Kayaking to Power Island (in Grand Traverse Bay)

Here is another island I've explored on my 

1000-MILE GREAT LAKES 

ISLAND ADVENTURE.

Did you know that there are over 30,000 islands in the Great Lakes and their connecting waters?

A Kayak for my GREAT LAKES ISLAND ADVENTURE

When I began planning my new adventure

1000-Mile Great Lakes ISLAND Adventure

I decided I would kayak part of the journey to see some of these islands from the vantage on top of the water.

I've done a bit of kayaking over the years, but didn't currently own one. Since my journeys take me far from my home base, I wasn't looking forward to having to hoist a kayak on my car and drive with it tied down up there.

SO, I researched the newest, high-tech inflatable kayaks.

After reading the reviews, I approached 

ADVANCED ELEMENTS

about partnering with me on this adventure by supplying one of their kayaks. It arrived in this canvas duffle:

Here are the specs:

LENGTH 10’5"  WIDTH 32"    

WEIGHT 36 LBS. PERSON/S 1

MAX. WEIGHT 300 LBS. CHAMBERS 7FOLDED SIZE 30" X 17" X 10"

And here is a video showing the easy transformation from duffle to kayak:

Promotional Consideration Given

Walk with Me...

This video takes you along on my Great Lakes Walk with a boot-on-the-trail perspective!

This should give you a sense of the variation of the shorelines of the five Great Lakes.

In this video, you'll see bits of each lake and the finale at Niagara Falls, ON, Canada.

The Last 2 Miles of a 20-Mile Day

While on my book tour, I've met many people who marvel 

at the idea of hiking 1000 miles. 

Sometimes, they ask me if it was difficult and a chuckle usually escapes from me before I can suppress it. 

You see, I'm not one of those ultra-marathoners or lifelong hikers or crazy people who have to cover 20 miles a day to feel alive. 

I feel quite alive reading a book or sitting in my 

office all day writing.

So, yes, it was difficult. Some days were downright painful. But the lakes call to me and I am happiest when walking near them.

Here's a little video shot on one of the more difficult days -- 

windy, cold, walking on the side of a road, 

18 miles down and 2 miles to go. 

And it shows how I motivated myself to hike the last 2 miles of a 20-mile day.

Yes, it was difficult. 

And, YES, it was worth every step. 

Perched Dunes

The hike is complete and I am hard at work on the manuscript for the book about my adventure.

I will be posting some of the videos that I shot while on the hike over the coming weeks. 

This one gives a good look at an exposed, perched dune. 

Take a look...

The Adventure Concludes!

The final 15 miles of my 
1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK

took place in Niagara Falls, Ontario, along the Niagara River Recreational Trail. 

On October 19-20, I hiked with a fantastic group of people who came to the falls 
to join me for the final miles of my adventure.

We had lovely weather the first day, hiking among the bright colors of fall.  Our break the first day was at a winery along the way. We stopped for wine and cheese. 

That's classy hiking!

My sister (Leslie), Me, and my cousin (Milene)

Hiking amidst the fall leaves

Niagara River merging with Lake Ontario

Hikers Day 1 at Brock's Monument

Hikers Day 2

Overlooking the Niagara River

Hikers celebrate the end of the hike

The Falls

I'd like to thank everyone who came to Niagara to celebrate the finale of my hike, people who have followed my adventure, and to all of you who care about our Great Lakes.

I will continue to blog about issues effecting our Great Lakes.

The book about this hike, 

A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK,

will be released in early 2013.

Please watch for it at your favorite independent bookstore, and watch the sidebar here for my upcoming book tour and speaking engagements. 

North Manitou Island

While hiking along Lake Michigan on this adventure, I wanted to make sure I explored the 
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
more fully.  

On my first hike I was moving pretty quickly. 
I averaged 16 miles a day. 
This time, I wanted to slow down a bit and enjoy this "Most Beautiful Place in America."

I also wanted to get out to the Manitou Islands. They are part of the National Lakeshore, too. So I headed out to North Manitou Island for several days of camping and hiking.

The Mishe-Mokwa ferry to the island

North Manitou Island

Hiking the shoreline

I had perfect weather while on the island. No rain and warm nights. Can't ask for any more than that when you're camping!

Dunes flanking the shoreline

Ahhhh...a fire, a mug of hot tea, and a NYer!

Swenson's barn

There are two gorgeous barns on the island. 

There used to be a couple hundred people living and working on these islands, and remnants of that time still exists. 

Inside Swenson's Barn

Taking a break from the hike

Markers on the island tell you when you are "Entering Wilderness"!

North Manitou is mostly wilderness. When you leave the village area, markers let you know that you are entering wilderness where deer run and coyote yip at night. 

Waterfront Trail Part 2

Here are some more images from the Waterfront Trail in Ontario.  These photos span the distance between the cities of Port Hope and Scarborough.

Port Hope, Ontario

Old meets new along the waterfront trail

Not exactly the most scenic part of the trail...

That's right, the trail goes through the nuclear power plant's land!

It may seem odd to put the trail through these industrial areas, but part of the purpose of the trail is to bring attention to the waterfront and to make people aware of what is going on along the shoreline and to assist in the protection and regeneration of Lake Ontario. 

And underneath high voltage wires!

All power plants have a "buffer zone" around them to minimize their impact on surrounding populations. The trail winds through some of these areas giving bikers and hikers a close-up look at these installations.

And right up to GM's Canadian headquarters

There are also some natural areas

The Pickering Nuclear power plant

View from the overlook near Scarborough

Some Like it Hot...I Don't!

While hiking in April with the cold, windy weather, I looked forward to the warmer weather ahead.  When it gets much above 80 degrees, though, I tend to overheat and have to take precautions against heat exhaustion.

This is my old "wet bandana over the ears " trick

With many days above 85 degrees, I had to improve on the first method of cooling off.  I began rolling ice in my bandana at the beginning of the day and securing it around my neck.  Ahhhhhhh..... 

Hydration is always key to keeping cool, and I went through many gallons of water and sports drinks on this hike so far.

Even Ben used the wet bandana trick

"Florence of Arabia" look

On ultra-sunny days, I would wet my bandana and put it under my hat to cool me and protect me from the sun's rays.

"Little Red Riding Nerd" look 

 I found that tying the wet bandana underneath my chin was even more effective in cooling me off. Not a great look, but it beat passing out on the shores of Lake Ontario!

Of course a dip in Lake Superior was the best way 
to get out of the heat.  
Go Ben!!

Me and My Shadow

Me and my shadow

Strolling down the sand dunes...

And along the beach,

And on the roadside.  

Around Lake Michigan in a DUGOUT CANOE!

Many people have contacted me in search of information about Lake Michigan:  Can I walk the shoreline between these two cities?  How can I help protect the lake?  I'm a sailor...what are the best cities to visit with marinas?

Mary Catterlin and Amy Lukas

  

Amy Lukas contacted me recently with a unique question:  My friend Mary and I are going to paddle around Lake Michigan in a dugout canoe that she made.  Can you tell us about any obstacles on the shoreline?

Well, this caught my attention!

I met up with Amy in the town of St. Joseph for lunch yesterday so we could discuss their adventure.

Turning a 2000-pound cottonwood trunk into a canoe!

Sealing the boat

The boat is almost complete.  They will attach two outriggers and a sail soon and test it on Lake Michigan.  Their launch date is July 1.

Isn't it beautiful?

 Follow their adventure HERE.

Trial run

My path may cross theirs when I hike some of Lake Michigan's shoreline later this summer!  Keep a lookout for Mary and Amy on the lake and cheer them on!