Jan 26 2007
About
By Mike Ingels (eriehiker@yahoo.com)
The world has been very good to me.
My name is Michael Ingels. I was born and raised in Monroe, MI and it has always been a touchstone for me. If you take a look above, you’ll see me with my beautiful wife, Kathy. She grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and has values to match. She’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.
I have a sister, Michelle, who works in downtown Monroe for the County. My brother, Francis, lives in Seattle and works for Microsoft. I can split my extended family into Belgian/non-Belgian halves. The Belgians are the Ingels. The other half is composed of Hoffmans, Tibais, Ebys and a half-dozen other names. I am probably related to half of Monroe County.
My dad is also named Michael. And I love him dearly. He’s 69 years old and is in the process of painting portraits of everyone we know. My dad has, at various times been an electrician, monk, businessman, auto repairman and Catholic Deacon. I guess you could say that I’m the son of a preacherman.
My dad is one of the reasons that I stay connected to Monroe. After my mom, Shirley, passed away in 2000 because of uterine cancer, the whole family had to pull together. My siblings and I began to take a much greater interest in my father’s life. Since he lives in Monroe, I take semi-regular trips back and forth between my home in Adrian to my dad’s house on Bates Lane. I think I know him better now than I ever have and it’s a real joy.
In the past, I’ve lived in the Michigan cities of Ann Arbor, Manchester, Onsted and Tecumseh. And I’ve also lived in Aurora, IL and Appleton, WI. I currently teach English and Social Studies for Addison Community Schools on the corner of Jackson, Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties. My life tends to spread across vast distances.
I am interested in a lot of things. I love hiking and the outdoors. I love second-hand shopping. I love politics and reading. I tend to church hop within the Catholic faith. And I love taking part in online communities.
If you need to get ahold of me, send an email to eriehiker@yahoo.com.
That’s enough about me.
Michael, what a wonderful blog you have! You have done an amazing amount of work here.
I just happened upon you…. by complete accident.
I noticed that your articles have few responses… do you have regular readers that you’re aware of? If not, it would seem a shame that people are missing out on you.
I’m a former Monroe person — St Mary Academy class of 71 (ancient!) and recently went back for alumnae day having been disconnected for quite some time — since my dad died and mom was relocated. I am have only gone as far as A2 where I work as a psychotherapist, and live in Ypsi.
Would love to know about your readership/traffic — was thinking I’d send a link to your blog around to folks I know.
Monica King
Dear Mr. Ingels,
I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog.
I am not able to hike or travel as much I would like so The Erie Hiker is my way of exploring through your entries.
Your blog is truly a wonderful living experience for others to partake and is indeed a gift.
My deepest gratitude for all of your effort.
Respectfully,
Kazimer
Thanks for posting a great site! I found your site a month or so ago and saved it to look at some more. I live in Summerfield Township. Thanks for posting so many local hikes. We are blessed with flat land, no bears or porkies but cursed by few trails and supporters of trails.
Hey, Steve!
Let’s go hiking sometime.
Mike
mr ingels i wish you would come back to the middle school we all miss you and i love your blog me and bubba both we miss you
love BJ and Bubba
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Great web-site. We’ll link this to our community blog. We’re a bit far from Lake Erie (25 min) but right on the Thames River which flows into Lake St. Clair. Hope to use your web-site as we explore our own backyard.
This is a great blog! I am a nature lover and also love to hike! My husband introduced me to camping and hiking and I quickly fell in love! Thanks for the great work! I didn’t even realize many of the little teasures we have right here in Monroe! Happy trails!