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SlugWhisperer, Ypsilanti, MI (2024)

08/19/2023

07/04/2023

Treasures from the past. The time capsule from Ypsilanti’s 150th anniversary filled with water.

Luckily someone had the common sense to dig it up and open it last week. There are more treasures to be revealed once they are dry.

All time capsule items will be catalogued and stored at the Ypsilanti Historical Society Museum.

07/04/2023

Any moment now. The park is starting to fill up. Parade must be ending.

07/04/2023

To celebrate Ypsilanti’s bicentennial I will be live streaming the opening of the sesquicentennial time capsule been buried underneath the water tower for 50 years. Join me as soon as the mile long parade ends.

07/04/2023

To celebrate Ypsilanti’s bicentennial join me for a livestream of the opening of time capsule from the Ypsilanti’s 150th birthday. Starting whenever the mile-long parade ends.

04/22/2023

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Each month, take a new guided tour and explore Ypsilanti and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. History (and Fitness) Walks All tours...

04/22/2023

There may be rain tomorrow. Though there may not. See you all at the Ypsilanti Senior Center at 10am. We’ll walk the perimeter of the Normal Park neighborhood (skipping Washtenaw). It’s about a 3k route on sidewalks.

https://www.ypsireal.com/event/history-walking-tours/11598/?fbclid=IwAR0YJdd8LFuTNIyISG54enw3zmc94IMd6B2uWqYrtOFKWERCk3mM5m3jhQ0

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Each month, take a new guided tour and explore Ypsilanti and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. History (and Fitness) Walks All tours...

04/09/2023

Today’s River Ramble - muskrat, harlequin duck (an exotic), fuzzy seeds, owl carcass, and plant reproductive organs.

Next one is on May 14 at 10am at Waterworks Park in Ypsi.

The next History Walk is Sunday, April 23 at 10am - meet at the Ypsi Senior Center at Recreation Park.

04/01/2023

This is what 2.8 feet (2’ - 9.6”) looks like on the Huron River in Ypsilanti. Has it crested?

Show us what you see.

03/22/2023

It’s that time of the month - Join us for a walking tour of downtown Ypsilanti this Sunday (3/26) at the downtown library at 10am.

We’ll ponder the buildings then head down to the Huron River to Independence Island for a quick commune with our natural world.

Anticipated time is 2 hours for approximately 3 km.

https://www.ypsireal.com/event/history-walking-tours/11598/?fbclid=IwAR0YJdd8LFuTNIyISG54enw3zmc94IMd6B2uWqYrtOFKWERCk3mM5m3jhQ0

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Each month, take a new guided tour and explore Ypsilanti and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. History (and Fitness) Walks All tours...

03/05/2023

Next Sunday 3/12 meet once again at the Freight House at 10am for a stroll along the Huron River to discover what’s happening in the natural world.

https://www.ypsireal.com/event/nature-walks%3a-monthly-riverside-rambles/11597/?fbclid=IwAR2bvQs9jbtu2EA_oe8YIgUgzhimZ44dxuftQWVZFvW4OMcKwzyKES6AbM8

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Every second Sunday of each month, explore Ypsilanti along the Huron River and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. Nature Walks: Month...

02/21/2023

Meet at the Ypsilanti downtown library at 10 am this Sunday (2/26) to walk the perimeter of our city’s historic district. The route is about 6k (3.78 miles). Should take about 2 hours.

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Each month, take a new guided tour and explore Ypsilanti and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. History (and Fitness) Walks All tours...

02/20/2023

Sir, the board seems a bit spongy.

02/20/2023

My work is done for the day.

02/06/2023

Come join me next Sunday at 10am for a walk along the Huron River to look for plants, animals, geology and history we can discover in 2 hours. Meet at the Freight House. This event is free, though donations are welcome.

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Every second Sunday of each month, explore Ypsilanti along the Huron River and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. Nature Walks: Month...

01/12/2023

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Every second Sunday of each month, explore Ypsilanti along the Huron River and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. Nature Walks: Month...

01/12/2023

Thanks to and to helping promote my monthly nature walks - River Rambles.

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Every second Sunday of each month, explore Ypsilanti along the Huron River and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. Nature Walks: Month...

01/12/2023

Thanks to and for helping to promote my upcoming History Walks.

Join in for these upcoming Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking events throughout 2023! Each month, take a new guided tour and explore Ypsilanti and its rich history. Tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer, an enthusiast of nature and history. History (and Fitness) Walks All tours...

01/08/2023

Sorry for the late notice, but I'm hosting a nature walk tomorrow, Sunday, January 8. Meet at the Freighthouse. We'll start promptly at 10am.

This is the first of a monthly walking series in Ypsilanti in 2023. Hopefully I'll see you at one of them.

01/06/2023

2023 Ypsilanti Bicentennial Walking Events:

The following tours will be led by Stefan Szumko, also known as SlugWhisperer - an enthusiast of nature and history.

* All walking tours will happen rain or shine (unless there is a significant chance of lightning).
* Please dress for the weather.
* Children must be accompanied and supervised by parents/guardians at all times.
* We’ll see how well dogs are able to participate.
* No charge to walk at events, though donations are accepted.
* Pre-registration not required. We will adapt to all ages and crowd sizes.
* Walks will start promptly at the time indicated below.

Nature Walks - Monthly Riverside Rambles

January-December, Second Sunday of Each Month - 10am
For nature nerds of all ages, we will be exploring the natural world along the Huron River. (2 hours - approximately 1 mile round trip).
January through March
Meet at the Freight House (100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198).
April through December
Meet at the pavilion at Waterworks Park (40 Catherine Street  Ypsilanti, MI 48197).

History (and fitness) Walks

February 23, Sunday - 10am
Historic District Perimeter
Walk the perimeter of the Ypsilanti Historic District, the 3rd largest in Michigan. Distance is approximately 6K (3 miles). Meet at the Main Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197).

March 26, Sunday - 10am
Historic Walking Tours: Downtown
Marvel at the buildings in the historic downtown business district, then head down to the river to visit Independence Island. (2 hours). Meet at the Main Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197).

April 23, Sunday - 10am
Historic Walking Tours: Normal Park
A nice, flat route through a century-old neighborhood. (2 hours). Meet at the Ypsilanti Senior Center (1015 Congress St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197). 
May 6, Saturday - 10am
Ypsilanti Bicentennial 5K/10K Volksmarch
Created especially to highlight Ypsilanti's history - from Depot Town to Woodruff's Grove, Independence Island to the Water Tower, walkers can purchase a map ($3) or walk with a guided group. Meet at the Freight House (100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198)

June 25, Sunday - 10am
Historic Walking Tours: Depot Town and the Historic East Side
After the history walk through Depot Town, we’ll walk up and down a steep hill through the east side neighborhoods (2 hours). Meet at the Freight House (100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198).

July 23, Sunday - 10am
Historic Walking Tours: Cross St/EMU
Walk from one of the lowest points in the city (Frog Island) to the highest elevation (the water tower) with a quick stroll through the original State Normal College (now EMU). (2 hours). Meet at the Freight House (100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198).

August 19 (likely), Saturday - Time TBA
YHF Historic Home Tour
This event will retrace the route of the Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation’s first Historic Home Tour in 1978 along N. Huron from Michigan Ave. to Cross St. Participants can walk with a guided group or independently using the annotated map. (1-2 hours). (Start point and date TBD)

September 4, Monday - 10am
Bridges of Ypsilanti Walk
If you count the Tridge as 3, there are 14 bridges within roughly a mile from downtown Ypsi (not including the freeway overpasses). The walking route is just a bit over 10K. The 5K route has 10 bridges. Meet at the Freight House (100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198).

October 22, Sunday - 10am
Ypsilanti Bicentennial 5K/10K Volksmarch
Created especially to highlight Ypsilanti's history - from Depot Town to Woodruff's Grove, Independence Island to the Water Tower, walkers can purchase a map ($3) or walk with a guided group. Meet at the Freight House (100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198)

November 26, Sunday - 10am
Historic District Perimeter
Walk the perimeter of the Ypsilanti Historic District, the 3rd largest in Michigan. Distance is approximately 6K (3 miles). Meet at the Main Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197).