Our Stories

Tom Funke: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Tom Funke Central patch + Michigan, Wisconsin, Mackinac Bridge, 1000 Miles, and 2000 Miles I chose to hike across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a 30th birthday present to myself. That is how I discovered the North Country Trail. I have written two books, 50 Hikes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and 50 Hikes on the North […]

Cynthia Clemens: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Cynthia Clemens Central patch + Ohio, Michigan, 1000 Miles, and Mackinac Bridge Like many other “hikers,” I began my journey as a “walker,” enjoying time with friends in our neighborhoods chatting and walking for therapy and exercise. If we go back even further, my dad was an avid walker, walking five miles most every day, […]

Tami Stagman: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Tami Stagman Central patch + Michigan, 1000 Miles, and Mackinac Bridge This all began in 2012 with friends John and Nancy Briggs. John was the President of the NCTA Grand Traverse Chapter and they had a challenge to hike the 100 miles that the Chapter maintained, so I decided to give it a go. I […]