March 4, 2000

Yurt?

It was sunny for most of the day.  A few thin clouds have moved in this afternoon.  The high temperature today was 48 degrees.

We have been discussing various solutions to our telecommuting dilemma.  I think we're going to erect a yurt!  The yurt is capable of heavy snow loads and high winds.  It is also energy efficient and minimizes environmental impact.  The one we're thinking about is pictured here (photo is courtesy of Pacific Yurts).  The yurt will likely occupy the space vacated by the old mobile home we demolished last December.

As a warm-up to the Appalachian Trail, I am considering hiking a couple of trails close to home.  The Bay de Noc - Grand Island Trail begins near the town of Rapid River on the shore of Lake Michigan and extends northward for approximately 40 miles, terminating at its intersection with Highway 94 at Ackerman Lake.  From there I could simply take Highway 94 to Forest Lake Road and finish the 50+ mile trek by hiking to Au Train.  That should be enough to tell me if I could do this for 2,160 miles on the Appalachian Trail.

The second trail is the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail.  This trail follows the shore of Lake Superior between the Munising Falls (in Munising) and the Grand Sable Visitor Center near Grand Marais.  You have to worry about the time of year however, as the black flies will eat you alive in late May and early June.

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