As noted in my June 6th post, I registered for a Life Long Learning Class through Western Michigan University called Let's Walk About.
The class meets every morning in June rain or shine (with the exception of severe weather) and promises hikes on area foot paths that span 3-5 miles and a social opportunity to collect friends.
You can learn more about OLLI and our first Walk About here.
Last Friday was to be our second walkabout, but with preceding days of copious amounts of rain and a potential for severe weather that very day, class was cancelled.
Happily, this Friday dawned with much-missed sunshine and fresh air! We met at the Kalamazoo Valley River Trail lot near D Avenue and the Kalamazoo River. With a quick stretch and how-do-you-do, we set off.
Today's route took us on the asphalted KVRT where we found ourselves in wooded areas intermingled with meadows and somewhat hilly terrain. We hiked one-and-one-half miles to the entrance of the Kalamazoo Nature Center where we enjoyed a pit stop and a quick presentation on their offerings. They were kind enough to extend day passes to this OLLI group so we were ready to check out the trails at the KNC.
The Kalamazoo Nature Center, recognized by its peers as one of the top nature centers in the country, was established in the late 1950's. Previously known as Cooper’s Glen, a popular family picnic area with evidence of Native American and European Settler campsites, was saved by a forward-thinking group of community leaders who came together to purchase the land
and establish an outdoor environmental education center.
Bobbie
Jo, our esteemed leader, explained our goal was to walk the Fern Valley and Beach Maple trails then retrace our steps on the KVRT to retrieve our cars.
Unlike the KVRT, these trails are grass or dirt and although well-groomed to remove face-smacking branches, they remain quite natural. We set out on Fern Valley, featuring a .7 mile "difficult" trail.
After a bit of a detour onto the newly established Barn Trail, we found the entrance to Fern Valley and proceeded to troop up and down on mostly dirt paths that still held some water from our recent downpours. This was a tranquil, wooded area and the hills brought about some huffing and puffing from the group. As we rounded a corner, a deer spied us and scampered away.
We finished Fern Valley and realized it was already 10:40 a.m. and class was supposed to end by 11. With a quick raise of hands it was decided that due to the hectic agendas of retired people we had better head directly back to our cars, omitting Beach Maple.
With a quick pace, we made it back to the cars at roughly 11:25. We had walked 4.8 miles - quite enough for me and my cantankerous back.
Next week, features a 3+ mile hike at the Lillian Anderson Arboretum in Oshtemo with guest hike leader, Dave Meeker who is a board member of the Great Lakes Adventure Club.
Be sure to check my blog to hear more about that hike. Better yet, enter your email address on the space provided just to the right of the title of this post to be among the first to learn about the Lillian Anderson Arboretum.
Happy Trails to you!
Miriam
One of the best things about living in a college town is the opportunity to take classes in retirement. One of the cool things about Western Michigan University is their program targeted toward retirees featuring daytime classes that meet once a week for 3 to 6 weeks only. And the BEST part? No tests!!
Through the Osher Life Long Learning Institute, I've learned about invasive species in public outdoor spaces, studied Basic Neurology and refreshed my German language skills.
Trips are offered through the program as well and in March I joined a tour that visited Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Oak Park where he started his famous Prairie School of Architecture. After lunch we toured the birthplace and early boyhood home of Earnest Hemingway and a museum curated in his honor - both in the Oak Park area as well.
Classes are also offered in the summer and I registered for Let's Walk About which meets every Friday morning in June rain or shine (with the exception of severe weather).
The class promises hikes on area foot paths that span 3-5 miles and a social opportunity to collect friends. Effective walking technique and exercises are to be demonstrated and shoes, attire and equipment are to be discussed.
The instructors hold impressive credentials. Bobbi Jo Gamache is a fitness walker and a former
racewalker, Nordic walker, member of Kalamazoo Valley Walkers and a USA Track and Field Racewalk Judge. Serving as "hike sweep," the last position when hiking, is Theresa Debalak who is said to have hiked in nine states. Both hikers are members of the North Country Trail Association, Great Lakes Adventure Club and in 2014 completed a 50-mile walk from Kalamazoo to Lake Michigan.
Our first hike was yesterday and we met at the Kalamazoo Valley River Trail at Verburg Park on Patterson Street just west of Riverview. There is a nice parking lot however, be forewarned, there are no restrooms. About 15 walkers arrived by 9 am and our morning began with a presentation of proper footwear, socks, poles and mosquito repellent by two representatives from Lees Adventure Sports of Kalamazoo.
I felt quite fashionable in my Keen low top hiking shoes as they were presented as appropriate for day hikes during the discussion. But I was soon to realize these were not the best choice for today's hike which would be totally on asphalt. So much for my hiking fashion sense!
It turns out a shoe with a softer foot bed and more give in the sole - like the walking shoes most of the other participants sported - is the best choice on hard surface trails. These shoes cushion the feet which also reduces the impact on knees, hips and back.
Bobbi Jo explained that she chose this part of the KVRT for our first walk due to the large parking area and relatively flat and smooth path. She wanted to lay eyes on the participants and gauge their level of fitness prior to setting out on more rugged terrain in later hikes.
It was a lovely day for a walk, low 60's, mostly overcast but humid enough that I worked up a nice light sweat. I like to know that I'm at least working hard enough to sweat!
The pace was moderate with some folks walking faster and others bringing up the rear. We walked along Verburg Park and rested momentarily at a picnic area while a handful of hikers walked across the street to grab a snack and use the facilities at The People's Food Co-Op or Mackenzies Bakery.
Back in a pack, we strolled on past Rose Park Veteran's Memorial and Red Arrow Park and Golf Course. Next stop - Mayor's Riverfront Park and the bridge across the Kalamazoo River.
We stopped at the end of the bridge and Bobbi Jo noted that if we were to continue, we could now walk all the way to River Oaks Park which is located halfway between Comstock and Galesburg. The part of the trail from Comstock to River Oaks Park just opened and is being dedicated later this month with festivities that we should not miss!
Turning around and retracing our steps, we soon arrived back at the parking lot precisely at 11:00 am having trekked 3.2 miles. Overall this was a good first walk, but honestly the path is better done on a bicycle due to the hard surface.
My personal favorite is to start in Comstock, parking at Nikos Landing, an event facility that is typically not in use during the week. I jump on my bike and ride the KVRT to the intersection of Kalamazoo Street and King's Highway and make my way to Arcadia brewpub for a beer and lunch outside on the patio. Once satiated, I head back to Comstock, ending with roughly a 4 mile bike ride and a pleasant lunch under my belt!
Back to our walk abouts, Bobbi Jo stressed that future hikes would be mostly on dirt or grass with very little parking so we should wear the appropriate shoes and be prepared to carpool.
To this end, she had us cluster based on our home locality and discuss the best carpooling arrangements for next week's walk. Since my girlfriend and I were the only ones from the east side of Kalamazoo, we will continue to be a two-person carpool.
Next week, we meet in Augusta at Dig-In-Cafe and hike the North Country Trail, a 3+ mile one-way hike requiring cars to be left at the end to shuttle hikers back to the beginning.
Look for my post on that trail next week!
Until then, happy hiking,
Miriam
