Guest blogger – Nate
After a one year hiatus, Caleb and I restarted our end of
the school year backpacking tradition last weekend. We have so many fond
memories of the first trip, we couldn’t wait to get back out in the woods
again. We went with Caleb’s classmate Jackson, his dad, and younger
brother Will back to the Manistee River Trail. We started in the middle
and hiked to each end and back in two and a half days. The boys were
awesome, hiking the entire 20 miles, about six of that with their packs
on. Here are some of the highlights:
Rescuing a sun turtle off the road. Flushing out a
whitetail deer from near the trail. Seeing a snake with a recently eaten
critter still evident in its middle. Picking up a snapping turtle and
numerous frogs on the trail. Being woken up by wild turkeys one morning
and a woodpecker the next. Hearing the owls at night. Throwing
rocks in the river. Climbing up and down the large sandy bank to the
river. Taking the plunge into a pool near the bank (it was COLD!).
Dave and I standing in our underwear on the riverbank talking to a group of paddlers
floating by. Caleb getting his shoes wet playing near a stream.
Hiking until after 6 pm the first day looking for an unoccupied campsite.
Ten mile hike on Sunday. Whittling our walking sticks into spears. The BEAUTIFUL views including the one from our
campsite up on a bluff overlooking the river. Candy bars for breakfast.
Practicing our fire-building techniques. And lots of father/son
bonding.
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| Ready to hit the trail |
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| Members of the 20 mile club |
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| On the trail |
It rained both nights, but the weather during the day was
perfect. Isaac was very disappointed he wasn’t old enough to go along
this year. He was somehow able to convince me to sleep one more night in
a tent in our backyard the day we got back. We had a fun time!
We’re looking forward to next year already when Caleb and Isaac will both come
along.
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| We love sleeping on the ground if it means more Skittles! |
