CLARION COUNTY CHAPTER

BAW BEESE CHAPTER

Another long-time backpacker is MIKE BURBANK. He and his wife run a cleaning business. In his spare time Mike enjoys many sports such as biking, basketball, roller hockey and golfing. He says that some of his acquaintances can understand walking to play a game such as golf, but they don't understand hiking just for the sake of the walk. But we understand you, Mike! Mike attended college in Michigan, but then moved to Hawaii where he hiked a lot and helped maintain trails. When he moved back in 1995 he looked up his old friend Rich Saur and they began trekking together again. Hiking in Lost Nations State Game Area they discovered a trail in need of care. Learning that it was the NCT, and that no one was maintaining this section, they took it on and the Baw Beese Chapter was born. So far they have done a lot of maintenance in Lost Nations and also on the Baw Beese Trail, a certified section that was in danger of losing that status. Mike has to drive over 100 miles to work on the trail but his chapter proudly states that he "shows up, shuts up, and sweats up in pursuit of our common vision." And Mike sees his willingness to do a share of the work as his greatest contribution. He's getting used to Michigan again after years in the South Pacific and says he now likes winter hiking too. "Learning to be a recruiter has also forced me to stretch a bit," he admits. He's also willing to take on some of the more dangerous jobs such a clearing out "widow-makers" with power tools. Why? Mike concluded by affirming that "one of the greatest National Trails goes through our state."

WEST MICHIGAN CHAPTER

DARLENE SNYDER isn't sure just how long she's been involved with the NCT, but admits to joining "somewhere near the beginning!" She had always wanted to hike Pictured Rocks, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. When she saw an article in the local (Lower Peninsula) paper for a hike to the Rocks, being led by a neighbor of hers, she signed up. She discovered that the group was a chapter of the NCTA, but at first her interest continued to be only in Pictured Rocks. Perseverance paid off though, and eventually Darlene gained an interest in the entire NCT. Over the years she has taken on a plethora of tasks, probably similar to her job description as assistant manager of Fox 17 TV in Grand Rapids. "I'd like to hike more, but work gets in the way," was her wry reflection. Darlene has served on the NCTA board of directors, was President of the West Michigan Chapter for six years, and is now their Secretary. Throughout, she has been on the chapter board. She was part of the group that helped build trail through the Manistee National Forest. "We worked on pieces and then connected the sections together," she recalled. They found and used some parts of the original Manistee Trail, built by the Michigan Trail Finders Club. She also has done a lot of member recruiting, much of it using the NCT slide show. Darlene enjoys using trails to see wildlife, and the camaraderie of the trail community. Building a legacy for her children and grandchildren is important too. That same perseverance that won her is now part of her plan of action. "We just do what has to be done," she asserts. They kept putting up trail markers over and over where people pulled them down until they finally left them up, and they picked up trash continuously. She helped keep the chapter running when their President was injured a number of years ago. That perseverance has paid off; she concluded, "It is encouraging to see the trail being used."

GRAND TRAVERSE HIKERS CHAPTER

DONNA and LARRY DODD were two of the first members of this chapter. But "old-timers" does not imply that they are tired. Their enthusiasm certainly still runs high! "It's more than a hobby, it's a cause," Larry championed. They were in charge of their National Trails Day event this year and excitedly told how the work crew completed a bridge over Wheeler Creek to replace a shaky "catwalk." Ten people had to carry each telephone pole to the bridge site. Food was donated and Donna ran a chuck wagon to feed the workers. And they weren't done yet telling me what all was accomplished. The crew also worked on signs and created parking spaces at the M-37 trailhead. This role as NTD directors makes them members of the chapter's executive committee. Larry and Donna are retired from education. He was a teacher, and she a school counselor. "Even though we really liked our jobs," Donna said, "working on the NCT is one of the most rewarding things we've done. We've done lots of hiking, and are in better shape than we ever were." Donna sees using trails as an environmentally sound, healthy form of recreation. Larry added, "Getting involved in the trail system is like planting a tree. You don't plant it for yourself, but for others who will enjoy the shade later." He looks back to the many public projects built by the CCC in the 1930's that we enjoy today. "We need to be doing similar things, and to add to what they did." They also help maintain trail on a regular basis and have helped build primitive campsites along the trail. Donna has served two years as chapter secretary. Larry sees his biggest contribution in a willingness to serve and be active. Donna finds satisfaction in finishing a maintenance project, in leaving the trail in better condition than when they began. Lots of hikers find well-maintained trail very satisfying too, Donna.

CHEQUAMEGON CHAPTER

Interviewing TANA TURONIE was just a chat with a friend for me. Tana helped me and my buddies with our supply box on our hike in Wisconsin last summer, so I know how dedicated she is to the trail. With a droll sense of humor she downplays her value. Recently elected as chapter President she jokes, "Oh, I'm just stalling till other people get busy on this." Expanding on this however, she sees herself as a link to the next people who will pick up the work. Tana lives in Mellen, a small town where the NCT passes right down the main street. You can buy a steak dinner and never leave the trail! She teaches elementary school, and carries educational skills to the trail community. She talks about the trail in classes and does other promotional work. "People connecting with the environment... that's probably in our textbook someplace," she quipped. Her introduction to the NCT was by a news article placed by Gaylord Yost, inviting people on a bus tour to some sections of the trail. She decided to go, adding with a chuckle, "Well, it's not too expensive, and seemed like more of a fun thing. I like recess." She had skied some trails in the Chequamegon National Forest, and had seen old NCT signs (the National Trail takes its name from this original North Country Trail), but had not previously known what those signs were for. Trails are important to her because they can be an outlet for people who want to get in touch with nature; they help ensure that there will be something left to enjoy. Tana says she has learned a lot about planning trails. Routes should not only consider terrain and vistas that are important to hikers, but should be planned to preserve prime wildlife habitat areas. We need to learn about sensitive areas and to plan trails so that these are undisturbed. Tana also helps with brushing, blazing, and sign placement. When there is "something we want to see done, we have to do it," she added in a serious moment. She considers the chapter "a fledgling," but we know it will find its wings under her capable leadership.