Sent January 4, 2007
Hello Adventures,
Happy New Year! I hope your midnight celebrations last weekend have you in good spirits for the new year - even if you were only reading a book and watching your digital clock shift from 11:59 to 12:00. Perhaps at that point you were not thinking about me and my adventurous comrades. You might not have noticed the torrential downpour that was occurring outside any Ann Arbor, Michigan window - as we (myself and 20 others!!!!) were heading out on a 15 mile trek from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti.
And if you weren't thinking about us at all, you wouldn't have known that we spent the evening completely drenched - head to toe and especially during our time in the muddy, dark woods of Bird Hills. It was raining harder than I've seen in a while. It was December and should have been snow! Global warming perhaps?
At many times during the journey, my feet were one-hundred percent sloshy-wet and the trails were composed of thick goopy mud in places with random slick spots. !! I took a wrong turn on the trail but didn't think anyone noticed until I read one trekker's report online. We went a little out of the way and made our way back to the route without anyone falling at least. Then I fell and changed the rules of our New Year's game: "Whoever gets to Ypsilanti with the most mud wins!"
It was hard to see in the dark. People had lights which I fully endorsed and recommended, yet I found the lights to be distracting and confusing - especially in the fog - since one only looks where the light is and unfortunately cannot see all around. I learned from an attempt on the Grand Teton that real outdoor people adjust their eyes to the place and do not rely on flashlights...
We had a very hearty group of 21! trekkers who started from the Trekkers' Lodge B&B. We ended at the Sidetrack in Depot Town with 15 in the group. We arrived about 2 minutes before midnight. :) We were happy to sit down. Then the waitress said that the former mayor of Ypsilanti, Cheryl Farmer, had called and would like to buy us a round of drinks. !! That was so nice of her and totally unexpected. It was great.
Here is a map of the route we took. It's not exact, but you'll get the idea. If you are interested to walk to Ypsi along this path, I'll lead the way anytime! If you trekked this route with us on New Year's you can post a review. http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=96549.
Dawn's photos will be posted on my website soon. They should appear on this page but may not be up yet: http://www.ofglobalinterest.com/photopgs/newyear/newyear06.html.
I was completely surprised and amazed by our group. Everyone was a good sport. No one fell in the mud (except me), and everyone said they had a good time. We are very proud of ourselves. I feel good though my shoulders are still a little sore from that huge backpack. We ate well. Yum! If the weather had been good I am sure there would have been 60 more trekkers with us! Maybe next year.
Here is a link to Milton's report about the trek: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSHiking/message/6573.
Tonight starts my "Travel Thursdays" series. Trek on over to the Lodge if you can. Hope to see you. Happy New Year!
Heather
Sincerely,
Heather O'Neal
Of Global Interest Adventure Travel
The Eighth Street Trekkers' Lodge B&B
Ann Arbor, Michigan
ofglobal@aol.com
(734) 369-3107
http://www.ofglobalinterest.com
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