by kimqi | Sep 27, 2021 | Michigan, North Country Trail
I have maps of the North Country Trail between the Michigan/Ohio state line and the Mackinac Bridge. The pages are highlighted, dated, sweat-stained, dirty, and torn from endlessly moving in and out of my pocket. They are taped together and dotted with post-it notes...
by kimqi | Sep 24, 2021 | YinYang, Seasons
My campsite overlooked a small body of water, bigger than a pond, not exactly a lake. This water became a source of great joy and insight. The sun and moon both rose over her. My first morning there, I was excited and woke before 5 am. It was 46 degrees and dark....
by kimqi | Sep 22, 2021 | Michigan, North Country Trail
Saturday was like a Monet painting, peaceful and serene. The forest contained very little fall color except for the Maple trees, which were red like cherries. The light in this picture whispers Monet; the lily pads scream it. If today was a Monet, yesterday was a...
by kimqi | Sep 21, 2021 | YinYang, Seasons
A couple of pesky miles, or maybe four, I wasn’t sure. Regardless, I had attempted this tiny stretch of the NCT repeatedly without success. I couldn’t find the trailhead, car problems sent me home, endless rain relocated me to the cabin, a creepy truck parked on the...
by kimqi | Sep 13, 2021 | Community
Dog-tired yet renewed, I am. Fair week is over. Finally and already. The week of the Sandwich Fair seems like it will never end yet flies by. The end is bittersweet. Brilliantly timed, this event has been held the Wednesday-Sunday after Labor Day since 1888. Most...
by kimqi | Sep 5, 2021 | Hiking, Michigan, North Country Trail
Some of the NCT follows country roads. It’s annoying but reality. If one wants to hike this trail, roads are part of the deal. I knew this when I parked in Marshall last weekend. The trail started in the woods but soon led to B Drive N and followed the road for...
by kimqi | Aug 23, 2021 | Camping, Community, Kind Minds
For thousands of years and in many cultures, humans have walked labyrinths as a form of meditation. Traveling a labyrinth symbolizes our spiritual journey inward. We start on the outer edge and walk slowly and mindfully on the single path toward the center,...
by kimqi | Aug 19, 2021 | Michigan, North Country Trail
A couple days ago I made my first post in three weeks. That’s a long time, especially with all the words and ideas that have bubbled up. I try to catch and organize them. I get distracted by this idea or that one and end up on yet another path with more ideas to...
by kimqi | Aug 17, 2021 | Backpacking, Michigan, North Country Trail, Wyoming
Three years ago, I went backpacking in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming. It changed my life. The trip was incredible. I loved being so deeply connected with Nature. Many things shifted that week. I came home determined to return the following year. I trained at the...
by kimqi | Jul 26, 2021 | Hiking, Illinois
Dragonflies dart overhead while mosquitos buzz and bite in humidity so high, one can almost see it. It’s hot, maybe 90. The woods called and I answered in spite of the afternoon heat. I started the day listening to a new episode of a podcast I love. It is jammed full...
