The following is a record of my summer adventures, with pictures taken by myself and friends, with excerpts from my journal. This isn't a diary, this is a story- and I've been careful to tell it as such, leaving out drama, feelings, and the boring bits. So here's what happened.
The idea to walk around Lake Michigan came after watching Into the Wild for the first time, during the winter of 07/08. Watching Alexander Supertramp's enacted adventure made me want one of my own. From the start, I didn't delude myself; I understood that Lake Michigan was pretty developed. I had no grand illusions of a pristine beach that I could spend a summer on, but I hadn't quite pictured the reality either.
I packed my bag, and left on May 7th at 10:15. I said to Dan: "See you in a few months" and walked off. It should have been scary, or difficult, or something. Some feeling of hesitation. It didn't come. It was a Thursday, and sunny. It wasn't long (a mile or two outside Houghton) that I got bored with walking by the road, and wanted to get to the lake. The road wasn't the destination, and I didn't exactly have a surplus of time. So, for the first time in my life, I stuck out my thumb. I caught one ride, which took me to where 41 splits from 141. I took 141 south, on foot. I camped early because a storm was coming in. I began reading "Into the Wild"
"Eager to see the lake. Took full inventory, plenty of gear, plenty of food. Morale is high"
The next day, I got three rides. One from a talkative man in a Jeep who built everything he owns and his silent partner. One from a guy in a truck who loved motorcycles, and one from a woman named Sarah, who was a nurse, and who assumed I was a Christian. I made camp somewhere south of where US-2 leaves 41.
"Train scared the shit out of me last night. Real slow start due to rain. Feeling cold but good. When thing dry out, I head for Menominee. Later- Lake Michigan! Made Menominee in three days. Mary had no pot, but drove me the last leg. Tim the bartender doesn't seem to think much of the place. I was thrilled to see the lake. Drinks as celebration. Set up near the park. Bar is a short walk, want to have a fun night, planning on staying another day. We'll see if the itchy feet agree. Still lots of food & gear. Plenty of $. 2 rides today. Very happy with progress. Morale is very, very high."
The train that scared me was on tracks maybe 50 meters away, on the other side of a small swamp. When it came through at 2am, I was sure that it was going to run me over. The reference to the pot came from one of my rides. I got into the Subaru, and the big lady behind the wheel suddenly: "Oh man! I don't have any pot! I always pick up hitch-hikers and I always give them pot!" I told her it was fine. The girl in the front seat kept looking back at me with a nervous smile, and her brother next to me offered me a smoke. They looked expensive, I declined.
I was very popular at the bar that night, my new acquaintances bought me lots of shots. I got pretty drunk, and met a dog named Oreo at the house of one of the gals I had met. I liked the dog better.
The next day, Matt Stachiowiak came to visit. We walked around and took pictures.
When I got back to my camp, my stuff had been tossed and my pack was gone. In a rare and random act, I had taken everything out of it. All they got was my pack, camera case, med kit and survival kit. For the first time, I was afraid.
"Went to sleep wondering what will happen"
The next day (day 5) I "...bought a pack from Freddy. Hours lost @ dead fish point. Must be more aware of surroundings. Roughly 1 mile of beach to walk on. The rest was houses. It was not difficult in the least but very boring. I'm very discontent with the trail so far" It was the events at Dead Fish Point- a name given by me- that made me question my plan for the first time.
Dead Fish Point:
"My one mile of beach was a peninsula that I named dead fish point (after the large number of big dead fish). I was walking on the beach next to cut grass and trails & I was happy. When the little park area ended, I was even happier. No trails here, I'm making my own way. It wasn't long before the going got tough. That was okay, I'm a tough guy, so I kept going. After all, I'm planning on doing some bushwhacking anyhow. I soon got lost in the quagmire (literally). The swamp thwarted every path. The only way back was the only way across. I had to backtrack to the prissy park or wade through chest deep muck. I come to the realization that it's either housing, dog walking area, or chest deep muck"
The next day, I wake early and walk until late. Bored stupid. That night, I weigh my options.
The thought process as it appears in the journal:
Why I wanted to do this:
1. Explore -Nothing to explore, it's all houses
2. Prove I can wander -I can wander, and well. I've proven this and my perspective has changed.
3. Fun -It's not ll that fun
4. Experience open road -Open road kicks ass
5 Meet people -Crappy way to meet people. very lonely trip
Adventure was always game. LM was the where and walking was the how.
I love my solitude but NEED people.
Reasons for changing the were and how of the game:
- I want to do more than one thing this summer. The idea of one activity for four months seems rather bleak now.
- Freeze dried food
- need people
- Lake Michigan is housed, I'm tired of trespassing
- Music! Books! Ticks!
- Boredom- I've seen enough houses, thanks much
- Pack stolen. Monetary and morale cost. Plus the idea that my camp could have been gone is scary. By scary I mean terrifying. It's just stuff, but it's the stuff I chose to keep me ALIVE!
- I realized what I'd miss out on if I did this all summer. Too many experiences passed up if I walk & sit, walk & sit for four months.
- Bridges- some of these rivers are deep!
So I helped him with his last two deliveries and we talked about science and religion and astronomy. He was a retired cop, going to school to be a teacher. The stories he had about his time on the force... When he dropped me off, he offered to let me live in the house he was moving out of for a week. It needed to be painted and remodeled before they sold it. It would be some food, some cash, some work, and some place to stay for a bit. After a background check, of course. I considered, but decided to hit the road.
I called Mena, and shaved in a creek while I waited for her to get back from work. We toured the city, spending time in the part of the Oshkosh library full of books on lineage. I learned stories of my ancestors, of the tradition of Thomas Maynards, and verified that our family crest matches the one in Grandpa's basement.
After this, I return to Houghton courtesy of my good friends Bryant and Stacy. They were itching for a road trip and I was an excuse. I spent a couple days in Houghton, until I got two phone calls. One was from Dad, the other from Brad. Upon calling back, I got the worst news on my life. It's good to have friends in a time like that. Lauren talked to me about Eric Verhaar for a while, then we watched Dr. Who to get my mind off of it. I leave her place, pack, help Bryant move with Mikey B, and head south to mourn my friend.
I get to camp at around 4am, and wake up to friends. We do work and tell stories all day. That night is very emotional, so details are foregone. Suffice it to say that it's good to have friends and family, the whole scouting community was there. The next few days are occupied with visitation and the funeral. Bonfires and stories and toasts.
The days following that are for fun. Running around with Phil and the gang. Shens in GR, yard work, relaxation, more shens. Go back to camp, and repair the bridge. Time spent at Dad's place alone with the fire and my records. A couple days there, and I journey back up to Houghton. There's a week of friends, fun, and relaxation there, and then back down to Mackinac for my birthday. Spend time on the island with Dad, Ted, and Katie. We bike around it in no time flat, and look at the fort and other attractions. We have a great time, and the next day I say my goodbye's and truck on back to Houghton.
This concludes part 1 of my summer. Coming in part two: The greatest adventure of my life, excitement, romance, danger and a pretty wicked soundtrack.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment