Trails Q & A

Trails Trails 2022 QA&

Snapshots of people we meet along the trail

Donna Seline

Minneapolis, MN Occupation: Graphic Designer for two small publications and board member emeritus of the NSTT. Gear: Hiking cane decorated with souvenir plaques and New Balance hiking shoes. Seen: Route scouting for the NorthStar Trail Travelers (NSTT). Miles hiked per year: About 60. What does being outdoors mean to you? When I get out in the trees it’s kind of a sanctuary. My body loves getting out of the city and walking on soft terrain. Favorite Minnesota park? George H. Crosby Manitou, because it’s so rustic and it’s just a joy to walk around. Best Minnesota Experience? Helping start hiking club chapters in Minnesota. Worst Minnesota Experience? Having to seek shelter during a tornado while hiking in southern Minnesota. Advice for the novice: Start out slow and join a club. On your Minnesota bucket list? I really want to take a hot air balloon ride. What would you do with $1,000? Go to Europe to do a Volksmarch over there. Trail Treat: Nothing in particular, but I always have to have water.

Gideon Ngobi

Roseville, MN Occupation: Financial planner with Thrivent Financial. Seen: Hiking with the North Star Trail Travelers at Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area. How many miles a year do you hike? About 100. What does being outdoors mean to you? It connects me to nature and a walk in the woods is refreshing. Favorite Minnesota park? I’m new to this so I can’t say I have been to many. Best Minnesota experience? Camping in the Duluth area, I woke up and my water was frozen, but I made it through the night. Worst Minnesota experience? The fear of snakes. I know they aren’t venomous here, but because of my background I have a natural fear of them. Advice to the novice: Get good shoes and start small. On your Minnesota bucket list? Visit Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park. What would you with $1,000? I would donate it to a state park trail. Trail Treat: An energy bar.

Laura Greene

Spicer, MN Occupation: Legal Administrative Assistant.

Gear: New Balance walking shoes.

Seen: Hiking the new section of the Glacial Lakes State Trail at Sibley State Park with her sister Nancy.

How many miles do you walk a year? We just started walking again and last month we did 50 miles.

What does being outdoors mean to you? It feels good, gives you more energy and it’s relaxing.

Favorite Minnesota park? Lake Maria State Park. My husband and I used to hike there, with hardly anybody there.

Best Minnesota experience? Backcountry camping at Hogback Lake in the Superior National Forest.

Advice for the novice: Get a good pair of shoes and have something to eat before you go.

What would you do with $1,000? Buy a bicycle.

Trail Treat: A Dairy Queen ice cream cone.

Megan Pederson

Eau Claire, WI Occupation: Supervisor at Starbucks Gear: Camping hammock. Seen: Backpack camping for the fi rst time at Lake Maria State Park. What is your fi rst impression of backpacking? It was a little harder than I thought, but it was still very relaxing. I loved just lying in my hammock and listening to the rustling leaves and birds all around. Favorite Minnesota State Park? Lake Maria State Park for sure after this. Minnesota bucket list: I want to go to Blue Mounds State Park. It’s something diff erent than most parks I’ve been to, especially compared to the North Shore. Trail Treat: Probably trail mix. You get a little protein, a little sweet, a little savory. Best Minnesota outdoor experience? Backpacking in general, or biking the Dakota Rail Regional Trail from Wayzata past Gale Woods Farm. That was beautiful. Advice for the novice: Pack only what you need and maybe get a wagon. But always bring your essentials, you still have to camp in style. What would you do with $1,000? I’d put it towards a trip to Peru. I really want to hike Machu Picchu!

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