VTA Newsletter: Full Circle Superior
Written by Dawn Elmore
From the Voyageur Trail Association Newsletter, ON, Canada
By Dawn Elmore.
Reproduced with permission.
Many of us dream of completing one great adventure in our lives. For some, it is a week-long paddle through Lake Superior Provincial Park, for others it is trekking through the mountains of Peru. For Mike Link and Kate Crowley, it is walking “full circle” around Lake Superior.
This undertaking is no small feat. The total distance Mike and Kate will walk will be equal to travelling from Duluth, Minnesota, to Miami, Florida. The journey will begin on April 29, 2010, at Minnesota Point in Duluth, Minnesota. The couple will trek across the south shore of Superior first – through Wisconsin and then across the upper peninsula of Michigan – in order to avoid the unpredictable spring weather on the north shore and to coincide with prime spring flower viewing time on the south shore. They expect to complete their trek in Duluth sometime in October, 2010.
The purpose of the expedition is to raise awareness and conduct research about the second largest freshwater body of water in the world, Lake Superior. Mike and Kate have had a strong love and respect for Lake Superior all their lives. As scientists, they understand the importance of this freshwater resource to the health of the environment and to the quality of life of future generations who will live their lives in the many communities encircling the lake.
I spoke with Mike and Kate at their home in Willow River, Minnesota in June. Among the questions I asked was why walk around the lake, as opposed to bike or paddle? Mike explained that walking is the slowest and most participatory mode of travel, and will make the expedition quite distinctive as only one other group has walked “full circle” around Lake Superior. Mike and Kate also plan to use their travels to research and promote physical activity for seniors. Recently retired, Mike and Kate are both in their 60’s, and are eager to inspire others by proving that age need not prevent you from engaging in adventurous and challenging activities.
The couple intends to compile an archive of photographs from their journey, as well as record scientific data on characteristics such as flora, fauna, and water quality to provide a “base-line” for future scientific studies measuring the effects of global warming and other man-made phenomena on Lake Superior.
Mike and Kate expect to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie in June 2010. They are looking forward to hiking the Voyageur Trail system (in many sections, for the very first time). They hope to build connections with local schools, researchers, and groups such the Voyageur Trail Association before they arrive so others can be engaged in their expedition, making it truly “multi-national”. The more people who can connect in some way with their journey, the more people will learn about the natural resource we often take for granted, Lake Superior. As Mike says, “without passion we can’t protect anything”. The “full circle” journey hopes to give people a focus to inspire passion in the conservation of Lake Superior.
If any VTA members are interested in providing a warm bed and breakfast for Mike and Kate when they pass through our area in June, July, and August 2010, they would be most appreciative. They are very interested in hearing individual stories of how life along the north shore is closely connected to the lake. If you are interested in hosting Mike and Kate for a night, send me an email at elmoredawn[@}hotmail.com and I will forward your contact information and coordinates to the expedition planning team.
We will keep VTA members posted on the expedition in upcoming newsletters…
By Dawn Elmore.
Reproduced with permission.
Many of us dream of completing one great adventure in our lives. For some, it is a week-long paddle through Lake Superior Provincial Park, for others it is trekking through the mountains of Peru. For Mike Link and Kate Crowley, it is walking “full circle” around Lake Superior.
This undertaking is no small feat. The total distance Mike and Kate will walk will be equal to travelling from Duluth, Minnesota, to Miami, Florida. The journey will begin on April 29, 2010, at Minnesota Point in Duluth, Minnesota. The couple will trek across the south shore of Superior first – through Wisconsin and then across the upper peninsula of Michigan – in order to avoid the unpredictable spring weather on the north shore and to coincide with prime spring flower viewing time on the south shore. They expect to complete their trek in Duluth sometime in October, 2010.
The purpose of the expedition is to raise awareness and conduct research about the second largest freshwater body of water in the world, Lake Superior. Mike and Kate have had a strong love and respect for Lake Superior all their lives. As scientists, they understand the importance of this freshwater resource to the health of the environment and to the quality of life of future generations who will live their lives in the many communities encircling the lake.
I spoke with Mike and Kate at their home in Willow River, Minnesota in June. Among the questions I asked was why walk around the lake, as opposed to bike or paddle? Mike explained that walking is the slowest and most participatory mode of travel, and will make the expedition quite distinctive as only one other group has walked “full circle” around Lake Superior. Mike and Kate also plan to use their travels to research and promote physical activity for seniors. Recently retired, Mike and Kate are both in their 60’s, and are eager to inspire others by proving that age need not prevent you from engaging in adventurous and challenging activities.
The couple intends to compile an archive of photographs from their journey, as well as record scientific data on characteristics such as flora, fauna, and water quality to provide a “base-line” for future scientific studies measuring the effects of global warming and other man-made phenomena on Lake Superior.
Mike and Kate expect to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie in June 2010. They are looking forward to hiking the Voyageur Trail system (in many sections, for the very first time). They hope to build connections with local schools, researchers, and groups such the Voyageur Trail Association before they arrive so others can be engaged in their expedition, making it truly “multi-national”. The more people who can connect in some way with their journey, the more people will learn about the natural resource we often take for granted, Lake Superior. As Mike says, “without passion we can’t protect anything”. The “full circle” journey hopes to give people a focus to inspire passion in the conservation of Lake Superior.
If any VTA members are interested in providing a warm bed and breakfast for Mike and Kate when they pass through our area in June, July, and August 2010, they would be most appreciative. They are very interested in hearing individual stories of how life along the north shore is closely connected to the lake. If you are interested in hosting Mike and Kate for a night, send me an email at elmoredawn[@}hotmail.com and I will forward your contact information and coordinates to the expedition planning team.
We will keep VTA members posted on the expedition in upcoming newsletters…
