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Especially in the run-up to the holidays, "Burnout Epidemics" spread like wildfire throughout major metropolitan areas like Detroit. Fortunately for all of us, mother nature's life-saving antidote is available for immediate consumption just outside the door. We invite you to take a quick break from your desk to explore nature's remedy for clinical burnout. In 1789, Benjamin Franklin famously penned that “in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Fast forward to 2022, Mr. Franklin’s now-famous idiom has stood the test of time, although a third certainty has emerged that we all will face at one point or another in modern life: Burnout. The 21st century’s dreaded killer of motivation, destroyer of optimism, grim reaper of productivity. What Exactly is Clinical Burnout? Theatrics aside, Psychology Today defines “Clinical Burnout” as a “state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress.” Clinical burnout manifests through symptoms like physical and mental exhaustion, headaches, fatigue, heartburn, gastrointestinal issues, an increased potential for alcohol, drug, or food misuse, a sense of dread about work, and frequent feelings of cynicism, anger, or irritability. Common causes of Burnout include situations where a person does not have control over how a task is carried out, their daily tasks directly conflict with their sense of self or long-term goals, or a consistent lack of support in professional or family life. While clinical burnout has long been a workplace harm, the COVID-19 pandemic elevated the condition’s status from “likely nuisance” to “Franklin-level certainty” in modern society. As noted by the American Psychological Association, a byproduct of the pandemic included the normalization of longer work hours while simultaneously juggling increased demands at home. In 2021, 79% of employees had experienced work-related stress, nearly 60% of employees reported negative impacts of work-related stress, 36% reported cognitive weariness, 32% reported emotional exhaustion, and 44% reported physical fatigue—a 38% increase since 2019. Even before the pandemic, this time of year already constituted "Burnout Season" due to the cumulative effect of year-end deadlines, the holidays, and the Winter Solstice. As much as we have been preaching the #EmbraceTheDark mantra, we are not immune to the reality of Seasonal Affective Disorder and that these darker, colder days can induce its corresponding depression, anxiety, and dissociation. To summarize, the bad news is that the mental state of the American workforce is in far less than ideal shape - and the prognosis for a trend reversal in the near future is equally dire. Is There any Good News? Fortunately, yes, and the most effective cure is literally right outside your door. The great outdoors has already provided a cure for this ailment: simply stepping away from the desktop and getting out there. Now I am in complete agreement that such a simple, “duh” statement could be viewed as borderline insulting for a readership that already has a strong affinity for the outdoors. However, for anyone questioning whether to trade the known monotony of a draining workplace for the unpredictable weather and buggy conditions of the outdoors, scientific research has overwhelmingly affirmed the psychological benefits of regular engagement with our natural environment. Here are the key takeaways: The average adult spends less than 5% of their waking hours in nature (Global Environmental Change). “Forest walks” compared to “urban walks” have a significantly more positive effect in the reduction of cortisol levels, diminishing sympathetic nerve activity, and decreasing both blood pressure and heart rate (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University). A 90-minute forest walk versus an urban walk leads not only to decreased negative thoughts, but also decreased neural activity in the part of the brain associated with anxiety and depression (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). Nature can boost creativity and capacity to think clearly via a phenomenon called “Attention Restoration Theory” (Association for Psychological Science). Emotional well-being has the most consistent positive connection to physical activity in nature, whereas general health is positively associated with physical activity in both indoor and outdoor settings (International Association of Applied Psychology). Compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments is associated with greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy, positive engagement, and decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression (Science Daily). Even just 5 hours of outdoor exercise per month provides tangible benefits for one’s psychological and physical health, although there is a dose-response effect where the more time that you spend in nature, the better off your mental and physical health will be (Brad Stulberg, The Cut). Action Steps So, if you are experiencing the onset or an extreme case of clinical burnout, here are five simple outdoor practices that you can start implementing today: 1. Block Off a Mid-Day Outdoor Break. Commonly referred to as a “Mental Health Walk,” even 30 minutes of outdoor activity during the middle of the work day can induce the psychological benefits listed above. Especially if you have the flexibility to work from home, blocking off at least 30 minutes of time where you are away from your desk and surrounded by nature will result in a boost of positivity and motivation for finishing the work day. 2. Maximize Your Weekends. For most workers, Saturdays and Sundays serve as well-deserved recharge periods for overworked brains. While it may be tempting (and occasionally necessary) to utilize weekends to “get ahead” on next week’s workload, investing that time instead in an outdoor experience will pay dividends through detoxing any lingering negative emotions and enhancing feelings of revitalization for the week ahead. Remember, there is a positive correlation between the quantity of time spent outdoors and the longevity of psychological benefits received. Purposefully dedicating at least 90 minutes of your weekend to the outdoors will continue to provide mental health benefits well into your work week. 3. Aim for Full Immersion. Even though studies support that even just looking at a photo of nature can improve your attention span and complex thinking capacity, the brain most benefits from an outdoor experience when all of its senses are fully-immersed. More specifically, the sense of touch is an often-overlooked component of an outdoor experience that is essential for the brain’s complete immersion in the present and disconnection from the noise of modern life. The more engaging or strenuous the activity (example, mountain biking vs. casual biking), the more that the brain will tap into its “touch senses” and experience a neurological detox from external stressors. 4. Make the Outdoors Non-Negotiable. In my last year of law school, one of my professors went well out of his way to remind his students that “everything is negotiable.” While that may be true in a corporate law setting, but the prioritization of spending time outdoors - especially when experiencing symptoms of clinical burnout - should be a clear exception to the norm. Setting a hard boundary like this will not only insulate the psychological perks described here, but will actually compound those benefits by further improving self-esteem, enhancing focus, and further diminishing symptoms of clinical burnout. We recommend clearly communicating to coworkers what periods you will be offline, setting work-related devices to “airplane mode” (or leaving them behind altogether), and consistently following-through with your outdoor game plan. 5. Share the Experience. While misery may love company, thankfully so do the neurological stimuli that are benefited by the outdoors. There is growing scientific evidence that sharing an experience with another person amplifies the intensity of the psychological impact of that experience. This phenomenon is further enhanced when experienced with a loved one rather than a new acquaintance. Put differently, absolutely use your “anti-clinical burnout” outdoor adventures as an excuse to plan dates, reconnect with family, or build relationships with long-time friends. Ready to get outside but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered - check out our Destinations page to find a trail near you, today. We can’t wait to see you out there.

Crisp weather, crunchy leaves, changing colors - could you imagine a more perfect autumn hike? Well, the promise of sweet apple cider, a warm donut, and maybe even a caramel apple waiting at a cider mill will make any fall aesthetic dream come true! Grab your flannel and hiking boots: let's look at 3 destinations where you can live your perfect fall day. The 'Ber months have arrived in Michigan! Call me basic, but fall has always been my favorite season. That fresh but earthy scent in the air, bonfires and football, spooky season and soup. There's a sentimentality that comes with this change of season - memories of childhood trips to the cider mills, jumping and climbing all over those hay bale piles. Riding a tractor through the orchard to pick apples, gathering colorful leaves while hiking bright wooded trails. There are many states that boast of beautiful scenic foliage, but let's be honest - I've yet to find a place that feels like Michigan and brings all the colors and the idyllic fall activities together! There's truly no place like home, especially when home consists of bluebird fall days spent hiking to a cider mill. So let's look at some local autumnal hotspots for a memorable (and delicious!) fall adventure to Metro Detroit's favorite cider mills. 1. Island Lake Yellow Trail Loop + Blake's Lyon Orchard | South Lyon, MI First on our list is a tried and true classic - Island Lake State Recreation Area's famous Yellow Loop Trail! This trail has been well explored and documented by our fearless trailblazer and founder, Dan Cooke. Check out our #TrailTuesday feature article to get all the details on exploring this Detroit region favorite. After 5+ miles of hiking, you will be certainly ready for some seasonal refreshment! Make your way just 4 miles down the road to Blake's Lyon Township cider mill and orchard. Previously known as "Erwins Orchard," this is a recently opened location of the well known Blake's Orchard in Armada, Michigan. If you're in the mood for a harder cider option, you may recognize their hard cider flavors that are distributed nationwide. You will also find many fun attraction for kids, like a petting zoo, tractor rides, U-Pick orchard, corn maze and straw mountain. VISIT BLAKE'S ORCHARD Sunday - Thursday | 8am - 7pm Friday & Saturday | 8am - 8pm U-PICK Open Daily | 9am-6pm Phone: (248) 437-0150 Address: 61475 Silver Lake Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178 2. Hudson Mills Metropark + Dexter Cider Mill | Dexter, MI Dexter is a charming town to explore, offering many opportunities for hiking, biking or floating on the Huron River! Looking for a day trip? Check out our #TrailTownSpotlight feature on Dexter for a good overview of all the possibilities that this quintessential Trail Town has to offer! The true beauty of Dexter, however, is its immediate access to top tier outdoor destinations, including one of our favorites: Hudson Mills Metropark and its Acorn Nature Trail! This 2 mile trail gently guides hikers on a loop showcasing Hudson Mills' best natural features. From marshes to wildflower fields, dense oak forests to sweeping Huron River vistas, this short hike under the changing leaves will provide an ideal excursion to pair with your cider mill visit! Now we know Michigan boasts countless cider mills spread all over the state, and we are lucky to have this historical gem right in out backyard! I present to you, The longest continuously operating cider mill in the state: the Dexter Cider Mill. Dating all the way back to 1886, this cider mill is one for our Michigan history lovers and can not be missed! The Dexter Cider Mill presses their cider the old fashioned way, using an oak rack press. In my humble opinion, their donuts are the absolute best version of a good cider mill donut: crunchy on the outside with a warm gooey center. The owners are passionate and committed to preserving the history and tradition of this special place, and as such it earns are full endorsement for that coveted post-hike donut and cider! VISIT THE DEXTER CIDER MILL Open: Wednesday - Sunday, Closed Monday and Tuesday Hours: 8am - 5pm Phone: (734) 426-8531 Address: 3685 Central St. Dexter, Michigan 48130 3. Maybury State Park + Parmenter's Northville Cider Mill | Northville, MI We could say we've saved the best for last, but we may be biased here at Expedition Detroit since Maybury State Park undoubtedly holds a special place in our hearts. Why? Well, you can check out our #TrailTuesday feature on Maybury's beloved Hiking Trail for a quick refresher on why we adore this special place. The family-friendly hiking trail guides visitors through the heart of the former sanatorium's grounds. A 3.1 mile adventure under hardwood forests, moraine ridge lines, and a panoramic view of the park's most sought-after gem: Maybury's magnificent pond and its surrounding wildlife. Our Northville cider mill pairing is Parmenter's Northville Cider Mill! Here you will find another charming mill that boasts a rich history - this year they are celebrating 150 years! On certain days of the week you can watch the cider pressing process in action. After grabbing your cider and bag of donuts, stroll down to Mill Race Creek and visit the large community of resident ducks. But wait, there's more! Especially if you planned an afternoon hike, then also be sure to top off your cider and donut with a visit next door to the Northville Winery and Brewery Co. Their menu offers a large selection of hard cider, beer, and wine options. Throw in a dog and family friendly environment, live music, and food trucks - what more could you ask for in topping off your small town hike and cider mill adventure? VISIT PARMENTER'S NORTHVILLE CIDER MILL Open daily 10am-8pm Address: 714 Baseline Rd. Northville, MI 48167 Phone: 248-349-3181 Do you have any favorite places that you visit every fall? Let us know in the comments, and enjoy all the sunshine, colors and fresh air of the season! ​ P.S. Subscribers to our content get discounts on our Guided Services AND online store items..... Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.

Happy #TrailsWeek, Michiganders! With more than 13,400 miles of trails to choose from, here is our short list of the five best ways to celebrate this year's "Michigan Trails Week" throughout the Detroit region. We'll see you at the trailhead!

Fall means primetime in Detroit's outdoors - especially for the Michigan hunting community ready for crisp mornings and cool evenings in the woods! Here is Expedition Detroit's breakdown of the species, dates, equipment, and special regulations for this year's hunting season. Each year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (the “DNR”) releases its annual fishing guide and hunting digests to educate anglers and hunters on the state’s fishing and hunting regulations. These digests are invaluable resources for prospective hunters regarding recent changes to DNR regulations, restrictions, and procedures, such as the new mandatory deer harvest reporting requirements. Regardless if you’re a veteran woodsman or as green as hunters come, reading through the 2022 Michigan Hunting Digest would be a worthwhile investment of your time prior to heading out to your stand. My only critique of the digests are that they tend to be over-broad, especially for hunters who will spend the vast majority of the season hunting one or two species in a specific geographic area (the inundation of ads aren’t particularly reader-friendly either, although we understand their role). Enter this cheatsheet, which we curated as a five-minute informational download specifically for hunters that will hunt primarily in the Detroit region. Here's our a breakdown of Michigan hunting specifications for each season: Whitetail Deer When: October 1st - November 14th and December 1st - January 1st for archery, November 15th - 30th for regular firearm, and December 2nd - 11th for muzzleloader. There is a late antler-less firearm season open on private lands only from December 12, 2022 - January 1, 2023. An extended archery season exists until January 31st for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Hunting Equipment: Compound or crossbow all season; limited firearms and muzzleloaders during various phases of season. “Limited firearms” include a shotgun, a handgun that is .35-caliber or larger with straight-walled cartridges, a .35-caliber or larger rifle with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches, and a .35-caliber or larger air rifle or pistol charged only from an external, high compression power source. Where: Private or public lands within Southeastern Michigan. Bag Limits: 1 per kill tag. Licenses Required: Base License and either Deer License or Deer Combo License. Waterfowl (Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, and Geese) When: September 1st - 30th, October 15th - December 11th, December 31st - January 8th, and February 4th - 13th (geese); October 15th - December 11th and December 31st - January 1st (ducks, coots, and mergansers). Hunting Equipment: Shotgun. Where: Private or public lands within Southeastern Michigan. Bag Limits: Ducks: Daily limit is 6, season-long possession is 18. Coots: Daily limit is 15, season-long possession is 45. Mergansers: Daily limit is 5, season-long possession is 15. Dark Geese (Canada, brant and white-fronted): Daily limit is 5, season-long possession is 15. Light Geese (snow, blue and Ross’s): Daily limit is 20, season-long possession is 60. Licenses Required: Base License and Waterfowl Hunting License. More information: 2022 Waterfowl Digest Turkey When: September 15th - November 14th. Hunting Equipment: Shotgun, crossbow, or compound bow. Where: Private or public lands within Washtenaw and Livingston Counties; only on private land within Oakland, Macomb, and St. Clair Counties. Bag Limit: One per kill tag. Licenses Required: Base License and Fall Turkey License. More information: 2022 Fall Turkey Digest Pheasant (male only) When: October 20th - November 14th and December 1st - January 1st. Hunting Equipment: Shotgun. Where: Private or public lands within Southeastern Michigan. Bag Limits: Daily limit is 2, season-long possession is 4. Licenses Required: Base License and Pheasant License (required only for hunters 18 years of age and older hunting on public lands). Quail When: October 20th - November 14th. Hunting Equipment: Shotgun. Where: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties on private or public land. Bag Limits: Daily limit is 5, season-long possession is 10. Licenses Required: Base License. Ruffed Grouse When: September 15th - November 14th and December 1st - January 1st. Hunting Equipment: Shotgun. Where: Private or public lands within Southeastern Michigan. Bag Limits: Daily limit is 3, season-long possession is 6. Licenses Required: Base License. Fox and Gray Squirrel When: September 15th - March 31st. Hunting Equipment: Rifle (.22-caliber), limited firearm, compound bow, crossbow, or air gun. Where: Statewide on private or public land. Bag Limits: Daily limit is 5, season-long possession is 10. Licenses Required: Base License. Predator (Coyote, Russian Boar, Raccoon, Skunk, Weasel, Fox) When: October 1st - March 31st (raccoon); October 15th - March 31st (fox); year-round (coyote, Russian boar, skunk, and weasel). Hunting Equipment: Rifle (.22-caliber), limited firearm, compound bow, crossbow, or air gun. Where: Statewide on public and private lands. Bag Limits: No limit. Licenses Required: Base License. Coyote, raccoon, and skunk may be taken by a property owner or designee without a license if doing or about to do damage on private property. More Information: 2022 Fur Harvester Digest Small Game (Rabbit, Red and Ground Squirrel, Woodchuck, Opossum, Porcupine) When: September 15th - March 31st (rabbit); year-round (red and ground squirrel, woodchuck, opossum, and porcupine). Hunting Equipment: Rifle (.22-caliber), limited firearm, compound bow, crossbow, or air gun. Where: Statewide on private or public land. Bag Limits: Daily limit is 5, season-long possession is 10 for rabbit; no limit for red and ground squirrel, woodchuck, opossum, and porcupine. Licenses Required: Base License. Woodchuck may be taken by a property owner or designee without a license if doing or about to do damage on private property. Small Birds (Feral Pigeons, Starling, and House Sparrows) When: Year-round Hunting Equipment: Shotgun or air gun. Where: Statewide on private or public land. Bag Limits: No limit. Licenses Required: Base License. Starlings and House Sparrows may be taken by a property owner or designee without a license if doing or about to do damage on private property. Please note that this cheatsheet is only a high-level and supplemental reference to the Michigan Hunting Digest. The digests linked to above include a broad range of very helpful and instructive information, such as legal shooting hours, species-specific limitations (e.g., ducks and other waterfowl), information on lawful stands and baiting practices, and penalties for violations. Any further inquiries regarding applicable rules and regulations should be directed to the Michigan Hunting Digest or DNR at 517-284-WILD. You can CLICK HERE to purchase any of the requisite licenses listed above. Best of luck this season!

September may be nearing its mid-point, but several amazing opportunities remain for closing out the summer and kicking off fall in Detroit's outdoors! Here are September's " Top Five Outdoor Events near Detroit " that are still coming down the pipeline this month. HOLY HIATUS! After nearly 3 weeks of time away from our laptops, largely spent exploring Scandinavian fjords and Teton ridge lines , our team is BACK IN THE SADDLE and ready to dive into Detroit's primetime fall outdoor season that's just around the corner . We'd like to first offer a special thank you for this community's patience while we went dark. We greatly appreciate you and fully intend to reward you for the effort. Stay tuned. As Sir Isaac Newton so eloquently confirmed, every action in nature has an equal and opposite reaction. For us at Expedition Detroit , that means that our extensive absence from the field resulted in missing nearly 2 weeks of outdoor events in September. Shoot . That being said, here's the silver lining: "shoulder season" months like September often provide the best value for unique outdoor recreation opportunities . Especially during the summer-to-fall period, the Detroit region's parks, campgrounds, waterways, and trails remain fine-tuned for exploration and relaxation. Squeezed right in between peak-summer crowds and the legions of peak-fall foliage fanatics, September also provides the ideal window to fully enjoy warm weather recreation without fighting for reservations, parking spots, or trail space. Without further delay, here are the Top 5 Outdoor Events near Detroit going down over the next few weeks in September. We can't wait to see you out there! 1. Fly Over to the Festival of Hawks September 16th - 17th | Holiday Beach Conservation Area | 10:00 a.m. Did you know that the Detroit region is home to one of the greatest migrations in North America? That's right - and our friends over in Amherstburg, Ontario plan the perfect annual event to celebrate and catch a glimpse of this rare feat. This year, Holiday Beach Conversation Area will host the 2023 Festival of Hawks - aka HawkFest - during which bird watchers and nature aficionados will observe the migration of tens of thousands of hawks and raptors flying overhead on their annual journey to nesting grounds in the south. The festival will also feature a range of free educational activities and nature-themed programming, all included with the price of admission ($20 CAD per vehicle). 2. Embrace Spooky Season by Dancing with the Devil (in the Dirt) September 23rd | Hell, Michigan | 6:15 p.m. Fall officially kicks off on September 23rd, along with everyone's favorite autumnal microseason: Spooky Season . For Detroit's outdoor faithful, there's no better way to kick off a month+ of ghosts and ghouls than racing through the trails of Hell on a 50K, 50 mile, or 55 mile team relay trail run. That's right - our friends at RF Events are hosting their annual " Dances with Dirt " race in Hell, Michigan this month. Don't let those distances completely scare you off, however; this event includes a post-race "bash" with food and drinks, finisher medals, age group awards, and eternal badass bragging rights. 3. Welcome Autumn at a State Harvest Festival September 29th - October 1st | Proud Lake State Recreation Area and Seven Lakes State Park | 12:00 p.m. Is there a better way to kick off fall in Michigan with a weekend camping trip ? We can only think of one way: adding in a Harvest Festival to the trip! Just in time for the Harvest Moon, campers at either Proud Lake State Recreation Area or Seven Lakes State Park will enjoy a Michigan DNR-hosted " Harvest Festival ." Each festival will include haunted hayrides, friendly hayrides, bonfires, crafts, scavenger hunts, archery, bounce houses, site decorating contest, costume parade, trick-or-treating, dancing, a popcorn bar, and other activities. Both of these events are only open to registered campers , so be sure to visit MIDNRReservations.com ASAP to reserve your spot! 4. Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a Free Hike September 30th | Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge | 10:30 a.m. Did you know that over 28% of Michigan comprises of publicly-owned land? That's right - well over a quarter of our beautiful state belongs to all of us, which is a fact worth remembering, protecting, and celebrating this month on National Public Lands Day! Right at the tail-end of September, head over to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge for a free guided hike along the Refuge's entire trail system . This 2 hour hike will cover a 5K trail along the Humbug Marsh, the last undeveloped mile of the Detroit River on the U.S. side of the river. This pristine marshland habitat will make for an unforgettable hiking experience! 5. Send It at the Shelden Mountain Bike Fest September 30th | Stony Creek Metropark | 3:00 p.m. Peak summer riding may have past, but fall still represents prime time for riding on the Detroit region's best mountain biking trails! Riders of all skill levels can get into the action during this month's Shelden Mountain Bike Fest , hosted jointly by the Huron-Clinton MetroParks and the Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association . Riders will experience the thrill of the newly redeveloped Shelden Trails with fellow mountain bike enthusiasts, visit vendor and bike-related booths, enjoy some great food vendors, grab a beer to enjoy by the bonfire, and relax after hitting the trails with free s’mores from REI! BONUS : COME EXPLORE WITH US!! Throughout September (and beyond!) | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas Fall colors are JUST AROUND THE CORNER, and there's no better way to experience them than at our regional Michigan State Parks! Not sure where to explore? No problem - we've curated dozens of guided trips intended to showcase the best of the best of the Detroit region's outdoors. The Expedition Detroit team is proud to represent the Michigan DNR's largest commercial provider of guided hikes, backpacking expeditions, and trail running coach across ELEVEN of the Detroit region's most pristine state parks and recreation areas. Each of our guides has the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience . We will be gradually adding new guided trips over the coming weeks, as well as special trips like night hikes, photography-specific treks, and eventually guided snowshoe, mountain biking, and kayaking trips. So, stay tuned friends. We can't wait to host you on one of our trips soon! P.S. Subscribers to our content get discounts on our Guided Services AND online store items..... Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.

This summer, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks launched their inaugural Metroparks Trail Challenge: completing 13 "challenge trails" across all 13 Metroparks. We took the bait and completed the challenge with a twist - all 13 trails with 13 days. Happy Trails! The Expedition Detroit team is a sucker for a good challenge. Think Marty McFly's "Don't call me chicken" mentality. And especially when said challenge occurs in the outdoors. Back in early May, we published an article focused entirely on the best "Adventure Challenges" for Summer 2023. In full transparency, that article was inspired by one singular, monumental adventure challenge: the recently-launched Metroparks Trail Challenge. Equal parts scavenger hunt and endurance feat, this challenge seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore the Detroit region's pristine Metroparks with mission. A fun-filled, award-earning extra reason to get outdoors. As our crazy summer stretched on, however, we found that completing the Metroparks Trail Challenge proved a more daunting task than anticipated. Launching our guided trips platform through the Detroit area's beautiful Michigan State Parks system meant less time for exploring the Metroparks. Throw in a few trips, meetings, and the general time drain of modern life, and the prognosis for a timely completion of the Metroparks Trail Challenge looked daunting at best. So, we gave up. Haaa. Of course we didn't - in fact, we doubled-down by adding an extra variable: completing the Metroparks Trail Challenge, encompassing 13 trail challenges across all 13 Metroparks, within 13 days. An epic expedition that would require dedication, most likely multi-park days, and whirlwind tour of some of the most immaculate and diverse outdoor destinations within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit. With the plan set, it was time to kick off our challenge. Here's how went: DAY ONE: AUGUST 5, 2023 THE CHALLENGE BEGINS! This journey began exploring the Metroparks closet to Ann Arbor and Dexter - a relatively continuous journey up the Huron River and largely along the scenic Border-to-Border Trail. Come for rapids and river-views. Stay for the meadows, bridges, wildlife, and perfectly-placed beach picnic locations. DELHI METROPARK | Ann Arbor, MI Metropark Highlights: Nestled in a quiet bend of the Huron River, Delhi Metropark offers natural beauty to enjoy. You’ll find mature stands of oak trees, open lawns and well-maintained ecosystems along the water that herons, turtles, and deer call home. Relax in the fresh air with family and friends under the park's picnic shelter or give kids the space to explore on Delhi's playground. Fan favorite activities include a bike ride along the B2B Trail or exploring the Huron River by canoe or kayak. Recreational Activity: Hiking with the trail pup Challenge Trail: B2B Trail Mileage: 1.6 miles DEXTER-HURON METROPARK | Dexter, MI Metropark Highlights: Peace and rejuvenation wait your arrival at Dexter-Huron Metropark. The park invites you to get out into nature and experience the rich ecosystems along the Huron River. Dexter-Huron's dense woodlands, open fields, and gently flowing waters are home to a variety of unique plants and animals. Spend the day picnicking, biking, fishing, or paddling the Huron River. Recreational Activity: Hiking with the trail pup Challenge Trail: B2B Trail Mileage: 2.5 miles (point-to-point) HUDSON MILLS METROPARK | Dexter, MI Metropark Highlights: Discover the best of the Huron River at Hudson Mills Metropark. This park features some of the most picturesque spots on the Huron and is popular with anglers, hikers, and paddlers alike. Hikers and bikers especially have access to well-maintained trails that connect to Downtown Dexter and sports enthusiasts will find plenty of space to play ball. In winter, the park's cross-country ski trails provide an excellent way to maintain your fitness. Recreational Activity: Hiking with the trail pup Challenge Trail: Hike-Bike Trail Loop Mileage: 3.1 miles DAY SEVEN: AUGUST 11, 2023 Yikes... A whole week burned in the blink of an eye. Amazing how knocking out three parks along the Metroparks Trail Challenge can instill a false sense of confidence, even for experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Any world-class outdoor challenge requires endurance and resilience, and the Metroparks Trail Challenge is no different. Even with the weather forecast predicting heavy afternoon storms, I knew that I couldn't risk burning another day. With no time to lose, I packed up the trail pup and sprinted out to Brighton for Trail #4. HURON MEADOWS METROPARK | Brighton, MI Metropark Highlights: Huron Meadows Metropark features a vignette of nature’s finest scenery, providing visitors with an opportunity to let the pressures of modern life fade away under the park's dense forests and wildlife-rich wetlands. The park offers year-round access to some of Southeast Michigan’s best recreation, including casting a line off the pier at Maltby Lake, inviting family or friends for a picnic under a shelter, or spending the day wandering the trails and observing wildlife. In winter, glide through the landscape on well-groomed cross-country ski paths. Recreational Activity: Hiking with the trail pup Challenge Trail: Maltby Rustic Trail Mileage: 1.7 miles DAY TEN: AUGUST 14, 2023 Double-digit days mean time to conquer some trails at double-speed! Although nothing beats hiking with the trail pup, I opted to switch up my hiking boots for my trail runners and stretch out my typical #MondayMiles over the four southernmost - and new to the Expedition Detroit team - Metroparks near Lake Erie. LAKE ERIE METROPARK | Brownstown Charter Township, MI Metropark Highlights: Located just a short drive from the Gibraltar and Rockwood, three miles of captivating shoreline await you at Lake Erie Metropark. Enjoy 1,607 acres of exceptional views that you’ll only find along a Great Lake, along with plenty of opportunities for recreation. With trails for hiking, paved trails for biking, a “Great Wave” pool, cross-country skiing, and some of the best birding in Southeast Michigan, you’ll find great ways to move, learn and enjoy nature all year long. Recreational Activity: Trail running Challenge Trail: Cherry Island Nature Trail Mileage: 1.6 miles OAKWOODS METROPARK | New Boston, MI Metropark Highlights: Scenic woodlands and picturesque views of the Huron River anticipate your arrival at Oakwoods Metropark. The park's 1,756-acre park features well-tended trails that meander through mature woodlands, a Nature Center filled with easy ways to discover the great outdoors, fishing spots, and a designated monarch butterfly waystation. Spend the day paddling the Huron River or hiking the trails or enjoying a program at the Nature Center. Recreational Activity: Trail running Challenge Trail: Big Tree Nature Trail Mileage: 0.8 miles WILLOW METROPARK | New Boston, MI Metropark Highlights: Escape the daily grind and explore the immaculate scenery of Willow Metropark. You’ll find 1,532 acres of mature woodlands and scenic views of the Huron River. Stop by for a walk, a hike or a bike ride along the Huron River on our hike-bike trail or schedule a tee time to play our 18-hole golf course or 24-hole disc golf course. Anglers will find plenty of great fishing spots here along the river. In winter, Willow Metropark transforms into a haven for winter sports enthusiasts, with cross-country skiing and great sledding hills. Recreational Activity: Paved trail running Challenge Trail: Hike-Bike Trail - North Loop Mileage: 3.7 miles LOWER HURON METROPARK | Belleville, MI Metropark Highlights: With easy access from I-275 and I-94, you’re never far from the natural beauty of Lower Huron Metropark. At Lower Huron, you’ll find 1,256 acres of mature woodlands, grassy meadows, and easy access to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Huron River. Run or inline skate along the park's paved hike-bike trail, or opt to shoreline fish or canoe along the Huron and observe waterfowl and other wildlife on the water. Recreational Activity: Trail running Challenge Trail: Woods Creek Rustic Trail Mileage: 3.1 miles DAY ELEVEN: AUGUST 15, 2023 Golden hour remains undefeated for an ethereal hiking experience - especially immediately after storms. I couldn't help but capitalize on venturing out to one of the more isolated of the Metroparks under these conditions. As the sun slowly set over the short Lupine Loop Trail, I took my time being present in the moment. Enjoying and appreciating the late-summer wildflowers and dive-bombing geese. Taking in the scenic views from the Outwash Overlook. Trying to catch a glimpse of an extremely-rare eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous snake native to the Detroit region. And, in general, simply expressing gratitude for the ability to explore so many beautiful destinations located so close to home. INDIAN SPRINGS METROPARK | White Lake, MI Metropark Highlights: Towering trees and native ecosystems offer visitors a window into the past right at Indian Springs Metropark. Come learn the natural history of the Detroit region at the Environmental Discovery Center or enjoy mile after mile of trails through prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. The quiet natural setting of this land also features a paved hike-bike trail, winter cross-country skiing, sledding, and much more. Recreational Activity: Hiking solo Challenge Trail: Lupine Loop Nature Trail Mileage: 0.7 miles DAY TWELVE: AUGUST 16, 2023 Day 12 was for the birds. Literally and figuratively. "Bluebird Sky" conditions. Freely swimming swans. Inquisitive doves, ducks, and red-winged blackbirds. And, to top it all off, a family of sandhill cranes that made it their lives' mission to get as close to me as possible. I wasn't expecting for a two-ish mile hike to turn into an action-packed bird safari, but - as countless visitors to Kensington can attest - you never know what outdoor adventures you'll inadvertently stumble into when visiting the largest Metropark. KENSINGTON METROPARK | Milford, MI Metropark Highlights: Kensington Metropark offers 4,481 acres of wooded, hilly terrain surrounding beautiful Kent Lake. The park provides a home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl, as well as a multitude of recreation opportunities available throughout the year. From biking and boating to cross-country skiing and ice fishing, taking a swim at one of Kensington's beaches, or just spending the day fishing, hiking, or picnicking along the water. Kensington has a unique adventure in store for each visitor to its expansive shores, dense forests, and rolling hills. Recreational Activity: Hiking solo Challenge Trail: Wildwing Nature Trail Mileage: 1.9 miles DAY THIRTEEN: AUGUST 17, 2023 Then there were three... For the fateful Day 13, only the Metropark's three most eastern AND northern destinations remained. As someone primarily located on the southwestern edge of the Detroit region, getting out to these final parks alone had always represented a daunting challenge looming in the back of my mind. Throw in the storms on the forecast for August 17th, and I genuinely had doubts whether completing the Metroparks Trail Challenge in 13 days would actually be doable. Naturally, I threw caution to both the literal and proverbial wind, packed in my rain gear, and ventured out to the glistening shores of Lake St. Clair. LAKE ST. CLAIR METROPARK | Harrison Township, MI Metropark Highlights: At Lake St. Clair Metropark, you’ll find abundant recreational activities for every interest. Whether you're an aficionado of bird watching, windsurfing, kiteboarding, boating, bicycling or swimming, you can get your recreational fix in there along the shores of Lake St. Clair. Visitors can readily bike, hike, jog, or in-line skate along the park's paved trail or hop out on the water from its marina. The fun continues into winter, with ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating with friends and family. Recreational Activity: Hiking solo Challenge Trail: Marsh Forest and Meadow Nature Trails Mileage: 1.4 miles WOLCOTT MILL METROPARK | Ray, MI Metropark Highlights: Spending a day at Wolcott Mill Metropark means having access to four unique areas connected by nature and history. You’ll find a working farm, one of America’s last remaining grist mills – built nearly 200 years ago – a park complete with trails, picnic shelters, and a trail system all ready for exploration and enjoyment. The park also features sheep, goats, chickens, geese, horses and dairy cows reflecting Michigan’s agricultural heritage. Equestrians can also bring their own horse for riding Wolcott Mill's equestrian trails. Recreational Activity: Hiking solo Challenge Trail: Mother Earth Nature Trail Mileage: 0.75 miles (map shows combined Nature Trails) STONY CREEK METROPARK | Shelby Township, MI Metropark Highlights: Last but CERTAINLY not least, Stony Creek Metropark offers 4,435 scenic acres teeming with opportunities for outdoor recreation all year long. At the heart of the park sits the gorgeous 500-acre Stony Creek Lake, where boaters, anglers, and swimmers can spend time enjoying a day on the water. Surrounding this serene lake, you’ll find lush woodlands, gorgeous wetlands, tallgrass prairies, and expansive fields in every direction. Stony Creek also maintains fantastic paved and natural trails for hikers, cyclists, in-line skaters, and general wanderers. In winter, watch the park transform into a world of snowshoeing, fat tire mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and more. Recreational Activity: Paved Trail Biking Challenge Trail: Hike-Bike Trail Loop Mileage: 6.5 miles We'd like to close out this article by NOT recommending that you follow suit with tackling all 13 parks in 13 days. Is it doable? Yes, clearly - and there was an undeniable beauty in experiencing each of these diverse landscapes and destinations in such a brief window of time. However, our largest takeaway from completing the Metroparks Trail Challenge remains that each and every one of these parks constitutes a world-class destination in their own right. Parks, trails, and waterways that you could spend a lifetime exploring while constantly uncovering new, "off the beaten path" discoveries. Pristine landscapes uniquely designed for welcoming recreationists of all interests, backgrounds, and abilities. For Expedition Detroit, the 2023 Metroparks Trail Challenge is over. But our lifetime adventure of fully experiencing our Metroparks has just begun with this speed-dating introduction to all 13 parks. And, as always, we invite you to join us on the journey.

As the Michigan Department of Natural Resources finalizes its "Parks and Recreation Division Strategic Plan" for 2023-2027, the Michigan DNR has turned to us - the #TrailsState nation - for feedback. Here's our take on, and suggestions for, the current draft of the Strategic Plan.

Home of the Detroit region's best mountain biking trails, ski runs, backpacking ridges, and hiking gems, this article explores the past and present of the "Detroit Mountains"- southeast Michigan's glacial Jackson Interlobate Range. Growing up, I liked reading maps. We're talking battlefield maps, geographic encyclopedias - even fake maps from fictional worlds like Middle Earth, Kanto/Johto, and Narnia. Yes, I'm also the geography nerd on my local bar trivia team, and we've got the gift card winnings to back up the extensiveness of this very specific genre of knowledge. So we'll see if you're still laughing when the final jeopardy category comes up as African geography... Anyways, as I grew up, this random childhood peculiarity gradually evolved into a decades-long interest in scouting backcountry routes, planning international trips, and utilizing satellite imaging via Google Maps to identify "hole in the wall" or hidden gem outdoor destinations. I loaned this skillset to Expedition Detroit when first building out our "Destinations Map," a near-exhaustive collection of every park, trailhead, launching point, ski resort, and other noteworthy outdoor space within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit. What was my complex, algorithmic methodology for identifying such spaces? I opened Google Maps and looked for the color green. Seriously. And the darker the green, the more expansive the outdoor space. Here's a screenshot for reference: Yes, this non-satellite layer omits a multitude of incredible outdoor spaces within the core of Metro Detroit. However, glance over at the western edge of this map - the extensive, darkest shade of green that runs largely consecutively from Grass Lake to north or Auburn Hills. An area whose scope includes several of our region's most beloved "Trail Towns," including Brighton, Chelsea, Holly, Lake Orion, Milford, and Pinckney. If you dig a little deeper, you'll soon realize that this area also constitutes one of the largest and most unique, rugged, adventurous, historic, and collectively protected swaths of land found within the entire Great Lakes region. The home of 12 Michigan state parks and recreation areas, 5 Michigan state game and wildlife areas, 4 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, 2 county parks, and several independent natural preservation areas. This coveted area is the focal point of this article: the massive area geologically identified as the Jackson Interlobate Range (the "JIR"), but we'd like to informally dub it here as the "Detroit Mountains." SHORT HISTORY OF DETROIT'S TALLEST RANGE If we were to time travel 16,000 years back, we would all be cold. Very, vey cold. In fact, we would find ourselves conveniently buried under a mountain of ice titled the Laurentide Ice Sheet that extended from the Arctic Circle to southern Indiana and Ohio. Over a 3,000 year period, the Laurentide Ice Sheet gradually receded into ice masses called "lobes," with the two most prominent lobes over the Detroit region comprising of the western Saginaw and eastern Huron-Erie lobes. Thankfully for our resident hiking, mountain biking, and downhill skiing enthusiasts, these lobes did not recede uniformly across the Detroit region. To the contrary, as the bulk of each of these lobes receded, any terrain caught in the "no man's land" between them found itself irrevocably transformed by the massive deposits of converged sand and gravel left in the wake of the receding glaciers. As such, while the diminishing lobes ubiquitously flattened most of the Detroit region, this narrow strip of terrain with steep ridges, extensive hills, and "kettle" pools left by abandoned glacial deposits, remained a striking contrast against its surrounding swamps and grasslands. This rugged landscape was further defined by the chaotic manner in which the lobes handled their multi-millennia retreat. The melt-back of the lobes was neither a continuous nor a steady process, including several periods of resurgence followed by short retreats, more advances, and more retreats. In the interlobate regions, where initial soil deposits from earlier retreats already presented obstacles for the path of any resurgent glaciers, these episodes meant that unfortunate deposits from intact glaciers were further piled on top of the growing hills in increasingly dramatic fashion. The first human inhabitants of southeast Michigan arrived roughly 10,000 years ago, shortly after the glaciers finally completed their full retreat from the Great Lakes region. Rather than a landscape in geological turmoil, these first nations made their homes among the JIR's hilly and forested landscape and navigated its rivers and lakes for commerce and travel. European and American settlers would follow suit in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, including the establishment of the region's first permanent settlements and farms. From a conservation perspective, most of the stunning Michigan state parks and recreation areas located within the JIR date back to 1943 - when the Michigan Department of Conservation founded Waterloo State Recreation Area, the largest state recreation area. Over the next 80 years, the rebranded Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority, and local municipalities collaborated to purchase and preserve hundreds of thousands of acres across this region. Thanks to such actions, not only have recreationists crossing several generations been afforded the opportunity to explore and appreciate the beauty of the JIR, but the region has continued to serve as the natural home for rare species and habitats. NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JIR The highlands of the JIR cover an area of roughly 2,580 miles and reach elevations oscillating between 750 to 1,330 feet in elevation. The largest of the kettle lakes and ponds scattered throughout the JIR form the headwaters of several major rivers throughout the Detroit region, including the Huron, Grand, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph Rivers. The highest points of the JIR include several of Detroit's "Big Four" ski resorts, include Pine Knob (1,286 ft.), Mt. Holly (1,240 ft.), and Mt. Brighton (1,330 ft.). The general height of the JIR's hills also tends to increase along the range's northeastern trajectory, with average peaks in parks like Holly Recreation Area reaching greater elevations than those in Waterloo or Pinckney Recreation Area. The JIR also provides an ecological home to several rare species of plants and animals. The range features a rare habitat called an "oak savanna" - a lightly-forested grassland environment featuring oaks as the dominant tree. Once prevalent throughout North America, oak savannas have now largely disappeared from the continent due to agricultural production and fire suppression. Detroit's Mountains also harbor one of the most elusive wildlife gems of the entire Great Lakes region: the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Michigan's only venomous snake and only one of two rattlesnake species that exist throughout our corner of North America. RECOMMENDED TRIPS FOR EXPLORING THE JIR Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations: you've made it to the really fun part of the article. Now that we've spent the better part of the last year exploring the JIR's heights and depths, here are Expedition Detroit's top-recommended trips for exploring the JIR. BACKPACK THE WATERLOO-PINCKNEY TRAIL Trip Length: 38.5 miles Duration: 3 or 4 days (depending on campground reservations) Recommended Exploration Method: Backpacking, Hiking, or Trail Running (only if you're an expert) The pinnacle of world-class outdoor experiences in the Detroit region, we strongly recommend that local recreationists escape to their local wilderness for a long weekend to hike the nearly 40 miles and 4,000 elevation gain of the famous Waterloo-Pinckney Trail! I completed a solo thru-hike of the WPT back in April, during which I represented the sole thru-backpacker along the entirety of the trail. I completed the trail over 3 days/2 nights, camping at the Pines and Green Lake Campgrounds. Experienced backpackers could easily follow suit, although new or growing backpackers should add in a third night at Blind Lake Campground to rest their legs for the final push. Interested in learning more about backpacking the WPT? Be sure to check out our 3-part series on the trail! THRU-PADDLE THE UPPER HURON FROM PROUD LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA TO HURON MEADOWS METROPARK Location: Proud Lake State Recreation Area, Kensington Metropark, Island Lake State Recreation Area, and Huron Meadows Metropark Trip Length: 22.9 miles Duration: 2 or 3 days (depending on campground reservations) Recommended Exploration Method: Kayaking and Canoe Camping While the high ridges of the JIR provide the main draw to exploring this geographic anomaly of the Detroit region, the constant presence of the Huron River throughout the area provides the low-lying marshland ying to the yang of the hilltop peaks. Especially the northwestern stretches of the Upper Huron River, which paddlers typically follow from one of Proud Lake Recreation Area's several launching points to their dock of choice downstream. The trip highlighted above can either be paddled in day-trip segments or as one continuous canoe camping thru-paddle utilizing the Huron River National Water Trail's two canoe campgrounds at Kensington Metropark and Island Lake State Recreation Area. CONQUER HIGHLAND'S A-B-C-D LOOPS Location: Highland State Recreation Area Trip Length: 13.7 miles Duration: 1 - 6 hours (depending on recreational activity) Recommended Exploration Method: Mountain Biking, Trail Running, or Hiking If you have the masochistic desire to conquer the most grueling terrain of the JIR - scratch that, the entire Detroit region - then do we have the trail system for you. Meet Highland Recreation Area's A-B-C-D trail loops, unanimously hailed as the most rigorous of the only three "Black Diamond"-rated trail systems within the Detroit region. Although built for and maintained by mountain bikers, the "Alphabet Loops" are also utilized by hikers and the most extreme of our trail runners. Please note that the vast majority of first-time bikers, runners, and hikers do NOT complete all four loops in a single outing. These trails are very technical, so we strongly advise that you ride, run, or hike with at least one other person every time that you attempt Highland's loops - or at the very least give your friends and family a heads up. Kudos to you if/when you complete all of the loops in a single day, regardless of your exploration method of choice! My fellow geography nerds, history buffs, and adventure seekers - brothers and sisters after my own heart - we wrote this guide to exploring the Detroit Mountains' history, biodiversity, trails, and special outdoor challenges especially for you. We hope this article enriches all of your appreciation for this geological marvel located right here in our backyards. Happy trails! Want to explore the Detroit region's best trails for yourself but would prefer hiking or running with a guide? Look no further! Expedition Detroit proudly leads guided trips across 11 Michigan state parks and recreation areas. Book your next adventure by CLICKING HERE!

Bowhunting season for whitetail deer is in full swing throughout the Detroit region! Here are the five essential bowhunting gear items that you will need to get you off of the couch and into the woods.

Part triathlon training guide, part misadventure story, here are the "dos" and "don'ts" of competing in one of the most challenging, rigorous, and rewarding racing events that the outdoor world has ever concocted: the Triathlon. "Ohhhh my friend! Did you sign up yet??" I blankly stared at the text from my buddy Eric for a few seconds, knowing that my response would have to be "Yep!" despite, indeed, not signing up yet. To his credit, Eric had texted me about the sprint triathlon race several weeks prior, but I had been caught up in a little life event called "launching Expedition Detroit." I detest lying - even well-intentioned, harmless little ones - so I quickly registered for the race and shot back a confirmative text with a clear conscience. We had just signed up for Running Fit’s final “T-Rex Triathlon” event for last August - a sprint race consisting of a 0.5 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. As any longtime reader of this platform is well aware of, we at Expedition Detroit are outspoken supporters of Running Fit’s races. So it didn’t take much for Eric to twist my arm into signing up three days before race day. With Running Fit kicking off their 2023 "T-Rex Triathlon" season next Wednesday, May 31st, with the Stegosaurus Triathlon and Duathlon at Island Lake Recreation Area, we wanted to share this personal tale and educational article for all first-time triathletes diving head first into their new sport. Hopefully this article will catch you before you repeat our misguided approach to our race... How NOT to Complete a Triathlon - A Personal Tale I woke up on race day with the realization that I may have underestimated the consequences of my knee-jerk registration. Yes, I am an avid runner and mountain biker, but my swimming experience is largely limited to a few years on a swim team in elementary school, open water swims on beach vacations, and a few laps in my parents’ pool every now and then. I did not own a pair of goggles, let alone a swim cap, road bike, or tri-suit. What complicated matters further was that every retailer that I contacted mere hours before the race was either fresh out of tri-suits or closed (several had closed early for the event). The silver-lining in all of this was that, by the grace of God, Eric was just as unprepared. We would swim in REI trail shorts, complete the biking portion on our mountain bikes, and finally be on a somewhat-equal footing with the other competitors during the run. Cool. As I pulled into the parking lot at Kent Lake on race day, I could only laugh as I saw how unprepared I was compared to 90% of the other racers. While a typical hometown 5K has a broad range of experienced runners vs. those reaching the first milestone on their fitness journey, every athlete on the beach that evening looked like they were on track to race in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The gear? Immaculate. The suits? Definitely not trail shorts. The bikes? Tuned up for Le Tour de France. Again, I didn’t stop laughing as I placed my trusted REI Co-op Mountain Bike on the rack next to top-market, triathlon-specific racing bikes. “Just remember - the goal is to have fun.” I kept repeating that mantra to myself over and over, like a youth soccer coach knowing that their team is about to get absolutely smoked on the field. And yet, despite all of these glaring deficiencies that I was solely responsible for, my first triathlon was one of the most fun racing experiences that I’ve ever had. Yes, I was recklessly underprepared, but my general conditioning allowed me to finish the swim before my heat. I actually passed some road bikes on my mountain bike, and had plenty of gas left in the tank for comfortably finishing the 5K. Rather than crossing the finish line scarred for life, I found myself inspired to sign up for another race - but next time with a dramatically different approach. Triathlon Training Tips for Beginners “Intelligence” can be defined as “the ability to learn from your mistakes,” while “wisdom” comprises of “the ability to learn from the mistakes of others.” With regard to my first triathlon, I was anything but wise towards my training approach, although I gained some intelligence by learning precisely how not to complete a triathlon. That experience prompted my desire to research how a responsible triathlete would prepare for - and crush - a race. Now, allow me to provide some “intelligent wisdom” via five triathlon training tips that you should incorporate into your preparation - ideally long before the morning of race day: 1. Invest in Proper Gear Especially for sprint triathlons - where every second counts - investing a little extra time and money into proper clothing and equipment will pay dividends on race day. The essential clothing item is a pair of triathlon-specific shorts ("tri shorts"), which are moisture-wicking, typically offer enhanced ultraviolet sun protection, and contain a chamois pad that is thinner than regular bike-shorts for comfort during the run. There is also a full wetsuit alternative to the tri short for colder conditions, with triathlon-specific wetsuits being lighter and giving less resistance than normal wetsuits. Both tri-shorts and wetsuits should fit snugly on your body. Additional event specific gear includes the following: Swimming. We highly recommend that you acquire a swim cap and goggles. Optional gear includes a quick-dry towel, earplugs and nose plugs for the swim. Biking. Easily the most expensive category for gear purchases, we would advise purchasing at least a road bike for maximum versatility during both the event and generally road biking purposes. There are also triathlon-specific bikes that are more aerodynamic and utilize the hamstrings efficiently for energy preservation during both the biking and running phases, although these bikes are typically more expensive, difficult for maneuvering and braking, and uncomfortable for longer rides than road bikes. Other cycling equipment to purchase includes a helmet, cycling-specific shoes (if you have clip-in pedals), socks, gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, and repair tools (more necessary for longer races). Running. As you may have guessed, choosing the right running shoes is essential for success in any footrace, especially a triathlon where the run is at the tail-end of two other intensive events. I personally opt for trail-running shoes for most running events - I’m on my third pair of Hoka’s “Speedgoat” trail shoe series, which are light-weight, provide extra cushion for my tendency to heel-strike when racing, and have enough grip for use as both a trail and biking shoe. Additional running gear to consider depending on the length of race and race day conditions includes a hydration pack or belt, sunglasses, and lightweight running hat. 2. Complete a Training Regimen While my race demonstrated that you can comfortably complete a sprint triathlon with general swimming, biking, and running experience, we highly advise against this approach. Most weekend warrior distance athletes do not introduce the element of combined, sequential activities into their workouts, which is obviously a fundamental component of a triathlon. Outside Magazine’s Triathlete content - a gold mine for information pertaining to the triathlon universe - sponsors an 8-week Sprint triathlon training regimen intended to take athletes from couch to finish line. The prerequisite fitness metrics for starting the regimen include being able to swim 100 yards non-stop, 20 minutes of continuous cycling, and 10 minutes of continuous running. Each week contains 5 days of event-specific training workouts with specific instructions on distances and “perceived effort zones.” Following and completing a training regimen - especially with the gear referenced in step one above - will all but guarantee that you arrive at the beach on race day with optimal physical conditioning and confidence. 3. If Practical, Train On-Site One of the few elements working in my favor during my first triathlon was my familiarity with Island Lake Recreation Area. Had I swam half a mile into Kent Lake before? No, but I had regularly kayaked and paddle boarded into its relatively calm waters, in addition to the countless bikes and runs that I had completed on its roads and trails cover the last few years. This familiarity with the course enabled me to recover some lost time due to my serious equipment deficiencies, most notably on the biking segment (just ask some of the road bikers that I managed to burn past on uphill climbs). Especially if you live near the race site, we strongly advise conducting at least one regimen training workout for each event, per week, on-site. A material element in any race is a competitor’s mental state - familiarity with a particular course not only lessens race day jitters (and their corresponding mistakes), but can also be fundamental for implementing a strategic approach for planning speed bursts, navigating currents, and general pacing. If you are not able to train on-site, then at a minimum you should review course maps and elevation charts - bonus points if you find similar locations in your vicinity to train at. 4. Treat the Race as Starting during Race Week This may be an impossible ask, but there should be no surprises on race day. How does one accomplish such a feat? By treating the days before race day - and most importantly the night before - as critical stages of the actual event. Here’s a quick pre-race checklist, starting with larger lead-time to night-of items: Confirm that your bike is tuned up (REI is my go-to for routine bike tunings). Starting three nights before, eat normal-yet-balanced dinners. Try to incorporate protein (chicken, fish, turkey), healthy fat (avocados, nuts, olives), and a lot of carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans) into these meals. Starting with two nights before, prioritize getting a good night’s rest. Confirm your directions to the race site and parking location - nothing is worse than a pre-race parking scramble. Layout, label, and pack each item of your equipment. Bonus points if you put everything in the car the night before to minimize open variables on race day. Confirm that you have all credentials required for the registration packet pick-up, which is even more important if the event only has a race day pick-up option. This typically includes photo ID, registration or bib number, and your USA Triathlon membership number. Charge your fitness monitor. Especially if it’s a morning race, set more than one alarm via different means (e.g., phone, watch, alarm clock, early-bird partner). Again, I learned this one the hard way. 5. Good Vibes Only on Race Day You have completed two months of training. You have prepared your body and mind for this one great event. You have taken all of the prerequisite steps to minimize any unpleasant surprises during the race. Now, all that’s left is to relax, trust the journey that you have nearly-completed, and get your butt to the event! Practically speaking, every action that you take leading to the starting gate should be focused towards improving your mental state and optimism towards the race. At least two hours before the race, eat your favorite, nutritious pre-race meal. Dress in comfortable layers over your tri-suit. Arrive to the race location an hour early so that you can leisurely check-in at the registration booth, set up your transition area, and break the ice with other athletes in the area (avoid talking about training techniques - this is a Bar Exam tip that directly applies to endurance racing). Line up in your pacing corral of choice, recognize how cool and unique this crazy event is about to be, take a deep breath, and…enjoy the ride. BONUS - Post Race Tips Congrats - you’ve finished your first triathlon and have graduated from “rookie” status! After receiving your post-race finisher’s shirt and/or medal, be sure to keep walking around the finisher’s concourse while hydrating. Now is also the optimal time to stretch while your legs are still warm. Once you’re well-stretched and hydrated, your body will thank you if you bring warm, dry, and comfortable clothes to change into. Most racing companies (especially Running Fit) do an excellent job at creating festival-like environments around their events for both runners and spectators, so be sure to stick around for free or discounted snacks, beverages, and live music. Also, we all enjoy having a crowd cheer us on as we sprint towards the finish line - be sure to pay it forward and cheer on other finishers that are in the homestretch! Please note that this article is NOT a comprehensive list of all training tips, gear, and other considerations that you should take into account while considering or preparing for your first triathlon. The information provided in this article is intended to be supplementary to more detailed triathlon training regimens and advice that are available for review online, such as articles published by REI, Triathlon Lab, Active, and My Tri World.

Fall backpacking means less crowds, more colors, and better opportunities for trekking without summer's heat or bugs. Before you reach the trailhead, be sure to pack in these 10 essential gear items for your next Michigan backpacking adventure. #ExpeditionEssentials In the survivalist competition show “Alone” - which we highly recommend you binge if you haven’t been converted already - each contestant is allotted only 10 items for the duration of their isolation in the wilderness. Yes, that’s extreme, even in spite of each contestant’s standing as an expert survivalist. However, to kick off our #ExpeditionEssentials series, we want to provide our own top 10 list of essential gear for any Michigan backpacking venture into the backcountry. Please note that there are several extremely important factors to consider when preparing for any backcountry expedition. These include the expected length of your trip, climate, your fitness level, pack weight, access to water, and whether you will be hiking solo or with a crew (if with a crew, also factor in their backpacking experience levels). These 10 items are intended to cover your bases regardless of these factors, but you should absolutely feel free to substitute, omit, or supplement these items if circumstances dictate otherwise. Also, we have omitted essential clothing items, including hiking boots or shoes, since we assume you will not be backpacking on “Naked and Afraid.” Without further ado, here are our top ten essential Michigan backpacking items: 1. Backpack Spoiler alert: if you’re heading out on a Michigan backpacking trip, you’re going to need a good backpack to get the job done. When selecting a good backpack - especially your first pack - we highly recommend that you visit a reputable retailer like REI to get one fitted for you. Your backpack should be lightweight (2-5 lbs), hold anywhere from 30 to 70 liters depending on the length of your trip, and fit comfortably on the hips and in the shoulders. Other specifications to consider include a backpack’s padding, ventilation, access, pocket, and water reservoir features. Bonus item: Daypack. Smaller daypacks are very useful for shorter trips out of basecamp, such as a quick summit venture or supply run. Several newer backpacks even feature removable daypacks that are designed directly into their top lid or reservoir pocket. 2. Lightweight Shelter In true survival scenarios, the three most important problems to resolve are sources of shelter, water, and food. Of these three necessities, most backpackers are unaware that shelter is the most time-sensitive - in extremely harsh environments, you can only survive for 3 hours without an adequate shelter. Fortunately for backpackers, there is a plethora of lightweight, durable, and easy-to-assemble options of tent shelters to choose from. When selecting a tent, important factors to consider include capacity (how many people will be sharing the space), weight and size when packed (approximately 2.5 lbs per person), ease of assembly, durability, seasonality (most tents sold are 3-season), and “live-ability” features like pockets, windows, and interior space. Bonus item: Hammock Camping. Outdoor equipment manufacturers like Eno have recently placed more of an emphasis on producing “hammock camping” equipment as an alternative to tent camping. Hammock camping is generally lighter weight than conventional tents, takes up less space in a backpack, and includes features like a rain fly and bug net. This option is obviously tree-dependent and is more suitable to solo-trekking, but hammock camping can serve as a viable and enjoyable reason to leave the tent behind for certain trips. 3. Water Bottle and Filtration/Purification System Under average conditions, you can survive for 3 days without water. For the vast majority of day hikes, that dire fact fortunately does not enter the equation. For backpacking expeditions and day hikes gone wrong, however, packing in adequate water containment and filtration or purification gear becomes exponentially more important. Always pack in a water bottle or bladder (like a camelback), with the size depending on the length of your trip, climate, activity level, anticipated access to water sources, and cooking needs (dehydrated food sources typically require a cup or two of boiled water). For deciding between a water filter vs. purifier, there are a myriad of considerations to take into account. The most important factors include whether you anticipate viral contaminants from humans or livestock (go with a purifier), volume of water to purify, ease of use, weight and size within pack, and speed of filtration. Stay tuned for a future breakdown and ranking of the various water filters and purifiers that are available on the market. 4. Food The last of the “three survival necessities” is food, without which the average person can survive for 3 weeks. While I have gone for a few days on shorter trips surviving on just dried fruit, trail mix, and beef jerky before, the niche “backpacker meal” market has exploded recently in dishes, flavors, meal options, and allergy-sensitive options available to consumers. Beyond being lightweight and ready to serve in a matter of minutes, my favorite aspect of these pre-made, dehydrated meals is that they are truly delicious. Backpacker’s Pantry tends to be the favorite vendor of these meals amongst my hiking crew, but you also can’t go wrong with Mountain House, Peak Refuel, and AlpineAire Foods’ options. Bonus item: Bear Canister. While this item is less of a necessity in even the remotest parts of the Detroit region vs. in the upper peninsula or out west, we still recommend purchasing a bear canister for both food storage and smaller-critter prevention (raccoons and coyotes would also love a bite of your leftover Pad Thai backpacker meal). Another option is purchasing a bear-resistant Ursack, although this option is also tree and rope -dependent. Regardless of option, food should be stored overnight away from your camp - ideally 100 yards if there is a risk of bears or other predators where you’re camping. 5. First-Aid Kit No backpack is complete without at least a small first-aid kit included within an easily-accessible compartment. Any pre-assembled first-aid kit should include treatments for blisters, adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, and nitrile gloves. The contents of your first-aid kit should also be modified based on the length of your trip, the number of people involved, and the degree of wilderness medical training among your Michigan backpacking team (I fortunately hike almost exclusively with a team of doctors - virtually all of my undergrad buddies went to medical school). Bonus Item: Satellite Messenger. While less important in the Detroit region, the peace of mind that comes with packing in a personal locator beacon (“PLB”) or satellite messenger cannot be overstated. When activated in an emergency, these gadgets will determine your position using GPS and send a message via satellite. A PLB or satellite will work in remote locations where cell signals die off - an all-too-familiar experience for those of us living amidst the notorious cell coverage that defines Southeast Michigan. 6. Navigation Tools There are few worse feelings, and certainly none more surprising, than the moment that you realize that you are lost in the wilderness. Fortunately, with the right navigation tools and training, any misstep along the journey can be quickly remedied and redirected. The most common navigation tool among modern backpackers is a well-charged cell phone with pre-downloaded trail maps (such as those maintained on AllTrails), but you should also always carry a compass and at least one hard-copy version of a trail map (keep in a water-proof container). Bonus item: Wilderness Navigation Training. Is this a true item? No, of course not, unless you decide to bring a small wilderness navigation guidebook with you. That admission aside, bringing a moderate knowledge of wilderness navigation skills into the wilderness with you could quite literally save your life. 7. Stove and Fuel In light of the growing number of wildfire outbreaks and their corresponding restrictions, open campfires have become less and less prevalent across the country. Despite such restrictions, most (if not all) wilderness areas permit the use of camp stoves for boiling water and cooking food. There are three main types of backpacking stoves: canister, liquid, and alternative-fuel stoves. Canister stoves are the most popular on the trail (such as a Jetboil’s “Flash Cooking System”), although alternative-fuel stoves are also gaining traction (like BioLite’s “CampStove 2+”). Important considerations when deciding which stove to purchase include best use (i.e., backpacking vs. car camping), fuel type, average boil time, weight, and heat output. Bonus item: Camp Kitchen Equipment. Can you survive on using your knife as both a cutting and eating utensil? Yes, I guess that you can, but just because you can doesn’t mean that you should. Save your mouth from the obvious cut risk by packing in a lightweight set of camp kitchen utensils. The most common and basic utensil that I’ve seen (and own) on the trail is humangear’s “GoBites Uno Spork,” which only weighs 0.5 ounces. 8. Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad Hardcore ultralight backpackers may disagree with me concerning the necessity of a sleeping pad, but it is universally-accepted that a durable, lightweight sleeping bag is a Michigan backpacking essential. When deciding on which sleeping bag to purchase, factors to consider include temperature rating, insulation, compact-ability, weight, and special features such as adjustments, stash pockets, and pad compatibility. For sleeping pads (which we highly recommend since trees have this tendency to have roots near them), important features to consider include warmth (“R-value”), bag compatibility, weight, cushioning, and ease of inflation (especially important if you have asthma). Also remember that there are several types of sleeping pads that differ significantly from one another, with the main debate concerning the merits of air pads vs. closed-cell foam mats. I’ve found air pads to be the more comfortable option, but the ease of simply unrolling a foam mat after a full day of hiking is hard to beat. The debate rages on. Bonus item: Camp Chair. We are solidly in “luxury territory” with this bonus item, but I would bet that 99% of backpackers wouldn’t hesitate to add an extra pound to their pack in order to end a 10+ mile day in a comfortable chair vs. the ground. REI’s “Flexlite” camp chairs have become a staple in my backpacking crew’s pack list - mine has the minuscule campfire spark holes to prove it. The Flexlite chair weighs just over 1 pound, can support up to 250 pounds, and takes just over a minute to set up. 9. Knife with Fire Starting Capacity I have never been on a trip where I did not use my knife for an important task. Whether it was cutting rope, splitting small logs, field dressing game, using the whistle to ward off bears in the backcountry, or sparking a fire, my Gerber “Ultimate Survival Fixed Blade Knife” has held a place in my pack for over a decade. Knives are also useful for gear repair, food preparation, first aid, making kindling, or other emergency needs. Bonus item: Stormproof Match Kit. When I was in Alaska during a near-freezing rain storm, I was able to start a very necessary fire thanks largely to the “stormproof” match kit that I always keep in my pack. The cheap UCO Stormproof Match Kit comes with 25 windproof matches, a durable case, and a striker bar. Especially when the conditions turn for the absolute worst, your dry feet and warmed soul will thank you for this inclusion in your backpack. 10. Headlamp Have you ever tripped over a rock, root, or rope while navigating around a campsite at night? Even worse, have you ever had to race the setting sun back to your camp while still on the trail? As someone who has experienced all of the above, trust me when I say that a well-charged headlamp is an essential for every Michigan backpacking venture. Bonus item: Solar charging lamp. While this item may be more in “luxury” than “essential” territory, I am a firm believer in packing in a lightweight solar lamp with USB charging capacity. Other than keeping your phone or any additional electronics like a fitness tracker charged during your expedition, having a fully-charged solar lamp ready by sunset can be a true lifesaver if any of the other essential items mentioned above, such as a UV water purifier, navigation tool, or headlamp, depend on a charge. Now that you are orientated around the Michigan backpacking gear essentials, are you ready to start planning your next venture in the Detroit region? We’ve got you covered - start exploring the best backpacking destinations within an hour’s drive of Downtown Detroit. We can’t wait to see you out there.

The leaves and temperatures may be rapidly dropping, but the Detroit region's outdoor events calendar will stay vibrant throughout November. Here is the Expedition Detroit rundown of the top ten outdoor events that we're excited about attending. Happy Turkey Month! You read it here first: November is the most underrated month for outdoor recreation throughout the entire year. While some recreationists may be tempted to view this month as a "shoulder season" - the transitory guide from the peak autumn colors of October to the fresh snowfall of December - we are immensely excited about the outdoor action that you can only experience during November, especially when it comes to these 10 premiere outdoor events. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to publish that we're extremely thankful for the hosts and vendors that brave the cooling temperatures to stage these end-of-season events. We invite you to share in our gratitude by joining in with one, two, or all of these top 10 outdoor events for November. 1. Run with the Dead for Día de los Muertos November 5th | Southwest Detroit | 9 a.m. Spoiler alert - this Saturday, November 5th, will be a jam-packed day for outdoor events in the Detroit region. The festivities begin with Detroit's predominantly Latinx community that will continue to honor and celebrate the dear-departed well into the first week of November. El Día de los Muertos - "the Day of the Dead" in Spanish - is one of the most widely-celebrated cultural holidays across the United States, especially among Southwest Detroit's residents of Mexican heritage. As part of the festive celebrations, the Southwest Detroit Business Association is hosting its annual "Run of the Dead" 5K/10K race and fundraiser for the Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest. Don't forget to pack in family photos of your ancestors to add to the festival's ofrenda. 2. Burn Through the Trails at the Bonfyre Trail Fest November 5th | Waterloo State Recreation Area | 10 a.m. While colorful running skeletons will own the streets of Southwest Detroit, the trails on the western rim of the Detroit region will also be set ablaze with excitement on Saturday morning during the Bonfyre Trail Fest. Bonfyre represents the last event of RF Event's fantastic "GOAT Trail Series" for the 2022 season, and will include 5, 10, and 18-mile trail races. The perks of this trail runner's dream event go far beyond the post-race beer garden, live music, and roaring bonfire - we at Expedition Detroit simply can't wait to run the famous, roller-coaster DTE Energy Foundation Trails at Waterloo State Recreation Area. We will see you across the finish line and at the bonfire (beer in hand)! 3. Give a Hoot at the Owl Festival November 5th | Oakwoods Metropark | 6 p.m. Closing out the triple-crown for November 5th, Oakwoods Metropark is hosting its family-centered "Owl Festival" this Saturday evening. Described as a celebration of "everything owl," this festival will feature exhibits and activities intended to highlight and educate on all of the different species of owls found within Michigan. Specific events will include owl pellet dissection, games, crafts, owl presentations, and several owl prowls. 4. Run the Stony Creek Marathon November 6th | Stony Creek Metropark | 10 a.m. Marathoners, rejoice! While most regions close up shop for racing season in October, Detroit has saved one of its best and most scenic for the tail-end of the year. Stony Creek Metropark will host its annual marathon event this Sunday morning, which also includes 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, and 50K events. So whether you're trying to squeeze in one last 5K before the real end of the season - or have a crazy 50K itch that needs to be scratched for you wild ultra runners - the Stony Creek Marathon has the perfect race for you! 5. Get in the Woods for Whitetail Deer Firearm Opening Day November 15th | Statewide in Michigan Waking up on the morning of November 15th in Michigan can be an interesting experience for non-hunters. No, it's not a delayed Fourth of July party or a Civil War reenactment kicking off at 7:30 a.m. on a Tuesday. You are in fact witnessing, as my father-in-law would say, the "official-unofficial Michigan state holiday" - the opening day of whitetail deer firearm season. The most celebrated day of the year for hunters and the single most important day of the year for the Michigan DNR's conservation efforts. A festive day that we at Expedition Detroit encourage all of our readers to participate in, even if that's just by purchasing a tag to financially support the DNR's operations and protection of our precious natural resources. We will be publishing an "Opening Day Checklist" article prior to the 15th, but for any non-hunters that plan on venturing into the woods on the 15th, please wear blaze orange outer clothing - especially if you are walking in the woods around sunrise or sunset hours. Even if hunting is not permitted along your typical hiking route, the gun opener has a unique ability to draw out hunters of varying degrees of experience and ethics. Be safe, be seen. 6. Celebrate National Hiking Day November 17th | Throughout Detroit Region Did we need the prompt of a national holiday to celebrate hiking? No, of course not. Are we stoked that one exists and will therefore celebrate excessively? Yes, of course we will! Especially in light of the wealth of hiking opportunities that we have in our region, we plan on visiting three different hiking trail hubs during National Hiking Day: one of our old favorites, a second that we've been itching to explore, and a third that remains largely unknown throughout our region. Stay tuned for that featured article as well, and also remember to wear blaze orange on your hikes (plan on doing so through the end of November, the end of the regular firearm season in Michigan). 7. Run for the Fudge of It at the Kona Chocolate Run November 20th | Northville, MI | 9 a.m. Kona Running Company's motto is "Run for the Fun of It." Well, for this uniquely-chocolate themed final race of their spectacular 2022 season, Kona is inviting runner's of all skillsets to run for the fudge of it during its annual Kona Chocolate Run event. Sponsored in part by Guernsey Farms Dairy, this 5K/10K race will allow - no, encourage - runners to indulge their sweet tooth with a post-race chocolate bar, complete with hot chocolate, chocolate milk, cookies, pastries, candies, coffee, and more. 8. Become "That Relative" and Run a Turkey Trot November 24th | Various Locations Restful holiday sleep be damned, you have a race to run! Seriously though, we wholly-endorse ignoring the social media memes, setting your alarm, and getting up early to run a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot before the holiday traditions literally and figuratively consume the rest of your day. The Detroit Parade Company's annual Turkey Trot is undoubtedly the hallmark race of the holiday, although Running Fit's Ann Arbor Turkey Trot is also a very popular event. There's an option for avid trail runners as well - Move-It Fitness will be hosting its "Turkey TRAIL Trot" at Stony Creek Metropark, which includes half-marathon, 10K, 4-mile, and 2-mile trail races for participants. 9. Exchange Consumerism for a Black Friday Spent Outside November 25th | Various Locations Stick it to the consumerist machine! Or don't, we really don't judge here at Expedition Detroit. However, if you do decide to follow the outdoor industry's lead to #OptOutside, then do we have the perfect events for you! Mountain Bikers: The Potowatomi Mountain Biking Association is leading a group ride on Black Friday at 10 a.m. across Rolling Hills and Hewens Creek Parks, covering a total of 15 miles of single track and gravel riding. Launching from the Rolling Hills Lodge, the ride will cover about 7 miles at Rolling Hill and 6 miles at Hewens Creek. Post-ride pizza and refreshments will be waiting for you back at the Rolling Hills Lodge. Trail Runners: Yes, the late-season races keep coming! Trivium Racing will continue its annual Thanksgiving weekend racing tradition, the Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler trail race. The pristine trails of Proud Lake State Recreation Area will host the event - this is the only race that I've ever heard of being hosted at Proud Lake, so that alone provides a great reason to register. We're also thankful for the perfect excuse for going for that second (ok, third) plate during Thanksgiving dinner. 10. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve November 26th | Point Pelee National Park | 6 p.m. With all of the frenzy of Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the rearview mirror, why not treat yourself to a little stimulus-detox by staring up into the great beyond? Well, fortunately for us, Point Pelee National Park in Ontario comes in clutch yet again as our region's sole Dark Sky Preserve - the ideal location for gazing into the cosmos and tuning out the world for an extraterrestrial outing. Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave the dropping temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. We hope to cross paths with you at one or all of these events this month (ok, definitely not the firearm season opener - we’re aiming for total isolation while out in the field). Happy November to you all - we can’t wait to see you out there! Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.