The final day of the challenge. My aunt and cousin had come in the night before, and we set up plans for them and my mom to meet me for lunch in Fife Lake, MI, and then maybe join me for the last few miles. The trailhead for this loop was the easiest to access and my mom had hiked along this loop on National Trails Day back in June. So, I knew what the end of the day would look like, since I was heading the opposite direction from that to start.
A good portion of this loop I was very familiar with as I had canoed from the roadside area to the campground around the corner and many other portions of this loop. It was probably my biggest playground area growing up. The memories just kept coming. Within the first 5 miles, I had passed through the campground where I think our family camped with the extended family, my dad's high school friends and their families, and just our immediate family. We had driven and canoed into this campground many times. So many great memories.
From there, I headed into unknown territory as it traversed through the woods and fields towards Fife Lake, MI. It was pretty flat and easy going for the most part. There were neat tree tunnels, views of ponds, a cool campsite along a creek that feeds into the Manistee river, and a bridge over some train tracks, where I rescued a toad from between the rails.
As I approached Fife Lake and my lunch meet up, I realized that the loop doesn't actually go through Fife Lake as much as it goes near Fife Lake. So, I worked on contacting my mom and having her, my cousin, and my aunt meet me at a campground off highway 131, where they could pick me up and take me to Fife Lake for lunch. Then we could take off from there to the finish. Before getting to the meeting point, I passed a few more ponds and a dog training area that made me thankful I had not brought my dog back with me for this trip. Also, I crossed the very highway my family would be driving up to meet me.
Upon arriving to the meeting spot, I realized I had about 10-15minutes of waiting. So, I sat at a picnic table and sorted through my pack for some snacks and a book. It was during this time that I found a tick on my leg. I promptly pulled him off, fully intact, placed him on the picnic table, and proceeded to light that guy on fire. That was tick #2 of the summer. Yikes! The sound of them popping when burned is always music to my ears. I know that sounds cruel, but that is the only way to get rid of the disease carrying critters...unless you are an opossum, then you eat them.
After a delicious lunch in Fife Lake, we all returned to the campground/trailhead parking area, and prepared to leave for the final 6miles (or so I thought that was how many miles were left). My family was worried they would slow me down, so they took off at break neck speed. I ambled along behind them with my 40lb pack and 16miles already under my belt for the day, not to mention a full stomach. I enjoyed the conversation and the energy they brought to my final miles of the challenge. We made many stops to rest because I was in need of them, but I think they were thankful for those stops as well. Along the route, there were spots where we found little seats/benches that we trusted to sit on, while others we passed by. I was very thankful to have them with me for such a momentous finish to the triple crown challenge. I completed the challenge without puking once. I had high hopes of being able to continue that success as I looked towards completing the Upper Peninsula of Michigan after my sister's birthday celebrations. Fingers crossed, all would go well.
When we finally made the 131 Roadside park, we packed into my mom's car and returned to my aunt and cousin's rental car at the campground. From there, we headed back to Cadillac and a drink at the Elks with my step-dad, followed by a drink at the Amvets after that. It was a great night to celebrate, and I was surrounded by wonderful people. 
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