Trisket and I headed out to the North Country Trail late this morning. It was a perfect day for hiking as we’d had our first freeze of the season overnight. By mid-day, the temperature had climbed into the 50s. We hiked for nearly two hours, then turned around and headed back toward the truck, hiking another hour before stopping at about 2 PM for lunch. My lunch counter was carpeted with fresh pine straw. Leaning up against a tree, I ate my lunch, sharing a bit with the dog. Then I wrote in my journal and read a chapter titled “The Practice of Getting Lost” in An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor. I did not get lost; after all I had my map with me (see the photo to the right). We’ll, at least I didn’t get lost in a geographical sense, but when I hike I do often find myself getting lost in my thoughts and that’s a good thing. We’re still a couple weeks away from the leaves reaching their peak, but there was enough color on shrubs to give a foretaste of what’s the come.
It's neat how the clouds show up better as a reflection in the water.
I love the way the dog marches around with his tail flying like a flag.
The North Country Trail, which passes about 10 miles west of here, is over 4,000 miles long. It runs from Eastern New York to North Dakota. In Michigan, the trail travels up the length of the state, crossing over to the UP and then along the Lake Superior shoreline toward Wisconsin.
I must live on the trail brother i am lost in my thoughts quite often. Be well and serene.
ReplyDeleteGood scenery, Sage!
ReplyDeleteI think Trisket is a great name for a dog.
Nice. I've not heard much about the NCT. It sounds great even though it doesn't get as much press as the AT or Pacific Crest Trails.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Must be nice not to have to work on a Wednesday morning if you don't want to. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing I've hikes quite a bit of it in Minnesota, especially along the north shore of superior, but I'm guessing it was before it was officially a trail. I really love the north shore area. Lots of spectacular waterfalls.
ReplyDeleteWalking guy, being lost in your thoughts ain't a bad thing
ReplyDeleteKenju, thanks, I love it there by the water's edge
Randall, it's not as well developed as the PCT and AT--it mostly pieces together other trails such as the Finger Lakes in NY, the Baker in PA, Picture Rocks in MI, etc.
Murf, It was actually yesterday--I wrote it last night thinking I'd post it today, but then posted it last night and just went back and corrected it... that said, Wednesday I was working from 7:30 AM to 9:15 PM!
Ed, I love Lake Superior's shoreline!
ReplyDeleteThe North County Trail is one I've never heard of Sage! But then I learn some new fascinating thing upon every visit here! I agree, the dog brought a smile to my face with how spirited he is for life with that proud walk and, yes, the tail!
ReplyDeleteTrisket...what a great name for a dog. You and Trisket are lucky to have each. Your love for hiking shows.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post.
I love the beautiful colours of the autumn. Yellow, reddish leaves are starting to fall. It's beautiful and blue.
ReplyDeleteI bet you must have very nice walks with Trisket. The scenery is simply beautiful.
Speaking of trails, I was playing Trivial Pursuit last night--no, not by myself--and we had a question I figured you'd know.
ReplyDeleteHow many states does the Appalachian Trail traverse?
Sage
ReplyDeleteI thought I recognized some parts of the trail in your photo's, however now I'm not so sure, could you email me with exact locations,
thanks.
-euthychus
I'm waiting for the colors to change too. Some leaves have turned slightly, but no brilliant red and orange yet.
ReplyDeleteMichael, he is a proud dog!
ReplyDeleteGautami, my daughter, who was three at the time, named him because he was the color of a "Trisket" cracker!
Leni, I'll post more photos in a few weeks when the fall colors really take over.
Bone: let's see: GA, NC, TN, VA, WVA, MD, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, VT, NH, ME--that be 14 (but the trail only barely touches WVA).
Eutychus2: It was between Chief Noonday and 37
Mother Hen: In S. Utah, the reds came early as it was mostly shurbs, the dominate color was yellow--with the aspen. THey're beautiful in the fall.
nice to see you and the pooch out enjoying God's creation.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of the NCT either- but great shots. I love seeing the changes in leaf color already.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how the leaf is shaped somewhat like a heart and so is the pond water in the third photo.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful fall colors in the last photo. Nice post.
David, it's a glorious creation!
ReplyDeleteBeau, I'm going to have to start education folks on the NCT! I've hiked parts of it in three states
Scarlet, no one seems to get the joke about the leaf being my map--it's also shapped like lower Michigan!
Seems like it might be a nice alternative to the bars I frequent in Detroit and Ann Arbor.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteTrisket seems to be a good hiking companion :)
ReplyDeleteYou got it! At least that's what the Trivial Pursuit card said.
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are amazing. OK I only lived in NY most of my life and had to picture a map to figure out what Eastern New York is. Duh (Everybody calls Western NY "upstate" so that should have clued me)
ReplyDeleteAll my neighbors have trees that are turning colors. Amazing because in NYC real fall begins next week
I used portions of your hike tonight on northcountrytrailnews.blogspot.com, as you said I could. Always glad to find people enjoying the trail. If you ever want to steer your readers over my way to learn more about the trail it would be great. Pet Triskit for me, I'm always a sucker for a happy dog.
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