Spring? And Harbinger of Spring.

 Spring began while Mike and I were on the Manistee River Trail.  It was a cool day with sunshine and blue sky.  A perfect day for a walk on our favorite trail.

There was no snow at home but as we drove north 120 miles, oh boy there was snow and ice!

Part of the Manistee River Trail March 20, 2022

This is what most of the unpaved roads were like on that day.

Luckily, I’m getting smarter, and I brought my boots with spikes.  We hiked from the Hodenply Dam south to the waterfalls.  It was about a 4.5-mile hike that took about 2.5 hours walking time.   Roughly 80% of the trail had snow, ice, and slippery clay so I was glad to have those spikes.  It really was a nice day.

On March 23, 2022, Marie picked me up for a day of fun.  We went to Hager Hardwood Park, an Ottawa County Park.  We were looking for Harbinger of Spring, a very tiny little plant.  And there it was, blooming!  Even though it was a gray and wet day.  

We also saw the Vernal Witch Hazel, Spring blooming Witch Hazel.

We stopped in at Grand Ravines Park, another Ottawa County Park, for a little more walking.

We had a good day.  I’m so glad Marie got me outside!  

Thanks for stopping by.  

Beautiful Michigan in October or Beautiful October in Michigan

 October 26 2017 Pickerel Lake in Kent County with Marie

 Liverwort was growing around the base of the trees and along this dead branch that was on the ground.

 Larch - the soft needles turn golden yellow then drop off the tree.

October 1 2017 Started with an evening walk at Connor Bayou with Mike.

October 2,  Marie and I hiked at Ionia State Recreation Area.

October 4 Betsy and I walked at Rosy Mound Natural Area In Ottawa County.

October 5 Kitchel Dunes in Ottawa County again with Betsy.

Grand Haven from the top of Dewey Hill.

Again from the top of Dewey Hill, with the Grand River and Lake Michigan.

Back to Rosy Mound by myself. 

October 8 Riverside Park in Ottawa County with Mike.

October 9 Grand Ravines an Ottawa County Park, with my favorite sister, Sugar!

 We came to this park to see the newly constructed 275' long, 70' high suspension bridge traversing one of the park’s namesake ravines.

 Looking down to the ravine

October 10 Marie and I went to Yankee Springs State Game Area in Barry County with a quick stop at the fen on the way home.

A field with walnut trees and an old foundation

Liverwort!

Then the fen...

October 15 - 18 Mackinac Island with Mike to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary!!

 Pretty colors on the way up, even though it rained most of the way.

 Our old bikes, newly refurbished by our son Ryan.  The bikes are so much more comfortable with raised handlebars.

 We stayed at the Inn on Mackinac.

 We found some trails that were new to us, like this one, Morning Snack Trail.

On our way home we stopped at one of our favorite hiking trails, the Manistee River trail.

October 20 A little walk at Hofma with Betsy

 

 

 

October 30 Farview Nature Park in Allegan County with Marie

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 There are many Tulip Trees in this park, the yellow leaves were covering the ground. 

 

That was October for me.  So many fun and beautiful walks, and the weather was nice too.  Leaves are still in many of the trees, which is late in the year for Michigan.  I'm sure snow is just around the corner.
I hope you enjoyed my walks!