Scio Township Park

I stopped by Scio Township Park, I believe it is called, off Scio Church Road. The park is fairly new, having been established in 2008. It encompasses some 94 acres or so.

Although the park is about 3 years old, I don't know that I can recommend it. The signage is practically non-existent. Where it does exist, it is in the form of yellow, pink or blue ribbons tied to trees. For the most part though you have to rely on following the path that others before you have made. There are a couple of loops, but no clear markings for where you are or which is which when you come to an intersection.

The trail crosses a couple of streams, but only two bridges have been completed. There are markers for two others, but construction has not started. Crossing the streams requires either attempting to jump them or walk across the piece of wood that is laid across the water.

The beginning of the trail has a wood chip cover, but that only extends a very short distance. After that the trail becomes muddy and not maintained well at all. In its current state, if there is any moisture in the ground, plan on getting muddy.

In a few years after construction is completed and if the trail is given some cover, this will probably be a nice park to take a walk in. Until then, I can't say I'd recommend it. There are other, much nicer parks in the area.

The high point to this park is the fact that you can take a walk in the woods, and be only minutes away from Ann Arbor.



One of the completed bridges.


A relatively well marked section of the trail.


One of the ponds the trail passes by. The larger of them still had ice in it.


A typical section of the trail.

North Bay Park - March

The weather has been fairly warm this past week and a majority of the snow has melted. Given the mild weather, I decided to take a stroll through North Bay Park. This is one of my favorite walking spots even though the park isn't really opened yet. Soon it will be light enough to start walking there before work in the morning. I found that I really enjoyed that last year and am looking forward to it this year.

Hanauma

While in Hawaii we visited Hanauma. It was a wonderful experience and was the first time I ever went snorkeling. It was a very cool experience and I hope to get back there sometime. If you ever get to Hawaii, I highly recommend it.

The Pacific Ocean

Awhile back I went to Hawaii for a week. It was quite the experience and I hope to get back there sometime. Given that I'm tired of the cold, miserable weather here, I thought I'd post some pictures from that trip over the next few posts. So for those of you enduring what seems to be the unending winter, sit back, relax, and take a journey with me to our 50th state.

Parker Mill Park

Despite getting more snow last night, today turned out to be a pretty nice day. After being apartment bound for most of the week I decided to head out and go for a walk. My car took me to Parker Mill Park off Geddes Road. After a short walk down the snow covered path, there is a fork that takes back into the woods. It is a very nice walk, and I don't usually see too many people.

At one point the trail passes under the railroad tracks via the tunnel that carries the stream that passes through it. During times of high water, this portion of the boardwalk is often under water. Today was no different.


What the trail usually looks like in the winter



What awaited me at the stream.



I backtracked a bit and went up the hill and across the stream on the trackbed, then down the other side. This is the far side of the tunnel.

A beautiful drive

My uncle's home in Pennsylvania is about 1/2 mile off the road up the side of a mountain. His driveway climbs the mountain to the clearing where his home sits on about 10 acres surrounded by another 80 acres or so of family land. The land is beautiful. Here is the road you take to reach his home.

Spring runoff

My apologies for the lack of updates this week. I've been sick all week and just haven't felt like posting anything.