Short Springs/Old Stone Fort TTA

I joined the Clarksville TTA for this hike to see waterfalls. 14 hikers led by Terry had a great day at this beautiful SNA. Machine Falls was flowing well and lots of people were there enjoying the water on a hot day. We hiked to Upper and Lower Busby Falls and Adams Falls and Laurel Bluff Loop. It started raining as we were heading out to the parking lot. Some of the group stopped at Rutledge Falls. I was going to stop but the parking area was packed. We regrouped at a local BBQ restaurant for lunch. Then five of us went on the Old Stone Fort SP and hiked the Enclosure Trail, about 1.3 miles. 

Pictures from Hike Clarksville FB page

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North Chick TTA

 

We got a late start on the trail because the CTC website said the gate at North Chick opened at 9. Scenic City starts their hikes at 7:30 in the summer. So it was already getting really warm. The Ranger at the parking lot said the gate opens at 7. Oh well. We got started with Tammy leading. Upper Hogskin Loop to the main trail. It was getting hot as we got out by the sunny bluff walls. We made it to the wooden steps, and 4 of us decided we'd had enough, the others bravely kept going. Too hot for me.

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Michigan 2024

This year we had some last minute changes this year. We lost our Aunt, age 90, so we had a funeral to attend. We took Dad and Mom with us and headed North. Our first stop was Lake Loramie State Park in Minster Ohio. We have stayed here twice before. It is a nice park on a lake. From there we headed to my brothers house in Lowell. We did the visitation thing and funeral on Thursday and Friday. Saturday we hung out with family at my brothers. Sunday we went to Lake Michigan for the day. Monday we visited my brothers vet clinic and got some jobs done around the house. 

Tuesday we headed North to Elk Lake in Gladwin to visit my Aunt and Uncle. We got some projects done around the house and watched some fireworks. Wednesday was more of the same. Thursday we participated in the 4th of July boat parade. 28 boats doing laps around the lake. One had a good stereo system, one had a bubble machine, one was throwing out oreo cookies, and one was throwing out hotdogs. After the parade we were invited into a home to hear a concert with some singing, piano playing and violin playing. Later that evening was another concert on the lake followed by fireworks.

Sunday we got to visit with my sister and her husbands family. His dad passed away that night.

We headed back South on Monday and stayed at the Wright Patterson Famcamp for the night. Made it back home Tuesday night.

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