We completed Trey's Trek from Dearborn to Mackinaw City, MI!

Standing under "Big Mac" after 20 days of Trey's Trek!

Dearborn, MI to Mackinaw, MI!!!  What an experience!  What a trial!  What a trip!  What a difference walking makes!  


My physical target was the farthermost point North in the Lower Peninsular of Michigan where a person could walk to...  


Yesterday, I walked into and through the town of Mackinaw City and made my way North to the bridge that crosses over to the "U.P.!" (Upper Peninsular of Michigan).  For those of you who don't know, it is a 5 mile-long suspension bridge that connects the 'Lower' and 'Upper' Peninsulas of Michigan.  


As I reached the water's edge, I walked out to about the 4 foot depth and I stood right in the middle of the bridge where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet!  One leg in each lake!  I guess that now I am an official "Troll" since I am "under the bridge" and "in the water!"  


The night before, friends from "down state" came up. They spent the night and were ready to tackle the last 16 miles of the Trek with me yesterday.  I have to tell you that it was an awesome encouragement to me to finish up with such faithful friends!

Mark, Jason, Me, John, Josh, Ashley

Facing the Finish Line!

About 5 miles out from Mackinaw City I spotted "Big Mac" (the bridge) for the first time!  It was a sight to see!  That massive structure which is one of the world's longest suspension bridges was my finish line in this 300 mile trek.  


As I got closer I could feel my stomach tightening like I was getting ready for the kickoff of a football game that I would have played in as a starter or getting ready to step out onto a wrestling mat after spending a couple of months getting ready for the contest!  So, I walked on toward my goal!  The closer I got the larger the structure seemed to get.  


Then as I entered the park just under the bridge I began to slow down a bit and really ponder what was actually happening here!  Besides actually walking 300 miles!; besides pushing day after day to make it in 20 days;  besides all of the hurts and pains associated with walking 'marathon length' days; I was approaching more than just a finish line!  This trek was primarily in response to the command to "walk"!  If nothing else mattered this did!  If there was no apparent reason or explanation for this event-- being obedient was enough for me!  So I did!  I walked!  And now I am standing at the water's edge, knowing that I did what I was supposed to do!  "It is finished!"  I thought to myself!

Pondering Trey's Trek to Mackinaw...

Making the Goal...mine!

Now it was time to not just reach the 'finish line' but to cross it...to gain the full victory!  So I set out to do just that!  I wanted to go the distance and in my heart--really 'get into it!'  So I did!  I got in it!

Standing in Obedience and Victory!

As I made my way out into the water, I stopped and removed my hat and thanked Jesus for the strength, the endurance, the stamina, the courage and the patience it took to get me to this point at this time in my life!  There was so much to be thankful for!  

I  guess I will not fully know the extent of what this was all about-- but I do know that every step that we took getting here was worth it and right!  Anytime that you place your feet in the steps of Jesus and walk...it is the best place for you to be! 

We made it to Mackinaw!  We all won!

   We did it!  We actually did it!  We walked to Mackinaw, MI from Dearborn, MI.  I asked them to come and they came!  I was the only one asked to 'go the distance' but my friends along the way, at different legs of the trek, joined me to make this journey doable!  Without their help and encouragement it would have 'beat me like a gub'ment mule'!  (Tony Lawson used to say that! Bless his heart!)  So every person who actually walked with me shares in the victory, shares in the joy, and has experienced the satisfaction that WE WON!  WE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE even though it hurt!  We did it!  Are we boasting?  You bet!  WE DID IT!  We finished the race!  We ran (or walked) the course!   We were out there!  

It almost seemed impossible!  At times it felt impossible as the road stretched out into miles in front of us and off into the horizon into what seemed like nothing!  BUT we put one foot in front of the other and WALKED!  And because we did not stop or quit we crossed the finish line and WE WON!  We reached our goal!  So if by any one's standards this seems like boasting... well take it for what it is worth! We were there! We won! We have the satisfaction that although it was challenging and sometimes hurtful, we put one foot in front of the other and crossed the finish line!  And with that said!  Whoever is reading this... You can cross that finish line too!  Just don't quit!  Don't quit asking question!  Don't stop trying!  Don't listen to folks who tell you that you are sorry and can't accomplish anything!  Of course there are hindrences that keep a person from accomplishing goals and 'finishing up' things you have had your heart set on.  So if that is the case, gather your courage and get back to what you know is right!  I just want to tell you, that I know for the most part... what keeps folks from doing what they are supposed to do, is sin!  I don't want to be preachy here but if the oil in your engine 'ain't' been changed since you first started out... you ain't goin' far from where you are!  Go see the Technician and get a tune up!  Get your oil changed,  your battery charged!   Let Him lube your joints and air up your tires! Some of you are a wreck... waiting to happen!  Don't be stupid!  Get to the shop and take care of things before you end up in the junk yard!  

Now... To be real about this, let Jesus, like the Master Mechanic He is, work on you and get you into shape!   So you won't end up in some junk yard of life!  Why wait until you are "an ole' junker", before you let The Manufacturer get you up to snuff!  Who likes an ugly, beat up, raggedy ole car anyway?  Let Jesus restore you to mint condition!  Why wait!  You have the key... get the 'thang' started! 

With my "sore" feet on the Ground!

Simply Trey

P.S.  now that the Dearborn to Mackinaw Trek is finished, I will have time to go back and fill in the gaps!  So look for more of Trey's Trek in the coming days!  

Fog moving in and covering 'Big Mac...'

As we were leaving we were pulling out and looked out across the lake to St. Ignace and saw this scene.  The fog rolled in and covered the whole bridge.  It was really beautiful because the sky was cloudless and so blue!  This fog eventually moved in over the Northern end of the State and covered everything!