I’ve been lax in my hiking this summer. It’s not for lack of trying, but an overabundance of two things:

  1. Travel. We’ve spent many weekends away in such exotic locations as Northport (boating with friends), Port Huron (so close you can see Canada… and get roaming charges from Canadian cell towers), more boating, and Mackinac Island.
  2. New home stuff. While the interior is pretty well set, the ~$30,000 estimates we had for the mulch, trees, retaining walls, etc. that we wanted meant that we would be doing the work ourselves. The work is starting to wrap up for this year – there is only so much money we have to spend, even if it is far less than the estimates.

I had a free evening while Andrea played volleyball, and I headed south to Brown Bridge, my as-of-now favorite trail in the Traverse City region. The views are amazing, especially in the fall. But even in summer, they are some of the best around.

Brown Bridge views

If there were one spot I would take guests that wanted trails, it would be here. Great views, but a trail wide enough for several people to walk side-by-side. You’ve got trees, fields and a winding river that makes for a pleasant walk. Getting back up from the bluff can wear you out, but it’s worth the huffing and puffing.

Boardman River Valley

Right now there is streambank restoration work, but it doesn’t affect the trail, so carry on as normal. Though this area was underwater for many years due to the dams on the Boardman, there isn’t much evidence left of that time.

Bit of dirt