Northwest River Park Loop (Virginia)

At the Virginia / North Carolina border, just south of Norfolk lies this wonderful county park. I was in the area visiting relatives in Moyock and doing my usual looking for trail options while in town. Seeing that this park had a nice series of trails it was definitely worth checking out. Added bonus was the Disc Golf course. Two of my older sons are very into disc golf at the moment and so I was able to bring them along for them to check out the course.

It became a family outing as I ran the trail loop, two sons were on disc golf, and my 3rd son hiked the Molly Mitchell side of the loop. It was a nice December day in the lower 40s and a good outing to get some fresh air. The trails were very leaf covered though in some places had been groomed clean. The trails were very rooted and the leaves made that more of a challenge. It was a small bit of fortune that I didn't eat dirt once today.

Advent and the Communion of Saints

[This is my Faith Post for December 2024.] 

In this Advent season we consider our sins and turn in repentance towards the mercy of our Savior Jesus.  This is all part of our preparation and anticipation of Jesus' 2nd Coming.   It is also practical to say, we spend a lot of time in this season thinking about Christmas and the holiday celebrations.  On one hand, it is a great blessing to gather and celebrate and share gifts and big meals. So many opportunities for joy!  On the other hand, this season can come across with so much difficulty for those dealing with the stresses of all the change and expectation.  This season also brings to the forefront so much loss and grief when we struggle to handle the absence of loved ones.

A Sticker

[This is my Faith Post for November 2024.] 

I nearly had a major situation on my hands a couple weeks ago all because of a sticker.  Yes, a basic sticker.  Well, it was at least a sticker that got things started. I was up in the Traverse City area for the Michigan District All Pastors Conference and as the conference ended I decided to head over to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to enjoy the Fall colors and the beautiful park. While I was still in the area. I enjoyed some great hiking at Sleeping Bear Point and also enjoyed the scenic drive through the park. I made my way out to the little town of Empire to see the visitor center and finish up my time there. It was at the visitor center that the sticker enters the story. 

I happened to see some nice Sleeping Bear Dunes stickers that would be fun to put on the outside of my Chromebook. I had left my wallet and cash in my van however. So I went out to my van to get cash to buy the sticker and as I sat in my driver's seat getting what I needed from my wallet my key slipped out of the back of my shorts. I exited the vehicle with the key still on the seat, and for some reason the doors of the vehicle locked on my exit. I realized instantly what had happened but it was too late.   Going back out to the car for that infamous sticker had now put me in quite the predicament.

I was locked out and I was almost 5 hours away from the spare key. This certainly could have been a moment for great panic. How would I get in my vehicle?  How would I get home?  Where would help come from?  Not to mention, I was dressed in shorts and short sleeves from the hiking and I couldn't remain outside forever as the temps began to drop.  And to top it all off my phone battery was down to 30% and if it ran out my options would really run thin. What was I going to do? 

Sleeping Bear Point and Lake Michigan Overlook Climb (Sleeping Bear Dunes)

Jump to Lake Michigan Overlook Climb

Sleeping Bear Point Trail
Sleeping Bear Point is at the northern end of the National Lakeshore. It is just west of Glen Arbor. There is a nice parking lot trailhead at the end of a dirt road. I did this loop trail counterclockwise. In this direction it begins on pure sand and very quickly comes to a junction where you can turn right and go about 2/10 of a mile down to the Lake Michigan beach. Definitely worth it especially if you have kids to go and explore and enjoy the sand and the beach. Once back to the loop it's meanders on the dunes and you follow blue posts to stay on route. For the most part it's fairly easy to keep on the route. You spend a lot of time on the sand with plenty of up hills and subsequent downs. The last 0.75 takes you into the woods on a beautiful single track with plenty of fall colors. I was engaged the whole loop hiking on my own and didn't for a second think of putting in my earbuds to pass the time. Definitely a winner of a trail and hike while visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Vasa Pathway - 10K Loop

The Vasa Pathway is the crown jewel trail system of the Traverse City area. It is clearly well funded and well taken care of. It provides trail opportunity for people through all 4 seasons whether you're looking for biking, hiking, or winter sports. Though I don't live near Traverse City it is still a trail system I've heard of from other parts of Michigan.

While in the area for a conference I made it a point to have an adventure out here during some afternoon free time. Given the time I had available I targeted the 10K loop. It was all clearly marked. The whole of the 10K loop was a double-track forest road. I believe in the winter this would be groomed for XC which is a treat.