FUTURE EVENTS FOR AUGUST 2023 AND BEYOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY - Thursday, September 7 As we have in the past this year's annual meeting will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis. All members are encouraged to attend. Come at 6:00 p.m. and enjoy free snacks, libations (courtesy of the Board) and conversation. At 6:30 p.m. we will have a short business meeting and then elect Club Officers for 2024. Then we will listen to fellow member Jeff Roberts relate his experience being selected for an honor flight to Washington DC to recognize his career as a submariner in the US Nave and his wartime service in Desert Storm. MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA - September 24-27 Our third trip to northern Michigan will take place in September 2023 and will include hikes in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the Hiawatha National Forest near Munising, Michigan. Travel and arrival date will be Sunday September 24. There will be a meeting that evening at the hotel for all hikers to review the week's events. Hotel check out can be Wednesday morning of the 27th. Hikes will take place on Monday, Tuesday and on Wednesday morning. The host hotel will be the same as the two prior trips: North Star Hotel Pictured Rocks, E9681 East M-28, Wetmore, MI 49895, phone number: 906-387-2466 The hotel has informed me that hikers must call them directly to get the club rates. If you book a room on line, you will pay a higher room rate. Be sure to mention you are calling in regards to the Indianapolis Hiking Club booking. In the mean time, if you have any questions regarding the trip, you can contact Bill Halik at yooper1954@gmail.com. UPPER PENINSULA EXTENSION - September 28-29 Konnie and John Schlechte are planning two additional days of hiking on the return from Bill Halik's UP trip. On Thursday, September 28 Konnie will lead a hike at Mackinac Island and on Friday, September 29 John will lead a hike at Petoskey/Bay View, Michigan. Look for more information in future schedules. For planning purposes, we would suggest staying at Munising through Tuesday night (9/26), St. Ignace on Wednesday night (9/27), and Petoskey on Thursday night (9/28). Driving time from Munising to St. Ignace is 2.5 hours, and St. Ignace to Petoskey is about an hour. Hikers will travel together on the St. Ignace/Mackinac Island ferry. Mackinac Island probably doesn't need much explanation since the club has visited there several times. It is a lovely, quaint and historic island located in the Straits of Mackinac separating Lakes Huron and Michigan. It is a very short trip by passenger ferry (no cars allowed on the island). Hiking is mostly on paved surfaces, generally within view of the water. There are many hotels in St. Ignace from which you can choose (Google hotels in St. Ignace). One suggestion is the Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront, 797 N. State St. Ignace, MI, phone number 906-643-6000. Current senior rate for 9/27 is $131.39 + tax (breakfast included). Petoskey and Bay View are located next to one another on Little Traverse Bay, about 35 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge on US 31. Petoskey is a charming resort town and Bay View is a historic summer community based on the late 19th century Chautauqua model. Most of its many beautiful well-maintained cottages were built between 1875 and 1900 and are still occupied during the summer months. There are many hotel options including Quality Inn, 1314 US 31 N; Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 1751 US 131 S and several others on US 131 S. If you have any questions regarding this trip please do not hesitate to contact John Schlechte at 317-294-2021 cell or jschlechte@fastmail.com ANNUAL WINTER BANQUET - Sunday, December 3 Sunday afternoon at same location as the last few years. 2023 Achievement Award winners and new 25 year members will be honored. GULF SHORES, ALABAMA - January 28 - February 2, 2024 I have received a lot of interest for a Gulf Shores, AL trip next January. Current plan is to offer hikes Monday, January 28 through Friday, February 2, with no more than 3 easy miles per hike and no more than 8 miles each day. This will be on all types of surfaces - sand, natural surface and pavement. There will be lots of opportunities to go off on self-guided "excursions" alone or with other members of the group. More details to come on the hikes as we get closer. I have reserved a block of rooms at the Gulf State Park Lodge, 21196 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL. Check in will start on Sunday, January 28 and check out will be on February 2. Come for as many or few days as you like. Rate will be $139.00 plus tax per night for two queen beds with a Lake Shelby view. Upgrades are available, but you will need to phone and ask the cost. There is also a $10 per day parking fee. Our room block carries a 5 day cancellation policy. Any changes or cancellations to a reservation less than 5 days in advance of arrival will incur a one night room and tax penalty. Make your reservation online via the following link www.group.hilton.com/1lou22 or by calling their reservations office at 800-618-4350. If you call make sure to mention our group code #908. If you wish to extend dates on either side of our reservation block, they are based upon availability and are not available online. Reservations should be booked prior to our cut-off date of Friday, December 29, but given the interest I doubt any rooms will be left if you wait that long. I am looking forward to a great trip next winter. Please contact Karen LeClerc if you have any questions at kmleclerc58@gmail.com or 920-883-9477.