By John Matonich
Anyone who knows me knows I am not a marathon runner. I was playing golf a few years ago with a friend that typically had a pretty easy time taking my money, but this particular day I was beating him quite soundly. I asked him if everything was OK and he told me that he was a little tired as he had taken a little run earlier that morning. He went 15 miles. I shrugged my shoulders and told him I didn’t run 15 miles in the 1990s. He smiled for a bit until he had to take his wallet out after the 18th hole.
While I may not be a runner or even much of a walker for that matter, I do like things with motors. Pickups, jeeps, ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles and boats are all options that keep my blood pumping. It’s not about speed or mud or noise, it’s about the fun of traveling down a back road or trail and seeing all the things Mother Nature has to show you. I certainly have seen a number of those walking on trails, and when I was working I worked on the designs for a few of them in the Lower Peninsula. I have seen the bikes and strollers and runners and walkers using them but never really had any interest in joining that crowd. I may have to change my tune.
Michigan is working hard to become the “Trail State.” A fair amount of money is being spent to help that cause by building new trails as well as improving existing ones. The heart of this effort is the Iron Belle Trail. When it’s complete it will run from Belle Isle in Detroit all the way to Ironwood in the far west end of the Upper Peninsula. I believe it is about 60 percent complete and more gets done each year. A very special section of that trail system was completed this fall from Ironwood to my hometown of Bessemer and it is very impressive. It wasn’t cheap but several old railroad trestles had to be rebuilt and incorporated into this section of the Iron Belle. One of the trestle designs I am told is only 1 of 20 left in the country. Because this once was the home to a large number of iron mines, this section of trail is also loaded with scenic overlooks and placards explains the mining history. A number of my buddies always complain that the motor guys are the ones funding these projects through trail stickers and gas taxes and non-motorized folks don’t pay squat, but even they are impressed with this latest section.
Even though it just recently opened and we are at the time of the year were the white stuff is falling, I see people on it every day and everyone I have spoken with raves about the experience of taking a walk there. I understand the scenery and the explanation of the area’s history is very impressive. Someone recently told me this section has already been named one of the Top 10 trails in the country you should try. If it’s true, that would be pretty impressive and could really bring some folks into the area, which I imagine wouldn’t be a bad thing. So, if you are into putting on some of those fancy running shoes, lace them up and come on up to God’s Country and try this section of trail. I don’t think you will be disappointed. Maybe one of these days I will park my Harley at the trailhead and take a walk. It’s probably about time, as the 1990s have been over for a while.
And that’s the situation as I survey it …
After a 35-year career downstate amongst da trolls, during which he built a successful engineering and surveying business, John Matonich is back home in da U.P. His column will appear here occasionally, don’tcha know. His book “Surveyin’ Da Situation” is available on Amazon.com.
I have loved hiking all of my 66 + years or all of it that I can recall. I love getting out in nature, try canoeing or rafting down a river as they require little effort, none if you get someone else to steer/paddle. I love the motorized trail toys as much as the next guy but don’t resent paying for the walking trails with my taxes and fees.
You can roller blade or cross country ski on many of the paths. I wouldn’t mind hiking the trail north from my home in Flint then maybe check the lower part later, I’ve never been to Belle Isle in Detroit. I could visit family in St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette, I’m sure they’d put me up for a night and enjoy hearing tales from the trail from Flint. First question might be why? from some folks.
Idea, get a pedometer and take pledges per mile for some charity. Why hike it doesn’t matter, I could say because it’s there, because I felt like it or for charity and all would likely be true should I do it. I could report about it if I find libraries with internet access, I’m a dinosaur with a flip phone and it timed out again.
I think you have hit on some good ideas. To me the goal is to get out and enjoy some of our state’s great outdoors. I have been on the grounds where some of the future flint trails will be as well as some that are there now and they are in some unique areas with great trips along the river. Given time they will stack up as top trails too…
I retire today! I walk my dogs in Kearsley Park across the street, the one loves Gilkey Creek which runs thru the 47 acre park. We don’t really use the trail much, I’ve been known to walk along it’s path in the grass before it existed. On second thought I do use the trail when the park is soggy wet, dogs don’t. A Flint trail begins steps from my doorway, I too have been where Flint trails will be and have witnessed many of the current trails construction as I moved back here in 1993.
Congrats on the retirement. I was lucky enough to retire last January at 56 as well… you will certainly have the opportunity to see all the places you would like and Michigan is full of them…
And, I tell you, you can have a wonderful time in a canoe on Michigan’s rivers. You can be in a Michigan city, and feel as if you are in the wild. Look up and see eagles. Look down and see sea creatures…
Please take a look at my web site, about canoeing Michigan’s Grand River:
https://lengthofthegrand.com
Happy New Year!
Great stuff, Tom… I agree and have always liked canoeing
I agree, the Flint River is much cleaner than it was when I grew up here in the ’60s. I made a typo in my earlier post, I am age 56 not 66 and retired today. Big difference, I think my pension demands I sign up for SS at age 62 which is worth it to me to get out of the rat race 5 years early.
Doesn’t have to be a canoe. I have an inflatable kayak and a good inflatable bass boat/raft I can float down a river. I also have a 5 seat peddle boat with an electric trolling motor, battery box is in the center console. I float down and troll back up rivers unless they are too swift.
I’ve been known to sit on the shore of he Au Sable River in the woods for hours. There numerous cold springs near the river I’ll put a 6-pack in, might take several trips to the same secluded spot to finish the beer. Sometimes I’ll ask a friend to take a short hike with me then pull two cold ones out to their surprise.