Look closely and you’ll see two small figures in the distance. The dark silhouette is my dad, with trekking poles. Near the center, in bright blue, is my mom.
Most folks would say February in Michigan is too cold and windy for a hike. But Bill and Deb Shaw are not most folks.
This was several years ago: the final day of a short visit I’d made up to the area. The hike was a mix of sand and ice. We started at their house in Elberta, hiked up to big views, wound along narrow trails, and eventually down to the great lake itself.
They moved along quickly—not racing, but never slow. I huffed and puffed behind them like a lowland city slicker struggling to keep up with a pair of highland farmers.
Later, back at the house: the espresso machine hummed, steamy mugs warmed cold hands, and our smiles glowed out from rosy cheeks.
Share Your Outdoor Moment:
Please join us in sharing some of your favorite outdoor memories and moments.
Email a photo that showcases a favorite outdoor moment: a trip, a hike, a picnic, anything. Include a caption and a few sentences—or paragraphs—of context or reflection. We’ll send it out in a future Outdoor Moments post.
Email to moments@centeredadventures.com.