June 13, 2019 - Thursday morning
49 degrees/partly cloudy/breezy
Pentoga Road

We're back. Macrea and I, along with our two hiking buddies, Patrick and Brian, arrived at the end of our forty-two mile journey Wednesday afternoon, concluding at the Munising Falls Visitor Center. It had been a fast and furious, yet very enjoyable, trek through some of the Upper Peninsula's most beautiful country.

The trip began somewhat ominously. When we stepped from the shuttle around 9:00 AM Monday morning, rain was pouring down in sheets. Not a very good way to begin a major hike.

Macrea, now AKA as "Big Bear" high upon the sand dunes along Lake Superior. 

We didn't let a bit of rain, wind, and cool temperatures dampen our spirits. With Macrea in the lead, we trekked on ahead, talking and often, laughing.

Early Monday afternoon brought clearing skies and windy conditions, perfect for hiking.

At one point, we climbed high upon a promontory and far in the distance, could see our day's destination, the Au Sable light house.

We soon arrived at Log Slide and met the first of our trail family. Aunt Tonya, from Las Cruses, NM, had her two nieces along for the same hike as we were taking.

We camped at the same sites as "the girls" (as they soon became known) for the rest of the journey. 

The girls were offered Snickers Bars, of which they kindly accepted. We told them the Snickers Fairy occasionally leaves them along the trail and knowing they were behind us, left a treat on a prominent log for them to enjoy.



We arrived at our first night's planned destination, but since the conditions were perfect and Macrea felt great, decided to hike on another few miles.

Since this was Macrea's first-ever hike, I let him take the lead.

Along with being the lead guide comes major responsibilities. After day one, he also served as Map Boy and Camera Boy. It was nice to turn over the major tasks to a youngster so the old man could settle back and simply enjoy the hike. Eleven miles passed under our feet before we stopped on Monday afternoon.

 It was during the first night of sleep when Macrea earned the trail name of Big Bear. With the boy, formerly known as Macrea, slumbering in his hammock, a black bear looking for food scraps, wandered alongside his hammock and let out a snort just a foot or two away. 

Not panicking and doing exactly the right thing, Macrea let out a shout that sent the curious bear scampering. From this day forward, when he's on a hike, the former Macrea shall be known as Big Bear.

I served as the master chef for our journey, making such culinary delights as tuna, wrapped in soft tortilla shells, dipped after each bite in Ranch dressing. Of course, oatmeal was a favorite along with peanut butter spread on tortilla shells.

It wasn't always easy slaving away in the kitchen, but since Big Bear had taken over the guide's duties, I was happy to serve in a support role.

 Big Bear also learned what an open outhouse is. At one campsite, it was a matter of following a trail over small hill, sitting down, and enjoying the 360 degree, panoramic view of the countryside.



I was afraid I might walk over the small rise and see one of our trail family, but as it turns out, we all spaced our timing very well.

The second day of our hike, brought perfect conditions. We bade the girls goodbye, promising we'd meet up with them further down the trail.

We caught up with the brothers of our trail family, "the boys," as they soon became known, Brian and Patrick, during the day. They had hiked further the first night and were enjoying the beach when we first spotted them. Of course, being the social butterfly on the trail, I slogged out through the sand to catch up on any local trail news.

"Hmm, you know Big Bear, I think we should have turned left back there at the last junction. There's a big ol' lake on our right that we're about to walk into."

With the threat of heavy rain forecast, the entire trail family hiked almost fifteen miles and all made the conscious decision that we'd finish on Wednesday to save having to deal with wet tents, bags, and clothes on Thursday morning.

As forecast, it rained and blew Tuesday night. We awakened at daybreak on Wednesday, packed, and made a hasty retreat from the campsite back to the trail.

The less than perfect conditions didn't diminish the beauty of Picture Rocks National Park. I've hiked this trail multiple times and with each trip, am more impressed than I ever had been previously.

The last eight miles were the hardest of the entire trip. Hiking with the boys, the four of us propped each other up as we slipped and slid through ankle deep mud. Between the rain, mosquitoes, and occasional nose dive into a muddy puddle, it was only our combined camaraderie and light heartedness that made the endless slog somewhat enjoyable.

We finally emerged from the woods to the parking lot just below the visitor's center. I hated to tell my two newest sons, Patrick and Brian, goodbye. 

Both boys are back in the Midwest for a wedding this coming Saturday. After, Patrick will head to his position as a Professor of Computer Science at San Diego State University, and having just earned his MBA, Brian drives to Seattle to begin a new job.

Patrick - Brian

We promised to keep in touch. I hope we do. I became fond of both boys.

Sargie was sight for sore eyes last night. I often talk about hiking the grandaddy of all trails, the Appalachian Trail. I'm not so concerned about the physicality of it all, but missing Sargie after just three days, I wonder how I could go six months away from my bride. 

Oh well, I've got a couple of years to figure all that out.

I heard from Big Bear a bit ago, saying he was doing well this morning. Like me, he's got an ache or pain here and there, but nothing major. 

On today's agenda: hose down the packs, shoes, tent, hammock, and anything else that is covered with mud from yesterday's slog. I think we'll take the sleeping bags to the laundry mat and wash those. You can't beat good old-fashioned trail sludge.

Other than that, there's a trailer full of next winter's fire wood waiting for someone to come along and work it up. 

So with that being said, it's time to get the day started.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Lead on Big Bear. You're doing a heck of a job.