Three hikers sitting on tree stump chairs near Townline Road and Spring Lake on the NCT.
Today’s trek from Townline Road to Spring Lake was … interesting. I had a panic attack while we were driving to the Townline Road trailhead. Nothing in the NCTA notes said you should have a high-clearance vehicle, and the road was pretty bad. I totaled my car last year on the NCT in the UP, so this was a very triggering drive for me. But Ed got us there safe and sound.

The trailhead is actually a lovely place, with a scenic overlook of the Manistee River. So we began hiking backwards. Today was Bruce’s 62nd birthday, so we sang “Happy Birthday” to him on and off. 🙂

Leaving Townline Road

Our trek today was fairly easy, although there were some steep hills. After the other day’s advice from an oak tree, we found another sign with advice from a river: “Go with the flow, Immerse yourself in nature. Slow down and meander. Go around the obstacles. Be thoughtful of those downstream. Stay current. The beauty is the journey!” Once again, love!

It was fun to find a spot called “Ed’s Overlook,” plus a sign noting we were 2,200 miles (3,540.6 km) from the NCT’s western terminus in North Dakota.

Celebrating Bruce!

Tonight we’re staying in a great Holiday Inn Express in Cadillac. We celebrated Bruce’s birthday at the Clam Lake Beer Company with great pizzas, burgers, salads and wine.

Snowshoe

MI NCT miles today: 15 (24.1 km)
MI NCT miles to date: 718.5 (1,156.3 km)
Total NCT miles to date: 1,486 (2,391.5 km)
Total NCT miles to go: 3,114 (5,011.5 km)

©2018 Melanie McManus – All Rights Reserved

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