Saturday, June 7, National Trails Day. The American Hiking Society's slogan this year is "Join Us on the Trail." Visit their website at www.americanhiking.org and get outdoors into what John Muir called, "God's Sanctuary." Locally, the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail group is having a bike/pedestrian trail dedication National Trails Day, June 7, 10:00 a.m., at Oxbow County Park on County Road 45 between Elkhart and Goshen, IN. Bring your bike and walking shoes and show your support for bicycle and pedestrian trails on National Trails Day. The new 5-mile trail was built in 2007 between Oxbow Park and the Goshen city limits. It parallels CR 45 and the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks. School children are proposing names for the trail and the winner will be announced at the ceremony. The north end of the new trail connects to a bike path along Sterling Ave. in Elkhart. Goshen is planning to extend the new trail south, connecting it to the Maple City Greenway. The plan is to connect these trails with the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail which is under construction. The trail system will be 27 miles long between Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana. If you have questions email Bob Carrico at rjcarrico1@verizon.net or visit http://www.pumpkinvine.org/.
Saturday, June 21, Canoe/Kayak along Dowagiac River. Spend the day canoeing or kayaking the Dowagiac River from Dowagiac to Niles, MI. This moderately paced stream is shaded by overhanging hardwood trees for much of its length. We will identify flora and fauna along the 13 miles of river. Meet at the Dowagiac McDonalds at 9:00 a.m. Please bring a lunch, and plenty of drinks and snacks, as this is an all day paddle. We will have a shuttle car parked just before the point where the Dowagiac runs into the St. Joseph River. Please contact Donna Osborn by Sunday, June 15, if you plan to attend or have any questions, (574) 289-5393. (Remember to RSVP by June 15!)
Sunday, June 29, Michiana Paddlefest 2008. This event is a special tribute to Michiana's valuable resource, the St. Joseph River. Held at St. Patrick's County Park in South Bend, Paddlefest is a one-day extravaganza for the adventure-seeker and the outdoors-lover. Events are geared for both the first-time paddler and the best athletes in the country. There are activities for all ages! For complete details see http://www.paddlefest.org/.
Be sure to check for more outings in the state newsletter and website.
Copyright Michiana Group of the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club
