Days 2 & 3 of Wisconsin-Minnesota Hike

Wed., June 2 - I spoke to Jim about 8:15 this morning. He slept very well last night, which is quite unusual for the first night on the trail. The expected storms did not come through and he woke to a beautiful dawn. He left early around 6:15 after a bowl of cereal at his picnic table. The temp was in the low 60's so that felt really good to him. He walked about a half mile on the trail and then another mile on a road into town, where he had another breakfast - french toast this time! Then he went back to the trail (Elroy-Sparta Trail) - so far this is the best trail conditions he has seen in quite a while. It is mainly a bike trail - hard packed gravel - and very wide to accommodate both hikers and bikers. Apparently, Sparta is the "Bicycling Capital of America" - who would have known! They charge cyclists $4 a day but hikers walk for free! He is now off to W. Salem with a very full belly! We talked again around 5:30pm and Jim was doing well. He arrived at his campground around 2:45 and paid his $18 fee for a nice site along a river bank with picnic table. This area actually had a shower - he was a bit miffed that it was coin-operated and he didn't have the .25 - back to the office for change (you would think that $18 would get you a shower!). He was also able to wash his clothes in the shower! Mid day he got off the trail and stopped at a sports bar & grill in W. Salem, WI for a leisurely 1 hour lunch and rest. He said that today's walk was pleasant except it was not cloudy and cool as expected, but hot, uncomfortably humid and sunny - at least in the low 80's, rather than the 90's of yesterday. He persevered and took lots of breaks to hydrate during the day. Jim is noticing that the topography of the area is getting more interesting now. He can see hills in the distance, although he just did valley walking today - totally flat and straight. He did see quite a few other hikers today - appeared to be locals. He also passed through areas deliberately left as prairie with native grasses and flowers in bloom. There were kiosks along the way explaining this. Tonight's campground is full of camping trailers (unlike last night's empty campground). He is reporting an issue with his same problematic left pinkie toe - seems to be swelling but not sore yet. He bandaged it during the day but it came off. Tomorrow he plans to tape the 2 toes together to see if that works better. When we talked it was cooling down nicely and he was planning to cook some kind of rice meal for supper. Before leaving home, he did dehydrate some things (mushrooms, zucchini, brussel sprouts, etc.) that will add some variety to his rice and noodle packages. We spoke again briefly around 9:30pm so Jim could report the highlight of the evening - watching a porcupine ambling along the other side of the river! Guess that passed for entertainment in his world!!
Miles today - 19. Total miles to date - 37 (for those tracking their donation to the trail conference).

Thurs., June 3 - Jim called about 8:45 this morning and he was almost done with the worst part of his day - busy Rt. 16. He was out of his campsite by 6:30 and the temp was in the low 60's with a totally overcast sky - it really felt like rain. By 8:15 the sky had cleared completely and he was full of energy. He did tape his two toes together and so far they were feeling fine in his hiking boots. Today is planned to be a big mileage day, so hopefully his feet will cooperate. We spoke again briefly at 1:45pm and he was on an area of the trail that was marshy and swampy. The mosquitoes were eating him alive - swarming around. It has been a very warm day - 86. At times he had a nice canopy of trees that did help to shade him. His planned Subway stop didn't occur - couldn't find it! Just north of town (Onalaska, WI), he did find a Quik Mart type of place and got an egg sandwich and another sandwich to pack for his evening meal. He had changed into his sandals again and his feet & legs were doing well. All along the trail today he could hear trains roaring by - a very active railroad line. He did stop for a while to participate in a previously planned trail conference call. He did have an incident with a dog today - he ran across his yard, crossed the road and started after Jim. He raised his hiking pole and yelled as loud as he could. You will have to ask Jim for the full story but he basically chased the dog away!! Jim called me again about 7:15pm and he was bone tired at this point. He had gotten a call later in the afternoon from Ken Nuss - someone he met last September while hiking. For those that remember the journals, Ken was on his way home from a Packers game to MN and stopped to talk to Jim on the road. Jim and Ken have been corresponding and Jim is planning to stay at his house on Sat. night. Well, Ken met Jim and had a huge bag of food to give him - too much for Jim to carry. So, Ken walked with Jim for about a mile and then drove and dropped the food at the campground office for Jim to pick upon his way in. He arrived at the campground around 5pm and was given a $17 "luxury" site with a lake view - Jim said it looked like a swamp to him! He had a much-needed shower and then opened up Ken's bag of food. It included a huge container of sausage, peppers & pasta (one of Jim's favorites), salad and rolls & butter. There was even a yummy Italian dessert - everything was DELICIOUS. This sure beat the hours-old sandwich that he had planned for the evening! When we talked, Jim had just met his neighboring camper who had invited Jim over to charge his phone and share some wine - all the makings of a great evening!
Miles today - 24. Total miles to date - 61.
P.S. Don't forget to drop Jim a note if you are so inclined - I know he will love to read them!