Isle Royale Boots

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/

I have hiked five Moosewatch Expeditions on Isle Royale. This island is rugged, rocky, and rugged.

My "Isle Royale boots" have served me well, but I have to retire them now. 

These KEEN boots have over 300 rocky miles on them. They're still comfortable and I'll take them on more gentle hikes.

 I have hiked over 3,000 miles in KEEN boots. 

One thing I know about long-distance hiking: you've got to keep your feet happy.

And KEENs keep my feet SOOOOO happy.

Check out their full line of footwear here:

https://www.keenfootwear.com/

The Last Loop on my Book Tour

The South Haven Lighthouse

I had a wonderful time touring this year with my book:

A 1,000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK

November found me traveling to South Haven for the "Women's Only Weekend" where I gave a presentation at the Michigan Maritime Museum.

Books and Boots at the Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven

A packed house at the Michigan Maritime Museum

I also gave a talk in Plainfield, Michigan, just NE of Grand Rapids. There were nearly 100 seniors and other citizens from that community who came out to hear about my adventure!

The Senior Center in Plainfield, MI

My last appearance for 2013 was out in Saugatuck, Michigan. I took some time to get to the edge of Lake Michigan and to feel the power of 

the waves and wind!

Wild weather at Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan!

My book tour is taking shape for next year. I will have a limited touring schedule since I will be on my Great Lakes ISLAND Adventure most of the year, but I am currently booking engagements for April and May, 2014.

These boots are made for HIKING!

While on my book tour, these boots travel with me. It's only fitting since they were with me for 700 miles of my last 1,000-mile adventure.

My 700-mile boots!

People come up to the boots at events, pick one up and turn them around to check the wear on the soles. 

"These look like they have a few miles left in them," they say.

"I still wear them. They're incredibly comfortable," I tell them.

It's only when you see them side-by-side with a new pair of the same model that you see how far they've travelled, how rocks and rain and mud and miles have transformed them.

New and old

Sole check

I only hike in Keen boots. 

And in these photos, I'm sure you can tell why.

They conform to my stride

Promotional consideration given

Tales from the Book Tour: 4 Events in 4 Days!

I traveled Michigan's midsection this week touring with my book. It's always fun to meet people who care about our Great Lakes!  I had events in Glen Arbor, Alpena, Big Rapids and East Tawas.

Alpena Public Library

I also had time to poke around the old Rockport Mine for fossils.

Rockhounding at Rockport Mine

Pier at Rockport Mine

I spoke to the Rock, Gem and Mineral Club in Big Rapids. They meet at Ferris State University.

Science building at Ferris State

Petoskey stone (in the rough)

Boots, Books, and ROCKS 

Lecture venue in East Tawas (sponsored by the Friends of the Library in East Tawas)

Thanks to everyone who came out to hear me read or give a talk about our Great Lakes!

These Boots are Made for Hiking!

I hiked the first 300 miles of my adventure in these 
Oregon PCT boots made by KEEN.  

The Oregon PCT boots in repose

As you can tell, they were quite comfortable!  

And they performed well on a variety of terrain.  

Erikson PCT boot by KEEN

  

For the next portion of my hike, there will be more rocks, so I am moving to this even sturdier boot, the Erickson PCT model by KEEN.


They have more leather and go a little higher on the ankle for support.  


Since this boot is constructed for more rugged conditions, I'm hoping they will take me all the way to the finish line in Niagara Falls.  We shall see...


*By the way, the finale of my 1000-mile Great Lakes hike will take place in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side of the river.  I will invite people to join me in Niagara, Ontario, to hike the final 15 miles with me along the 

Niagara River Recreational Trail.  

I am nailing down the details this month for the event which will include a hotel deal at the 

Sheraton on the Falls 

and celebration dinner (along with many other goodies!).  A shuttle will take hikers up to the city of Niagara-on-the-Lake which is located where the Niagara River empties into Lake Ontario.  From there, we will hike back to the falls over portions of a Friday and Saturday in mid-October.  


Details and dates are still in the process of getting nailed down.  I will send a mass e-mail out in the next few weeks with all of the particulars.  Hotel rooms and space at the dinner will be limited, so if you want to come, please watch for upcoming e-mails.  If you are NOT on my e-mail list and would like to be, please send an e-mail my way at Loreen@LakeTrek.com with "Updates" in the subject and I'll add you to my list.  

Please note that since this event takes place in Canada, 

you will need a passport or enhanced license in order to 

cross into Canada from the US.  

KEEN Ambassadorship!

I love my KEEN boots. They kept my feet pretty happy during my 1000-mile hike. The boot on the left side of this photo has about 350 miles on it, the boot on the right is the new pair I got in Escanaba that took me all the way to Chicago.



KEEN has acknowledged my 1000-mile adventure and the work I continue to do to educate people about the importance of our Great Lakes by making me a KEEN Ambassador!

Check out their site HERE.

Tales from the BOOK TOUR...part 9

The book tour took me to NW Michigan and then across the lake to Wisconsin in July.

I had the great pleasure of being hosted by the 'Book & a Dinner' book club on the shores of Hess Lake. What a great group of women, and the food was all Lake Michigan-themed!!

Thank you to Cindy and her great group of friends for the fantastic discussion, many laughs, and delicious, Michigan-themed dinner!!