Elizabeth Williams
Intern at the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce

One thing I love about the Upper Peninsula is the ample access to trails. I frequent the Al Quaal trails and all the hot spots in Marquette, but I have yet to hike the North Country Trail.

For those unfamiliar with the North Country Trail, it is a 4,700-mile trail that extends from North Dakota through eight states to Vermont. Michigan is home to more miles than any other state at almost 1,150, 550 of those miles cutting right through the U.P.

I was unaware of how expansive the trail network was until recently, having never having utilized the trail before. There are two local hiking chapters: the North Country Trail Hikers Chapter and the Superior Shoreline Chapter.

The trail is directly connected to the Iron Ore Heritage Trail at the Superior lakeshore in Marquette for the ambitious hikers, runners, and cyclists out there.

Craig Lake State Park, just past Michigamme, also boasts a section of the North Country Trail and just over 8,400 acres of land. As the most remote park in the state system, they are the division between the Western and Central Upper Peninsula sections of the trail.

With Spring Break just around the corner and no Florida vacation on my schedule, the North Country Trail can provide a fun hiking experience and picturesque views. Couple a well-kept trail with some of the beautiful spring-like weather we've been experiencing, and you've got yourself a day trip. See you on trails!

Source: Trail Town: Marquette - North Country Trail Association

Elizabeth Williams
Intern at the Greater Ishpeming-Neguanee Area Chamber of Commerce

We've all been jogging at least one time or another, whether to reach fitness goals or to get outside for some fresh air, but most of us have never been plogging, let alone heard of it. "Plogging" is a combination of jogging and picking up litter, derived from the Swedish verbs plocka upp (pick up) and jogga (jog).

The activity has exploded in popularity in recent years; 2016 had the first organized event in Sweden, and the "sport" has since spread to over 100 countries. Events worldwide have attracted around 3 million people! Virtual plogging events are being held this year, like the Plogging for Hunt Hill Virtual 5K out of Sarona, WI.

Plogging is a good form of exercise, some citing that it burns more calories than the standard jog by incorporating bending, squatting, and stretching. Not to mention, it is beneficial for the environment!
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After reading up on this and Earth Week around the corner, I decided to join the estimated 20,000 people who plog each day. I grabbed a pair of gloves and some bags and hit the roads of West Ishpeming.

A short 30 minutes produced four standard plastic bags full of garbage; I could not believe it! Not only did I feel satisfied with my workout, but also with my community service. With the snow melting in recent weeks, I have been noticing an increased amount of garbage along the sides of the road. If we pitch in to clean up the area, our neighborhoods will look amazing!
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This Earth Week, April 19-25, I challenge you to give plogging a try with us. Send us your photos on Facebook and Instagram and clean up the West End!