Wilderness State Park Exploration and the Running Ecologist

Horse Shoe Falls Niagara Falls

Hard to imagine I’ve been in Michigan almost three weeks.  Since leaving NH on June 22 I traveled just about 1000 miles to the Au Sable Institute, have learned much about our new oil pad team, become reacquainted with our oil pad sites, had some rest, and this weekend enjoyed a ½ Marathon with some MI friends.  To say the least it has been a full three weeks.

Bridge to Port Huron
and Michigan!

Friendly Red Wing Blackbird

Crossing into Vermont

Lake Michigan and Piping Plover
protection area

This Weekend I enjoyed a camping trip to Wilderness State Park to take part in the Waugoshance 1/2 marathon. Wilderness State Park is located just west of the city of Mackinaw along the northern most part of lower Michigan.  The park consists of about 26 miles of shoreline and 1000 acres of land.  Parts of the shorelines are protected for Piping Plover nesting.  We also saw two endangered plant species here the Pitchers Thistle and Port Huron Tansy. 

Breakfast Time on
race day!

From the area near our camp site we could look across and see the UP (Upper Peninsula).  The Strait of Mackinac is 5 miles and connects Lake Michigan with Lake Huron. The Mackinaw bridge spans this area is one of the largest suspension bridges in the world (currently 5^th – you can learn more about this bridge: http://www.mackinacbridge.org/history/facts-figures/).

Lovely Sunset 

Waugoshance was a peaceful run through Wilderness State Park including a variety of different habitats.  The race started at Goose Pond just a short walk from our camp site along the shore of Lake Michigan. It began through some mainly flat pine forests which transitioned into a cedar dominated wet area.  After five or so miles, the trail transitioned to rolling hills along French Lake. The last few miles of the trail were challenging with many narrow, wet board walks to navigate.  I was rather concerned of what would happen if I stepped off the boardwalk into dark abyss of mud! 

Honestly, after this trail run,  I’m not sure I’ll be able to return to road running.  There is nothing quite as fun and peaceful as running through the woods and identifying species along the way.  From the large trees to grasses (thanks to the oil pad work), wild flowers, and birds at every turn there was something new to notice and help make the time go by fast. 

 

The sight of the day came just two miles from the finish when a Black burnian warbler who flew right in front of me and landed in a nearby bush.  I’m rather sure this was my first ever sighting other than when studying my bird identification book!