2025 More Fall Color plus 48th Wedding Anniversary trip to Manistee Michigan

 Mike and I were able to celebrate our 48th Wedding Anniversary with a trip to Manistee.  The first day we walked part of the Manistee River Trail.  One of our favorite trails.  The weather was perfect, sunny and 53 degrees.  We started our 4.5 mile walk at the Hodenply Dam. Soon you come to the Manistee River Suspension Bridge.

  

Views of the Manistee River.

Back to the car then to Manistee where we stayed overnight.  That evening we walked the Manistee Riverwalk, again perfect weather and a nice walk.

The next morning, we drove to Arcadia around 23 miles north of Manistee and a total of 100 miles from home.  We walked at the Arcadia Marsh Boardwalk, about a 2 mile walk from one end back to the start.  

We made a few stops heading south, one stop was for apples at a roadside stand, and a Bargain Barn.  We decided to go for a walk at Otto Nature Preserve near Shelby. Very nice.

The Otto Nature Preserve is an 80-acre parcel of land in Benona Township owned and managed by Oceana Conservation District.

After Otto Nature Preserve we drove south to Duck Creek Natural Area, on Duck Lake Road in Whitehall, Michigan.  My sister Marie met us there so we got to walk together and check out some of the new bridges that were built since we were here last.

Key Features of the property 

• Size: Approximately 310 acres. 
• Terrain: Forests, wetlands, and creeks (Duck Creek and Scholes Creek). 
• Activities: Hiking, walking, jogging, birdwatching, and enjoying nature. 
• Trails: A developing trail system, with some sections being improved by volunteers. 
• Access: Parking areas are available on Duck Lake Road and Simonelli Road. 

This was another wonderful walk. 

Now it is cold and snowy outside, it is December!  

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.  

March 2018 in Michigan

This year March was cold and mostly dry, still we were able to get out for many walks.

March 2nd, it was Hofma Preserve in Grand Haven Township, with my daughter Betsy.


March 3rd, Marie and I went to Hemlock Crossing Nature Center for a hike led by Kristen Hintz, on Tree ID in Winter.  It was a great walk, Kristen is very interesting and knows so much about nature.  It was a much larger group than expected with a wide age group, but Kristen took it in stride!  She involved everyone from young to old in our exploration of trees.  Unfortunately, I managed to lose my pictures from that day. 

March 4th Mike and I went north to the Manistee River trail, starting at Red Bridge.  We walked north for one and a half hours then back the way we came.  The trail was icy, so it was slow going.  But a beautiful day to hike our favorite trail.

March 10th and 11th we were at Connor Bayou, an Ottawa County park along the Grand River in Robinson Township. 

         Connor Bayou



The difference of 11 days along the Grand River.

We also drove through Riverside Park a few miles east of Connor Bayou. 



Boat Launch at Riverside Park on February 27 2018  Red Circle marks the sign at the launch

Below is the same boat launch on March 10 2018



Debris in the trees from the high water

March 12, Mike and I went for a quick walk at Hofma Preserve.  It was a cold and windy day but we got out there.

March 14, Marie and I visited Hiawatha Forest, Ottawa County property. We have been here before, a long time ago.  And yes there was snow on the ground.

March 15, another quick loop through the woods at Connor Bayou.

March 17, another favorite place Crockery Creek more Ottawa County Property.

March 18 Connor Bayou again.

                              Still some snow!

March 20 2018 Hager Park and Grand River Park with Marie.
Spring begins and we saw Chickweed blooming at Hager!

Not very impressive but still, it is blooming.
More from Hager Park...

 United States terrain map

 Michigan on the terrain map

Then to Grand River Park



March 23 Crockery Creek with Mike

 

March 24 Riverside Park, with Mike

 

 

And March 25 Connor Bayou, again with Mike

 

March 26  Marie and I went to Van Zoeren Woods in Zeeland Township and Hudsonville Nature Center in the city of Hudsonville. 

 

 Wild Leek

And Hudsonville Nature Center...

 

 

We did see more Wild Leek coming up, and some buds on Marsh Marigolds.

March 30 One more walk at Connor Bayou in the evening with Mike.

 Grand River at Connor Bayou Ottawa County Park

So that was my March 2018, cool and mostly dry.  Spring is being a bit slow but we will see in April how things can really slow down!