There’s A Trail Nearby...
Imagine my surprise, to discover that I live smack-dab on the North Country Trail. This happy realization occurred when I joined some friends who were chipping away at the NCT in 10-mile segments through Kent County in 2019. Although I had intended to join them multiple times that year, I only made it once, on a steamy-hot summer day in August.
Uncharacteristically, I did not preview the map, since they knew the way. We met near Lincoln Lake Road and headed west on Two-Mile, then south on Parnell. When we turned onto Downes, I could contain myself no longer. “Well,” I said to them, “if we take the next turn, we will go right past my driveway.” And we did.
What?! You mean, the end of my driveway connects me to a trail winding through eight states? That means I could hang a right and head west, north to and across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and into North Dakota. Or I could hang a left and travel south in Michigan, through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and into Vermont! Wow!
What a joy, to discover that the North Country Trail passes by the place where I live, just outside Lowell and darned near its epicenter! I have long known about the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Colorado Trail—but the one in my own backyard had eluded me. As my friends and I paused in the shade of an immense oak tree out by my mailbox that day, I felt a sense of belonging which ribboned out in both directions some 4,800 miles beyond my humble place. Remembering that moment always makes me smile.
It’s not that I had not heard of the North Country Trail. It came to my attention around 2001, when I sat on the board of the Lowell Area Community Fund. A grant application came our way seeking funding to move the trail’s national headquarters from downtown Grand Rapids west, to Lowell, so it could be right on the Trail. It was a hard sell to my fellow members of the board. I remember leaning in, explaining that, for people who walk, places like Harper’s Ferry, WV, are bright spots on the map because it is the center of the Appalachian Trail and the location of their headquarters. Wouldn’t having NCT headquartered in Lowell be something super-special? The grant was approved! Nowadays, when I pass the beautiful headquarters building across from Lowell’s City Hall, I feel a bit of pride over that.
Since then, I have been a sincere admirer, although my admiration never seemed to gain enough momentum in my busy life to be much more than a good intention. Then, in the summer of 2023, the story of a man who was walking the entire trail (known as a through-hiker) caught my attention. He had stopped to chat with a neighbor, who posted the story of his encounter, right there on our road. I was impressed by the hiker’s audacious plan. Could I ever do such a thing, I wondered. I decided to be more intentional about getting out there more often, to see more of the trail beyond my home-road and nearby miles.
As I armchair-journeyed the rest of the way with the through-hiker, whose trail name is Sea Otter, I learned about Buck Hough’s wonderful hiker’s haven, Bin Walkin, which is south of Lowell. It is a place for long-distance hikers to rest and regenerate (and sleep in a bed, maybe even do some laundry!) What could I offer to hikers, I wondered. I realized that right here at home I have a couple of helpful resources for through-hikers. As a trailside property owner, I can certainly and easily offer space for camping in my meadow, or at least a refreshing fill-up at my water spigot, maybe even a shower or dinner if it works out.
That idea led me to West Michigan Chapter’s Communications Coordinator, Cheryl McGrath, who told me about people who help hikers in such ways. Now it seems that I’m going to get to be a “Trail Angel” starting next season! Even though I haven’t actually done anything yet, I’m on really thrilled with the idea. It feels like a good fit. Ever since 1981, when twelve volunteers gathered in White Cloud, Michigan, to get it going, people have come together to create this, the longest of the US national trails. Eight states! So many miles! How cool to be a real part of it now—better late than never.
As an avid walker, I am outdoors every day. In more than 25 years of living on the NCT, I have surely logged hundreds of miles on it. My first German shepherd, Xelda, and I walked the regular “morning mile” along my beautiful, rural gravel road for fourteen years, followed by nine years with my next shepherd, Mayzie. Both are gone now, but my walking continues. It’s time to bust out from traversing the same couple of miles, though. I look forward to exploring other areas, now that I’m moving from having good intentions to having specific plans. Want to go walking, anyone?
