

On that note, I'll leave you with this:

If you want to have fun outside, MICHIGAN HAS IT ALL!!

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

Beautiful Day

I say that with a sarcastic tone because Michigan is having yet another day of rain.  At least the flooded parks have dried out and the river has receded, for now.  Taking a walk in the flooded park does make for an interesting time, unless most of the path is under water too.

I'm curious, what kind of weather won't you walk in?  Are you a die-hard person who will walk in any kind of weather or temps? Did you know walking during winter burns more calories because you are carrying the extra weight of your clothing and from your body trying to keep warm?  Even just walking around the block is better than the same amount of time on a treadmill.  They say in many homes the air quality is worse than some factories.  Fresh air is free and untaxed ;) - for now, maybe I shouldn't give them ideas, huh?

What places have you been in the winter that makes it worth the trouble (plowed, not plowed, scenic, etc)?  It's my experience most trails are not plowed and few are groomed for skiers.  If they are being groomed, hiking and running is not allowed on the groomed portions of the trail.  You must be wearing skis, even snowshoes are not allowed.  The Hansen trail guide does cover this, but it is good to call ahead to the trail staff to find out.  When possible, I will cover this.

Enough of the snow... my other question is do you go for a motorcycle ride and then go hiking somewhere?  Where are your favorite places to take these rides, where you can safely park your bike to walk and are there any good restaurants and lodging nearby?

Coming up in the next week: cellphone apps, geocaching, Deerfield trail in Mount Pleasant.

Lumberman's Monument

Lumberman's Monument is just to the east of Iargo Springs (posted couple of days ago).  It's part of the Highbanks Trail.  I've been to this historical site several times.  Photos of various trips can be found here.  The site can easliy be found opposite Monument Road off River Road, which follows the AuSable to the south.  This is like Iargo, having many steps to walk down to the water and right back up.  It is handicap accessible in the areas surrounding the parking lot and parts of the trails but to get down to the water, it's not.

Iargo Springs - Iosco County

This is a majestic place hidden amongst the trees along the river's edge.  Water trickles from nearly every nook and cranny in the hillside.  On a hot summer day, the cool water and shade from the trees will provide a beautiful atmosphere.  Though not far from the road, when you are here you will forget about cars and anything modern.  All you will see are trees, water, birds, butterflies and steps... hundreds of steps, close to 300 of them.

This location isn't much of a trail but it sure will give you a workout.  There are many stops along the way to take a break but if you cannot handle a lot of stairs, this isn't the place for you, or at least don't venture all of the way to the bottom.  Year round I recommend taking water, you'll need the refreshment, and remember water works best, no juice or pops (soda).

Iargo Springs is located off M-65 on Iargo/River Road in Iosco County (Oscoda), Michigan.  It is a part of the Au Sable River system and a part of the Highbanks Trail.  Nearby is Lumberman's Monument (an upcoming post), Loud Dam, Cooke Dam, town of Glennie (to the north) and several camping areas.  Approximate GSP location is 44.440919,-83.675416.  Other activities can be found nearby, such as snowmobiling, fishing, boat launches, canoeing and hunting sites.  For lodging, look to Oscoda, Mio, Tawas, West Branch or Glennie.

Iargo Springs in a google search.
Iargo Springs - my photos @Webshots
Au Sable River Country website (recommended)

Clinton River Trail Mastodon

When MDOT and OCRC was working on the intersection of Adams Road and M-59, they made a discovery - mastodon bones.  There is a marker a bit south of the parking area on the trail.  The remains of the mastodon were moved to two places, one a nearby at Cranbrook.

Here are links for more information:
Earthcaching/Geocaching
MSNBC article
Channel 4 Detroit
Larry the Biker's Flickr (source of photo above)


For information on the trail itself, since it has it's own website and Facebook, I won't duplicate information other than this trail comes highly recommended.