Outdoors writer to reflect on career, achievements at library
GAYLORD — Jim DuFresne, who managed to take his love of the outdoors and turn it into a career, will make an appearance in Gaylord to discuss hiking and backpacking in some of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet, including many in Michigan.
DuFresne's presentation, “The End of the Trail: A Life Well Spent Walking and Sleeping on the Ground," will begin at 6 p.m. on March 19 at the Otsego County Library, 700 S. Otsego Ave. in Gaylord.
"I have a deep rooted passion for two things; sunsets and shoreline, no doubt the result of living my entire life in the two states that have more coastline than any other; Alaska and Michigan," DuFresne writes in his biography.
During his discussion, DuFresne will reflect on how he stumbled into writing outdoor recreation guidebooks, showcase his top adventures from his favorite titles and explain why it’s time to follow a different path.
After graduating from Michigan State University with a journalism degree, DuFrense moved to Juneau, Alaska as the outdoors and sports editor of the Juneau Empire. In 1980, he became the first Alaskan sportswriter to win a national award from the Associated Press.
"More significant than the award or even receiving a letter of congratulations from (Alaska) Gov. Jay Hammond, I discovered my passion for the mountains and wilderness travel while living in Alaska’s capital city," he said.
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This year, DuFresne’s classic "Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails & Water Routes" will celebrate its 40th year of continuous publication, an amazing achievement in the world of book publishing. Affectionately known at the park as the “Backpacker’s Bible,” the book was released in 1984 as the first detailed trail and paddling guide of any area in Michigan.
DuFresne has authored more than 20 outdoor guidebooks for a range of wild places, from Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park to New Zealand to Michigan’s own Porcupine Mountains. His titles include "50 Hikes in Michigan," "The Trails of M-22," "Backpacking in Michigan," "Tramping in New Zealand" and "Hiking in Alaska."
DuFresne's well chronicled experiences in Northern Michigan has given him a unique insight into the region and its important tourism economy. He said Gaylord has developed an excellent foundation for tourism, including hotels, lodges and interesting places to stay such as resorts, campgrounds and log cabins in the woods.
"I think your culinary scene, from restaurants to brewpubs, ranks up there with Petoskey and Charlevoix, and on your doorstep is the greatest wild area in the Lower Peninsula, Pigeon River Country State Forest. All this is split by I-75, making Gaylord an easier destination for a weekend getaway then most other towns in Northern Michigan," DuFresne said.
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He said trails and access to the outdoors have always been an essential part of tourism, "but in our post-pandemic era, it is even more important to people than ever."
"Trail development is crucial, and Gaylord has done a wonderful job in developing and supporting trails for all kinds of users, from snowmobilers and cross-country skiers to mountain bikers, hikers and families looking for a nature walk," DuFresne said. "And that's both in town — Aspen Park for one — and long-distance trails to another region of Northern Michigan, like the North Central State Trail."
DuFresne added that to "keep the tourism scene thriving, you need a mix of trails and the support services."
"Someone who has spent all day outdoors on a trail often wants a hot shower, a cold beer and a soft bed at night. Gaylord does a wonderful job supplying that and, equally important, promoting it," he said.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Outdoors writer to reflect on career, achievements at Otsego County Library