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Local Tour Guide & Gourmet Dinner Treks
View photos of Summer Trek and Winter Trek
Throughout the year, I organize and lead several local treks around town. Most are 6, 8 or 10 mile routes, and every New Year's Eve we trek 15 miles along the Huron River from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti. On each trek we bring a potluck dinner, snacks, appetizers, main dish, side dish and dessert to share at picnic tables in the parks along the way. Ann Arbor is blessed with incredible natural areas, many of which are connected through secret trails and hidden pathways. It is quite wonderful to realize just how far you can get without crossing or walking along roads.
In most other cultures walking is the primary form of transportation. In the Himalayan Mountains, for example, wheels are completely useless. Walking is an innocent sport and everyone can do it. Age doesn't matter. If nothing else, these treks are an excellent introduction to Ann Arbor's wonderful green spaces.
While sharing good food and good conversation, we always make new friends too. Trekking seems to bring out the best in people. If you want to join us along the route for a shorter trek, we will have a cell phone so you can call to get our exact location and where we are headed. Of course we can also call for a taxi if necessary or pizza delivery too! Trekking is a noncompetitive, very casual sport.
Also in keeping with the idea of trekking in Nepal, I am the designated Sherpa and will be VERY HAPPY to carry ALL the food. I have a giant backpack that we can load up, and if there is a large group, others always volunteer to help carry if you do not want to. You should, however, expect to carry your own water/beverages, extra layers, etc., (see Packing List below).
My treks are free (unless noted) and (most) start at the Eighth Street Trekkers' Lodge Bed and Breakfast: 120 Eighth Street in Ann Arbor at the corner of Eighth and Washington Streets in the Old West Side neighborhood across from Slauson Middle School parking lot. Look for the Rock Sculpture on the corner, marking the trail.
New Year's Eve Gourmet Dinner Trek
If you can commit to fifteen miles on New Year's Eve, I think you'll have a better chance of committing to your New Year's resolutions, too. This trek begins at 5pm at 120 Eighth Street every year on December 31. It is sure to be a challenge and an adventure. No matter what the weather is doing, we (I) will still go.
>From the Trekkers' Lodge we first walk through neighborhoods heading north to Bird Hills, then to Barton Nature Area, Oxbow, Bandemer Park, Riverside Park, Island Park, Gallup Park, Washtenaw Community College, Eastern Michigan University, continuing on to Depot Town in Ypsilanti and the Sidetrack Bar and Grill. We will aim to arrive in Depot Town by 11:00 or 11:30pm so we can ring in the new year at midnight while sitting down! Dancing next door is also an option...
You will need to make arrangements in advance for your return trip from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor. I will leave a car. If you would also like to leave a car we can carpool together in the afternoon before the trek. Taxis are sometimes hard to come by on New Year's Eve. AND if anyone is interested in walking back (nine miles as the crow flies), let me know. This might also be a possibility. View New Year's Eve Gourmet Dinner Trek photos.
This is a somewhat accurate map of the route we will take from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti:
http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=96549
How to Sign Up
If you are interested in joining a Gourmet Dinner Trek (see listings in Upcoming Events for upcoming treks), please send the names, ages and contact information (address, phone, e-mail) for each trekker. Prior to the trek, I will send information via e-mail such as a weather report with more specific hints on what to wear. Please contact: Heather O'Neal (734) 369-3107, ofglobal@aol.com.
Organize Your Own Personal Trek
If you want to organize a trekking party, I charge $25 per hour for my time and can be hired as a local tour guide/trek leader anytime. I will be happy to map out a route of any length. On all of my treks, I am also happy to carry ALL the food (and/or gear within reason). I have a giant backpack that I am not embarrassed to wear around town! Also if you are interested in a Nepali dinner or lunch, for an additional fee of $10 per person, I am happy to bring and serve a "Nepali Style" vegetarian meal during the trek. Please contact: Heather O'Neal (734) 369-3107, ofglobal@aol.com.
Cancellations
We (I) will trek no matter the weather, rain or shine or sleet or hail or snow. If you need to cancel, please let me know.
Packing List
Note: Items for both summer and winter, day and night treks are listed
General:
Taxi/bus money
Small backpack or waistpack for water and extra layers
Water bottle/water (1 liter)
Headlamp/flashlight for night trekking
Toilet paper/tissue for runny nose
Sun screen for day trekking
Lip balm/lotion
Camera
Depending on the weather:
Hiking boots, running or trekking shoes -- WELL broken in, COMFORTable, WARM and waterproof if conditions are wet
Down jacket
Fleece layers
Wind/waterproof layer with hood
Warm hat or sun hat/baseball hat with wide brim
Sun glasses
Neck gaiter, scarf, ear band
Long underwear
Fleece or ski pants, wind layer
Warm socks plus extra pair
Mittens with glove liners
Hand and toe warmers (7+ hours)
Food ideas:
Note: Food must be easy to carry, easy to share and easy to eat on the trail
Please bring one dish to share (gourmet yet simple)
A snack or appetizer or entree or side dish or salad or dessert
Soup or a warm drink can be carried in a thermos
A beverage of your choice
I Will Provide
Food portering services
Plates, plastic ware, napkins
Trash bags
Table cloth, candles, salt & pepper
Trail and route expertise
Conversation
Basic first-aid
Tips and Notes
The rule for potluck is to bring enough food for 6-8 people. If we have a large group, there will be plenty to eat. If you want to let me know what you are thinking of bringing (though not required) it can be helpful to know what we might be missing on the rare chance that everyone is bringing the same thing.
I like to use the word "gourmet" because those who can often do. However, do not fear, if you are like me and cannot cook there is always Whole Foods or your favorite restaurant for carry out.
If it is raining or wet, put everything in plastic bags inside your back pack. A weather report will be sent to registered trekkers a few days before the trek. We will have a cell phone with us in case of emergency. If anyone wants to call a cab or a friend for pick up along the way, this is an option. Also if you want to join us along the way we can make arrangements.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
Heather O'Neal
Of Global Interest LLC Adventure Travel
The Eighth Street Trekkers' Lodge B&B
Ann Arbor, Michigan
ofglobal@aol.com
(734) 369-3107
Serving your need to experience the world.
Read Journal Archive of the New Year's Trek in 2003
Read Journal Archive of the New Year's Trek in 2006
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