My dad wanted to take me and my brother to North Manitou Island, but we needed someone to help guide us. It was one of our first backpacking trips together and the island wasn’t easy to access. We needed someone who knew the way. The Lord in His wonderful Providence led us to Mike Oatis. Mike is a public school teacher and now one of our best friends.
Mike is a veteran backpacker. He is of the old school, external-frame backpack kind. Mike had been to N. Manitou and was more than willing to be our guide for the trip. He had us over to his place for a planning session. He had everything laid out that we would need to pack for the trip. Everything from the sleeping bag and pad to the peanut M&M’s, GORP and dried fruit. The man was organized.
Mike didn’t only show us how to get to the island he came with us. Mike drove us up in his four-door Saturn on a Wednsday night. We slept on the Leland, MI courthouse lawn because there was no room in the inn. The Sherrif brought us coffee at sunrise to kindly wake us. Mike introduced us to the Early Bird Cafe in Fishtown, told us what not to order and when it came his turn ordered it. Mike gave us the quick history of the island on the seven-mile ferry ride. Mike chose the path we took to explore the 15,000 acre Michigan paridise. It was around our camp site in his low voice Mike told us the legend of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was on that trip that my Dad gave Mike his trail name and it has stuck, Manitou Mike helped us make a memory that will last forever.
Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father except through Meâ€. Not only does Jesus show us how to get through life, not only does He take us through life but Jesus is the Life! He is the One we follow, He is the One we believe, and He is the Destination!
Hey this is good stuff. What a memory. What a friend Mike is. What a Way Jesus is. I love him more every day.
Hi Kyle
I want to see my precious grandson, NOW!
It’s been toooo long.
Kiss him on top of his little head for me and tell him GRANDMOTHER LOIS loves him way too much. Now, I know what it’s like to have my arms ache to hold him.
Supertramp,
I cherish the memories! I’ll never forget all the stuff I packed for that trip thinking your father wouldn’t be able to keep up, only to have him hike at a 3.5-4 mph pace! I remember clocking us with the g.p.s. I remember having Ken comment on how easy it was to hike after spending all those years lugging around the extra weight he use to carry! I remember losing some toe nails a few days after that trip thanks to your dad’s breakneck pace.
I also remember the sweet advice your father lovingly gave you and Chuck. The godly example of a father making the most of each moment investing in his sons is still a memory I haven’t forgotten. You may not know this, but the morning after our first night together on the island when you and Chuck went to wash up at the lake I tearfully thanked your father for allowing me to join your family on the trip and to witness the father /son relationship that you enjoy. I learned much from that trip.
Hey, how about our August A.T. trip that same year!!! Remember unsticking ourselves from one another each morning? Boy did that SMALL tent smell – and those sleeping bags!!! Just this week I ran into Rachelle L., Patti G., and Sherlock called the other night. He and Circuit Rider hit the trail again on March 22nd. Well, enough of my ramblings. Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ. I love you brother. In Christ alone,
Manitou Mike