December
18, 2020 -- A Day Off
Today was a "day off" from hiking. Instead we
headed up to Marquette to go shoe shopping, something becoming
increasingly needed since both of us had hiking shoes with "issues". As
neither of us are much fond of shopping we chose one store to go to, a
good running/hiking/foot-oriented shoe store, and hoped it had what we
both wanted. They had expanded since we'd been in there last and
thankfully had a wide
selection and nice, knowledgeable owners - Queen City Shoes. It took a
bit of trial but we both
found shoes, Steve fairly quickly, me not so. They haven't yet come up
with my version of a "just right" shoe, but it was close enough. They have a
great store return policy - go hiking, go walking, go do what you do, if
they don't work out return them. So we did. We got lunch, went out to
our favorite and usual spot at Presque Isle Park to eat,
watching the choppy waves on the Lake as the wind picked up. There are
many trails up, over, and around Presque Isle and it's a very popular
and well used park. It was nice to see so many people out walking,
enjoying the day even if it was a bit chilly out in the wind. We simply
went around to the other side, added a few layers, and walked along the
black rock area and up into the woods. No matter where you are it's a
beautiful and interesting place. It's always a nice trek and today we
were also testing out our new shoes (not hiking mind you, this being our
day off). With a decent hill climb and descent it was a good shoe trial.
Steve's were good, mine were a bit too sloppy. So back to the store to
check out some other shoes (and ending up with the same just a half size
smaller). Which gave Steve time to visit the Marquette Bakery across the street, and next
to that the Dead River Coffee Roaster to get a good mocha. All and all a
fun day in Marquette, with lots of nice people, including our always stop at the Marquette Food
Coop. We got home before dark, there were
still coals in the warm wood stove, and it wasn't too far past LilliB's
dinner time though she was waiting for us on the porch.
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Copyright
© Susan Robishaw and Stephen Schmeck
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