TV Story on ABC Harrisburg

On March 23, 2009, a TV spot aired on ABC TV in Harrisburg (WHTM) highlighting the fundraiser: Crossing Michigan for Margy's Transplant.

Record Eagle news article (Traverse City)

Today's Record Eagle paper is running a great news story about Mom and our fundraiser for her bone marrow transplant expenses. Please comment online and pass it on!

Knut to be on WTCM's Monday morning radio show

UPDATE: In case you missed it, Margy taped the radio interview this morning on FM-WTCM! Here it is:



Thank you DJ Colleen Wares for having me on and for helping tell our story.

OLDER: For you early risers (not that early), I'll be on WTCM Jack O's Morning show on Monday morning at about 7:40 AM. Listen live online (click Listen Live) at their website: www.wtcmi.com

Detroit Free Press article

The Detroit Free Press ran a story about our fundraiser for Margy's Transplant today (Mon., March 22).  Please read it, comment on it, and pass it on.  Comments are already coming in from Detroit readers.  For instance, one comment writes ". . . there should be nothing stopping from proceeding with any life saving procedure . . . [instead of keeping] it for the ones that can afford it."

The Finish!

I just reached the Finish at Lake Michigan! After 205 miles, 3 pairs of skis, 11 days on the trail, 8 counties, 28 rivers and streams (one without a bridge), 32 snickers bars, 46 liters of water and hot cocoa, - 6 to 52 °F temperatures, Margy's fund with the National Transplant Assistance Fund received more than 100 contributions, and NTAF provided $1,500 in additional matching grant money. Together, we raised over $11,000 so far for Margy's bone marrow transplant expenses! And counting! Donations are still being accepted online and by check. Here are picture from the Finish. Margy told me before the finish how touched she is by the journey across Michigan and the outpouring of support and prayers for her. She is both humbled and in awe of the incredible support she has gotten to this point.

On behalf of Margy and her family, thank you so much for supporting this fundraiser, for following my adventure across Michigan for her, and for supporting her life-saving transplant. -Knut

Lake Michigan seagulls spotted

2 hours into day 10 I'm spotting shore birds. can't be far now!!!

Day 10 & FINAL Day 11 planned (Crossing MI for Margy)

Plans and a banner are ready for the finish in Empire. Here's the outlook for skiing vs. hiking to the Lake Michigan shoreline:

As shown in this google earth picture, the snow cover near Empire is patchy. Weather forecast is for possible snow tonight and tomorrow morning! But any new snow might melt by mid day Saturday. A snowmobile trail for most of Sunday's route make chances good for skiing to the Finish. Skis may be up on my back for Saturday though. We'll see . . .

Watch the website, blog and facebook for possible updates from the Finish in Empire!

Day 9 (Crossing Michigan)

Global Warming is in effect. Half day today over wet snow and slush. About 9 miles covered, 171 miles total. Other ski organizations are picking up on this cross country ski trek. The finish is another couple days away. Join me at the beach park in Empire, MI on Sunday (March 22 at ~5 PM) as I reach the finish of this 200 mile journey to raise support for our Mom's bone marrow transplant. Thank you.

Day 8 (Crossing MI): Wet 'n Wild

Day 8 (22.6 miles) of Crossing Michigan for Margy's Transplant was wet, warm, and wild!


Skiing on wet snow and slush is very slick. With many near falls, I'm still not sure how I managed to stay upright. I had to step off the skis at the steepest valleys because it was too dangerous. At the bottom of one of them was a stream with no bridge. Luckily, there was a fallen tree branch just below the water's surface reaching most of the way across. I knew there was no turning back after I tossed my skis to the other side. Halfway across balancing with ski poles, I was surprised that the icy stream below me was more than a couple feet deep. It wouldn't have been the end of the world, but finishing the last 8 miles with "dry" boots was much nicer. Above is a picture of the stream (a Boardman River tributary) and an elevation profile of today's hills. See more pictures from the day and a map here.

After two ~20 mile days in a row, I'm pooped. My right foot is bruised, and I may only have enough energy to do a half day tomorrow. 162 miles covered so far. Another 50 miles to go!

Dat 7 of Crossing Michigan for Margy's Transplant

18 miles today, 139 total. From Bear Lake, I skied to the west of Kalkaska, MI. Half the day was over packed down snow on forested snowmobile trails. Lucky for me and other cross country ski bums, this winter seems long. But many hungry deer were out scrounging for food. Then I followed Nash Rd., a long road leading to Kalkaska. I skied up on the plowed snowbank. Once in Kalkaska, I stopped for some sweets and human contact. This is the first time I've stopped to actually sit down during any of my days out. :^) My new monocular (thanks BJ and Holly) helped me find a dropped glove after doubling back. I finished by picking up another snowmobile trail west of the city. Though my foot hurts, the snow is melting, so I'm gonna go for a big day tomorrow.

Days 7 and 8 planned - Crossing Michigan for Margy's Transplant

After some rest, I am heading back out on the trail for another two or three days. I hope to cover close to 40 miles. It should start off cold tomorrow morning with the windchill below zero ('F), so this week's fresh snow should be good. But warmer temperatures will melt it away over the next few days. Hopefully, there will be enough snow to continue skiing. If not, I'll have to trek through mud and slush in hiking boots and/or maybe carry the skis at times. Thank you for everyone's support of my crossing Michigan for my mother-in-law's (Margy Davis) bone marrow transplant fund.

News Coverage of the Trek Across Michigan

The Ann Arbor news in Michigan was so inspired by Knut's efforts to help out his mother-in-law that they wrote up an article on Sunday, March 1.  Thanks, Ann Arbor news!  It was a well-written article.

Click here to read the article

One correction to the article is that we do not currently have a definite date of transplant.  We will know in another month or two, however.