It came as no surprise to me to recently read about fraud within the unemployment process as back in September, yours truly received a $7,458 bill from the State for an unemployment claim in my name that I did not apply for (nor receive said $7,458). Been thankfully employed for the last 30 years so obviously a head scratcher receiving the notice. I went through the proper channels and reported it to my employer and the agency's online fraud site (as talking to a human at the agency is not going to happen).
I received a follow-up form letter advising they are aware of the fraud and won't be pursuing me further (which coincidentally came out right around the time the press started reporting on the widespread issues).
Stay tuned but as Ernie Harwell used to say, that $7,458 is lonnnnggggg gone and the individual who received it is probably broke again (or in jail like the boneheads in the second article below). Karma is a bitch.
The helmet cam recently made a trip to the banks of the mighty Grand River to pedal Ionia State Recreation Area. Ionia, sandwiched between Lansing and Grand Rapids, is also home to the Ionia Correctional Facility, just north over the river from the park; so heads up for any hikers dressed in orange. The founding fathers of the city must have insisted on having a prison in town with a name like Ionia (sound it out....I-own-ya). Fake news as I believe the name comes from the Ionian tribe (looked it up).
trailhead
Between Lansing and Grand Rapids, coming from I-96, get off at the Jordan Lake Rd exit (exit 64) and head north on Jordan Lake Rd about four miles until you run into the park. Although I saw alternate parking areas while pedaling, the primary mountain bike trailhead is about 1/2 mile into the park; you'll see a sign for it near the beach area signs.
From the primary trailhead, there is about a 1/4 mile prairie ride north to the loop. The trail goes in different directions based on the day of the week. Going off of memory but believe the direction was the red flow/loop on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and yellow Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
positives
A little over six miles, it's not going to break your back with bearable climbs and a view of the river during a portion of the ride.
negatives
The hardcore riders will rag on me (lighten up Francis) but keep that booty elevated a bit during the pedal as it is one of the rockier rides I've experienced.
Beggars can't be choosers but based on the map, I was expecting the trail to run right along the river but there is a big gap between and will bet the trees block the view a good portion during full tree bloom.
Attached are some views with a nice spill at about the 2:10 mark. The clip is not in slow motion; this scribe was just dragging ass a bit. It happens.
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In the mold of "build it and he will come," my bird feeder has become a gathering place this year for quite a vast array of species. We have birds (obviously), squirrels (brown and black), rabbits, ducks, skunks, possum, and the ability to have my personal groundhog day with one of those coming through as well, On the bird front, I put the Blue Jay and the Cardinal as the "don't fu** with me" birds of the bird feeder. They are the bullies of the birds.
I'm on a first name basis with Joe the Squirrel pictured here and once he starts talking back, it will be time to check me in.
Today's showcase takes us to the nighttime anywhere in SE Michigan on the mountain bike. With daylight savings ending (or started? - can't keep that straight), most of us start the work day in darkness and end the same way so improvise we must if a weekday work release ride is calling.
I would call out a trail name but in the dark, it can be anywhere. I even find myself asking where the heck I'm at during most night rides after getting into some deep thought for a couple miles. It kicks the mountain bike experience up a notch.
The attached video gives a short glimpse into the experience. I would normally have a second light attached to the helmet that helps on turns but the camera took that spot. Not a hardcore trail so the limitation had little or no impact.
I thank the lord for the nighttime as the song goes.
Cell phone users need to click the link to view the attached video:
Crazy times call for crazy measures and we can't have Halloween without trick or treating so with the assistance of my tree trimming tool, some duct tape and a small strainer, we have the prototype, the Corona Candy dispenser! (hopefully only needed one year)
The clock turned 30 this past week for my employment. While it didn't have the pomp and circumstance (silly saying) that my 25th anniversary brought (picked out a bicycle from a catalog, ended up giving it to charity), beggars can't be choosers so I'm cool with the voice mail from one of the VP's, thanking me for the efforts (and obviously still having a job). I also made the employee e-mail newsletter, noted below, so the 20-something newbies that I work with have a different perspective on old man Reeves now. I have worked longer than you have lived you silly know-it-alls so respect your elders. Ha.
The trail showcase today takes a visit to two newly created trails, Linear Park/Seven Mile Park in Northville and Settlers Park in Hartland. The former is on the property of the old Northville Psychiatric Hospital and the latter hangs behind a big box store.
The trail at Linear Park/Seven Mile Park (still don't know the exact trail/park name) is only a couple miles at this time but what I've heard is expanding to the west portion of the property soon. I saw a wheelbarrow and some stakes near the trailhead so am guessing extra miles will be available soon. The trail as it stands won't break your back and cuts through some mature forest. With the hospital history, if these trees could talk, I'm sure they would have some stories to tell of patients walking through.
Settlers Park in Hartland has been around a few years and is up to a little over six miles of trail. As with the other trail, Settlers isn't going to break your back. A nice, simple trail.
For the helmet cam, the trails are secondary today to a tribute to a fallen musician so turn up the volume for Eddie V!!!! I was fortunate enough to see him for the 1984 tour and the guy could make that guitar talk. Best $13.50 I ever spent!!!
trailhead
The trailhead for Linear/Seven Mile Park resides off of Wayne Ave, which enters west from Haggerty between Six and Seven Mile Rd, across the street from Schoolcraft College (or 'Haggerty High' as one Northville local called it). There is no formal 'Wayne Ave' sign that I could see off of Haggerty but my idiot phone picked it up. Road parking is the parking lot so park on the north side of the road nearest to the trailhead as you can.
Settlers Park in Hartland can be accessed from a few different locations but easiest is to park in the northwest portion of the Meijer parking lot (they made a little parking area for the park) and catch the trail from there. The trail entrance is well marked.
positives
Both are simple trails that work for those just starting to ride and even experienced riders looking for a release.
negatives
No negatives for the newbies. Glad to have additional options for pedal locations.
Cell phone users may need to click the link to view the attached.
