With so much to do and so much to see, where do we start. Come and join me on one of my trips! They are a lot of fun and you may even see some of the same people time and time again and they may even be your friends! :)
Couldn't decide if I should change this one to a full moon hike, but
no matter, this is a continuation of walking the shores of Lake
Michigan. This time we will start at Oval Beach and walk north to the
channel and then turn around and walk south totaling 2 hours until we
head back to the beach.
Lake Michigan beaches are popular for the for the salt free clear water, soft sand and gorgeous landscape. I would love to say that they are not populated with people. In the summer, the main beaches are populated, but it is easy enough to find a spot away from the people in among the lake grass.
Cute towns are nearby for spending a day or longer, including Saugatuck!
Footwear, tennis shoes, something comfortable, it is sand.
Lake Michigan beaches are popular for the clear salt-free water and beautiful coastline. Occasional empty places along the beach where you can enjoy the lake without hundreds of folks. North Ottawa Dunes follows that description.
We'll meet at 10:30 am at Coast Guard Park and hike 5/6 miles of
beautiful North Ottawa Dunes and then head to North Beach Park for
lunch. After lunch is about a mile hike back to Coast Guard Park, but
we can continue and hike North Ottawa Dunes. Terrain is moderate and we
will move at a moderate pace. Tennis shoes are fine.
Bring Passing Plate to share for lunch. Suggestions:
crackers/cheese, stuffed mushrooms, pudding shots, brownies, chips/dip,
meatballs, etc.
Fees
No entry fees.
Directions to trail head
North Ottawa Dunes is located in Spring Lake Township and the City of
Ferrysburg. From US 31, take the Ferrysburg exit and go west on 3rd
Street to North Shore Drive. Turn west on North Shore Drive and travel
about 1 mile to the City of Ferrysburg’s Coast Guard Park. Enter Coast
Guard Park and we will start at the North Ottawa Dunes trail head.
To continue walking Lake Michigan. This one will start at Douglas Beach Park in Douglas MI. We will meet at the beach at 5:00 pm.
We may go 4 miles out and 4 miles back.
Teva like shoes are fine to wear or walking/running shoes.
There are no better words better to explain Havasu Canyon than a hidden jewel of the southwestern U.S! Our adventure begins in Las Vegas. If we have time before our drive to Havasu, we will hike Red Rock Canyon, where Mother Nature worked 600 million years to create a uniquely beautiful land: its red stone brightens under a deep-blue, cloudless sky in the state of Nevada. 
We get up early the next day to drive to Hualapai Hilltop where we begin
our hike to the extravagant Havasupai Waterfalls. This trail carves
through a narrow canyon as we make our way to the Supai Village in
Havasupai.
Our
trek into Havasu Canyon, a paradisiacal gorge at the western edge of the
Grand Canyon, where turquoise waters cascade into travertine pools in
an extraordinary setting of towering red sandstone cliffs beneath a
cerulean sky. The canyon is home to the Havasupai (“people of the
blue-green waters”) Indian Nation. Havasu Canyon is accessible only by
an 8 mile roundtrip hike. A second night at the Havasupai Lodge will
allow us to hike to the magnificent waterfalls of Supai Valley.
Overnight in inns and lodges. Daily hiking 8-10 miles. Elevation gain
of 1000 feet and elevation loss of 1000 feet.
Staying two nights at the Indian Reservation gives us time
to discover the Indian culture and also play in the falls!
Upon leaving the reservation, we will ascend from the canyon, and spend one night in Peach Springs again before we drive back to Las Vegas. On our way to Las Vegas, we will spend the day at Hoover Dam and tour this historic landmark before we continue to Las Vegas and we sadly end our adventure and leave for home.
Included in the price:
• 6 days/5 nights lodging (double occupancy)
• 16 meals
• Nevada and Arizona ground transportation
• Admission into all parks
• Hoover Dam tour
Not included in price:
• Personal charges such as wine, liquor, laundry
• Transportation to and from home airport to Las Vegas airport
• Transportation from Las Vegas hotel to McCarran airport
• Additional fees for extra luggage
• Any pre-trip costs or anything else not in the above list of "Included in the Price"
• Transportation other than with the group
We will walk Lake Michigan starting at West County Park Beach in Fenneville. We will meet on the beach at West County Park to
start. This walk was recommended by Loreen Niewenhuis, who walked around
the entire lake.
Starting time is 5:00 pm.
We may go 4 miles out and 4 miles back.
Teva like shoes are fine to wear or walking/running shoes.
If emerald lakes, alpine meadows, and roaring waterfalls peak your interest you will love to visit the Canadian Rockies. Best of all, tourism will not have peaked yet!
We
will enjoy all the comforts of home in the towns of Banff, Jasper and the
village of Lake Louise, but we also will step out into the wilderness
and the home of some of North America's wildest creatures, including Big
Horn Sheep, Deer, Elk, Caribou, Grizzly bears, Caribou, Coyotes, Wolves
and Mountain Lions.
Hikes
will include and introduction hike to Tunnel Mountain Path which has
phenomenal vistas, Big Beehive to see Lake Louise, and Cirque Lake,
which is hidden a short distance from the Icefields Parkway, the worlds
most stunning roadway. Good chance we will see grizzly bears and cubs from the van while on the Icefields Parkway.
There
are a total of eight lodging nights at hotels. We will be staying
nights 1 and 2 in Banff, nights 3 and 4 in Jasper, nights 5, 6 and 7 in the Lake Louise area,
and heading back to Calgary for night 8.
Yes, a passport is required!
RECOMMENDED READING
Included in Cost of Trip
• All ground transportation starting at Calgary airport and ending at Calgary airport
• Eight breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners as on itinerary
• Accommodations for eight nights at Banff, Lake Louise and Athabasca hotels
Not Included in Cost of Trip
• Round-trip plane ticket from home to Calgary and back
• Transportation from home to airport
• Travel insurance (recommend to have your own travel insurance)
• Personal expenses (telephone, laundry, alcoholic drinks)
• Anything else not mentioned on itinerary
We will walk Lake Michigan starting on
the north harbor. We will meet on the beach at the end of Dyckman
Avenue, just north of the Black River.
That is the river that separates
the north and south harbor of South Haven. This walk was recommended by
Loreen Niewenhuis, who walked around the entire lake. We may go 4 miles
out and 4 miles back. I was hoping to get to the clay cliffs, but we
might not make it and will have to do that another time from wherever we
leave off.
You can park on many streets in South Haven for no charge or you can park in a town parking lot for no fee.
We will walk Lake Michigan starting on
the Township Park. We will meet on the parking lot behind the Felt
Mansion, which is the Township Park.
We will walk to Lake Michigan and
continue on a loop that will walk the beach and then through Saugatuck
State Park back to our cars. Saugatuck State Park is hilly so be
prepared.
We may hike around 6 miles. You will need sturdy and
comfortable shoes because of the hills of the state park.
Meeting time is 5:00 pm.
There is a small sign that says Township Park, but if you miss the sign, the park is to the left of Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
For those of you who want to help restore Riley Trails, we have an easy exercise day. The trails are off Riley Street in Park, MI, which is a bit north of
Holland.
When Ottawa County Parks took over Riley Trails, they recognized that
the pine plantations were not viable, native ecosystems and not
sustainable long-term, so they decided to transition the land to native
forest.
Because of the logging they have done, they are working this
spring and summer to restore the area.
Come prepared with me to do outdoors work by helping them plant
seedlings at areas of the park that need it and helping to improve the
trail system. All tools will be provided, including gloves, but if you
want to bring your own that is fine too.
The project is organized by a County Outreach member that takes care of Ottawa County properties.
Let's meet at 1 PM to ski the course. The clubhouse is currently closed so they don't rent skis, but if you have your own skis, come out
and join us.
If you are new to x-country skiing and you have your own skis, I'd be happy to give you a lesson.
Lessons to x-country skiing includes more
than learning to swish your legs back and forth. Lessons include basics such as how to get up after falling, how to climb hills on skis, how to ski down hill, and how to do
a 180 on your skis. If you are interested
in this, I will be here at 12, so let me know.
L.E. Kaufman Cross Country Course - (616) 538-5050
Let's meet at 1 PM to ski the course. The clubhouse is currently
closed so they don't rent skis, but if you have your own skis, come out
and join us.
If you are new to x-country skiing and you have your own skis, I'd be
happy to give you a lesson. Lessons to x-country skiing includes more
than learning to swish your legs back and forth. Lessons include basics
such as how to get up after falling, how to climb hills on skis, how to
ski down hill, and how to do a 180 on your skis. If you are interested
in this, I will be here at 12, so let me know.
L.E. Kaufman Cross Country Course - (616) 538-5050
If the trails are groomed, the cost is $2.
The Big Island is huge in comparison with all the other Hawaiian Islands,
and has an unusual landscape carved by recent and still active and viewable
volcanic action. It has beautiful RainbowFalls, the ancient Mookini Heiau, and the resorts, beaches and fish
ponds of the Kohala coast in addition to fascinating and historic Hilo.
This is an 8 day trip where we start on the western side of Hawaii, in Kona, where we visit Polulu Valley Lookout. The Lookout is a Must-See, but be sure to be equipped with apparel for the cold, wind and rain because the weather changes there dramatically.
No problem renting snorkel equipment in Hawaii. They are inexpensive and everywhere.
Hilo
We travel to the eastern side of Hawaii, to Hilo, where we venture to hike Volcanoes National Park. Just to remind you, the weather may be beautiful in Hilo, but awful at the National Park. Be prepared for cold and wind. There are numerous cool hikes at the park. Kilaueaiki Iki trail is a remarkable trail, probably like nothing you have ever hiked before. The flowers and color are not there, but the uniqueness brings you in.
In between
Somewhere, you need to visit a couple of coffee plantations. I would rank Mountain Thunder up there. The tour is so informative and you will be hooked on the coffee!
There are numerous beaches that you should try to go to. They are hard to get there in a regular car, so you need to rent a 4-wheel drive. For instance, the Green Sand Beach and the Black Sand Beach.
Kona
We head back to Kona for our last two days to kayak and swim with colorful tropical fish among healthy coral gardens at this spectacular snorkeling oasis where spinner dolphins make this bay their home.
It's easy enough to go kayaking at Kona. The kayaks are right on the beach where you can rent and take them out on your own as far out as you wish. Kona Boys worked for us.
At some point, a visit the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center may be possible, as it is just a 30-second stroll from the open-air terminals at the Kona airport. Created to honor the Big Island-born astronaut who died with six others
on the space shuttle Challenger in January 1986, the center is packed
with hands-on activities that illustrate science and space concepts.
There are a total of eight days/seven nights at hotels. We will be staying
nights 1and 2 in Kona, night 3, 4 and 5 in Hilo and our last 2 nights back in Kona for easy access to catch an overnight flight home. Because of the long flight home, you won't get home until Sunday, the 24th.
Included in Cost of Trip
• Transportation starting and ending at Kona National airport
• Transportation to Hilo
• Seven breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners as on itinerary
• Accommodations for seven nights in Kona and Hilo hotels
• Park Fees to Volcanoes National Park
• Kayak rental
Not Included in Cost of Trip
• Round-trip plane ticket from home to Kona, Hawaii
• Transportation from home to airport and back home
• Travel insurance (recommend to have your own travel insurance)
• Personal expenses (telephone, laundry, alcoholic drinks)
• Admission to Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center ($3)
• Anything else not mentioned on itinerary
Come join us for a day of x-country skiing at Pigeon Creek! Snow should be
great and we'll have a fun time. No charge for parking or skiing, if
you have your own skis. If you don't have skis, no problem, you can
rent them for only $8 for two hours of use.
The NY Times is getting people psyched for the Olympics. Here's a blurb about x-country skiing.
We will meet at the entrance on Stanton Street, between 120th and 128th Street at 12:00 am on Sunday for lessons. Everyone else, be ready to go at 1 pm.
Sure, there are maps and tour guides and the Chamber of Commerce, but wouldn't it be nice if we had trips already planned and we knew what we wanted to do at those locations by others recommendations. I have been leading vacation trips with OutsideNE and the Appalachian Mountain Club for over ten years.
Hiking the E4 Trail in Crete
Rockland Maine
Hope you are able to go on one of these trips and add some information! Happy Vacations and Weekends!
