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SUMMER IS BACK!! With the floodgates wide open for amazing outdoor experiences near Detroit in June, we have nailed down these "Top Ten Outdoor Events" for kicking off your perfect summer this month! The Detroit region is, without a doubt, a summertime paradise. Don't believe us? Try moving away for a summer, as I did nine years ago when I spent May through early August living in Barcelona, Spain. Admittedly, that was a great problem to have - any time spent living in a foreign culture is time incredibly well spent. Here's our sage advice, though: don't think twice about doing it during primetime in our outdoors - unless you're planning on disconnecting technologically for the entire summer. Why? Because your social media feed and group chats will be FLOODED with your friends and family thriving in our natural environment. Beach days at our pristine lakes. Epic rides on our mountain bike trails. Trail brews after dense forest hikes. Campfires galore. And one of America's best summertime towns to play in after a full day spent recreating under the sun. Truly, friends - there aren't enough tapas or sangria in all of España to drown out the homesickness that summer in Detroit can unleash. And it all kicks off this month with a whirlwind of outdoor events going down in our collective backyards. Without further delay, here are the Top 10 Outdoor Events going down in the Detroit region this month. We can't wait to see you out there! 1. Commemorate International Trails Day with an International Hike June 3rd | Windsor-Essex, Ontario June 3rd, 2023, is going to be a "Day of Days" for outdoor recreation in the Detroit region. From races to festivals, adventure challenges to laid-back picnics, folks are going to be getting outdoors in droves to celebrate none other than one of our favorite holidays: International Trails Day. Since we have two U.S.-based events on deck for this holiday (spoiler alert), we'd like to focus instead on the events that our friends at the Essex Region Conservation Authority are promoting across the border. In honor of the ERCA's 50th anniversary, Canadian (and U.S.) outdoor enthusiasts are invited to venture into the Windsor area's parks and promote conservation through special sponsored hikes. For a minimum tax deductible donation of $25 (CAD) per person or $50 (CAD) per family, expert naturalists will host these hikes at locations across Windsor-Essex for unique guided experiences. 2. Flirt with Trail Running at Maybury State Park June 3rd | Maybury State Park | 7:30 a.m. Rise and shine, runners! International Trails Day has arrived and its time to flirt with your newest or oldest love: trail running in the Detroit region's pristine parks. Better yet, the team at RF Events invites you and hundreds of your closest running friends to hit the trails at their "Flirt with Dirt" 5K, 10K, and Dirty Duo events this Saturday morning at Maybury State Park! The Flirt with Dirt race events mark the second installment of RF Event's "GOAT Trail Series," one of our featured adventure challenges for Summer 2023. Don't worry if you missed the season opening back in April - "Flirt" marks only the second of five qualifying events for the series, so trail runners still have plenty of races left to make their mark on the leader board. We'll see you all at the starting line! 3. Celebrate Detroit's MTB Community at the Milford Bike Fest June 3rd | Milford, Michigan | 9 a.m. Sponsored by our friends at the Motor City Mountain Biking Association, the Milford Bike Fest and its legendary "Century Challenge" represents the largest celebration of southeast Michigan's growing mountain biking community. The festival occurs in Milford because of the trail town's central location to five world-class single track mountain biking trails and features live music, complementary drinks, food discounts, and hundreds of your new favorite riding buddies. The heartbeat of the festival, however, centers around the completion of the Century Challenge: a continuous MTB ride that covers THE ENTIRETY of all five trail systems that are readily accessible from Downtown Milford. Yup, a total distance of over 100 miles in a day. These trail systems include the Milford Trail, Highland State Recreation Area, Hickory Glen, Proud Lake State Recreation Area/the Kensington Connector, and Island Lake State Recreation Area. We have biked each of these trail systems independently, and each one packs one hell of a punch. So, the thought of conquering all five in a single day...yeah, that's definitely one way to earn a post-ride beer! 4. Run the Huron at the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon June 4th | Dexter, Michigan | 8:30 a.m. Yes, you read that correctly - primetime season for longer road races has FINALLY returned! This month, you have the opportunity to run one of the most beautiful courses in the Detroit region during the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon, also known as the "DXA2"or "Run the River" race. Setting off from the quintessential trail town of Dexter, this race runs parallel to the Huron River as the course meanders through Dexter-Huron Metropark, Delhi Metropark, Barton Park, and finally into the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor. The route follows the new B2B Trail and one of the most scenic portions of the Huron, so runners will be treated to some of the best 13.1 miles of natural running in the entire state. DXA2 also features 10K and 5K event options that run only along the Ann Arbor stretches of the Huron River. 5. Voyage Across the Metroparks Throughout June | Lake St. Clair and Oakwoods Metroparks This month, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks invite you to travel both back in time AND across the Metroparks' waterways in their 34 foot replica of a Great Lakes voyageur canoe! These guided paddles will occur intermittently at Lake St. Clair and Oakwoods Metroparks on June 9th, 10th, and 23rd. The experience will provide exploratory and educational opportunities regarding unique wetland habitats, European and early American voyageurs who paddled those canoes during Michigan’s fur trade era, and wildlife viewing for animals like beavers, muskrats, egrets, and swans. These paddles are offered during the day and select evenings, so you will get the opportunity to see varying wildlife and sunset views. Limited seating is available and all ages must wear a lifejacket. 6. Race Along the Detroit Riverfront June 10th | Cullen Plaza, Detroit, Michigan | 8:40 a.m. After a record attendance last year, the Detroit Riverfront Run is back and better than ever for 2023! Join our friends at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in actively celebrating their 20th anniversary with family-friendly 5K and 10K events. The race route will showcase the world-famous Detroit Riverwalk, William G. Milliken State Park, and the Dequindre Cut Greenway. All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, a participating medal, post race snacks, and other goodies offered at the event! 7. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve June 17th | Point Pelee National Park | 7:30 p.m. The days may be reaching peak length as we approach the Summer Solstice this month, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park - the single best stargazing destination in the Detroit region - are still shining as bright as ever! Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. 8. Embrace the Mud at a Tough Mudder Race June 17-18th | Oxford, MI | 8:00 a.m. There comes a certain moment in every race where you mentally give in to the experience. A "point of no return" where you realize that you're locked into running the miles, or swimming the laps, or pedaling up the hill that's in front of you. In military terms, this resiliency-building moment is commonly referred to as "embracing the suck." For Tough Mudder racers, you're forced to "embrace the mud" right from the get-go - and we strongly advise doing so with open arms and disposable running shoes. This month, Tough Mudder will host its sole Michigan event on the weekend of June 17th and 18th in Oxford at Koenig Materials. Runners can choose between 5K, 10K, and 15K events that feature obstacles ranging from ice pits, 40-foot nets, cage crawls, and, of course, lots and lots of mud. Embrace the mud. Live this unforgettable outdoor experience. 9. Prove that You're a Triple Threat at the Motor City Triathlon June 18th | Belle Isle Park | 7:30 a.m. Completing an outdoor race of any kind typically represents one of the crowning achievements of a month well spent. With a triathlon - especially at a destination as idyllic and well-suited for swimming, biking, and running as Belle Isle Park - you get a 3-for-1 special that's honestly a bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Anyone who's completed such a feat will back us up on this point. As the temperatures continue to rise well in June, treat yourself to an unforgettable experience by diving into the cool waters of the Detroit River during the Motor City Triathlon at Belle Isle. Believed to be the fastest triathlon course in the U.S., this race represents the perfect opportunity for seasoned athletes to obtain that coveted PR. There's also a duathlon option for this event (swimming omitted) that kicks off at 7:56 am. 10. COME EXPLORE WITH US! Throughout June (and beyond) | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas After nearly a year of questions, months of negotiations, and weeks of web design/planning, we are ECSTATIC to announce that our brand new Guided Trips platform is FINALLY LIVE! 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 will have the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience. Yes, this is a shameless plug for our business - but in the immortal words of The Pointer Sisters, we're so excited and we just can't hide it! We will be gradually adding new guided summer 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.

The third installation of our #TrailTownSpotlight series, we're highlighting the best outdoor attributes of Dexter, Michigan - the "Hidden Gem of the Huron" - for every hometown recreational enthusiast. I remember the first time that I ever visited the picturesque little city of Dexter, Michigan. My wife had just formally launched her professional acting career at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, a town whose name had sounded vaguely familiar despite my upbringing just 30 miles east on M-14. One warm Saturday afternoon during her rehearsal period, we decided to meet for lunch. I uncharacteristically decided to arrive early to scope out both some lunch options and explore this little town that had always flown under my radar. Reverting to my natural state, I arrived late to our lunch date. But at least this time I had a valid excuse. "Sorry I'm late - Dexter is an AWESOME town, got carried away exploring. Why have we never been here before??" Five years later, this small town continues to surprise me with its wealth of community events, quintessential "Pure Michigan" charm, and - of course - outdoor experiences. Dexter's idyllic shops, restaurants, and location at the confluence of Mill Creek and the Huron River, have elevated the city to a can't miss "Trail Town" that we're honored to spotlight. MEET DEXTER Located just northwest of Ann Arbor, the City of Dexter dates back to 1824, when the city's namesake, Samuel W. Dexter, purchased a large tract of land that would eventually form the city center. Over the next two centuries, Dexter's "Mill Creek Settlement" evolved into the village and eventually the City of Dexter, complete with a rich history involving industrial mills, the Underground Railroad, UFO sightings, and a large tornado that caused substantial damage to the village in 2012. Heading into 2023, Dexter presents a dynamic community offering residents and visitors ample opportunities for shopping and dining along Main Street, enjoying its historical architecture, experiencing its vibrant "Dexter Daze" and other festivals, visiting its cultural hubs, and exploring the beauty of its great outdoors. Naturally, we're excited about shifting this spotlight towards Dexter's beautiful natural environment, but Dexter truly has an amazing experience waiting for every genre of small town tourist. Trust us, all of you foodies, thespians, hikers, and paddlers - a day trip to Dexter will leave you excited for planning your next visit! OUTDOOR HIGHLIGHTS As this article will exemplify, Dexter's outdoor opportunities are influenced largely by its envious location at the crossroads of two beautiful, pristine waterways: Mill Creek and the mighty Huron River. This location not only provides arguably the best paddling opportunities in the Detroit region, but also superb fly fishing locations along both the creek and the river. An extensive network of biking and hiking trails - including the Washtenaw County-redefining "Border to Border" or "B2B" Trail - also run parallel to the waterways, which cumulatively elevate Dexter to a one-stop-shop for recreationists of varying tastes and expertise. More on those water and land trails in a bit. Aside from its world-class trail networks, Dexter also provides the complete package for outdoor enthusiasts of every adventure-seeking level. If paddling rapids or biking 30+ miles isn't quite your cup of tea, then the pedestrian-accessible Hudson Mills and Dexter-Huron Metroparks - which feature family-friendly playgrounds, nature centers, sporting fields, natural trails, and even a labyrinth - will absolutely scratch that recreational itch. Other outdoor outlets around the city include stunning Mill Creek Park along the eastern bank of Mill Creek, Dexter Community Park, First Street Park, Lions Park, and the historic Monument Park that constitutes the heartbeat of Dexter's community vitality. Several hometown races - such as the annual "Holiday Hustle" - cross the finish line right at Monument Park, thereby also establishing the park as the core of Dexter's recreational community for generations. CAN'T MISS EXPERIENCE: The Huron River We have taken the liberty of dubbing Dexter as the Hidden Gem of the Huron. This may come off as fighting words to the other immaculate "Water Trail Towns" situated along the banks of the Huron River National Water Trail, but hear us out. Dexter lives and breathes the Huron. For starters, the 1.9 mile Mill Creek segment of the National Water Trail is the only significant deviation from the main body of the Huron River throughout the entirety of the 104-mile water trail. There's a good reason for that: in 2009, the Village of Dexter removed its Mill Pond Dam impoundment to allow Mill Creek to flow freely once again. Since that decision, the construction of Mill Creek Park, including its famous rapids, boardwalks, two launching points, and revitalized surrounding habitat, have made this short segment of the river a can't miss docking point. Extra destinations include the Dexter Farmer's Market and Riverview Cafe that are a stone's throw away from Mill Creek Park. The perks of Dexter's idyllic location only sweeten once you're back within the main flow of the Huron. Paddling upstream - which we always recommend that you do first - you will paddle directly into Hudson Mills Metropark, including its navigable rapids, wildlife viewing opportunities, and one of four "canoe campgrounds" located along the National Water Trail. Continuing downstream, you will paddle into another Metropark: the less-visited Dexter-Huron Metropark, clearly designed for naturalists looking to find their peace along the river's tranquil banks. Delhi Metropark is also located just downstream from Dexter-Huron, therefore providing you with an opportunity to paddle through 3 pristine metroparks - including views of picturesque Downtown Dexter - within a normal day's paddle. You simply cannot top that experience on the water. BEST FOR THE FAMILY: Hudson Mills Metropark Only have time for one outdoor stop on your Dexter visit with the family? Fortunately, you really can't go wrong with visiting any of the parks or other destinations mentioned in this article. That caveat aside, if you absolutely have to visit only one location, Hudson Mills Metropark provides the best bang for your buck. Obviously, paddling or fishing along the Huron River is a go-to experience for visiting Hudson Mills (the park's amenities include boat rentals). Beyond the water, Hudson Mills also represents a paved cycling and running paradise, including direct access to the world-class B2B Trail and the park's own 3-mile paved trail loop. The expansive metropark also features a 6,560-yard, par-71 golf course, two 24-hole disc golf courses, multi-sport fields, picnic and playgrounds, a nature center, its 2-mile "Acorn" natural hiking trail, and a 6-mile cross-country skiing course. In summary, regardless of the outdoor recreational activity that you may be craving, chances are that Hudson Mills has the exact experience that you're looking for. OFF THE BEATEN PATH: Border to Border Trail Since the early 1990s, Washtenaw County trail innovators started imagining a seamless, world-class trail network stretching from Rawsonville in the southeast corner of the county to Stockbridge in the northwest corner. Over the last 30 years, this initial dream has slowly but steadily evolved into the B2B Trail: a 35-mile, 10 foot wide, ADA accessible, paved pathway that consists of 8 trail corridors that connect recreationists to cities, parks, and destinations throughout the county. Once completed, the trail will not only connect major population centers like Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti to flagship parks like Waterloo and Pinckney State Recreation Areas, but will also constitute a key component of the hiking segment of the Iron Belle Trail. As we've reported on before, the Iron Belle Trail will feature a direct connection across the completed Gordie Howe International Bridge to the Trans Canada Trail. Put differently, by 2024, Detroit will be the international trails capital of North America - and Dexter will provide a prominent gateway to that continent-spanning network. Narrowing the focus back to the B2B Trail, Dexter is located literally at the epicenter of the trail system. Traveling southeast, the uniform trail will run parallel to the Huron River, crossing through Dexter-Huron Metropark, Delhi Metropark, Barton Hills Nature Area, Gallup Park, and Riverside Park near Ypsilanti. Venturing northwest, Dexter marks the bifurcation point of two distinct segments. The northern segment travels through Hudson Mills Metropark and onto the heart of Pinckney State Recreation Area. The western segment - which corresponds with the Iron Belle Trail - travels directly through Chelsea before verging northwest into the heart of Waterloo State Recreation Area. Work crews are still actively constructing both the Dexter-Ann Arbor and Dexter-Chelsea segments of the B2B Trail, with completion anticipated during 2024. FEATURED OUTFITTER: The Painted Trout My favorite part about writing these #TrailTownSpotlight articles is in the prep work: exploring the Trail Towns, visiting the featured locations, and asking locals about their favorite outdoor getaways hiding conveniently in their backyard. Out of every "Featured Outfitter" that I've visited so far, The Painted Trout in the heart of Downtown Dexter has left the greatest impression. Yes, the outfitter features outdoor apparel, gear, and even jewelry that you might expect to find in a similar hometown retailer. But The Painted Trout has a trick up their sleeve, and a visit down to their historical basement will quickly dispel any notion that this is just a typical Detroit region outfitter. The Painted Trout is indisputably the foremost authority on fly fishing gear, instruction, and guided trips in southeast Michigan. The basement cellar features wall-to-wall rods, flys, fly fishing-specific apparel, and helpful employees ready to impart their knowledge, experience, and stories on you. Admittedly, we have hardly touched fishing within the Expedition Detroit platform, but believe us when we say that venturing into fly fishing is very, very much on our agenda - and The Painted Trout will undoubtedly be our first stop on that journey. MORNING FUEL: Joe and Rosie Coffee and Tea Remember that lunch date that I mentioned above? The one that I was late to? Well, the idyllic central location that we met at - including near-panoramic views of the heart of Downtown Dexter - was Joe and Rosie Coffee and Tea, which has since become one of my favorite morning fuel stops. Beyond the provision of artisan tea and coffee, Joe and Rosie's also offers pastries, sandwiches, wraps, and a variety of other warm and cold beverages. Park your bike at one of their on-site racks, grab your morning coffee and breakfast sandwich, crack open a book, and enjoy watching Dexter kick into gear from the windows of this fantastic, welcoming establishment. POST-TRAIL WATERING HOLE: The Beer Grotto We've said it once, twice - possibly a million times by now: nothing beats a post-trail beer, and The Beer Grotto makes sure that this thirst is adequately clenched. Located in the heart of downtown, "The Grotto" offers its faithful plentiful listings of bourbon & spirits, wine & cocktails, pub-style food, and - of course - an extensive craft beer menu. Focusing on the beer, The Grotto pours everything from sours to dark amber ales, Michigan IPA favorites to Belgian choice finds, light Mexican beers to barrel aged ABV heavy-hitters. Bottom line is that regardless of what your post-paddle-palate is craving, The Grotto is all but guaranteed to deliver. This article only scratches the surface on all that Dexter has to offer for its residents and visitors. For more information on local businesses, organizations, and outdoor recreation opportunities, be sure to check out fantastic local networks like the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce. Do you live in Dexter? Have any additional suggestions for our community's attention? Please feel free to suggest any extra experiences, retailers, or outdoor events in the comments below!

Times flies when you're exploring Detroit's outdoors! Now that we have officially crossed into Year 2, here's a quick recap of our favorite highlights from Expedition Detroit's inaugural year in the field - as well as glimpses into where we're heading with our platform. "OK... we're live." I'll never forget saying those words audibly, by myself, sitting on my living room couch. The moment occurred late on a Friday night - actually, it was probably Saturday morning by then - after reading and re-reading my first article for the 100th time that day. Our digital marketing and web design specialist had finally gone to bed after I had lit up her phone incessantly over the previous month. The branding was complete, design work wrapped up, initial concepts planned, and the site appeared somewhat user-friendly. All that remained on my to-do list was click that one, terrifying button. "Here we go..." With that unceremonious action, a dream that had consumed far too many early morning coffee cups and dinnertime conversations instantaneously became a reality. Suddenly every aspect of my professional life became geared towards supporting this fledgling enterprise, a vision for creating the ultimate value incubator for the entirety of our region's outdoor industry. A one-stop shop for the best trails, experiences, retailers, events, causes, and more within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit. A mission to fundamentally change the way that Detroit, the Great Lakes, and the rest of the world views our magnificent natural environment. And most importantly, an unquenchable desire to serve our outdoor community by advocating for the creation, expansion, and protection of our outdoor spaces. To summarize, it was finally time to get to work - a ****-ton of work - with no guarantee of how the Detroit region's outdoor community would react to our arrival. Well, one year later, we're ecstatic to announce that we have found our place amidst Detroit's thriving, exciting, diverse, and overwhelmingly-welcoming community . This past year has brought forth more ground-breaking experiences, dynamic partnerships, and once-in-a-lifetime chances than we could have ever hoped for. Yes, this year has also featured a plethora of mistakes made and lessons learned. However, we as a team couldn't be more excited for the breadth of opportunities that are already starting to align for Year 2 and beyond. Truly, we still feel like we're just getting started. Before moving full steam ahead into this next year of our operations, we wanted to briefly pause and look back on our favorite highlights from this past year . While we would never bother you with a short novel on our brief history, we wanted to share our most popular articles and memorable adventures from this past year. Long-time readers, we hope that you enjoy this trek down memory lane. Recent converts, hopefully this provides a glimpse into where we've been and the momentum that we're carrying into our next phase of expeditions. Here's a quick recap of our favorite highlights from Expedition Detroit's Inaugural Year: TOP READS : OUR 3 MOST POPULAR ARTICLES Since our genesis , the " Expedition Detroit Blog" has represented our go-to resource for engaging with our community. From highlighting specific trails and trail towns to reviewing top-industry gear and guides, we have aimed to create a comprehensive library for our community to learn, experience, and leave a positive impact on our outdoor ecosystem. This mission has matured and grown through the growth of our readership and the community's consistent feedback. Personally, my favorite highlights of this year have consisted almost exclusively of instances where community members have shared how a particular article inspired them or benefitted their experience outdoors. That being said, not all articles are created equal...and t hese three ranked far above the rest in popularity with our readers . 1. TRAIL TOWN SPOTLIGHT: AMHERSTBURG, ONTARIO Date Published : March 20, 2023 Oh, Canada! We had no idea what to expect last winter when we crossed the Ambassador Bridge into Ontario. Well, I knew at the time that the historic town of Amherstburg had incredible odds of providing a gold mine for world-class outdoor, historical, and cultural experiences. The trail pup and I spent a full day exploring Holiday Beach Conservation Area, downtown Amherstburg, and the Windsor Riverfront. We were conducting field research for several articles at the time, including a prospective #TrailTuesday on Holiday Beach, Part II of our Underground Railroad series , and a Trail Town Spotlight on Amherstburg. In full transparency, when we originally posted each of those articles, we didn't see a lot of traction at first. "No worries," I remember thinking when I reviewed the metrics, "still a phenomenal experience." Then, when I was on a flight home from a ski trip, I received push notification that our web traffic was soaring. I checked Expedition Detroit's metrics. Friends, Amherstburg SHOWED UP for their Trail Town Spotlight..! The article was broadly shared across Southwestern Ontario, as well as within Michigan and the greater Great Lakes region. Looking ahead, we're really excited to provide this community with more Ontario content mixed in with our Michigan-centric articles. After all, the Detroit Region's outdoors truly unite a dynamic, international community of adventure enthusiasts. It's our honor to connect with both likeminded outdoorists hailing from sides of the border. 2. TRAIL TOWN SPOTLIGHT: NORTHVILLE, MICHIGAN Date Published : November 29, 2022 Our second published " Trail Town Spotlight " started simply as a love letter to my hometown of Northville, Michigan . Located in the heart of the Detroit region, I always thought that Northville represented a "hiding in plain sight" outdoor recreational marvel. Conveniently caught in the crosshairs between Maybury State Park and Hines Drive , my years spent living in Northville provided a year-round opportunity to pursue my favorite outdoor pursuits. From mountain biking and trail running in the summer to snowshoeing and creative backcountry skiing in the winter, Northville blessed me and my community with world-class parks and trails. In this "Spotlight," my simple goal was to give back via recognizing the recreational value that so many unrecognized heroes had provided to their neighbors for generations. As confirmed by our metrics, I was far from representing the only outdoor enthusiast that held these sentiments. Our "Trail Town Spotlight" feature on Northville received broad readership throughout Metro Detroit and beyond, including several shares within prominent Northville community online forums. Several long time friends actually read the article without even realizing that I wrote it, which I was personally very proud of. We always intended for Expedition Detroit to be community-focused, highlighting the values of our region's destinations and trails - not the authors writing about them. I will happily live my professional life incognito as long as our outdoor ecosystem continues receiving the praise and recognition that it is undeniably owed. 3. GUIDE TO EXPERIENCING THE BIG FOUR SKI RESORTS NEAR DETROIT Date Published : December 13, 2022 Rounding out the podium for Year 1 was one of our first "guide articles" to a multi-destination experience: the " Guide to Experiencing the Big Four Resorts near Detroit ." Truth be told, we didn't know if anyone had ever referred to Mt. Brighton, Alpine Valley, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob as the "Big Four" before. We took a bit of a chance on that, but the gamble appeared to pay off with the broad-receptivity that our guide received. Better yet, each of the Big Four re-posted our article, which absolutely led to its boost in readership. While we plan on writing a "2023 update" to our Big Four guide, we're also planning on further diving into winter content specifically focused on new experiences at each of the resorts next season. No spoilers will be dropped here, but let's just say we're pretty stoked for the first snowflakes to start falling next winter. IN THE FIELD : OUR 3 MOST MEMORABLE ADVENTURES When the " Expedition Detroit Concept" first started burrowing into my mind in the early months of 2022, one particular daydream absolutely captivated me and propelled the idea closer to becoming a reality. It went something like this: Imagine being able to wake up every day with the goal of experiencing, discovering, or creating something new and exciting in Detroit's outdoors. Maybe I had seen one too many National Geographic documentaries featuring TV personalities flying to all corners of the world to "discover" something novel and exotic about a well-known destination, but I dreamed about somewhat replicating the model. Except - and this is key - such expeditions would occur here . In a place that hardly anyone appeared to regard as an outdoor destination. Far off the radar of the often elitist recreational writers of publications like National Geographic and Outside Magazine . A region ripe for rediscovery. With that mindset solidly locked in, we started researching the year-round opportunities available to us. Our initial hypothesis turned about to be dead one: the Detroit region is filled to the brim with world-class, daring, and breathtaking outdoor adventure s . We barely scratched the surface this year with our backpacking, backcountry skiing, and multi-destination hiking pursuits... Plenty of adventures remain primed and chambered for Year 2, but here were our favorite ones from our inaugural year. 1. BACKPACKING THE WATERLOO-PINCKNEY TRAIL Dates Accomplished : April 20 - 22, 2023 If we were forced to recommend only one multi-day experience for an experienced outdoor enthusiast visiting the Detroit region, we would recommend thru-hiking the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail without a second thought. As of the publication date of this article, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail without a doubt the Metro Detroit's most prestigious, challenging, and rewarding trail. We fell in love with the dream of thru-hiking the trail as soon as it crossed our radar last fall, added it to our " New Year's Resolutions " in January, and jumped at the opportunity to complete the feat as soon as spring had sprung and campgrounds opened for backpackers. Completing the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail in early spring was a near-religious experience for me. The solitude of the empty trails, the new life emerging from the earth, and the inherent physical and psychological challenges of solo backpacking roughly 40 miles provided the perfect initiation experience for Expedition Detroit's spring and summer content. The tone was set to keep searching for and experiencing that types of trails and pursuits that appealed to both novice and experienced recreationists alike . I owe that drive to my miles on the W-P, and I strongly encourage you to replicate that experience. 2. BACKPACKING THE CHIEF PONTIAC TRAIL Dates Accomplished : July 7-8, 2023 In another moment of transparency, we did not plan to complete more than one backpacking adventure in our inaugural year . Completing the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail alone was enough of an expedition to constitute the crowning achievement of a full recreational year. However, after completing the W-P, our site-wide metrics for backpacking and hiking-related content skyrocketed between April and early July. Even though our articles on the W-P didn't crack the "Top 3" listed above, our three-part series on the trail remains our most-read series since their original publication. We inadvertently seemed to have ignited a long-stifled desire for more backpacking content in the Detroit region . A fire that we were more than happy to continue stoking via setting out on another backpacking adventure: completing the half-century old Chief Pontiac Trail . While the W-P constitutes a well-maintained and well-trodden thru-hike, completing the CPT felt more like a true expedition. An often difficult, haphazardly maintained, and navigationally-chaotic expedition . One where I missed a trail marker within the first mile and ended up adding close to 5 miles to my overall thru-hike. Oh yeah, and also one of the worst campground experiences of my outdoor career . Here's the thing about brutal outdoor experiences though: they're almost always the most memorable . I have never enjoyed a backpacking story that starts and ends with " Everything was perfect ." Screw that. I want to hear about how you survived a near-zero degree night in the desert. Or when you were stranded on an island in Alaska. Or how you managed to keep trekking through buckets of rain in the Tetons. Solo hiking the CPT provided roughly 20 miles of humility, adventure, mosquitos, thrilling views, highway hiking, blissful solitude, midnight arrivals, obnoxious campgrounds, and rain. Lots of rain. But when I look back on Summer 2023 - and Expedition Detroit's first year - the CPT will always stand out as a reminder to keep going no matter how incredible or bleak the conditions may appear. In the end, the journey will always be worth the effort . 3. COMPLETING THE METROPARKS TRAIL CHALLENGE Dates Accomplished : August 5-17, 2022 The final adventure that we completed during Year 1 was, admittedly, an extended impulse decision . We spent most of Expedition Detroit's first year exploring the Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas surrounding the western edge of the Detroit region, largely due to our partnerships with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In full transparency, that apparent preference left us feeling like we were ignoring some of the other world-class outdoor destinations in our vicinity - especially the immaculate Huron-Clinton Metroparks that dot the outer rim of the Detroit region. The joys of operating with a small ( but growing! ) team. The Metroparks' 2023 Trail Challenge first crossed our radar back in early May. We were researching the " Best Summer Challenges " to complete over the warmest months ahead, and the concept of hiking particular "Challenge Trails" throughout the entirety of the Metroparks system absolutely qualified for a fun-yet-arduous endeavor. We also hoped that it would provide us with the incentive to finally get our boots on the ground in each Metropark. Well, in classic Expedition Detroit fashion, we waited until summer's final fleeting days to tackle the challenge. We actually raised the stakes by setting a rigid timeline for us: 13 trails in 13 days . This did require a few multi-Metropark days in order to complete due to poor time management by yours truly, but we successfully completed the Trails Challenge within our arbitrary deadline. In fact, visiting all of the Metroparks in a vacuum like that provided a beautiful panoramic perspective of the diversity of each of the parks. Do we recommend only visiting the Metroparks in such a hectic manner? No. Absolutely not. But, if you'd also like to replicate the " Expedition Detroit method" of completing the Trails Challenge, then we do highly recommend completing the feat for gaining that unique perspective on our Metroparks. We'd like to close this highlights article out by thank you again for being a member of our community. Our highest goal truly is to provide you with content that inspires your adventures, outfits your expeditions, and advocates for preserving your favorite wild places. We are always one email or call away from discovering how we can best design this platform for your interests, so please don't hesitate to contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com and (734) 821-6416.

Grit. Tenacity. Resilience. Detroiters take pride in these attributes when applied to our work ethic, sports, and generational "we will overcome" spirit. Better yet, Detroit's outdoors provide the perfect arena for acquiring and sharpening our resiliency skills. Midwesterners - and especially Detroiters - are tough. This statement doesn't reflect a biased opinion from a homegrown writer. This is an all but universally-recognized fact, and the supporting evidence is overwhelming. Revitalized neighborhoods. Transformed downtowns. Reclaimed green spaces. Enterprising entrepreneurship. Undying fan bases. And most importantly, our intangible-yet-undeniable approach to all of life's challenges and opportunities. A "screw the conditions, let's get after it" ethos that has provided the bedrock for our region's global leadership in innovation, productivity, and resilience for a century. A recent article from Ski Magazine reinforced this theme. In an article aptly titled "Skiing Needs More Midwestern Vibes," the author notes that midwesterners have developed a "toughness that is impenetrable to the cold and sound decision-making." The article further defines midwesterners as the most "no frills" contingency on any mountain. Regardless of the conditions, "folks are skiing for skiing's sake . . . they only need to go downhill, anywhere, with snow." Amen to that. We at Expedition Detroit are immensely proud of this "hard work heritage" that our region has inherited. While applying these traits to our operations, we've found ourselves caught in a serendipitous productivity cycle: the more that we lean into exploring our outdoors for value creation opportunities, we've returned to the office taking far more lessons away from the experience. Stated differently, our forests, trails, beaches, and waterways constitute the supreme sensei on all facets of life. A wilderness experience provides the ultimate masterclass on ingenuity, creativity, tenacity, self-care, and resiliency - a core skill that applies just as much to setting up camp as launching a new enterprise, strengthening a marriage, or recovering from a major setback in life. A skill that we should all actively seek to incorporate and strengthen within our daily lives. A skill that you can sharpen in Detroit's outdoors through these five resilience-building ways. 1. WAKE UP EARLY Goal: Rise before sunrise on a regular, if not daily, basis. Rationale: Studies have consistently supported the physical, mental, and other personal benefits of rising early. Application: For roughly two years, Robin Sharma's best-selling book The 5AM Club collected dust on my bedside table. For anyone who knew me pre-2023, this scenario was predictable - I was a notorious night owl, including regularly going to bed at 4AM during my college years. While I occasionally harnessed the solitary hours of midnight through 4AM for undisturbed productivity, I always knew that this unorthodox lifestyle was unsustainable. Getting married, joining the legal profession, and developing my interests in outdoor recreation further drove home the hypothesis that a regular circadian routine - including rising early - would strengthen each of these core interests. Spoiler alert, this hypothesis turned out not only to be correct in my personal life, but also a scientifically-verified practice. As stated in The 5AM Club, rising early - especially when coupled with exercise - produces the physiological benefits of cleansing the stress hormone cortisol from your body, increasing your dopamine and serotonin levels, elevating your metabolism, and releasing "brain-derived neurotrophic factor" which repairs brain cells damaged by stress and accelerates the formation of neural connections. The cumulative benefits of these micro-processes include increased and sustained focus, productivity, creativity, energy, fitness, and longevity, coupled with decreases in depression and stress. As anyone who has ever slept in the field can attest, spending a night in a tent, shelter, or under the stars will certainly strengthen this life-giving, resilience-building habit. The symphony of bird calls coupled with the gradual increase in daylight will trigger nature's circadian alarm clock to go off in your neurobiology, thereby kick-starting the other benefits listed above. No backpacker, hunter, or rider has ever complained about boosted levels of focus, energy, and creativity while on the trail - nor has any corporate associate, artist, or other professional in their workspace. These benefits translate A-to-A from the field to the desk, and the outdoors provide a perfect environment for cultivating this early-riser habit. 2. SLEEP OUTSIDE ONE NIGHT EACH MONTH Goal: Spend one night each month sleeping in a tent, shelter, or under the stars. Rationale: Sleeping outside improves sleep quantity and quality, increases cognitive function, reduces stress, and improves your immune system. Application: Alright, so now we know the benefits of early rising - as well as that camping alone facilitates acquiring that resiliency habit. However, science further defends that "tent sleeping," or really any outdoor overnight sleeping method, provides a litany of additional physiological benefits beyond realigning our circadian methods. And yes, the benefits actually increase during the colder months. To begin with, simply sleeping outside throughout the year has proven to improve immune system functionality and speed up metabolic rates. Scientific research has demonstrated that when sleeping outdoors, you expose your body to helpful microorganisms that give your immune system a test drive and help you prepare for more dangerous viruses or bacteria. Additionally, research supports that spending more time outside will increase the white cells and protein levels in your blood, thereby protecting you from life-threatening diseases like cancer. During the winter, leading research supports the notion that these benefits are further enhanced by the colder air. Studies show that winter camping helps reduce inflammation, improve our brain's cognitive functionality, and increase metabolism as the body burns more fat to keep you warm. In summary, since we have the blessing of recreating in a four-season environment, why not harness winter's benefits while also improving the resiliency of our physical and mental capacities? Quick word of caution here: you need the right equipment to maximize the benefits of this outdoor resiliency method. Yes, sleeping on a deflated air mattress, in a warm-weather sleeping bag, over exposed rocks, and in 15ºF conditions will undoubtedly build "resiliency" (if that example sounds oddly specific, let's just say that my back is still sore). It will also greatly increase the likelihood that you will never want to sleep outside ever again. Especially for winter camping, make sure that you buy - and "backyard test" - the right winter gear BEFORE heading out into more isolated locations. 3. LEARN ONE NEW (SURVIVAL) SKILL EACH YEAR Goal: Every year, pursue at least one particular skillset that you are not proficient at but would greatly benefit from mastering - especially in the outdoors. Rationale: Developing a lifelong habit of learning not only will equip you with new and valuable skills, but also augment your cognitive capacity. Application: Always Be Learning. If there's one key takeaway from the inundation of "self-optimization" audiobooks and podcasts that narrate our commutes and workouts, then that's it. Just as Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion states that "an object at rest remains at rest," we further theorize that a "mind at rest remains at rest - and therefore atrophies." The inverse of our theory as that a "mind in motion remains in motion - and therefore grows." When it comes to the outdoors, the single best skill, gear, or other utility that you can bring into the field is a sharp mind. The simplest method of sharpening your brain is by improving your cognitive capacity via regularly "exercising your brain." An exercised brain is a challenged brain, so learning new skillsets - especially those geared towards equipping you for experiences in the outdoors - will have a compounding benefit of improving your memory, focus, reasoning, processing, problem-solving, technical, and outdoor skills. Wondering which outdoor skills to start with? We recommend starting right at the basics: read a survival skills book, practice building a shelter and/or contained fire, learn about wilderness first aid, and regularly practice with your camping or backpacking gear. Beyond the outdoors, you can also great improve your cognitive abilities through enrolling in community educational classes, learning a second language, practicing a musical instrument, and regularly dancing. As an extra benefit, scientific studies summarily agree that an aggregate resiliency effect of lifelong learning includes diminishing the onset of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other memory-affecting ailments. 4. ADD 1% TO YOUR PURSUITS Goal: Plan your ideal duration for training runs, paddling mileage, hiking treks, or other physical pursuits - and then add 1% more to that duration. Rationale: Adding incremental increases to physical endeavors cumulates in sustainable, consistent, and significant growth in the aggregate. Application: At the end of a long run - especially those monster 10+ mile runs as you're getting closer to your half-marathon, marathon, or ultra race day - the tendency to glance at your watch to hit your target distance becomes more and more tempting. Harsh conditions or rapidly declining energy levels can further allow an appeasing voice to whisper into your ear; although gently at the beginning, soft nudges towards ending a run early can snowball into screaming demands for the experience to end, numbers on the watch be damned. No, giving into such demands does not equate to weakness. This voice that we all hear simply means that we're human, and therefore we naturally lean into our innate survivalist state to take the path of least resistance. Which has collectively served us well over the course of human history...but in our bloated 21st century lives, this tendency has also led to skyrocketing figures of obesity, complacency, and lack of resiliency across every sphere of our lives. In other words, our contemporary comforts + survivalist nature = decreased drive to venture into the realm of discomfort. What can we do to combat this? Quoting long-distance runner and former special operations solider David Goggins, "The reason it’s important to push the hardest when you want to quit the most is because it helps you callous your mind." A calloused mind is a trained mind, which sometimes requires some harmless manipulation in order to train properly. The 1% Rule, as captured in the best-selling book by Tommy Baker, is a simple, time-tested means of such beneficial manipulation. The core concept of the rule is that by consistently and persistent increasing the intensity of physical pursuits by just 1%, you will make significant and successful progress over the course of a year, decade, and lifetime. For me personally, I typically apply this concept at the start of my runs - if I'm scheduled to run 5 miles, I set my watch at 5.05 miles. That way, when that tempting voice starts to creep in towards the end of my run, I already have the extra distance hardwired in. Now, at the end of that run, I have not only completed the required 5 miles, but added a little extra mileage on top of resisting the urge to ease up on my workout. A win-win for both physical and mental resiliency. 5. COMPLETE A SOLO AND GROUP TREK EACH YEAR Goal: Complete at least two overnight camping trips per year - one by yourself and one with at least one other person. Rationale: Actively developing both your self-reliant and collaborative skillsets while in the wild will equip you with the experience to successfully handle the broad spectrum of life's challenges. Application: "Survival Shows" are truly having a moment right now in the media spotlight. For several years now, "Alone" has been my personal favorite show: a "last person standing" contest where several survival experts are dropped off at dispersed locations in a wilderness destination, forced to live off of the land in complete isolation from one another. Then, just this past March, Netflix flipped the survivalist concept on its head with its groundbreaking "Outlast": a "last team standing" show where contestants must collaborate with at least one other person or else face elimination. Collectively, these shows demonstrate the core skillset required to survive and thrive not only in the wilderness, but also back home: an ability to successfully operate both independently AND in team environments. Where should one go to test and hone in on such skills? Grab your pack, and then a buddy or two. You're headed to the woods. Okay...so why two trips? Well, for starters, camping is not easy - regardless of how many hands are available around a campfire ring to assist with seemingly basic tasks. With a group trip, while you will have strength in numbers for gathering firewood, filtering water, running your camp stove, setting up tents, and other "home base functions," the lethal combination of sore feet, inclement weather, incessant insects, and - most dangerous of all - clashing personalities, can all but nullify the benefits of a group. In order to successfully camp with a group, the group must be willing to leave their egos at the trailhead, allocate responsibilities equitably, and collectively agree to maintain positive vibes regardless of what the trail throws at them. For example, I was lucky enough to join a group of 15 backpackers that traversed one of Colorado's most challenging trails last summer. Maybe the altitude affected my memory, but I do not remember a single argument within our group despite the mileage, climbs, different backgrounds, and weather. To summarize this point, as author Yvonne Prinz famously penned, "If you can survive camping with someone, you should marry them on the way home." On the other end of the spectrum, you have the ultimate test in resiliency: solo camping. Don't get us wrong, while is an undeniable beauty in the unrestrained freedom that solo backpacking provides to those daring enough to embark on it, there is also an unrelenting uncertainty regarding the "What ifs." On a personal note, despite my decade+ of group backpacking experience, my stomach was in a knot as I took my first solo steps on my thru-hike of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail last month. My trusted companions were not available to share in transporting the gear. My small med kit was the only true professional medic on the trail (I have the luxury of typically hiking with an E.R.'s quantity of doctors). Solo backpacking or camping means that you are truly alone, along with the responsibility of addressing any and all variables that the trail may throw at you. That may sound scary, but now imagine fast-forwarding to the end of your solo trip. You have just completed 24 hours+ by yourself in the elements, a completely self-sustaining machine of an outdoor enthusiast. You have embraced and conquered every challenge without the assistance of another. You have definitively answered the questions of "Can I do this..." or "Am I capable of..." in the affirmative. Yes, you are capable. Yes, you have what it takes. And yes, this newfound confidence translates to other realms of your professional and personal life, further boosting the benefits of the first four aspects of this article. To summarize this two-for-one outdoor resiliency method, taking time each year to develop your ability to work successfully with others AND by yourself might be the single greatest skill that you could meaningfully develop. A successful, resilient life incorporates both of these elements flawlessly: acquiring the skills that you need to survive alone, while also recognizing and delegating certain responsibilities to others. In honor of #MentalHealthAwareness month, we wanted to share these five outdoor ways of building resiliency during a time when our "indoor culture" is reeling from a mental health epidemic. A perfect storm of oppressive work commitments, poor dietary and sleep habits, insufficient time to exercise, and an increasing dependency on technology for cognitive stimuli is undeniably eroding our culture's ability to obtain and sustain peace, joy, and productivity. Unfortunately, all indicators point towards this "mental health crisis" remaining a turbulent force for the foreseeable future. Please, friends - don't toss in the towel on this issue. There are a wealth of mental health resources available to us all, but ultimately each of us must be willing to implement daily practices towards building our fortitude against this crisis. Fortunately, the most potent AND accessible resource is waiting just outside your door. Our great outdoors provide an idyllic sanctuary for healing and strengthening our core resiliency skillsets - and our sincere hope is that these 5 methods will provide an initial framework for embarking on this lifelong expedition. We can't wait to see you out there.

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.

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!

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. Every five years, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (the "Michigan DNR") rolls up their sleeves, wades into a half-decade of data, and taps into their collective brainstorming power. The Michigan DNR takes these actions with one singular goal: progress . Progress in terms of improving the protection and preservation of Michigan's natural and cultural resources. Provision of access to outdoor recreation and education resources. Expansion and operation of an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic natural ecosystem. Ensuring the sustainability and viability of our natural resources, so that they will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. Since Expedition Detroit's founding, we have sought to partner with the Michigan DNR in each of these ambitions. Yes, the sustainability of the Detroit region's outdoor recreation industry is a business interest that we are heavily invested in. Beyond that superficial alignment, however, we also recognize that without the Michigan DNR's tireless and often thankless service to Michigan's outdoors - dispersed across 103 state parks, more than 300,000 acres of public land, 140 state forest campgrounds, 13,750 state park campsites, and over 14,430 miles of state-designated trails - the vast majority of our state's wilderness areas and wild experiences would simply not exist. We are collectively indebted beyond measure to the Michigan DNR. Thankfully, we have an opportunity right now to give back to both support the Michigan DNR while influencing the future of our outdoors. Between now and January 20th , the Michigan DNR has requested for the public to review and comment on its working draft of its Parks and Recreation Division Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 , which identifies goals and objectives for the Michigan DNR to prioritize over the upcoming five-year period. This "public review" period constitutes one of the final and most important phases of the Strategic Plan's drafting process before funds get allocated, recreational rights get prioritized, and work boots hit the trails. Don't worry - we have already read through the draft Strategic Plan and will provide a "sparknotes" summary here. We also took the initiative to propose three corresponding suggestions for the Michigan DNR to consider for their final draft. Here's our take on the working draft of the Michigan DNR's 5 Year Strategic Plan : EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Actions Aimed at Tackling Pandemic and Climate Change Challenges Friends, we have some good news and bad news for you. Always starting with the bad, if you clicked on this article hoping for a fiery evisceration or hostile takedown of the Michigan DNR's planned operations, then this is not the article for you. Sorry ( but not really ). That leaves us with the good news: we couldn't be more excited to endorse the operations and key objectives that the DNR has proposed for the upcoming 5 years . Especially given the 30% increase in visitor traffic that our state lands have experienced since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan DNR has recognized the momentous responsibility on its shoulders resulting from unprecedented recreational interest throughout our state. While this historic uptick in outdoor recreation has generated $26.6 billion for our state's tourism industry, the tidal wave of visitors has exacerbated management and staffing issues, strained environmental sustainability safeguards, and brought underlying fundamental issues like infrastructure maintenance and stakeholder inclusion to the foreground. In light of the changes and challenges experienced during the pandemic-era, here are the six primary issues (presented without priority) that the DNR has identified for addressing during the next 5 years : 1. Continued Recreation and Resource Conservation . The DNR's facilities continue to experience higher visitation, resulting in greater resource impacts and demands to expand traditional recreation endeavors, as well as developing innovative recreation opportunities. Combating forest health issues, such as emerald ash borer, oak wilt and hemlock wooly adelgid, in addition to other invasive species, will also remain a top priority for the longevity of Michigan's state parks. 2. Environmental Sustainability . The effects of climate change remain a potent threat to Michigan's ecosystem, and the Michigan DNR has made a commitment to utilizing public lands towards mitigate those effects. The Michigan DNR will install renewable energy systems to reduce its carbon footprint, add electric vehicle charging stations at state parks and marinas, increase the use of electric equipment at its facilities, and expand and promote waste reduction and recycling programs. 3. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice . In line with the greater outdoor recreation industry, the Michigan DNR will remain committed to fostering and promoting an environment focused on equity and inclusion to expand and broaden the diversity of its visitors and workforce. Continued review of the Michigan DNR's operations and facilities will identify where improvements are required to ensure the provision of acceptable service to all visitors, regardless of ability, ethnic background, and location. 4. Funding . While the $250 million in funding from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act will benefit a significant portion of the state parks’ infrastructure needs, the Michigan DNR anticipates that sustained inflation, raw material shortages, and implementing many large projects - in less than five years - will trigger additional fiscal challenges. 5. Management and Administration . The Michigan DNR administrative challenges have included updating policies and procedures to meet changing needs, keeping pace with essential technology advances, and responding to political and public pressures. The Michigan DNR will aim to improve its operational efficiencies through forming strategic partnerships, enhanced data management capacity, improved technology, and refining its general business practices. 6. Staffing . Occupational pressure on Michigan DNR employees has grown significantly over the past 5 years due to staffing shortages and increased use of Michigan DNR facilities brought on by unprecedented recreational usage, both of which were spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic. To summarize, the DNR is aiming to utilize the next five years towards rectifying, improving, and preventing the challenges faced during the last five years - and especially during the peak pandemic era. As we're all painfully aware, the changes that occurred across the country during 2020 brought several endemic political, societal, and economic issues to light. Conversely, the pandemic also shone a spotlight on the value of outdoor recreation, both in terms of its economic and social benefits. These six goals reflect the DNR's acceptance that its management, staffing, resource allocation, environmental sustainability, and social equity initiatives require significant further development and investment in order to surpass recent challenges. We applaud the Michigan DNR for the prioritization of these goals...but we also think that even more specificity should be included. Especially for the benefit of the Detroit region. EXPEDITION DETROIT SUGGESTIONS: FURTHER SPECIFY PLANNED OBJECTIVES Out of the DNR's six stated objectives, the only one that we thought could and should be further refined is #1: to preserve, protect, maintain and restore Michigan’s natural and cultural resources on DNR-administered lands . Don't get us wrong, this goal by itself is fantastic. However, after reading - and re-reading - the draft Strategic Plan, we found the lack of specificity on clear objectives to be underwhelming. In light of this sole critique (and to avoid any accusations of hypocrisy), here are three specific suggestions that we propose for inclusion in the final Strategic Plan: 1. Acquisition and Preservation of Reclaimed Green Space. As we have all witnessed over the last few decades, the cityscape of the City of Detroit has changed dramatically. Rising skyscrapers downtown and reclaimed lots from previously blighted structures represent the most visible manifestations of a living, evolving, and resurgent city. A great American city. Our city. The Expedition Detroit team encourages the Michigan DNR to further invest in the future of Detroit through active participation in the reclamation and development of the city's vacant lands. In line with the DNR's goal of preserving Michigan's natural resources, the conservation of such vacant lands via the establishment of new parks and natural areas would permanently protect critical portions of Detroit's growing " open space network ," as well as ensure that nature, food systems, and recreational health opportunities are preserved throughout the city. On a practical level, the successful development of the Detroit Riverfront, William G. Milliken State Park, the Michigan DNR's Outdoor Adventure Center, and the upcoming developments at Ralph Wilson Park, represent recent examples of a long history of vacant land acquisitions turned into beneficial green spaces for outdoor recreation. Looking ahead towards the next five years, we absolutely endorse - and expect - the Michigan DNR to continue this productive, inclusive, and sustainable trend. 2. Expansion of Backpacking Opportunities. As we have published nearly ad nauseum , our mission involves the creation and acceleration of value for Detroit’s emerging outdoor industry . This mission specifically includes providing guidance for discovering this region’s best outdoor experiences, and as such we have concentrated our research efforts towards a deep dive into every facet of Detroit's outdoor recreation industry. While our research has uncovered a lifetime's worth of beautiful, awe-inspiring recreational opportunities, there is one specific field where we're sorely lacking: backpacking opportunities . Yes, we have the spectacular Waterloo-Pinckney Trail , Chief Pontiac Trail , and a few other longer trails that we could generously stretch to be considered a bona fide "backpacking trail." But look, let's be honest - backpacking is Detroit's pain point, so let's change the narrative by actively investing in our backpacking resources. Here's the good news: the Michigan DNR is already deep into the process of developing trail infrastructure that will support the future of Southeast Michigan backpacking. The DNR's forthcoming Iron Belle Trail represents the greatest opportunity to efficiently address this problem, especially since it intersects and corresponds directly with other trail networks like the B2B Trail, Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, North Country National Scenic Trail, and - eventually - the Trans Canada Trail. Put differently, the Michigan DNR has absolutely nailed it when planning the Iron Belle's route across both peninsulas. There's only one key component that's still missing, and one that I directly posed to a Michigan DNR representative at the Southeast Michigan Regional Trails Summit last month. For the Iron Belle to represent a true "backpacking route," let's say of a North Country or Appalachian Trail caliber, the Michigan DNR must invest further in building or facilitating campground construction for thru hikers. In the current iteration of the Iron Belle's interactive map, accessible campgrounds for backpackers aren't available until Waterloo State Recreation Area. Ultralight be damned, one does not simply walk from Belle Isle to Waterloo in a day... For Michigan to firmly establish itself as the "Trails State," we need more campgrounds for backpackers. Period. 3. Eradication of Oriental Bittersweet. If you have spent any time hiking in the Detroit region - especially along its outer, western rim - then I'm willing to bet that you've encountered the dangerously invasive Oriental Bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatus ) vine. If you're not sure what I'm referring to, take a hike through Highland State Recreation Area, Maybury State Park, or really any other state park or recreation area. Honestly, we'd be impressed if you didn't notice acres upon acres of long, interwoven vines, some of which are as thick as tree trunks. These vines are literally and figuratively strangling our region's natural vegetation with boa constrictor efficiency. Oriental Bittersweet poses several significant risks to our great outdoors and the recreationists that enjoy them. Beyond climbing and overtaking native trees and shrubs, the vines add immense weight to tree canopies, leading to breakage of otherwise secure trees and branches. I kid you not, my buddy's dad nearly lost his life on Opening Day of bow season last fall when an Oriental Bittersweet-strangled tree fell during our mid-day break and crushed his pop-up blind. Yes, we acknowledge and applaud that the Strategic Plan already addresses the removal of invasive species as a key component of its 5 year agenda. Call us particular, but we simply would like to see Oriental Bittersweet specifically listed as a top public enemy on the DNR's "kill list" for 2023-2027. This shouldn't come as a surprise, either; the Michigan DNR has already published public notices regarding the identification and eradication of the vine, including best practices for its removal. In other words, Oriental Bittersweet is a dangerously prolific invasive species that the Michigan DNR already knows how to effectively kill. We are simply asking for the department to flex some conservation muscle and release the kraken on this pest. We strongly encourage each of you to also read the entirety of the draft Strategic Plan, as well as provide your own comments to the Michigan DNR via DNR-PRD-Planning@Michigan.gov . What do you think of our suggestions? Any important ideas or considerations that you would like to add? Let us know in the comments below!

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.

What do you get when you cram all four seasons of the year into 31 days? The month of March in Michigan - the epitome of "shoulder season" recreation where your days can start with a morning cycle and finish with skiing through powder. Here are Detroit's top 10 outdoor events for capitalizing on March's kaleidoscope of recreation opportunities. Shoulder. Season. There are no better two words for describing what Detroit region recreationists experience in March when trying to plan for a full day of outdoor experiences. If you're a glass-half-full kind of person, then March should represent your favorite month of the year. For the next 31 days, you will have ample opportunities to run on pristine trails in the morning and ski decent powder in the evening. Or bust out the fat tire bike for snow-covered trails in the early hours before basking in the warmth of a mid-afternoon kayak. Our most coveted parks are still largely vacant of warmer-weather crowds. The most sought-after river routes or campsites available for your recreational leisure. As a cherry on top, most state park drinking regulations don't take effect until April 1st. The obvious converse of these benefits is that, if timed poorly or conditions-dependent, March will simply suck for you. March can often be too warm to ski, too cold to paddle, too muddy to bike, and too early to hunt. A recreational purgatory for even the most ardent outdoor enthusiasts. We at Expedition Detroit view ourselves in the former category - the conditions be damned, "there's no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing" kind of crowd. However, especially for the "March Deniers" among us, we thought that we'd curate this list of Top 10 Outdoor Events to help ease your passing from winter into spring. 1. Get a Little Slushy at Mt. Brighton March 4th | Mt. Brighton Ski Resort | 12 p.m. Spring skiing tends to hit a little early in the Detroit region...and can switch back to peak-winter conditions in the blink of an eye. Even though a heavy snow storm is on the forecast for Friday, Saturday's temperatures are currently projected for a high of 42º. Stated differently, perfect conditions for Mt. Brighton's Slush Cup. The resort invites all of Detroit's ski and snowboard faithful to join it for its biggest spring party of the season. The event will feature a pond skimming competition (ages 7+), live music, an outdoor bar, tons of giveaways and prizes, and more. Participants in the pond skimming event can register the morning of the 4th in the picnic area between 9am - 11am. Registration is first come, fist serve, and the pond-skimming kicks off at 12pm. Helmets are required and the resort's rental equipment is NOT permitted in the pond-skimming competition. 2. Embrace the Snow with a Winter Hike March 4th | Maybury State Park | 7 p.m. "It's March now, so winter should be over, right..?" Anyone who has ever had the gall to utter these out loud probably felt an immediate gust of winter wind against their neck - the physical manifestation of Mother Nature laughing at them. Especially in and around Detroit. Yes, winter in our corner of the Great Lakes can be a very polarizing season. Most recreationists either love it or hate it, just like an ice bath or polar plunge. For us at Expedition Detroit, our biased opinion is that this winter has been underwhelming. We received what, two weeks of "winter wonderland" powder conditions? Just enough snow for one backcountry ski venture? We fully-endorse the DNR's team at Maybury State Park for embracing the incoming snow with an evening guided winter hike through the park. The hike is appropriate for all ages and pets are welcome (must be on a 6' leash at all times). Light snacks will be provided after the hike. The hike will set off from the trailhead building off the Eight Mile Road entrance, and headlamps are recommended. 3. Pack the Popcorn for a Free Screening of Black Ice March 5th | DYNO Detroit Climbing | 7 p.m. Detroit Parks & Recreation, Detroit Outdoors, and DYNO Detroit Climbing invite all of Detroit's recreation community to enjoy a free screening of Black Ice - a documentary that follows a group of African American climbers on an ice climbing expedition to Montana. The screening will also include a presentation by Detroiters that recently completed an upper peninsula ice climbing trip. This film showcases African American rock climbers from Memphis Rox climbing gym as they set off on an ice climbing adventure with professionals to experience the extremities of the sport. The event will feature a small panel of individuals who have experienced ice climbing, as well as discussions regarding local climbing opportunities. Doors open at 7 pm and the film will start at 7:30 pm. Don't forget a blanket, pillow, and/or a camp chair to get comfortable on the climbing gym's floor. Oh, and BYOB is permitted at this event. Nice. 4. Earn some Good Luck at a DNR Volunteer Workday Throughout March | Brighton, Bald Mountain, Waterloo, Highland, Island Lake, and Pinckney State Recreation Areas and Belle Isle State Park | 9 a.m. Looking to earn karma's respect - and maybe a little good luck - throughout March? There's absolutely more than one way to tip the fates in your favor, but environmental stewardship takes the prize as our favorite means of releasing good vibes back into the universe. Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring several official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events across the Detroit region at Brighton State Recreation Area (March 5th), Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (March 11th), Waterloo State Recreation Area (March 12th), Highland State Recreation Area (March 18th), Island Lake State Recreation Area (March 19th), Belle Isle State Park (March 25th), and Pinckney State Recreation Area (March 26th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. Rainboots or other waterproof boots are recommended for these events, and preregistration is required. 5. Run for the Gold at a St. Patrick's Day 5K March 11th - 12th | Throughout Detroit Region There's only one time of year where waking up to any song by the Dropkick Murphys is not only acceptable, but culturally-respectable. As well as slamming a pre-race Guinness. Or kissing anyone with freckles or red hair, assuming that their green t-shirt of choice explicitly invites said kiss. That beautiful time of year, my friends, is St. Patrick's Day - a day of remembrance of the "Old Country" for us Irish, acceptable debauchery, bag-pipe filled music, crowded pubs, and a festive leprechaun-themed 5K races. Detroit's oldest and most Irish neighborhood, Corktown, will be hosting its 40th running of the "Corktown Races" on March 12th. Other St. Paddy's-themed races include the "Lucky Leprechaun Race" on March 11th in Utica, and RF Events' "Shamrocks & Shenanigans" on March 12th in Ann Arbor. 6. Earn your Slice of Pi(e) March 14th | Virtual For most of us, when you think of a "special day in March," you probably think of St. Patrick's Day. Obviously. But, if you time-travel back to your middle school years (apologies in advance), we all remember that one kid who came to school on March 14th, with a chocolate-chip pie under their arm, decorated in icing with one archaic symbol that you haven't thought of since your geometry exam: π. "Ah, that's right," you should be thinking right about now. "Pi day." Pi - the Greek trigonometric symbol that mathematically represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter - is shorthand calculated as "3.14." As such, March 14th is celebrated as "Pi Day" among mathletes and recreationists alike due to its correlation with the number. While Pi Day is internationally-recognized as a day to commemorate math, we at Expedition Detroit choose to celebrate by extending our typical mid-week 5K by 0.04 miles. There's even a virtual event sponsored by Epic Races to inspire runners to get outside on the 14th. Circular routes are strongly encouraged. 7. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve March 18th | Point Pelee National Park | 6 p.m. The days may finally be getting lighter, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park - the single best stargazing destination in the Detroit region - still shine as bright as ever. Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. 8. Close Out Flannel Season with a Lumberjack Pancake Run March 25th | Detroit, Michigan | 9:30 a.m. Flannel. Flapjacks. Finish lines. Can you think of a better trio for closing out "Flannel SZN" in the Detroit region? We sure can't, and we think that whoever thought of this race at the DNR's "Outdoor Adventure Center" deserves a raise. This themed "Lumberjack Pancake" 5K race will traverse the Dequindre Cut, starting in front of the Outdoor Adventure Center. The course is flat and fast, and the race's "swag" includes a custom medal, lumberjack buff, free entry to the Outdoor Adventure Center beginning at 10 a.m., and a big pancake breakfast. All participants are encouraged to wear their best flannel apparel and sport their best lumberjack beard. 9. Embrace the Chills at the No Frills, All Thrills Trail Run March 25th | Huron Meadows Metropark | 10:00 a.m. As any seasoned Detroiter will tell you, white-out snow conditions in the end of March are not only common - they're expected. Along with freezing rain or other shelter-beckoning precipitation. Not exactly ideal running conditions... ...unless you're a David Goggins-esque, "damn the weather," no frills kind of runner. And in the off-chance that you are, then we have the perfect event for you. The Brighton Area Road Striders are hosting their "No Frills, All Thrills Trail Run" event at Huron Meadows Metropark for runners that believe that all conditions are good race conditions. The event includes 4K and 8K race options. 10. Surrender to Nature on a Mud March March 25th | Lake Erie Metropark | 12 p.m. We've got good and bad news: the end of March is officially "Mud Season" throughout the Detroit region. Yes, this happens every single year. Yet outdoorsy folks stay get taken aback when their pristine trails, ski hills, and riverbanks turn to brown, mucky slush. Why not embrace it? That's the attitude that the team over at Lake Erie Metropark have adopted, and we advise following suit. Lace up a pair of waterproof boots and head over to the park for their "Mud March" event. This family-friendly guided hike will trek through the mud and puddles in search of marsh wildlife during this rainiest of seasons. Naturally, the hike will kick off rain or shine, so participants are advised to dress accordingly. 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 NEW YEAR! Just like waking up to fresh snowfall, January provides a perfectly clean slate for pursuing your wildest outdoor goals for 2023. We're absolutely STOKED for all that this new year will bring for Detroit's outdoors, starting with these top 10 outdoor events for January. There's something beautiful about waking up on the morning of January 1st. The past year's successes and failures are logged into the annals of history. Everyone is provided with a perfectly clean slate - a blank canvas of a calendar year, ready for you to illustrate a portrait of adventures yet to be experienced. Even though January still falls squarely within Detroit's "off-season" for outdoor recreation, we strongly advise that you build on any momentum that you gained during the tail-end of 2022 and keep getting outside. In fact, we've argued repeatedly that now is the single best season for recreating in our natural environment. The colder, darker days act as an antithesis to crowds, fair-weather adventurers, and other human elements that detract from an outdoor experience. In other words, if you're training for spring races, looking for natural solitude, or simply hate sharing the trail with the masses, then January is your time to shine. These top 10 events are intended for recreationists wired just like you, and we can't wait to see you at one, two, or all of these events! 1. Kick Off the New Year with a First Day Hike January 1st | Maybury State Park | 10 a.m. If you're reading this article, then I'm willing to bet that one of your New Year's Resolutions involves getting outside more. Well, why not kick off the year on the right foot with a morning hike at one of the Detroit region's most accessible state parks? The Friends of Maybury State Park are hosting a family-friendly "First Day Hike" on New Year's Day, setting off from the main Trailhead Building off of the park's 8 Mile entrance. The guided hike will set off at 10 a.m., but you are also welcome to hike the trails on your own throughout the day (you may just see us on the trails late morning/pre-Lions game). All pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times, and light refreshments will be available after the guided hike. No preregistration is required for this event. 2. Complement your Adventures with a Virtual Challenge Throughout January | Anywhere A "Virtual Challenge" - we apologize in advance if that phrase triggers pandemic lockdown-era PTSD. We 1,000% agree that the return of in-person, live events were a welcomed sign of the end of COVID's reign of tyranny over our recreational livelihoods. However, one pandemic relic that we hope does not vanish entirely from the outdoor economy is virtual challenges that can - and should - inspire and complement your training schedules, races, and generally outdoor expeditions. There are near infinite virtual challenges that you could join, but we'd like to highlight the challenges sponsored by 52 Hike Challenge and the monthly running challenges sponsored by our friends at RF Events. The "52 Hike Challenge" comprises of an annual goal for participants to complete an average of one, 1-mile hike per week. There are also other, short "Series" that 52 Hikes sponsors, including a special "Winter Series," as well as series involving hikes with pets, kids, and a special "Adventure Series" that we're particularly interested in. RF Events' monthly challenges feature specific, running-focused goals over a given calendar month, with January's "Winter Wonderland Adventure" challenge 1,000+ minutes of activity - the number of minutes it would take to get from adventure to adventure from Detroit to Ironwood in the western U.P. 3. Capitalize on Extended Archery Season Throughout January | Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties in Michigan If you're still looking for your first deer of the season, let me start by offering my condolences - I've been in this position before, and it sucks. Plain and simple. But, let me offer some relief to your season-long frustration: especially if you live and hunt in Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne counties, there is an extended archery season in place through January 31st. A deer license, deer combo license, or antler-less deer license are valid during this extended season. Similar to last month's advisory, if you have an unfilled antler-less tag, please consider harvesting a doe and donating the venison to a local food bank. Conservation in action goes much farther than any decision made in the field - we thank you in advance for assisting both the DNR in whitetail population maintenance and our neighbors in need of a hearty meal. 4. Take on the Abominable Snowman Ride January 7th | Pinckney State Recreation Area | 12 p.m. Forget the deniers: the Abominable Snowman exists, and it rips on a mountain bike. Don't just take our word for it, though - the Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association is hosting its annual Abominable Snowman Ride at the Glenbrook Yurt in Pinckney State Recreation Area. Riders are welcome to join in on as much or little of the scheduled 5 hour ride as they would like, and a post-ride bonfire is on the agenda! 5. Earn your "New Year Good Karma" at a DNR Volunteer Workday Throughout January | Island Lake, Highland, and Bald Mountain State Recreation Areas and Belle Isle State Park | 9 a.m. Another common New Year's Resolution includes doing more to make this world a better place. Volunteering your time, donating your money, or contributing to charity in a variety of other ways. If this reflects one of your goals - especially if you want your efforts to directly benefit the Detroit region's outdoors - then we applaud you and have a perfect volunteer opportunity for you. Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring four official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events across the Detroit region at Island Lake State Recreation Area (January 7th), Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (January 14th), Belle Isle State Park (January 21st), and Highland State Recreation Area (January 28th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. Rainboots or other waterproof boots are recommended for these events, and preregistration is required. 6. Defrost your Cross-Country Skis for Frosty Fest! 2023 January 14th | Huron Meadows Metropark | 10 a.m. Full-disclosure, the Expedition Detroit team has had "cross-country skiing" on our recreational activity wishlist for some time now. In other words, we're complete rookies at this sport - despite decades of downhill skiing experience. We've been looking for an opportunity to dive head first into this sport, and this year's iteration of Frosty Fest! represents an ideal chance to start getting into the action! Located at Huron Meadows Metropark, Frosty Fest! will include a man-made snow course of multiple 2.4km loops. If natural snow permits, then the races will take place on the normal cross-country ski trails. The race offerings include 5K (MI Cup Junior points) and 15K (MI Cup Senior points) distances. Quick note on Huron Meadows Metropark: the metropark has been dubbed the "Southeast Michigan destination for skate-style and classic cross-country ski trails." Skiers can choose from 14.8 miles of trails for classic skiing or 9 miles of skate skiing. All trails are groomed daily and are lighted at night. The metropark's "Ski Center" (Golf Starter Building) features classic-style and skate-style ski rentals and a heated lounge, restrooms, and snacks. Groups of 10 or more can make arrangements to rent skis during the week. 7. Find Fresh Tracks on the Winter Wildlife Hike January 14th | Lake St. Clair Metropark | 10 a.m. Contrary to popular belief, not all species of wildlife either migrate or hibernate during Detroit's colder months. In fact, the rangers at Lake St. Clair Metropark have nearly-perfected the art of tracking down our region's wintry wildlife during these colder, darker days of the year. The metropark is hosting a guided Winter Wildlife Hike through the park's beautiful nature trails in search of the park's wildlife, adaptive seasonal behaviors, and other interesting attributes regarding each animal's ability to survive Michigan's harsh winters. Warm up afterwards in the Nature Center by a roaring fire. The hike will take participants through approximately .75 mile of trail on even terrain with possible snow coverage. 8. Embrace the Elements in an Ode to Snow Ultra Race January 15th | Holly State Recreation Area | 9:20 a.m. Let's call a spade a spade: winter trail running in Michigan is not for the faint of heart. The cold temps, unpredictable conditions, and fleeting daylight has a cumulative effect of weeding out any recreationists that prefer their trails, clean, dry, and warm. The Detroit region's winter trails are the playground of our most passionate, badass, "no pain no gain" genre of runners. If you fit in that camp, then oh boy - do we have the event for you. Crazy trail runners, meet "Ode in the Snow": an up to 8 hour "backyard style" ultra trail race along the (in)famous Ode to Laz Trail Loop in Holly State Recreation Area. The trail constitutes a 4.167 mile trail loop that has approximately 450 feet of climbing, is 2/3 technical single track, 1/3 moderate walking/hiking path, and a few hundred yards of pavement. For the event, runners are free to pick their favorite distance or run as much as they'd like, starting at 9:20 a.m. Runners looking for shorter distances should join Wave 2 at 2:20 p.m. 9. Cross-Country Ski Under Candlelight January 21st | Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area | 5:30 p.m. As we said - we're really excited about getting into cross-country skiing this season, and this illuminated trail event hosted by the DNR at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area provides the perfect opportunity for skiers of all abilities to hit the trail. Skiers will traverse a well-groomed trail through the park illuminated by candles at night. The event also includes a post-ski warm up by a roaring fire with refreshments. Snow shoes are also welcome to walk along side the groomed ski track as well. If there is a lack of snow, this will be a walking event. Note that cross-country skis and snowshoes will not be available to borrow or rent. 10. Close Out the Month with a Guided Winter Hike January 28th | Indian Springs Metropark | 8 a.m. This January, we challenge you to close out this month exactly hope it began - on a trail, exploring our wild places, and building momentum towards earning your most active year yet. The ranger team at Indian Springs Metropark have made this easy for all of us by hosting an informative Winter Hike across the metropark's open prairie landscape and peaceful forest while searching for signs of wildlife. Participants will also learn about how native Michigan species survive the cold weather and long nights. The hike route may traverse level, composite wood boardwalks and hilly mixed gravel and grass pathways. Snow boots and ice grips are recommended as trails may be snow-covered and icy. Happy New Year to you all, and wishing you nothing but the best heading into 2023. 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.

The Detroit Metro Airport - a world-class hub for domestic and international travel alike - provides weary travelers with an amazing opportunity to explore our region during long layovers. Here's our list of 5 recommended day trips for visiting outdoor enthusiasts. Welcome to Detroit! Well, kind of - really, welcome to your layover at Detroit Metro Airport, an award-winning destination in its own right for its high quality of passenger experience. Detroit Metro Airport, and specifically its McNamara Terminal, is also a Delta and SkyTeam hub that services regular direct flights from Amsterdam and Buenos Aires to Tokyo and Riyadh. More specifically, the Detroit Metro Airport directly connects our region via 13 airlines to hundreds of global destinations. Practically, this means that thousands of travelers pass through the pristine corridors of the Detroit Metro Airport on a daily basis. Of those airline passengers, a sizable proportion will find themselves with a few hours to burn - maybe even a day or more - before their next flight whisks them away. Sure, such travelers could spend their layover à la Tom Hanks in "The Terminal" and never leave the confines of DTW. However, if you have 5+ hours between flights and have stiff legs craving a little exercise, we strongly encourage you to stray from the herd and cave in to a little wanderlust. The legendary Anthony Bourdain, whose passing I'm still mourning, once headlined a show called "The Layover." The premise of the show involved Bourdain spending anywhere from 24 to 48 hours in a city, maximizing his exploration time within micro-adventure confines. Bourdain's narration during the show's trailer includes this final synoptic tagline: "This is what I would do in one action-packed adventure." Locals and travelers alike, if you're looking to turn your stop at Detroit Metro Airport into an action-packed adventure, here are the five activities that we at Expedition Detroit would do to maximize your limited time around the Motor City. REDISCOVER DOWNTOWN DETROIT | Detroit Riverwalk ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 35 minutes Experience Highlights: Downtown Detroit; Detroit Riverwalk; Dequindre Cut; William G. Milliken State Park; Hart Plaza; Southwest Greenway; and panoramic Detroit River views Equipment Needed: Comfortable walking and/or running shoes Cost: Free If this is your first time ever to the Detroit region, then your best bet for a highlight reel experience is exploring the world-famous Detroit Riverwalk. The reigning three-peat champion of USA Today's "Best Riverwalk in America" designation, the 3.5 mile trail guides its nearly 4 million annual visitors on a "best of the best" tour of the City of Detroit's outdoor ecosystem. Expect energetic plazas with family-friendly events and vendors, historical monuments, live music, street performances, all while enjoying striking views of the vibrant Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit Riverwalk also provides intrepid hikers and runners with direct access to Belle Isle Park, the Dequindre Cut, and the freshly-minted Southwest Greenway. PADDLE THE HURON | Oakwoods Metropark ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 15 minutes Experience Highlights: Paddling along the Huron River National Water Trail Equipment Needed: Swimsuit, sunglasses, and sun protection Cost: $20 -30 USD for kayak or canoe rental; Metroparks pass also may be required for entry if parking on site Situated surprisingly close to Detroit Metro Airport, the scenic woodlands and picturesque views of the Huron River are waiting for you at Oakwoods Metropark. While each of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks offer unique outdoor experiences for their visitors, Oakwoods provides layover passengers with the opportunity not only to visit the famous wetlands of Southeast Michigan, but to explore one of our region's greatest assets: the Huron. Motor City Canoe Rental offers canoe and kayak rental options for paddling enthusiasts looking for a hands-on experience on the river. HIKE THROUGH HISTORY | River Raisin National Battlefield Park ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 25 minutes Experience Highlights: Downtown Monroe, Michigan; River Raisin National Battlefield Park Equipment Needed: Comfortable walking and/or running shoes Cost: Free Beyond serving as the closest national park site to Detroit Metro Airport, River Raisin National Battlefield Park provides a living memorial to the single bloodiest battle ever fought on Michigan soil. The park and its immaculate visitor center memorializes the 483 American, British, Canadian, and Native American lives that were lost during the park's namesake War of 1812 battle. Any visit to River Raisin will provide visitors with an immensely impactful historical experience and an opportunity to hike or run along the well-maintained and educational River Raisin National Battlefield Park trail. EXPLORE NEW SHORES | Windsor Riverfront Trail ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 40 minutes Experience Highlights: Downtown Windsor, Ontario; Windsor Riverfront Trail; public art exhibits; panoramic plazas; and the Trans-Canada Trail Equipment Needed: Comfortable walking and/or running shoes Cost: Border crossing fees ($16 - 20 USD) Did you know that the Detroit region is slated to represent the new "Trails Capital of North America?" That's right - thanks to our city's southern neighbor of Windsor, Ontario, outdoor enthusiasts can readily turn an American layover into an international adventure. After crossing the border via either the Ambassador Bridge or Windsor Tunnel, the quintessential Windsor Riverfront Trail eagerly waits to greet you with its public art displays, beautiful gardens, expansive plazas, and can't-beat views of the skyscrapers of Downtown Detroit. The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge will make the Detroit-Windsor connection even more efficient - and expeditious - with pedestrian-only lanes that will link the Trans Canada Trail with the Iron Belle Trail. EXPERIENCE A GUIDED ADVENTURE | 11 Michigan State Parks ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: Destination-dependent; 1 hour 35 minutes at most Experience Highlights: Hiking or trail running adventure; expertise of local guide; exploring natural beauty of Southeast Michigan Equipment Needed: Comfortable hiking or running shoes Cost: $25 - $70 We may be a little biased, but if we had to recommend only one experience around the Detroit Metro Airport, we would be honored to host you on one of our guided adventure trips! Expedition Detroit is proud to offer the largest variety of guided trips within 11 pristine Michigan state parks in the Detroit region. From first time hikers to world-class trekkers and trail runners, our guides can't wait to lead you on your perfect adventure in Detroit's great outdoors. From Detroit Metro Airport, the closest Michigan State Park where Expedition Detroit offers guided hikes is also one of Michigan's most beautiful, unique, and historic: Belle Isle Park. Setting off from the Ralph Wilson Gateway, this guided hike traverses Belle Isle's southern shore, providing hikers with stunning views of the Windsor shoreline, the vibrant Detroit River, and the industrial freighters passing by. You will also pass by the Belle Isle Lighthouse, Blue Heron Lagoon, and locally-named "Hipster Beach" on the route. GETTING AROUND TOWN Detroit is the Motor City: if you want to get around this corner of the world, you're going to largely need four wheels to do so. From Detroit Metro Airport, the ground transportation options include rental car, taxis, rideshare applications, and public transportation. Rental cars will obviously provide you with the most freedom, but are also the most expensive means of transportation and require an off-campus shuttle. Taxis and rideshare applications like Uber and Lyft provide destination-specific transportation and are readily available from Detroit Metro Airport, although we also strongly recommend pre-arranging your return rides before leaving the airport. While the most cost effective, public transportation has represented one of the logistical thorns in the Detroit region's side for generations. We only recommend that you consider utilizing the Detroit Metro Airport's public bus services if you plan on visiting the Detroit or Windsor Riverwalks, both of which are accessible via bus lines that pass through the Rosa Parks Transit Center.

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition traverses the lakeside bluffs, forested ravines, and panoramic views of the Newburgh Lakeview Trail in Livonia, Michigan. We're excited to provide this "hidden secret" trail with much overdue recognition. Have you ever made a split-second decision that fundamentally changed the course of your life? A "gut instinct" that originated without explanation and manifested into immediate action? Maybe it was "I should call them back" or "screw it, I'm applying for that job" or "I'm going to book this flight right here and now." Well, nearly five years ago, I inexplicably decided to deviate from my normal road running route along Hines Drive, just east of the I-275 underpass. Hines Drive is one of the best running and biking routes in the Detroit Region, so I wasn't dissatisfied in any sense with my typical ~5 mile out-and-back route. I just looked to my right, saw a sign for the I-275 Metro Trail, and traded one paved path for another. And then I saw it. A dirt trail verging off of the I-275 Metro Trail to my left. There was no formal gateway sign to the Lakeview Trail back then - just a hunch that a real adventure awaited me just off of the pavement. I had no idea if this "dirt trail" was really a trail after all, let alone how many extra miles it would add to my run that evening. I simply had an inclination to follow it. Thank God that I did, because over the next five years - and especially during the depths of the Covid-19 Pandemic - the Lakeview Trail solidified its place as my favorite local trail. My old house was exactly 1.01 miles away via the I-275 Trail, so Lakeview became my de facto pre or post-work trail destination, alternating between running, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and kayaking in Newburgh Lake on "off days." I couldn't believe that such a stunning destination, with its golden trees in the fall, crisp snowfall in the winter, and wooded panoramic lake views in the warmer months, had remained off of my radar for over a decade of living in the Detroit area. Turns out that I was far from being the only person who had never heard of this immaculate, "hiding in plain sight" trail. My running and biking buddies couldn't believe that such a beautiful and decently challenging trail existed in the heart of Metro Detroit, especially given its U.P.-reminiscent cliffs. On a personal level, Newburgh Lakeview Trail sparked a curiosity in me regarding what other world-class might be obscured in the midst of our metropolitan area, waiting to be re-discovered during an era where the masses increasingly search for natural escapes from life's encroaching monotony. Yes, this trail may have single-handedly planted the seed that grew into Expedition Detroit. MEET HINES PARK The Lakeview Trail is conveniently nestled within one of the most beautiful northwest segments of Hines Park: a string of independent parks within Wayne County that insulate the 17 mile long Edward N. Hines Drive. Stretching from Northville to Dearborn, Hines Drive runs parallel to the historic Middle Rouge River - once an aquatic transportation highway for local Native American tribes, European fur trappers, and later a pathway to Canada for escaped slaves traversing the Underground Railroad. The Hines Park of the 21st century - complete with natural and paved trails, athletic fields, picnic shelters, historic mills, fishing docks, and annual Wayne County Lightfest - originated as a simple means of combining outdoor recreation ambitions with strategic flood management. Hines Drive is (in)conveniently located within the naturally-occurring flood plain of the Middle Rouge River, subjecting the road to consistent flooding during periods of heavy rain. Fortunately, rather than sealing the natural area's fate as a mosquito-infested, industrial backwater flood plain, transportation and community recreation innovators like Henry Ford devised a plan in 1949 to convert the area into a multi collective of public parks. Such innovators within the Wayne County Road Commission decided to name both the road and park system after Edward N. Hines, a lifelong cyclist, transportation safety advocate, and land conservationist along the Huron and Rouge Rivers. One of the lands acquired under Hines' directive included the area now known as Newburgh Pointe - the 152 acres surrounding Newburgh Lake, and the location of the Lakeview Trail. Although originally constructed as a millpond around 1819, Newburgh Lake expanded to its current size in 1935 when Henry Ford demolished the old mill and replaced it with a new "Village Industry Plant." The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project cleaned the lake in 1998, as well as stocked its waters with bluegill, bass and other pan fish. The lake's ongoing popularity with kayakers, stand-up paddlers, and angles represents the continuing legacy of such environmental actions. Now - let's get to the trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: 147 feet Trail Rating: Moderate Route Orientation: Out & Back Parking Specifics: Free parking lot located at trailhead parking just south of Hines Drive The Lakeview Trail starts just southeast of the trailhead parking lot located south of Hines Drive - just east of the I-275 overpass. You should be able to see the formal trailhead sign from the parking lot, but in case you're there on a busier day and have to park closer to Hines Drive, walk uphill towards the boulders that mark the end of the parking lot. You'll see the trailhead directly in front of you, on the eastern side of the paved I-275 Metro Trail. Hike past the sign and take your first left to follow your first blue "Lake View" trail marker. Although Lakeview is technically an out-and-back trail, our friends at the Motor City Mountain Biking Association have clocked in countless hours in creating singletrack segments throughout the trail. The first of these "singletrack deviations" occurs just 0.1 miles into the trail. Remember that this trail is heavily used by mountain bikers, including fat tire mountain bikers in the winter, so hikers should travel in the opposite direction of the blue trail markers. As such, hikers will stay left at this first deviation. The Lakeview Trail as mapped on AllTrails guides hikers and snowshoers along the segments of the trail that run parallel to the Middle Rouge River and Newburgh Lake. While there are other segments of the trail that take hikers, runners, and bikers into the flatter and more wooded segments of the trail, this lakeside route will consistently provide you with the most dramatic landscapes and views of the trail's bluffs and deep ravines. Your steepest climbs will occur at the 0.3 and 2.4 mile markers, but otherwise the trail provides a rollercoaster of ascents and descents along forested ravines and lakeside landings. The turnaround point is just west of the Lakepointe Yacht Club at Ann Arbor Road. One point on caution: we strongly believe that this trail is marked as moderate only because of notable danger resulting from the combination of the trail's traffic and natural features. At this point of the article, you may have laughed once or twice at the thought of "cliffs" actually existing in Livonia. Friends, I can tell you first hand that the mix of 30 foot drops, narrow trails, and two-way traffic, can add up to some very dicy conditions - especially during the winter. Don't get me wrong, the natural features of the trail add an undeniable element of adventure to the experience - like a taste of Pictured Rocks in the heart of Metro Detroit. But PLEASE exercise caution on the trail. I've had a few MTB rides abruptly interrupted by ambulances navigating down the parallel dirt trail that was once Old Lakeview Drive... WEEKEND BONUS TIPS Did we mention that the Lakeview Trail is immensely popular with mountain bikers? Well, especially if you are fortunate enough to own a fat tire bike, we strongly encourage you to trade in your snowshoes for the big tires during these pristine powder days - and then continue to ride post-thaw into spring. The Lakeview Trail is actually the northernmost segment of a string of world-class MTB and hiking trails within Hines Park and running parallel to the Middle Rouge River. We highly recommend exploring each of them as a full day or weekend-long adventure, starting with Lakeview and continuing on to the recently-renovated Riverview Trail just across Newburgh Road. The tight turns and drops of the 1.7 mile Riverview Trail end at Levan Road - turn left at Levan to cross over the Middle Rouge River and pick up the River Ridge MTB Trail just east of a quick stint on the main Hines Park Paved Trail. The brief 0.3 miles on the River Ridge MTB Trail will land you back on the paved Hines Park Trail. Keep riding due east until you reach the Oak Grove Trailhead Parking lot. Turn south to cross the scenic Stark Road Bridge and embark on the Oak Grove Trail to your left, including its 1.3 miles of natural contours and challenging features. Continuing across Ann Arbor Trail, you will turn left to continue along the trail system within the Holiday Nature Preserve towards the trailhead of the Three Fires Confluence Trail. The final trail - the creatively named Trail 47 - starts after another brief traverse back on the Hines Park Paved Trail north of the Middle Rouge River. You will see trail sign markers for Trail 47 on your right, thus initiating a final 1.4 mile scenic segment that's aptly designed to test your climbing skills. Once you have conquered Trail 47, the world of Hines Park's paved and natural trails are yours to enjoy at your leisure - just remember to add in the 5.5 point-to-point mileage back from Trail 47's eastern terminus to the Lakeview Trail parking lot. The #TrailTuesday Series idea started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments!