Wolverine Hikes

People who know me know that I belong on the Trail. I've thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (three times, now),the Pacific Crest Trail and the mighty Continental Divide Trail. I've hiked many of the long trails here in Michigan including being the first to hike both the Ironwood Trail and the Great Lake To Lake Trail. In 2017, I hiked the Israel National Trail and the Golan Heights Trail. I was the first to hike the Baja Divide Trail in Mexico but failed miserably to thru-hike the Bruce Trail in Canada. In 2019, I hiked the TEMBR in Ecuador and 1,150 miles of the North Country Trail as it runs through my home state of Michigan.

The purpose of this blog is to keep anyone who is interested informed of my progress and to encourage those who are able to support me in these endeavors.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Two Angels From Michigan...


 ...swept in and saved me.  I was a little behind on my nutrition until Traci Rink and her daughter Katie took time off from touring colleges and universities in Oregon to meet me on the trail.  The Fish Lake Camp is just off PCT mile 1780 and has a restaurant, a store and some cabins. They got a cabin there and let me take a nice hot shower.  First shower I've taken (besides a 'hippie shower' which is really just dancing around in the rain with some Dr. Bonner's) since staying with Piper's Mom. Then they took me to the restaurant and treated me to something called a 'Hiker Burger' (nominated for Best Burger On The Trail) along with a salad, sweet potato fries and strawberry-rhubarb pie a la mode. Best meal I'd had in weeks.

Then they loaded me up with a TON of food to take with me.  More food than I could even carry but it soon evaporated when I saw other hikers on the trail.  They know I'm bound by hiker ettiquette to share so Traci and Katie actually helped out about a dozen hikers with their generosity.
And gear!  Traci got me a really nice 100% Merino wool tee shirt and some Smartwool socks.  This is quality stuff and I will wear it to the end of the trail.

Seeing Traci and Katie was good for my stomach and good for my soul.  They sent me off by sharing a bottle of Black Butte Porter from Deshutes brewing here in Oregon.  They lifted my spirits and renewed my energy - which I'll need to get through Oregon and Washington.  Seeing them was a highlight of my trip that I will never forget.

Thanks Traci and Katie!


Something ate her hat!









Everything I have has to be multi-purpose.  Clean socks make great mittens according to Katie.  Good call, Girl!



2 comments:

Perry said...

Its a perfect fit! I am glad it fits you. Icebreaker shirts are my favorite, thought you would like it!

Chris Hillier said...

Hey Perry! Thanks, again, for all your help. Say "Hi!" to everyone at the B'Ham store for me. I'll see you guys at the end of October. Wolverine