Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker.
She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures.
To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to
http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/
The Leelanau Conservancy has preserved some wonderful tracts of land on the Leelanau Peninsula.
I recently hiked the Swanson Preserve. It is a slice of land that runs from M22 to the shoreline of Little Traverse Lake.
I recently hiked the Swanson Preserve. It is a slice of land that runs from M22 to the shoreline of Little Traverse Lake.
The hike is short, but lovely. It winds through a cedar swamp and over a little stream. Boardwalks lifted me over the wetter parts.
Over 200 varieties of plants have been identified here, and the conservancy has a wildflower rescue program where plants are potted and sold in the spring to help support the work of the conservancy.
Here are some photos:
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Trails are blazed |
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The pileated woodpecker has done some work here |
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Some trees couldn't hold on during a big blow |
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Woodpecker tracks on birch bark |
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Little Traverse Lake |
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Exoskeleton left behind |
It's a short, worthwhile hike. There's even a bench along the little lake to take a moment to watch the light play on the water.
