The Tuesday before last Julie and I got serious about our final stretch to attain 100 miles toward this year’s North Country Trail #hike100NCT Challenge. We drove down south of L’Anse to hike one of our favorite stretches along the Sturgeon River out to the east of the Humpback Bridge. The weather forecast was calling for a chance of thunderstorms by late afternoon so we had the rain gear packed just in case.
We found some areas of the trail in significant need of late-summer brushing, but chose to take on the dare!
Even though there had been some recent rains, the mushrooms have been negatively impacted by the overall dry conditions this summer. We saw far less fungi on this hike than what we would normally expect for this time of year, but found a few spots where they have managed to thrive.
There are a number of stately white cedars to be seen along the Sturgeon River in this stretch that appear like sentinels upon its banks.
Even though the river is down from its normal levels, we still came across impoundments created both by geology and industrious beavers.
During our hikes we always encounter trees with burls which can take on some some interesting forms. Reading up about burls, it seems that they can be triggered by a variety of causes ranging from insects, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and even freeze damage or other injury.
As we neared the midway point in the hike, we started hearing rumbles of thunder. Up until then the conditions had been dead calm. It had been so quiet that you could hear twigs break a long distance from the trail. With the thunder, we started to sense occasional updrafts.
As we made our way back we encountered some brief heavy showers and occasional loud claps of thunder. The rains were welcome to cool us off, but not enough to get soaked beneath the forest’s canopy.
This particular tree is one we marvel at as it still has full foliage at its crown, but is significantly hollowed out at its base.
In contrast, this mighty pine has lost its needles and is awaiting its final demise from either a lightning strike or significant straight wind.
With the completion of this four-mile hike, our NCT mileage for the year would total slightly over 92 miles.
You can see my GoPro video from the hike on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
Wednesday morning would start with a 2,300 yard swim at the MTU SDC before I would head over to the Houghton County Courthouse for a Houghton County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority meeting. This would be an important meeting for Chassell as we would be taking up the Housing TIF and Revolving Fund Loan on the Brownfield Project Application from T & J Properties of Chassell for the redevelopment of the Chassell Mercantile site as well as the Brownfield Plan Preparation Agreement. All would be approved.
Stopping by the Chassell Farmers Market that afternoon, I would talk with Abby Patrikus with the Michigan Department of Corrections about current job vacancies at the correctional facility in Baraga. I let her know that I would be glad to share these opportunities on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page which you can find at this link.
I would attend the Chassell Township Board meeting that evening where I would brief the board on matters ranging from the Spark Grant projects and developments with MDOT on the rail corridor (both which I discussed in my last issue) as well as the planning commission’s recommendation that the township enter into a maintenance agreement with the DNR on the rail-trail after we carefully review their draft agreement.
Thursday morning I would receive notification from the EGLE that the application I had completed for the permitting of the two bridges and boardwalk at the Maasto Hiihto Trails in Hancock had gone into the twenty-day public comment period. This should have us on a good path to start construction in September.
At 10:00 a.m. I met with Jeff Kakuk and Dan Dowdy from the DNR along with Township Supervisor Dave Mattson and Trustee Dan Palosaari on site at the 4th Street entrance to Centennial Park where we discussed the DNR’s expectations regarding the FEMA storm water project. The focus was on the last leg from the manhole which they expect to be angled under 4th Street and the rail-trail, but not as a 90 degree bend under 4th street to the ditch on the west side of the rail-trail. This project needs to be completed by the end of the year, so immediate follow up will be taking place with U.P. Engineers and Architects and the selected contractor. The remainder of the meeting focused on a draft maintenance agreement between the DNR and Chassell Township that would have the township taking over maintenance of the portion of the rail-trail within Chassell Township. We will be working toward finalizing this agreement which will provide the township greater flexibility in managing issues with the rail-trail as well as creating opportunities for grant funding in the future.
Thursday evening I would volunteer from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Chassell Heritage Center to work the front desk during the Thursday evening program that featured country music by Bill Kautto & Friends. While the program was going on, our Curator Mat Moore and I were able to do additional research on the Chassell Mercantile site that is needed for the project as it goes forward to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Friday would start out with a 2,500 yard swim at the MTU SDC and then Julie and I would head out for another North Country Trail hike with our friends Mark and Jennifer. This time we would take a two-track off of the Baraga Plains Road to reach the eastern boundary of the Ottawa National Forest from where we would start a hike to Tibbets Falls. A chance of thunderstorms was in the forecast for later that afternoon. We would learn that it would be much more than a chance!
In fact, we would end up having a perilously close call…but more about that next time!
Do you embrace winter and have the ability to work remotely? Consider locating in the Keweenaw where you will find ubiquitous natural beauty, no congestion, and lower crime! Not sure? Come UP for a workcation to check it out! Learn how at Visit Keweenaw at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/plan/trip-ideas-itineraries/workcations/ Visit Remote Workforce Keweenaw at https://remoteworkforcekeweenaw.com. Learn about those making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.