Days 14, 15 & 16 of Wisconsin-Minnesota Hike

Mon., June 14 - We talked about 7:30 (his time) this morning and Jim was on his way to the revised campground in Maple Plain, MN. He is expecting rain but it was still dry when we talked. Since I was at the soup kitchen today, we didn't talk again until 3:45 when Jim was still looking for his campground. He got to the road he was looking for and it said "Not a Thru Road". He stopped a car and asked if he could get through and the driver said it turned into a path but he thought he'd get through - he was hoping for the best. It did rain today between 9am and 1pm, although a portion of that was lunch for an hour in Wayzata. Much of today's hike was on the Luce Line Trail from Wayzata - a very scenic gravel trail through woods, fields and along bodies of water. We stayed on the phone for an hour while he was trying to find the campground. I had the map up online and helped him finally get to the campground entrance. He is hoping to find a short cut out tomorrow since he had to walk several miles off his route to get to this campground. We talked again around 6:15 and Jim was settled in his cabin - logs on the outside and knotty pine on the inside - looks brand new - it even has heat & electricity and curtains on the windows! It is a large campground on Independence Lake, but Jim has no intention of exploring the area - all he wants is a good night's sleep! Today was a long day - 8 1/2 hours - so Jim's feet are a little achy but no sign of blisters. We talked briefly again at 8:15 and Jim had talked to someone in the office and he can take a trail from the campground that will shorten the way back to the road he wants - great news.
Miles Today - 25 Total Miles to Date - 238.25


Tues., June 15 - I talked to Jim this morning and he was in a great mood - he had a good night's sleep from 9:30 - 5:30. The day started out foggy and misting a bit but as we talked it was clearing up - the sun is trying to peek out of the clouds. Jim quoted Psalm 118:24 (our favorite) - "This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Little did we know how true this would become later in the day! He did say that the mosquitoes were a bit pesky this morning. We talked again about 2:45 and Jim had a great morning of walking on the trail today - temp was cool and feet felt good. He went to the Watertown Post Office and got his supply package and about 6 cards/notes - he was thrilled - thanks everyone! He had already walked 13 miles and still had about 9 more to go to get to a B&B in Montrose, MN. He then shared a remarkable story about his "lucky day". After the P.O. he went to a local bar & grill and got to talking with his young waitress (Haylee) and later her mother (Jolean). As usual, they were fascinated with "Jim's story". He had called the B&B and was a bit distressed that it was going to cost him $100 to stay there. When he said that, Jolean said "I'll put you up for half that". He kind of ignored her for a bit but then pursued the subject and they worked out a plan. She did call her husband who was a little more cautious, so Jim suggested that she photocopy his drivers license for safety. He was able to stash his pack and walking stick in Jolean's car and arranged for her to pick him up at the end of his day's walk - a much easier walk without 30lbs on his back. Once again... the best laid plans... a little over an hour into the trip the rain started and he had no raincoat with him - UGH! He was quickly soaked. He found a tree in someone's front yard and kind of huddled under it for protection. A man came out and said "Can I drive you somewhere?" Jim explained "Sorry, I can't accept". Then the man invited Jim in and he did accept that offer. He had a nice cup of tea with them and waited out the rain for about a half hour. People are so nice!! Unfortunately, he didn't think to ask to borrow an umbrella because there was another storm with thunder later on. He made it to the agreed upon meeting place and Jolean picked him up and took him back to her house. He had a shower, washed some clothes and had a nice cookout supper with the family. Their older daughter stopped by and kind of gave him the 3rd degree - I guess she isn't as trusting as some! His left foot is hurting a bit so he may try to break up tomorrow's hike into two days. He asked me to try and find him someplace to stay at the halfway point.
Miles Today - 22.5 Total Miles to Date - 260.75

Wed., June 16 - I was in NYC today, so we didn't talk until around 7pm this evening. We did text a few times, so I knew he was doing fine. He cooked his own breakfast this morning and then sat on the sunporch drinking coffee and doing Sudoku puzzles. About 7:30am Haylee drove him back to where he left off yesterday. He arrived at Lake Maria State Park around 4pm but was a little frustrated. It was one of those parks where no one was manning the registration bldg except on weekends. He self-registered which is fine, but then it was well over a mile to find a camp site. But the site he found was near a water supply (spigot), restroom (no shower) and picnic tables. The problem he was finding tonight was bugs - mosquitoes, flies and loads of caterpillars - and a VERY warm night - UGH! His feet are doing OK but he still wants to break up tomorrow's planned 24.5 mile hike into two days. I found him a motel a little less than the halfway point so that will give him a little more rest tomorrow. He may be able to make up the extra day at the end - time will tell. It is too soon to tell if his feet will allow that - they seem to be doing quite well today.

Miles Today - 21.5 Total Miles to Date - 282.25