New adventure

It's been a while since I have posted anything on here, thought I would catch up. I have been keeping active this summer. Gone on a few hikes both down here in southeast Michigan and more up North. I need to keep in shape because I want to participate in Hike for Discovery again next year...at Yosemite National Park.

To keep in shape I have decided to walk in the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Half Marathon on Oct. 29. I have certainly walked the 13 miles, now I need to work on walking them non-stop.

Keep an eye for updates for my progress as well as my final time on Oct. 29.

On Top of the World

Grand Canyon update

Got home last night around 9 pm. Had to unpack and go to bed for work today, so that's why the Canyon update is a day behind.

All I can really say is WOW! What an amazing weekend. Here it is in a nutshell...
Thursday morning fly to Pheonix, rest for the hike.

Friday drive by bus to the Grand Canyon (4 hours away) have lunch in beautiful Sedona. Stop at the Canyon for a half hour to catch a quick glimpse. Have an inspirational dinner with a speech from a cancer survivor and find out the grand total of money raised -- $240,000 Michigan; $800,000 the five states there this past weekend; and $3.3 millon total from the five weekends that Hike for Discovery happened.

Saturday get up at 3:30 am to have breakfast and have gear checked for 5:30 bus ride to the Canyon. Hiked 8 miles/7 hours along the rim of the Canyon experiencing breathtaking views of this wonder, along with California Condors. Many photos were taken, but I truly believe the beauty and awe we get when seeing photos is nothing compared to it up close and personal.

This was all worth it and I look forward to sharing my photos and even my next adventure with you all (think Yosemite).

Last group hike before the Canyon

This Saturday we completed our last group hike. We hiked between 6 and 7 hours and ended with a group BBQ. The past four months have been full of many ups and downs (like the hills and the tempature), hearing many reasons people are particpating in this journey and making new friends and acquintances.

Please enjoy photos of these people I have spent almost every Saturday with from the first weekend in Feb. Check back during the weekend of June 1. I will be posting photos and updates from the Grand Canyon.

D-Day (Donation Day)

Today was the day my donations had to be in...I made my minimum donation of $3,700. Thank you all for your donations, kind words and your own personal stories. I will think of you all along with Jan and the other honored heros that we are hiking for. If you feel you would like to still support my Hike for Discovery donations can still be made at www.active.com/donate/hfdmi/hfdsredding

I will have and update on our last group hike this Saturday at Pickney State Recreation Area. It will be seven hours just like the hike in the Grand Canyon on June 3.

Cold and rainy...even on the golf course

This week was the Lambda Chi Alpha Iota Psi Alumni Golf Outing. Not as many brothers showed up as last year, but a good time was had by all. I even walked away with $200.00 towards the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Thank you all for supporting me on this adventure. Oh, my foursome was 4 under and we didn't win.

Next week is the last of the group hikes. Then it's Memorial Day...a few days later off to the Grand Canyon for the big hike. I will have internet access while gone, so please check back throughout the weekend of June 1 for updates.

Less than a month and ready to go

Well, in less than a month I will have completed my "Hike for Discovery." I feel after yesterday's hike I am pretty prepared. We hiked for over 5 hours at Highland Recreation Area. Along the way we saw the Boy Scouts, a small patch of Morel Mushrooms and some horses.

The night before we had a group fundraiser at Wise Guys comedy club. We had a good turnout. Also during the week I had a pizza fundraiser at work and raised $153. My total is now at $2,700 -- I have a week and a half to try and get the remaining $1,000.

I will not be hiking this coming weekend, so my last hike update will be after the group hike on May 20 at Pickney Recreation Area.

Rally Weekend

I didn't participate in the group hike this week due to a Road Rally that my Leadership class was hosting. The money raised went to two of Canton's youth programs -- Growth Works and the B.L.O.C.K. The rally was very successful and all that particapated had a great time.

I did get in a 4 mile hike at Lyon Oaks early Saturday morning. And my fundraising is winding down. I am looking to have a pizza fundraiser this week at work and this coming Friday is the comedy night at Wise Guys in Novi.

I have two weeks left for fundraising if you have already donated I thank you and look forward to sharing my experience with you after the hike.

What a difference two months make

This weeks hike started the same place as the really cold hike of week 3, Paint Creek Trail. This time we went in the other direction and ended up in Bloomer Park. What a real nice park. A majority of the trail ran along the river and at one point there was a nice resting spot by a waterfall. Which on the other side of the waterfall is Yates Cider Mill. Too bad it wasn't Oct. I could have gone for some fresh cider and donuts.

Oh we also went up and down a set of steps that could possibly put a stadium to shame. But we did it and my hamstrings are sore today.

If you haven't already, please let me know if you want tickets to the comedy show on May 5 at Wise Guys in Novi. I am around $2,200 -- $1,500 short of my minimum and almost half way to my goal of $5,000. Keep the donations coming, I have until May 16. Thanks for all your support.

Tax Day...or at least the bugs were taxing

Today was the nicest day for our hikes yet. It was sunny, it was warm and I think my boots are finally broken in. The bad part was the bugs. The were just as excited to be out in the warmth as we were and they let us know.

At the beginning of our hike we had to do a step test to see how high our heart rate would go and then recover. I am still a kicking so I did very well, except being winded. Next week we will be out in Rochester at Bloomer Park.

As a fundraiser update I have broken the $2,100 amount -- almost halfway to my goal and just a bit shy of my minimum. Thanks and keep the support coming.

Comedy Night May 5, at Wise Guys in Novi

As many of you know I have done some stand-up over the past year or so. And since comedy is one thing that I love, I am pleased to announce that the small group I am part of is having a comedy fundraiser. The best part is you don't have to hear my jokes! (though if you want to I can email you some clips from the past)

The event will take place on Friday May 5, 8 PM at Wise Guys Comedy Club in Novi. It is inside the Manhatten Club on Grand River. The tickets are $12.00 and you can get 25% off of Dinner and/or 50% off of appetizers during the show!!!

You can either post a comment or email me, scredding@hotmail.com if you would like to purchase some tickets. It will be a fun evening for a great cause...the Leukemia & Lymphoma Hike for Discovery!

Bald Mountain Recreation Area

This Saturday we were in Lake Orion at Bald Mountain. On the way there I saw some deer enjoying their breakfast (I'm sure they were laughing at me for being out there so early). The hike was one of the most enjoyable yet. Although a bit chilly out, the sun really warmed us up. We hiked between 4 and 4.5 hours. This week and next week are the hikes which will help determine the trial I will hike once at the Grand Canyon.

I have broken the $2,000 mark. And look towards getting to $3,000 in the next couple of weeks. I have about a month or so left to reach at least my minimum of $3,700 but look to reaching the whole $5,000 by the end of May.

Update...no hiking for me this past weekend

I don't have any new photos or what the condition was hiking on Saturday. I didn't hike. After last weeks hike I aggrevated something in my ankle causing the me to wear what I refer to as "The Boot." This is that wonderful think you see on people that looks like a walking cast, but it isn't. I wore it all week to help with some soreness and pain. I am ready to saddle up, so to speak, for next week though.

I do have some donation updates. I recently held a pop can drive -- it didn't turn out as successful as I would have wanted it to, but every bit helps. Also, Thanks to the Sobell's I went over the $1,500 mark -- only $2,200 from my minimum and $3,500 from my goal. I have lot to do in the next month and a half.

Speaking of that, on May 5 there will be a comedy show as a fundraiser for my group. It will be held at Wise Guys in Novi. More details to come...

Kensington and Island Lake Part 2

This week we were both at Kensington Metro Park and Island Lake State Park. They connect via a path under the freeway. We hiked for 4.5 hours. The title of this adventure is "Hike for Discovery," which is is what we did on Saturday. Once we got on the trial at Island Lake we ran across a coyote. Yes you read that correct, I did leave one thing out, it was dead. Jeff our hunter in the group determined that it hadn't been dead for a long time.

Jeff by the way is one of the groups Honored Hero's. He is in remission from Acute ProMyelocytic Leukemia. He is a Frazier policeman and fellow Ferris graduate. His son, John, is also hiking.

Did I mention it snowed again during the hike. According to weather.com next weekend is suppose to be warmer. Whick will be nice for our 5 hour hike.

Orion Oaks

Today was a nice day on the trial. It started off a bit cold -- 12 degree windchill -- but sunny. We hiked for 4 hours through some really nice secenary. As you can see we also were by a lake. The one picture where you don't see me is of the small group I was with today on a quick break for some water and trial snacks.

Hopefully next week it will be a bit warmer and spring comes soon. The training has been good, but it won't be cold in June while in the Grand Canyon.

Brighton Recreation Area

Today we hiked at Brighton State Park. It was just amazing going through the trails. We saw some buds starting on a few of the trees and it was nice to be out in a little warmer weather. I think when it was all said and done we hiked between eight and nine miles and it was a lot of up and down.

I have made the first deadline with all my supporters help. The Leukemia & Lymphomia Society had a goal of $500 by last week and $750 by March 21. I am above both those, so thank you all so far for your donations.

Looking forward to next week at another new area for me Orion Oaks.

And if you are downtown tomorrow at the St. Patrick Day parade or out and about on Friday and someone wants you to buy a "Drink Strong" band, do it. The money is going to a good cause...Leukemia & Lymphomia Society.

Couple of updates

I don't have any information on last weekends hike, I have been battling a bad cold. I feel I will be up and ready for this coming weeks 3.5 hour excursion at Brighton Rec. Area. Last night I learned about hydration and food for the hike. We will have to bring 120oz. of water when in the Grand Canyon. This week I will be hiking with all 120oz. to start to get use to carrying a pack.

I also recently got a digital camera, so the photos will be more plentiful and maybe a bit better (so I don't look like the abomidable snow man). Though this weekend it is suppose to be close to 60 degrees. What a difference a week or two makes -- a few hours actually in Michigan.

A note on the donation front, I am alsmost to $1,200. I won a 50/50 raffle and am putting my "50" towards the hike.

Don't forget to check out my links to the right, especially the donation if you haven't yet. I appreciate any support, even if it is moral.

Donation update

Thanks to Gail and Larry Hoelscher I have gone over the $1,000 mark. I will have some upcoming fundraisers that you can find out about right here...March Madness is coming up so get ready.

This week we were at Island Lake Recreation. We hiked the yellow trial which is a 6 mile loop. I completed it in under 2.5 hours.

I was thinking while winding through trees, going past some streams and open fields, in our hectic busy day we forget about the beauty and nature that is right in our backyards. We don't need to go up North to get away and enjoy mother earth. In the four weeks I have been out training with the rest of the Hike for Discovery group we have been to some great places and there are more yet to come.

On some weekend or even on a weeknight that Lost or the Donald isn't on, go to a metro park or one of the area's State parks and just enjoy nature it helps with the stress.

Hike Week 3

I am writing this on Monday...I've finally unthawed enough to type.

The two hour hike was at Paint Creek Trail in Rochester. When we started out at a few past 8 am it was 3 degrees Fahrenheit -- wind chill somewhere around -5 degrees. I stayed warm for the entire time. However, my camelback froze.

Last Friday was my last day at Oakwood Healthcare System, and I want to recognize my co-workers for sending me off with $300 towards my goal. Thank you for your support.

Article in Canton Observer

Today the Canton Observer ran a real nice piece about my efforts. Read the article here.

Group photo from our weekly hike at Kensington on 2/11/06.

Hike Week 2

Today's hike was 1.5 hours and in the snow.

We were suppose to get some flurries and cold. It was more than flurries. I decided to break in my new boots. I must have done good work ahead of time, because I don't have any blisters. My ankle, which I recently had an outpatient procedure on, didn't hurt at all.

I am looking forward to next weeks hike of 2 hours.

Hike for Discovery introduction

This is the first of many posts I wish to share with you regarding my upcoming Hike in the Grand Canyon.

Right now I am busy training for a spring hike in the Grand Canyon. Over the next few months, through rain or shine, I’ll be hiking many, many miles – and steep miles at that – to prepare for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Hike for Discovery,” a Grand Canyon adventure set for June 3, 2006.

Hike for Discovery is a nonprofit adventure fundraising program that benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I’ve set my sights higher than just training to hike into the canyon. I also aim to raise at least $5,000 to help find a cure for blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkin’s disease.

The money I raise will pay for support groups, educational programs and financial planning for afflicted families. It will also fund grants for local researchers at the University of Michigan and Children’s Hospital of Michigan whom are working toward better treatments and a cure. Their efforts are critical, because blood cancers kill more children in the Untied States than any other cancer and strike even more adults. An estimated 110,960 new cases of blood cancers will be diagnosed nationwide this year alone; some 55,100 patients will die.

I am not only looking to raise funds, I am participating in honor of a leukemia patient. Her name is Jan Fallat and is the wife of my doctor as well as a fellow parishioner at my church. Her story is very moving in that during her remission of breast cancer she was diagnosed with leukemia. As she progresses in her disease the need for a bone marrow transplant is her only hope to survival. By hiking in her honor and raising funds I hope to make a difference for her as well as other current and future leukemia patients.

Though I can do training, I need your help to reach me fundraising goal. Every dollar you donate is tax deductible, and at least 75 cents of it goes directly toward research and patient services in Michigan.

Please go to the following Web page – www.active.com/donate/hfdmi/hfdSRedding – and you can make a credit card donation. If you could donate $40 that would be great, however any amount you are able to donate is welcome. Please feel free to share with your friends, family or colleagues. Thank you in advance for your support. The patients, families and I appreciate your efforts in helping to find a cure for blood cancers.

Please check back often to this site and I will start posting pictures, thoughts and updates on my training.