Author: Amie
-
Running the Half at St. Patrick’s Fall Festival
•
Fifty-five runners eagerly stood awaiting the signal. The sun barely peeked above the horizon. The countdown began, and with the sound of a horn, we were off. The Portland St. Patrick’s Fall Festival Half Marathon was underway.
-
Hiking the Trails of Chippewa Nature Center
•
With 1,500 acres of diverse habitat and 19 miles of trail, Midland’s Chippewa Nature Center is the perfect place to spend quality time in nature.
-
Delicious Steve’s Chili
•
Delicious pre-made Chili is a perfect, easy camping dish that can pack a punch when it comes to protein and flavor.
-
An Autumn Cabin Rental at Mill Creek
•
My mom and I kick off autumn with a cozy cabin rental in one of Michigan’s most iconic cities; Mackinaw City. Mill Creek Campground is located just outside of the city and offers a great outdoor experience for modern campers. From campsites to cabin rentals, they have something for everyone.
-
Gear Review: Mission Enduracool Microfiber Towel
•
Hiking during hot days requires a bit of creative thinking and planning. Avoiding mid-day temperatures can help but what about those days when it can’t be avoided? We had this very problem when we did our hike through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Our solution was the Mission Enduracool Microfiber Towel.
-
The Waterfalls of the Presque Isle River
•
Streaming through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a beautiful and scenic river known as Presque Isle River. Enjoy hiking a 2.3-mile loop around this stunning river. Waterfalls, potholes, and Lake Superior await you.
-
The Peshekee River & Haypress Falls
•
We started off with low expectations, knowing that Haypress Falls was not a very impressive waterfall. For us, it was a side stop on the way to a much larger destination. Although our expectations of the falls was accurate, we did find something special that made the visit worth it.…
-
Discover History at Nonesuch Ruins
•
Visiting Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a step back in history to a place where nature and humans co-existed. Buried among thousands of acres of old-growth forests and stunning vistas are abandoned mines, echoes from communities long gone. There is no place better within the park to experience the…
-
Gear Review: The MSR Guardian Purifier
•
No one wants to get sick on a camping trip, especially from bad water. Harmful water can contain viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and particulates. Having a good filtering system that helps protect you from bad water is a key component to any camping or backpacking trip. The MSR Guardian first grabbed…
-
The Challenges of Running at Sleepy Hollow State Park
•
Sleepy Hollow State Park offers over 2,000 acres of forest, fields, and lake. Within that acreage, the park boasts 16 miles of hiking, running, and biking trail. The perfect location for a trail runner to get some decent mileage in.
-
Camp Beside the Manistique River at Northland Outfitters
•
Located in the small town of Germfask, the Northland Outfitters Campground & Canoe/Kayak Livery offers guests scenic views of the Manistique River. With campsites and cabins, it has a little bit of everything for everyone. Conveniently located off of M-77, we stopped here as an overnight stay between home and…
-
A Brockway Mountain Experience
•
Brockway Mountain is a stunning 9 1/2 mile scenic drive between Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. It offers breathtaking views of Lake Superior, thousands of acres of woodlands, and numerous inland lakes.
-
A Stroll to Laughing Whitefish Falls
•
Imagine an easy stroll through a quiet forest, ending at one of Michigan’s tallest waterfalls; Laughing Whitefish Falls. Located in the Laughing Whitefish Falls Scenic Site, this waterfall is considered by many to be Michigan’s most spectacular waterfall.
-
Gear Review: Pocket Bellows
•
Fire has 3 basic needs; fuel, heat, and oxygen. The Pocket Bellows by Epiphany Outdoor Gear directs oxygen with pinpoint accuracy, directly to where its needed. No more blowing aimlessly until you are dizzy.
-
Camping at Otter Lake Campground
•
tled within the Hiawatha National Forest, Otter Lake Campground gives campers the experience of being away from the city while still conveniently within driving distance of Munising, Michigan.
-
A Quick Stop at Silver River Falls
•
Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula has some impressive waterfalls. While Silver River Falls may not be at the top of the list, it still makes for an interesting and scenic stop.
-
To the Top of the World!
•
Hike to the Top of the World for rewarding views of Lake Superior, Marquette, Harlow Lake, and Little Presque Isle. Not as tall or well known as it’s neighbor Hogback Mountain, Top of the World offers a more secluded experience for hikers.
-
A Twilight 5k
•
Take a run along the Grand River with the Twilight Run/Walk 5K. This was my 2nd year participating in this race and I can’t wait to run it again.
-
Pre-made Mini Quiches for an Easy Camping Dinner
•
Finding healthy, easy camping dinners can be tricky. No one wants to deal with the hassle of clean up after a long days of exploring. These pre-made mini quiches are an excellent option.
-
A Weekend Stay at Rippling River Resort
•
Marquette, Michigan is a unique place. An outdoor enthusiasts playground with the amenities for those who love the city. Miles of biking and hiking trails mixed with local breweries and unique restaurants. Where it lacked, however, was in campground options. Up until a year ago, if you wanted to camp…
-
A 40 Foot Adventure
•
I read somewhere that 40 foot falls, also known as Cliff Falls, is Michigan’s most remote waterfall. While it is true that it is remote, it is also frequently visited. Nevertheless, it’s easy to see why this waterfall draws so much attention.
-
Gear Review: The Ka-Bar Utensil
•
When looking for gear, the best options tend to be multi-purpose. It’s easy to see why the Ka-Bar Tactical Spork would seem like a great choice for utensils. A fork, spoon, and knife all in one. However, it falls short of our standards. The Specs Made from polymer plastic Weighs…
-
The Red Lights of Muskegon
•
There’s something special about red lighthouses. Maybe it’s because there aren’t very many of them around. Maybe it’s because of their story. Regardless of the reason, the red Muskegon Lighthouses are some of my favorite lighthouses to visit.
-
Run-a-Munk at Woldumar Nature Center
•
Woldumar Nature Center is hosting it’s 12th annual Run-A-Munk race on November 3rd, 2019. For the past two years, I’ve signed up and participated in this fantastic event.
-
A Surprising Waterfall: Schweitzer Falls
•
Hidden in the quiet of Palmer, Michigan is a surprising waterfall. Schweitzer Falls is a roaring two-tiered, 20 foot-tall waterfall. It’s impressive width and heavy volume of water makes it a gem.