
What we’re about
I started Rick's Hiking & Fun Group a few days after 9/11/01 to bring people together for fun, friendship and community, both outdoors and in.
At first I advertised in the Chicago Reader, then on Craig's List, and starting in 2009, on meetup. the group had 181 events before joining meetup, so you can add that number to the meetup total for the true number of events.
To view some scenes from the early days of the group from 2002-2005, see https://www.angelfire.com/trek/rickhike/ .
We do hiking, game nights, dining out, conversation salons, music events, house concerts, potlucks, etc. we hike at a leisurely pace, stop to smell the roses, and value socializing. we welcome you, please join us.
Rick
...and remember “The world is full of nice people. If you can't find one, be one.”
~Nishan Panwar.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Beverly Shores Garden & Art WalkBeverly Shores, Beverly Shores, IN
note: we will meet outside in front of the Administration Building at 9:45, and depart on foot at 10:00. if you don't see us in front of the Administration Building, check outside the Depot.
if you arrive late, and we are already gone, continue on the route yourself, from the map you receive when you sign in, and you will probably run into us. to identify me if we haven't met, i will be wearing a crimson hat with that says "Easthampton MA" on it. you may also call me at 773-415-0428
dear friends--
we invite you to an eclectic day of gardens, art, walking, maybe an outdoor lunch, and the fellowship of friendly, interesting folks.
together we will visit the Beverly Shores Residents Association 2025 Garden and Art Walk. we first took this walk in 2015 when my wife, Hilary's garden was one of the featured stops, and then again in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.here is what to expect this year--
2025 Beverly Shores Garden and Art Walk, Sunday, July 13, 2025
Garden Play – Inside and Out
This year we invite you to step beyond gates and doorways to enjoy our gardens inside and out. Each stop on this year’s tour will feature unique perspectives and features created by nature and the homeowners. You will be able to view some gardens from inside the houses.Plein air artists will be painting onsite and some paintings will be available for sale.
Tickets are available only in advance at www.absr.org for $20. You may use your ticket to enter the drawing for an original painting by a local artist. Check in between 10am – noon for wristbands (required for transportation and entry to the gardens), maps and brochures of the locations.
Register here: 2025 Garden and Art Walk - 7/13/2025
Parking is limited. We encourage guests to use bicycles and golf carts, or ride the shuttle bus. In addition, guests must be able to manage stairs at some houses.
All proceeds from this event benefit the gardens maintained by Association of Beverly Shores Residents and Environmental Restoration Group.for more details on this year's event see https://absr.org/
we will visit the gardens and art displays on foot, for a hike of about 2-4 miles linking the locations. i will do at least part of the tour in our beautiful golf cart, Bluesheen. i can take up to 3 additional people on each leg. travel at your own risk, no seat belts--this is a golf cart.
i want to emphasize that signing up on my meetup site does not get you admission to the Garden Walk. you must sign up with the Garden Walk organizers too, at the website below to pre-order tickets, or else at the door.
be sure to check the weather just before the hike so you can be prepared with whatever gear is necessary http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Beverly+Shores+IN+46301 . bring at least a quart of water (two is better), and a snack you can eat on our rest stop. bring sunscreen, appropriate footwear, and a hat with a brim. bring a mask in case we may need one.
after the garden walk, we may cross the street for an al fresco lunch at The Goblin and the Grocer.
We hope to see you for a pleasant day of gardens and art,
Rick
the South Shore train station has bathrooms and running water. please try to arrive by 9:45, and either sign in or claim your wrist band if pre-registered. we will gather outside the administration building, and depart at 10:00.
if you can't find us, call me at 773-415-0428.
photos from previous Garden and Art Walks
2015 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/26179445/
2017 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/27993316/
2018 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/29026906/
2019 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/30036943/
2021 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/31519408/
2022 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/32447802/
2024 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34733972/
- Michigan hike/swim at Warren DunesWarren Dunes State Park, Sawyer, MI
This event starts at 12:00 pm ET (Michigan time) which is 11:00 am CT (Chicago time). because of the expected difficulty entering the park and parking, expect that the hike will set off at 12:30 ET.
because of the popularity of this park on summer weekends, there could be extensive parking delays. if you can contact the organizers, let them know if you will be late, but they are aware, and will give some latitude for this.
if you are way late, you might want to follow the instructions below for walking north on the beach and meeting the group when they descend to the shore.
dear friends--
This hike is at Warren Dunes state park in Michigan. We had good times here in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024, so i hope we'll a good time here in 2025.
this hike will be a collaboration among Rick's Hiking and Fun Group and several other groups, including
Michiana Adventures https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-yjezdrty/
Wabash Valley Hiking & Social Group https://www.meetup.com/wabash-valley-hiking-social-meetup-group/
there is a gate fee to enter the park, so be prepared. i believe it is about $10 for out of state per vehicle, not sure what it is for in state.
Be sure to check the weather beforehand, and dress appropriately https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/warren-dunes-state-park/49125/weather-forecast/30155_poi . bring along a lunch which we will eat on the beach, plus enough water (one quart minimum), a hat with a brim, sunscreen, etc. we will be both in the woods and on the beach, and i'm not sure what conditions are like this time of year, so make your own decisions about insect repellent.
we will meet at the farthest north parking lot, near the washrooms. at that point, we will discuss whether everyone wants to take the entire hike, or if some would rather skip the inland part of the route and spend more time on the beach.
the hike route will be about 5 miles with at least 2-3 steep climbs. we will walk inland over Mt Randall, and turn north and hike along Painterville Creek, past the campground, to the junction with the Blue Jay trail, then we will descend to the lakefront on the Blue Jay trail with a spectacular view of the Lake, before arriving at the shore.
once at the shore, we will make an extended stop to swim, hang out at the beach, and eat our lunch. after that, we walk about a mile along the beach back to the parking lot.
if anyone would like a shorter hike and more beach time, they may walk north along the beach about one mile, and stop where the Blue Jay trail emerges from inland and hits the lakefront, where the other hikers will end up after the inland part of the hike. watch from the point where a rather wide trail comes down to the beach, just before the end of the park, where lakefront houses begin, and boats may be pulled up in the shallow water.
the shorter route, just from the parking area to the swim stop and back is about 2 miles round trip.
at the swim stop, we can discuss whether anyone wants to go into nearby Sawyer to have dinner or visit the garden center and fruit market there.
for past events at this location
2024 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34234329/
directions to Warren Dunes state park:
take 1-94 to Sawyer rd exit, turn east; take Sawyer rd to Red Arrow hwy, turn right; continue to Warren Dunes state park entrance, turn left; continue on State Park rd to last parking lot, park there; look for a crowd, or call me at 773-415-0428; try to arrive by 12:00 PM EDT (11:00 AM CDT); we will wait till 12:30 EDT, then depart on foot.