More Than a Hike
By Japhet Hoff
When I first started my internship with Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, one of the programs I was most excited to learn about was the Accessibility program. Since starting the internship, I've told my 84-year-old grandpa about the incredible opportunities it provides. A week ago, he finally decided it was time to get out on the trail.
My dad reserved a Track Chair through the Friends website, and our family met at the Alligator Hill trailhead. My grandpa can still walk, but hikes have become difficult, so the Track Chair gave him the opportunity to join us.
Before we even started hiking, my grandpa was fascinated by the Friends trailer and the solar-powered charging system that keeps both Track Chairs ready for visitors. As someone who has always loved engines and machinery, he immediately started asking questions and admiring how everything worked.
As soon as he settled into the Track Chair, he had a huge smile on his face. It didn't take long before he was talking about how smoothly it rode, how powerful it felt, and how sturdy it was, even over roots and the rougher sections of the trail. Every so often, he'd look around with a smile and say, "I haven't been on a hike in years."
As we made our way through the woods, the hike became about much more than the trail itself. We spent the afternoon talking, laughing, sharing stories, and taking in the beauty around us. There was no rush, just the sound of the woods, the fresh northern Michigan air, and time together as a family.
When we reached the Manitou Island overlook, we were all in awe. It was one of those perfect northern Michigan days. The sky was a brilliant blue, the temperature was in the mid-70s, and Lake Michigan stretched endlessly before us. We could clearly see North Manitou Island, South Manitou Island, South Fox Island, and even North Fox Island in the distance.
We planned to stay for just a few minutes at the lookout, but none of us could bring ourselves to leave. We stood there talking, smiling, and soaking in the view. It was one of those moments you wish you could slow down and stay in forever.
On the way back to the trailhead, my grandpa reflected that this might be the best moment he'd had in years. He shared that without the Track Chair, he wouldn't have been able to join us on that hike. Being back on the trail and experiencing it all with family meant so much to him.
This shared experience with my grandpa brought the purpose of the Accessibility program a little closer to home. I'd already seen firsthand how much the Track Chair means to visitors, but seeing my own grandpa experience Alligator Hill made me appreciate it in a whole new way. Watching him smile, hearing him say he hadn't been on a hike in years, and sharing that beautiful day together reminded me why opportunities like this matter.
My grandpa is already looking forward to getting back on the Track Chair later this season, and I can't wait to join him!