It has been 9 years since I did a solo backpacking trip. That trip was my second Great Outdoors Challenge crossing of Socttland from Mallaig to Stonehaven. While that was a solo trip I probably met people every day and hiked with them at least some of the time. This hike on the North Country Trail would not only be solo but I expected it would be solitary except at major campgrounds. In this two-part series I travel from Mackinaw City, Michigan to Petowskey, Michigan. In some ways it proves to be a great trip; in other ways not so much.

In part 2 I travel from Richard's property near Levering Road to Petoskey. I also spend some time in Petoskey proper, though I do leave a modest gap, adding a bit more to my totaly milage. All in all I probably hike another 28.5 trail miles along with a modest bit of going to and fro in Petoskey itself. In some ways this segment was less eventful than the first portion but it does have highs and lows and some just plain dull stretches. It is, in other words, prety much what one should expect from a trip: not what you expect.

I hope you enjoy the conclusion to this backpacking trip through the Harbor Springs chapter's section of trail (and a tiny bit of Grand Traverse chapter).

I think I am actually a bit off the NCT at this point. I went left and think the trail went right. My two-track sure looked like the proper option. I passed this small field of wildflowers as I neared Robinson Road where I popped out a bit west of the trail interesction. --August 17 2019 at 13:05:52. Harbor Springs, MI, United States

Gazing out upon the river in Petowskey, Michigan (Bear River I suppose). The NCT follows bike paths and sidewalks through the heart of Petowskey. It is particularly nice in the Bear River Valley REcreation Area. --August 19 2019 at 14:19:26. Petoskey, MI, United States

A bit north of mile marker 603.5 and not far from my end around marker 600. This might actually be a private path to the beach here at Little Traverse Bay but that seems like it should not be so. --August 19 2019 at 16:34:11. Petoskey, MI, United States

The silo-like structure at the back right of this building is what really clued me in to the fact that this had to be Petowskey Brewing Company. I probably had the most dangerous bit of hiking right here crossing the road. --August 19 2019 at 18:20:09. Petoskey, MI, United States

It has been 9 years since I did a solo backpacking trip. That trip was my second Great Outdoors Challenge crossing of Socttland from Mallaig to Stonehaven. While that was a solo trip I probably met people every day and hiked with them at least some of the time. This hike on the North Country Trail would not only be solo but I expected it would be solitary except at major campgrounds. In this two-part series I travel from Mackinaw City, Michigan to Petowskey, Michigan. In some ways it proves to be a great trip; in other ways not so much.

In part 1 join me for the first 3 days of the hike from Mackinaw City to Levering Road. That is a distance of about 28 trail miles though I actually walked more than that.

The actual North Country Trail (NCT) is running across the Mackinac Bridge behind me. I just dipped my toes in the waters of Lake Huron here at Gary R. Witt Memorial park: close enough to the trail. I'll eventually walk towards the bridge and thus closer to the trail as I head back towards the trailhead at Mackinaw Crossings. For what it is worth I believe my pack tips the scales at about 31 pounds (though it feels heavier). I am crying. 1 liter of water and , unfortunately, 1 quart denatured alcohol for stove fuel. --August 14 2019 at 11:53:42. Mackinaw City, MI, United States

Good morning. It is a bit sad that my first campsite had the prettiest morning. --August 15 2019 at 06:55:56. Mackinaw City, MI, United States

Sunrise at French Farm Lake. --August 15 2019 at 06:58:29. Mackinaw City, MI, United States

A panoramic view of Ssturgeon Bay at the Lakeview Trailhead beach. I spent a bit more time than neccessary to get and treat water. This was a nice place to pause after the first few miles hiking from the Pines campground in Wilderness State Park. --August 16 2019 at 13:30:51. Levering, MI, United States

I hope you enjoy this audio journal. You can find a video that provides a slightly different glimpse of the trip here.

Lower Tahquamenon Falls. Even though it is cloudy you will always be impressed when you come here. --May 23 2019 at 15:25. Paradise, MI, United States

Tahquamenon Falls. The Upper Falls are shown pouring themselves over the drop. While bugs can sometimes drive you nuts at this state park (not today) it is definitely a place worth visiting. --May 23 2019 at 17:11. Newberry, MI, United States

This is Clark's first backpacking trip. We are a couple hours in to our first day having our first lunch on the trail at a spot we like. --May 24 2019 at 14:09. Munising, MI, United States

Our first day on the Lakeshore Trail. Joni looks happy and ready to tackle the world. --May 24 2019 at 15:27. Munising, MI, United States

I wish I could recall what this car looked like when I first saw it some 20 years ago. It's been sitting here far longer than that. The place is an odd spot for an abandoned car as it isn't really by any roads but maybe that is why it's here.

Photo by Andy

--May 25 2019 at 18:00. Munising, MI, United States

Pine Bluffs is about a half mile from Trappers Lake. We had to hustle to get here for the sunset but it was worth it. The photo doesn't really capture the quality of the sunset colors though it does a better job with Lake Suerior which has grown rougher since the afternoon. --May 25 2019 at 21:37. Munising, MI, United States

Lake Superior waves lap at the shore of this cove which is one of several. Andy is shown here and you can tell it must be a lovely day - he is down to his base layer. --May 26 2019 at 11:50. Munising, MI, United States

It takes a bit of work to gett down (more to climb back up) to this cove but it sure is a pretty spot I am standing in.

Phto by Clark

--May 26 2019 at 11:56. Munising, MI, United States

Grand Portal Arch. This year we walked through frequent mud spots that threatened to soak your feet. A prelude to what we would find the next day. --May 26 2019 at 17:07. Munising, MI, United States

Not much of a castle anymore but still worth looking at even, or perhaps especially, on an overcast day such as this day. --May 27 2019 at 13:07. Munising, MI, United States

During the weekend before the 1999 firearms deer season would commence a group of people, all members of the old yahoo Groups GreatLakesHikes group, would arrive at the Birch Grove Schoolhouse for the first annual GLH Gathering. It is now 2018 and last weekend we held the 20th annual GLH/North Country Trail Gathering. While some people have gone (including sadly one death of fondly remembered Dick Bolton) others have joined the gathering. Just three people, myself, Paul, and Julie, have been able to attend all 20. This year's event was just as enjoyable as previous ones have been. Good food and drink, enjoyable hiking, interesting weather, and always good company helped make this gathering just as good as the previous ones have been. Below you will find a handful of photos that give a sense of the event. You will also find the audio podcast I pulled together to document the event.

Having two people working a bow saw makes the job of cutting go much more quickly. When you have two bow saws to use on trees, of which we had several, where two cuts were necessary was quite helpful too. --November 9, 2018 at 11:59 AM. Bitely, MI, United States I believe the creek Andy, Nancy, John, and Steve are corssing is Cole Creek. We are not too far from the start of the hike at M-20. Some people will do a shorter hike of somewhat over 3 miles stopping at 3 Mile Road. The rest of us (including me) will go a bit more than 8 miles to 6 Mile Road. --November 10, 2018 at 11:07 AM. White Cloud, MI, United States We found this horse and it improved Elwira's and my moods. By this time we had learned that Steve was fine and waiting for us at 5 Mile Road with Jim, Linus and Eugene. Earlier Steve had bushwhacked around El and me and we did not know it. We were worried and spent time trying to track him down. --November 10, 2018 at 1:54 PM. White Cloud, MI, United States Just beyond 5 Mile Road. Steve took this photo of me. --November 10, 2018 at 2:50 PM. White Cloud, MI, United States Happy birthday Julie and Debi. --November 10, 2018 at 7:16 PM. , , Tent city at the Schoolhouse. You can see my tent, Andy and Elwira's tent, the Haan home, and John's tiny shelter. --November 11, 2018 at 10:48 AM. White Cloud, MI, United States Loda Lake. Those of us left after breakfast and Schoolhouse cleanup are doing a 3 mile hike around Loda Lake. --November 11, 2018 at 12:37 PM. White Cloud, MI, United States Steve has found an emergency shelter. No emgency presented itself during our break so when we left he got up and left with us. --November 11, 2018 at 1:47 PM. White Cloud, MI, United States #travel

I do not know how many times I have backpacked the Lakeshore Trail in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore over the past couple of decades. I have gone in both directions many times. This year, with 13 other people many with little to no backpacking experience, I would travel the trail once again from Sand Point to Sable Falls. This is something of an annual trip over Memorial Day Weekend though I do not always get to attend.

The trip would turn out to be a very fine one even with some trials and tribulations thrown in. We lucked out with the weather and everyone had a good time. The audio you are listening too will give you a sense of what we experienced. You can find more photos in these photo albums which have the same photos but display differently (Google, Apple).

There is also a video you can enjoy here on YouTube.

I don't know how many Wheatland Music Festivals I have attended. I know many who have been going for decades. It is a a festival full of music, workshops, dance, and good times. You might not enjoy all the music that you can find but chances are good you will find something you will like. In this episode you will hear music from Bruce Moksly and the Mountain Drifters, Don Julen's Mr. Natural Project, Ruthie Foster, Session Americana, Lunasa, and Jayme Stone'sLomax Project. There was considerably more than just this.

The Waimangu Volcanic Valley features numerous geothermal features. Mount Terawera erupted June 1886 destroying everything in the area and totally reshapedpp q the land. Lake Rotomahana grew 20 times in size and became North Island's deepest lake. The famed pink and white terraces vanished beneath the water or were destroyed. The world's largest hot pool, Fryingpan Lake, was born. Today a fantastic mixture of re-emergent flora and fauna combine with the landscape to create a stunning special place.

More re photos and video coming

The Coast to Coast Trail runs between Waitemata Harbor and Manukau Harbor in the city of Auckland, New Zealand. It is 10 miles long and does have some modest climbing , mostly up and then down Mt. Eden, the local high point. This is an urban walk but don't let that fool you. We saw a lot and were very pleased with this hike through neighborhoods and parks. Enjoy the audio diary.

You can learn more about the trail in many places. Here is just one that includes a map.

Coast to Coast Trail Infow.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/parksfacilities/walkingtracks/pages/coasttocoast.aspx

We have now been in Auckland for two days. Our first day we spent wandering around town: visiting the harbor, walking through some parks including part of what might be the largest park in Auckland - Auckland Domains -and getting a sense of the city. Once you get off of the main streets things get quieter and there certainly are neighborhoods to be found. One thing that struck us is that the vast majority of the people we are seeing seem to be fairly young. I'm not sure how many of them are locals and how many of them are tourists, students from abroad, or workers from abroad but the general trend seems to be towards younger people. We have also noticed a large number of people especially from Pacific Rim countries which I suppose make sense if those people are coming here to work, travel, or study. Our second day we explored a little bit more of the city and also took the harbor tour; featured in the bonus material you'll find at the end of the podcast. Both days the weather has been A bit cloudy and warm. When the sun does break through the clouds it feels quite a bit warmer. So far, we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We have even managed to find some rather nice places to eat which sometimes is a challenge for us.

It is a partly sunny afternoon. The temperature is warm enough with just a hint of coolness in the modestly blowing breeze. It's the last day Argo Canoe Livery will be open this year and I am taking advantage of the fine afternoon for one last paddle to Barton Dam and back. This is an easy paddle of just under 4 miles round-trip. You don't really have anything to worry about on this stretch of the Huron River unless you somehow ignore the presence of the dams. While I am sure people can get hurt (I recall a woman did drown in this area years ago) it's hard to imagine. It's hard to imagine even getting stuck though there are shallows, naturally enough, by the banks. It is a thoroughly lovely easy paddle marred only by the roar of nearby traffic.

Photos viewable in an album from Apple iCloud (not captions) or from Google (captioned).