Michigan Rainbow Trout

Michigan Flowers #2

Michigan Flowers #1

Petoskey, Michigan scene #5

Petoskey, Michigan scene #4

Petoskey, Michigan scene #3

Petoskey, Michigan scene #2

Petoskey, Michigan scene #1

Michigan scene

Harbor Springs, Michigan scene #4

Harbor Springs, Michigan scene #3

Harbor Springs, Michigan scene #2

Harbor Springs, Michigan scene #1

Charlevoix, Michigan scene #3

Charlevoix, Michigan scene #2

Charlevoix, Michigan scene #1

Castle Farms, Charlevoix, Michigan #7

Castle Farms, Charlevoix, Michigan #6

Castle Farms, Charlevoix, Michigan #5

Castle Farms, Charlevoix, Michigan #4

Castle Farms, Charlevoix, Michigan #3

Castle Farms, Charlevoix, Michigan #2

Castle Farms, Charlevoix, Michigan #1

Bay Harbor, Michigan, Classic Car Show #3

Bay Harbor, Michigan, Classic Car Show #2

Bay Harbor, Michigan, Classic Car Show #1

Chuck "Marathon Junkie" Engle, winner of Charlevoix Marathon

Charlevoix Half Marathon
Charlevoix, Michigan
Saturday, June 26, 2010

The sky was overcast with a slight breeze and a temperature in the 60’s as I began the Charlevoix Half Marathon in Charlevoix, Michigan on Saturday, June 26, 2010. The out and back course was mostly flat with some rolling hills which began with 3.5 miles of roads, followed by a paved bike path to the turn around. One section of the path was a half mile wooden walkway/bridge over a swamp. It rained during the night before the race and was supposed to rain during the race but luckily it did not. The air was full of moisture and even though the temperature remained in the 60’s, it seemed somewhat warm due to the humidity. Water/Gatorade stations were located every 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. The road part of the course was closed to traffic and intersections were controlled by police and volunteers. The event was well organized and fun. It is located in a somewhat remote area along the shores Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan.
My friend, Chuck “Marathon Junkie” Engle, won the Marathon event in 2 hours 39 minutes. He is an incredible runner who has finished over 200 marathons under 3 hours and has often won two marathons on the same weekend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. As usual I enjoyed my trip quite a lot.

West Virginia #3

West Virginia #2

West Virginia #1

Williamson, West Virginia #2

Williamson, West Virginia #1

Matewan, West Virginia #4

Matewan, West Virginia #3

Matewan, West Virginia #2

Matewan, West Virginia #1

Lilly near Williamson, West Virginia

My wife, Gerda, with Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield and Randolph “Old Ranel” McCoy

Hatfield and McCoy Half Marathon
Williamson, West Virginia
Saturday, June12, 2010

Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield and Randolph “Old Ranel” McCoy blasted their shot guns to begin the renewed feud known as the Hatfield and McCoy Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday, June 12, 2010. The skies were overcast. The temperature was 70 degrees. The wind was nonexistent. I began to race walk the half marathon. The first two miles were a gradual downhill. The next 4.5 miles were a gradual uphill. The next mile was a steep climb to the top of a mountain pass, which made the total climb to be about 1200 feet. The next mile was a steep downhill, which lost nearly 1000 feet of elevation. The rest of the course was generally a gradual down hill with a few short gradual climbs intermixed within. It was a challenging course. When I reached the top of the mountain pass, a heavy rain began to fall, which after about thirty minutes, changed to intermittent showers for the rest of the race. Some rumbles of thunder could be heard echoing through the mountains. The road was open to traffic which for the most part yielded to the participants. Several police cars travelled slowly along the course encouraging drivers to watch out for the participants. There was no shoulder along most of the roads and coal trucks were part of the traffic. Water/Powerade stations were located every mile and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Spectators were almost nonexistent. The race was part of the Hatfield & McCoy Reunion Festival which featured mountain music, arts & crafts, and food. A pre-race pasta meal which featured actors portraying Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield and Randolph “Old Ranel” McCoy, who explained the main events that occurred in the infamous feud which lasted between 1865 and 1889, and a post race lunch were included in the entry fee which was only $30. It takes a little effort to get to Williamson, West Virginia as it is in a very isolated section of the Appalachian Mountains and lodging is somewhat scarce in the area; however, it was well worth it as far as I am concerned. The event is fun and well organized and economical. The two races attracted a record number of 400 entrants, many of whom belong to the 50 States Marathon Club, the Marathon Maniacs, and the Half Fanatics. In addition to getting to talk to many friends from the clubs to which I belong, I received a bonus as I earned third place in my running age group even though I walked the entire half marathon. Except for the rain which caused flash floods Saturday night, I enjoyed the entire trip.

Me at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota #2

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota #1

Custer State Park, South Dakota Female & Baby Pronghorn

Custer State Park, South Dakota Male Pronghorn

Custer State Park, South Dakota Prairie Dog

Custer State Park, South Dakota Wild Burro

Custer State Park, South Dakota Bison

South Dakota scene #5

South Dakota scene #4

South Dakota scene #3

South Dakota scene #2