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Meet Micheline Kagan: Long Island Chapter Profession: retired ESL teacher Resides: Queens, NY I joined ADK in 1997 when my life was at a crossroads. I had spent 25 years in a career as a teacher and raising my children, now it was time for me. I wanted to get outdoors in all seasons. I didn’t know I would discover so many wonderful activities and friends in the process. I thought I was just going to hike. Little did I know how much I enjoyed snowshoeing, x-country skiing, paddling and cycling. I rediscovered hiking in the places I had known as a youngster such as the Lower Hudson Valley and soon I was leading hikes in the area. Then I started to explore the Catskills and the Adirondacks in ways I have never known them before. Although I never seriously caught the peak bagger fever, I am half way through my Catskill peaks and I’ve got a few High Peaks under my belt as well. I enjoy leading hikes and teaching people how to read the trail maps. I love the spring hikes where we encounter so many wild flowers. On the extended outings I’ve joined, I particularly like to observe the flora and the fauna. That’s why I like to take it slow and take lots of photos. I became very involved in my chapter (Long Island) first as the newsletter editor and then Board member and finally as the chapter president. I enjoy encouraging people to organize events for the chapter. On all the extended outings I joined (Chaco Canyon, Mt. Ranier, Hawaii, and Buffalo River) I have enjoyed the camaraderie that those trips afford. What I like about travelling with ADKers is that they pitch in and help, they share their skills and knowledge with you, and they deal with the weather in good spirits and are adaptable to whatever comes along. That’s the reason I am looking forward to leading extending outings and discovering new places with new friends. Micheline |