Featured
Piers Gorge Hiking Trail
Piers Gorge Hiking Trail The Piers Gorge hiking trail is short, only about a mile and a half, making for a 3 mile out and back hike. Piers Gorge, located on the Michigan-Wisconsin border, is formed by the Menominee River. The name is derived from the waterfalls that jut out across the river like “piers”. The river drops about 20 feet over the course of the four waterfalls. The gorge walls are nearly 100 feet tall in some places. The largest drop is Mischicot Falls and is about 8-10 feet depending on water levels. While only about a half mile in length, the Class IV section of Piers Gorge is a popular white water rafting destination. The last pier that you will encounter is Sand Portage. A 5-foot drop and about a mile upstream from Mischicot Falls. However, the trail doesn’t provide a view and degrades into a less traveled…
Cycling
Castelli Lightness 2 Glove Review
The Castelli Lightness 2 glove is a lightweight glove intended for those days when winter gloves are too warm and half-finger gloves are too cold. I live and ride in Northern Michigan, so this glove is indispensable as our weather…
Stages Dash L50 Long Term Review
The Stages Dash L50 is a Feature Rich Cycling Computer The Stages Dash L50 offers GPS mapping, turn-by-turn navigation, heart rate, power, and of course all of the expected speed, distance, and cadence functions. It also features a bright and…
Searching For the Perfect Mountain Bike Grip
Handlebar grips serve two main functions: comfort and control. Both functions are closely related to each other. A well-designed handlebar grip provides sufficient friction to prevent your hand from slipping. The surface should also allow for easy changes in…
Backpacking
Piers Gorge Hiking Trail
Piers Gorge Hiking Trail The Piers Gorge hiking trail is short, only about a mile and a half, making for a 3 mile out and back hike. Piers Gorge, located on the Michigan-Wisconsin border, is formed by the Menominee River.…
Klean Kanteen Review
I've had my Klean Kanteen Wide 40 oz. single wall water bottle since 2008. It's not sexy, it's not expensive, and it's not the item that most gear heads would ever brag about. But it is reliable, durable, and trustworthy.…
Camping on South Manitou Island
South Manitou island is located in Lake Michigan about seven miles from Leland, Michigan and is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It was once inhabited and home to farming and logging and was an essential re-fueling stop…
Kayaking
Kayaking Under the Mackinac Bridge and Through the Straits of Mackinaw
Paddling under the Mackinac bridge and through the Straits of Mackinac in general can present several dangers. Currents in the straits can be very treacherous! Do not attempt this without an appropriate sea kayak, proper safety equipment, and training! A…
Beaver Island Water Trail
Beaver Island is an amazing sea kayak destination. With the addition of the new Beaver Island Water Trail, it just gets better! It’s rather special to me since it is where I had my first sea kayak lessons. Being…
Upcoming 2020 Michigan Kayak Symposiums
Symposiums are a great way to learn kayaking skills. Taught by experienced paddlers, typically, ACA or BCU certified coaches; one can learn an incredible amount of useful information in a fun, safe, hands-on environment. 31st Annual WMCKA Symposium Montague, MI…
travel
Electric Options for Van Campers
Learn about electric options for van campers for part-time and full-time van life explained in simple, easy to understand terms. When traveling or camping in your minivan, you will almost certainly need some sort of electricity supply. Cell phones, cameras,…
Bathroom Options for a Minivan Camper
When traveling in a minivan camper, one of your biggest challenges is where to go when you don’t have a convenient place to go. Not where to go as far as a destination, but where to go to the bathroom.…
Honda Odyssey Camper Van Conversion
Minivan Camper Conversion For some time now I’ve been wanting to travel out west. For this I wanted a vehicle that would allow me to sleep inside, carry a variety of outdoor equipment, camera gear, and get decent gas mileage.…