on my frequent walks to the river

each time passing this sign 

i wondered –

often someone chopping wood

putting up canoes, cooking outside

peaceful communal living

until i learned the intriguing backstory

and understood

the amazing spirit of this society.

—

Society of Les Voyageurs

As the oldest continually active student group on the University of Michigan campus (founded in 1907), the Society of Les Voyageurs upholds a long-standing tradition of convening over the love for nature and the out of doors.  The Society owns a cabin on the Huron River just north of downtown called Habe Mills Pine Lodge that was built in 1927 to house the Society, its activities, as well as those members who choose to live there.  The group also hosts potluck dinners every Sunday at 6pm, followed by a program from a professor or a community member pertaining to learning more about the out of doors.  The group is known to embark occasionally on casual outings such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, caving, cross-country skiing, etc.

—

*”si le voyageur n’espere rien, il ne verra ce que voient les yeux.”

-eric-emmanuel schmitt (franco-belgian playwright, novelist, film director)

*(If the traveler does not hope for anything, he will only see what the eyes see.)

argo park, ann arbor, michigan, usa – april 2021