July 2008
15 posts
day 16
last night i read a verse (psalm 84:5) that talked about a person/pilgrim seeking after God turns his troubles into blessing, because of he remembers how God has taken care of him in the past. i want to remember this hike to chicago as a walk with God and how He took care of me. i started the day with breakfast at a pancake house, then i walked 5 blocks to the trail. i will be there today! i have...
day 15
got on the des plaines trail by 6:30 am. right away i met a woman on a bike who stopped to see what i was training for. she knows where winona, mn is so she knew how far i had come, and when she learned it was for kids…she wanted a card with an address so she could give to safeplace. i was very impressed with her immediate response to give. that is true giving…when we respond from the...
day 14
said good-bye to peggy and brian…6:30 am. we will keep in touch. breakfast was at mcdonalds,and lunch at dairy queen…yiks. it is soooo good to be on a trail again. the traffic on the roads has been very busy…and somewhat dangerous. some friendly bird watchers directed me to the des plaines trail, and asked for a safeplace card. some of the trail is under water, but it...
day 13
this day was full of blessings. next morning i met a clerk named peggy at the front desk. she told me brian from last night is her son. my tent was wet and muddy from camping in the storm. i decided to take the morning to clean and dry all my gear. peggy offered to help in any way i needed. i checked my email and saw a note from joanna the girl at the coffee shop. she had research me and my...
day 12
lightning and rained all night. 6 am still going. i have to decide what i am going to do. i can’t walk inthe lightning. God has something for me that i don’t know yet. waiting……
day 11
this morning the mosquitos are back in full number. i have a better attitude about them today…i think that means i am getting more and more comfortable being out here. i truly enjoy the outdoors like this. there are so many lessons to be learned if i pay attention to God, and where He is. the kindness of strangers is the most obvious. the places to camp, the cool breeze when its hot, a...
day 10
last night was tough sleeping. my feet throbbed all night-nothing seemed to help. i figured out i was over heated a couple time & probably needed electrolites.i was tired all day. this morning i started with a shower in the trail headquarters, then laundry next door. i had a lot of mosquito repellent on everything from yesterday. the trail was hot and buggy again. i walked roads to get away...
day 9
it has been cloudy most of the day up until now. still very humid, the mosquitoes were very active. i wore my mosquito jacket most of the day. God provided a unique ride from the hotel to the trail. a lady from salvation army was checking out of the hotel when i was, and i ask about conditions of roads and trail after the flash flooding last night. she is working with disaster relief, and knew...
day 8
woke up to rain and thunder. the humidity is extremely high today. the temps were in the 80s. the breeze was a friend today, cooling me as i walked on busy hwys under construction.the rain stopped and i walked 12 miles to sun prairie and stopped for lunch. as i was getting ready to leave, a man came up to me asking how far i was walking. i told him about safeplace, and he told me he was compelled...
day 7
it is sunday, and i am using this day to reflect on God, and who He is. as the sun comes up…shining in my tent…God is peace…and light. He is like the breeze…unseen, but completely present. the deer that came walking up the trail this morning didn’t know i was here, and snored in disbelief. but God is completely aware of me.
after church i lost cell service again....
day 6
this was the first day of total road walking. there was a lot of traffic, & the road was hot. my route went through quite a bit of the flooded area…very distructive water. the roads had just opened fortunately. stopped to eat in baraboo. then stopped to cool down at a camp along the road. ate a hamburger at a grill along the hwy and finally got to the wis river where i took the ferry...
day 5
i connected with some friends around 12 pm today to stay with for the day on lake delton. there is no lake water, but still peaceful here. i rested my feet. i think i have bruised them when i wore my orthotics the first day. it is taking a long time for them to heal. the post office is closed today and tomorrow, so i missed getting the package from safe place. i am sitting on the deck...
day 4
this was an extra ordinary day. i met some nice people in elroy. went to the library to check email…gathered information about the 400 trail-then after encouragement from the info center, headed down the 400 trail. i won’t be in mauston or portage. i took a short day to wanewoc…arriving in town at 4 pm. asked directions for the camp ground and as i was walking down the...
day 3
hi: this morning dave left for home and i headed down the trail about 5:45 am. it was real interesting today going through several town, and the trail crossing over hwy 90 on a bike bridge twice. i saw many animals use the trail too: deer, mink, badgers, beautiful blue birds, yellow finch, and magpies. there were farm cats,{one with no tail} kittens, and dogs being walked, and last but not least,...
day 2
this morning, dave and i were walking to get some moleskin for our blisters when someone from across the street called to us to come into his restaurant. he saw us in the paper & wanted to give us breakfast for free. we met some very nice people there…a lady who recognized me from the paper and gave me $ for safeplace kids! this day has been so fun walking into towns and being...
Day 1
anticipating a great day of hiking with dave on the open trail. nothing energizes me more then being outside in God’s beautiful nature. i enjoy putting my pack on my back breathing in the outdoors. it has been raining a lot this we,but clearing up tomorrow to start. mostly, i am excited about helping the kids at day camp in chicago. i am looking so forward to meeting them. see you when i get...