Featured
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 a remote island in Northern Lake Michigan, the water is clear (and cold), the scenery pristine, and the night skies are phenomenal. About Beaver Island Beaver Island is approximately 55 square miles in size. It is a rich, biodiverse island with a varied landscape filled with pine and hemlock forests as well as hardwoods. Swamps and bogs are scattered about along with inland lakes. And like many of the neighboring islands and the mainland, it is home to the Great Lakes dunes. Unlike Mackinaw Island, you won’t have crowds to deal with. Because of its distance from the mainland, fewer people visit the island. Beaver Island has around 500 year-round…
Backpacking
Ghosts and Hauntings of South Manitou Island
I was waiting at the dock on North Manitou Island waiting for the ferry to take me back to the mainland when I overheard a conversation between two national park rangers. They were talking in hushed tones about how, the…
Things to see on North Manitou Island
(Updated May 13, 2018) North Manitou Island is a popular backpacking destination due to its easy access and being one of only a few designated wilderness areas in the Midwest. Many backpackers who visit North Manitou try to hike as…
Things to do on North Manitou Island
North Manitou Island is located eight miles off the coast of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. To get there requires a ferry ride, an overnight stay, and planning. With that in mind, visitors often ask, “What are the things…
Cycling
Three Foot Passing Laws and Mutual Respect
Recently a Facebook group member posted an angry response to how bike clothing manufacturer, VOmax Apparel responded to a comment on one of their Facebook ads. This particular group is a private group for former cycling industry members. The member…
Tom Ritchey Road Logic Review
Tom Ritchey is best known for building mountain bikes and mountain bike components. He was at the birth of mountain biking way back in the 70's. Tom however also has a lengthy history in road bikes. After all, Tom…
Bike Tools Plus
Are you working on your own bike and you need a tool to do the job? Or maybe you are looking for information on bicycle tools? We recommend Bike Tools Plus. Billed as "An Encyclopedia of Bike Tools and More!',…
Kayaking
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…
NRS Freestyle Wetshoe Review
My Valley Nordkapp RM has little spare room for big feet. In the summer, this hasn’t been too much of a problem but during dry suit season, finding footwear that can accommodate the extra bulk of socks and the dry…
