A Continuing, Bi-Monthly Journal
of People and Places
Along Bay County, Michigan's Rail Trail System

Enhance your health, stretch your mind, embrace your community; hit the Trail. 

October 1, 2007
by Dave Goss

Dear friends,

I certainly hope that you have been enjoying the great outdoors in all of this fantastic weather we have had this summer.

Now the summer sleeps. The foliage on the trees in the forest turn into brilliant color, the grasses turn yellow, then brown, before passing on to a long winter sleep; only to awaken again in the spring with new life.

Fall is here. This is my favorite time of the year. This is a wondrous time to go for walks on the trail. Once the cooler weather settles in, the mosquitoes make a quick exit. The Tobico Marsh part of the trail is utterly fantastic. The colors are fabulous, especially in the early morning sun when the sun shines through the gold and the red and the green; contrasting with the deep, indigo shadows. The forest becomes luminous.

A field of ferns on the Tobico Trail takes on the autumnal colors.

Since Betty and I , are Baby-Boomers; we are now old enough to see “life-patterns.” Over the years we have noticed that our health tends to decline in the winter months. There are many reasons for this

For one thing, our physical activity level goes way down.

We tend to be inside most of the time on cold winter days. We socialize, indoors during cold months, breathing the same air that others breathe, sharing viruses and bacteria.

Our bodies become less sturdy from Sunday football games and the TV season of new shows and the ever-enticing commercialisms of our world.

We gain weight.

To counteract this winter trend, Betty and I go from daily biking, to daily walking. We have begun the transition from biking to walking.

There are a few things to remember if you plan to do some hiking during the colder months:

Dress in layers. But, do not overdo the layers. You do not want to work up a sweat. Sweat can become a real problem if you stay outdoors after you exercise. Hypothermia is more likely to occur in this situation.

Stay hydrated, even in cold weather, drink adequate amounts of water.

Make sure your shoes fit properly to prevent blisters.Don't go too far on your first few hikes. Make it a pleasant situation. If you overdo it, you will be tired and sore, and less likely to hike again.

Hiking during the winter months has it's rewards. You see fewer people. The woods, (especially on the Tobico Trail,) is quiet and peaceful. A nice, relaxing walk tends to lower the blood pressure. You burn many more calories during hikes in the cold. The body works extra-hard to keep you warm.

Say hello to Jim and Julie Schultz. Jim works at Dow Chemical.
He and Julie have lived on Kilarney Beach for 4 years.

On September 2, 2007, I took a walk through Tobico trail, while my wife Betty was in church. The air was crystal clear. The autumnal colors were just beginning to show themselves. It was a pleasure to see all of the people out on the trail on such a grand day.

Meet Linda from Bay City, and Judy from Midland,
walking Linda's dogs on the Tobico Trail, on a fine, clear day.

One fine day, while biking along the Kilarney Beach portion of the trail, I noticed some wild grapes. I returned later and picked several quarts of the grapes, took them home, and Betty prepared them to make wild grape jelly. I will let you know how the jelly came out as soon as she cans it. 

On Friday, September 28, 2007, Betty and I went camping on the backwaters of the Manistee, near Mesick. We met two friends from Bay City, Hank and Mary Johnson. It was really a nice weekend. The colors are just beginning to appear there.

 Hank and Mary Johnson, from Bay City.

We stayed at Northern Exposure, Campground. This is part of the country that my family and I are familiar with. We have frequently camped here for the past 30 years. It is a very unique and beautiful place. Daily sitings of bald eagles are common. In 1947, the Manistee River was dammed here; creating a large lake. The area is unique in the fact that it has not been developed. There are few homes on the lake and it is for the most part natural and beautiful. There are hiking trails everywhere. I don't think I have seen anything more tranquil than the lake (which is actually part of the Manistee River,) at sunset. There are wooded hills all around the lake. My two sons, Derick and Luke and I, like to fish at this time of the day, when the winds die down and the lake shows a mirror calmness. We have caught many bass here; just by wading out from shore until the water is around waist-deep. I use just a #10 hook, with no sinker. I hook only the tip of a crawler, maybe ¼ “ from the end. Then, I cast out toward deeper water. Give the line a few moments to float down into deeper water. There have been nights that we had fish with every cast.

When the sun sets, we are in shadow, and the boats and the forested hills are in a golden glow from the sun. Eagles fly off in the distance. Everything is still, and quiet. There is a reverence for the land. You don't see people littering in this park. We have had some wonderful times here.

I spoke to the manager of Northern Exposure; John Galbraith. John has been doing a tremendous job running this great park. John is originally from Bay City. He received his bachelors degree in park management, from Central Michigan University. John realizes the uniqueness of the place and intends to protect the environment and the wildlife.

John Galbraith and Bob, of Bob's Boulevard fame.
Bob's Boulevard is the name of one of the many hiking trails in the area.

If you are looking for a unique place to camp, and you are environmentally in tune with nature, you will love this place.

There are 260 sites in the Northern Exposure Campgrounds, RV and Recreational Park. Forty of the sites are primitive. The rest of the sites have water and electricity. There are dump stations and modern shower facilities. If you are interested, call toll free at 1- 800-5 MESICK.

A view of the lake through the trees.

 Early-morning fog on the lake.

On September 27^th, a paid a visit to Tri City RV, on Patterson Road, across the road from the Rail Trail. I talked with Jennifer Sugdan who was busily working behind the counter; answering phones and waiting on customers. The business is owned by John and Jenay Korpal. They bought the former Mel's Camper Service 12 years ago. Two years ago they opened a sales lot across the road, where they sell new and used campers, such as Monaco and the K-Z line. Jennifer states that business is booming. They also service all makes and models.

The parts department.

Tri City RV.

Jennifer Sugdan, in addition to working at Tri City RV, owns Yooperville Pasties; the business just next door. We hope to catch up with her on our next installment of Life On The Trail.

The Trail

Two weeks ago we left off our tour of the Rail Trail where we pass under the Liberty Bridge and approach Midland Street. This area has a colorful and rich history. As we look west on Midland Street, we see Lumber Barons, a fine restaurant and micro-brewery. To the east, where Midland Street ends, is Hooters. Both of these businesses are owned by Art Dore; a local entrepreneur.

This is where all the action was during the lumbering era: 1860 to 1900. Bay City was a bustling, lively place with an excited economy. Much of the wood produced in this era was exported. Some of the 200 billion board feet of lumber that was produced in Michigan in this period of time, was used locally, in the manufacturing of many different wood products: wooden pipe, barrels, carriages, and shingles to name a few.

Hooters now stands on the site of the old Third Street Bridge. Nothing is left of the old bridge but the concrete slabs that once gave the bridge a purchase on both shores of the Saginaw River. One the opposite side of the river is the new fountain which was purchased with monies from Governor Grandholm's “Cool City” program.

The “Cool City” fountain and St. Laurence Brothers
on the east side of the Saginaw River.

The trail crosses Midland Street here. On our left is Buoy 18 Miniature Golf, with ice cream, snack bar and game room. The Liberty Harbor Marina is next.

This seems to be an ideal spot to be during the Bay City Fire Works Festival, if you happen to own a boat. It would be a very pleasant setting; with great bars and restaurants at your choosing. (Continued in 2 weeks)

Quotable Favorites

Tis pride and not Nature that craves much. Thomas Fuller

If it were not for lawyers, we wouldn't need them. A.K. Griffin

Throughout this toilsome world, alas!
Once and only once I pass;
If a kindness I may show,
If a good deed I may do
To a suffering fellow man,
Let me do it while I can.
Not delay for it is plain
I shall not pass this way again. Anonymous

I've been in a sprint all my life. Racing, here and there, doing important deeds, and to acquire things that I valued. One day I will have bought so many things; I'll have nothing but beauty all around me. One sunny autumn morning, I picked up my field glasses, just to watch a pair of cardinals. They were primping and preening themselves in the morning sun. Such simple pleasure: to watch one of God's little creatures. I've stopped sprinting. Now, I watch birds a lot. D.A. Boggdweller

Here's One of My Favorite Recipes

Betty first made this recipe about 6 years ago. Everyone really loves it; even the grandkids. It's one of Julia Childs recipes.

Good things from the garden.

Julia's Sauteed Pork Chops

Ingredients:
2 center-cut rib or loin chops, each about 10 ounces, 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches thick
1 tablespoon or more, fresh vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon or more, Julia's Special Spice Blend
¼ cup dry white French Vermouth
½ cup flavorful brown stock
A sprig of fresh savory, or thyme, or big pinch of dried herbs
1 teaspoon chutney
1 tablespoon soft butter

Julia's Special Blend

Spices to add in equal amounts (1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon each): ground bay leaves, clove, mace, nutmeg, paprika, thyme.
Spices to add in ½ amounts (½ teaspoon or ½ tablespoon each); allspice, cinnamon, savory
Add a double amount (2 teaspoons or 2 tablespoons each): freshly ground white pepper.Mix well in a bowl and store in a screw-top glass jar.

1. At least ½ hour in advance of cooking, trim chops of excess fat and sinew. To season chops, rub each side with drops of vegetable oil to coat lightly, sprinkle salt, and rub in some of the spice blend using about ½ teaspoon in all. Cover the chops and refrigerate until ready to cook. Set frying pan over moderately high heat and film the bottom with oil. Meanwhile rapidly drop the chops on paper towels, and when the pan is very hot, lay on the chops. Saute to brown lightly on both sides- 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Pour the vermouth stock into the pan, add the herbs, cover the pan, and adjust heat to maintain a slow simmer. Cook slowly, 4 to 5 minutes, then repeat on other side. They are done when you cut close to the bone with a little knife and the meat is still faintly pink.

3. Remove the chops to a side dish while you rapidly boil down the pan juices until syrupy. Stir in the chutney and simmer a moment, then return chops to pan. Baste the chops with the sauce as you simmer to rewarm the chops. Taste and correct seasoning.

4. Remove the pan from heat and arrange a chop on each warm dinner plate, leaving the sauce in the pan. Reheat the sauce to a simmer, remove from heat and, swirling the pan by its handle, drop in the butter, swirling to incorporate it completely. Pour over the chops and serve immediately.

If you have any comments, or ideas for Life Along the Trail, please contact me on line at: boggdweller@yahoo.com.