Journey

day 16

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:29:36 -0400

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 walked to see the kids of safeplace, and help them as much as i can.
as i get off the trail onto devon street, i realize how hot it is. i stopped to use the restroom, and dropped my cell phone in the toilet. now i have no way to call to get directions. i ask a lady walking her dog for directions, and she took me to her house to cool off. she gave me food and water, and wrote down where i need to go to get to target on peterson.
i am excited to meet everyone there and walk the rest of the way with them. we will walk the last mile, and celebrate being together, and that we have learned.
see everyone there!
journey

day 15

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:12:25 -0400

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 heart.
every day i meet people that really care…they want to help. i pray that God will bless all the efforts for safeplace.
rachel came to see me today. what a blessing she is to me. just seeing her, knowing i am almost there was the highlight of my day.
kids at day camp, i am so excited to finally see you very shortly. i hope that some of you will walk into safeplace with me. remember if you do walk with me…wear good tennies :} only a few days to go…
see you then!

day 14

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:09:18 -0400

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 didn’t stop anyone riding bikes, running, riding horses, and even other hikers. there are many friendly smiling faces on the trail. it has been such a nice day, many families riding bikes together. the breeze has been blowing all the bug away…i could even take a brake on a bench.
i think the cutest thing i saw was this tandom bike with a dad in the front and his little girl in the back. they were talking and laughing…fun stuff.
late in the afternoon i am enjoying the beauty around me…i see a starbucks and a days inn…and realize it is time to stop.
i am dreaming about seeing the faces of the kids at safeplace in chicago…just a few more days.
my lesson for the day:
when God blows the bugs away, it is a gift of time to enjoy the blessings from Him.
enjoy the blessings!

day 13

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:08:08 -0400

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 family from the article i gave her. she they expressed her love for the lord and her need to get on track with her life. i think we will continue to be friends, and see each other again. very encouraging note.
as i was talking with peggy, and trying to decide what i was going to do since it was late in the day, she offered me to stay at her house for the night and go out to eat with her. God impressed me to accept her offer knowing there was much to be gained by this.
we went to her house…peggy worked on her house project, while i mowed her lawn. i bought her dinner, and we had a mutually encouraging time. peggy is a christian, and we are also going to keep in touch.
two new friends in one day!!!!wow, i have been blessed.
wonder what else is around the corner……….

day 12

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:42:33 -0400

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

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:14:39 -0400

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 couple holding hands. He calls to me to pay attention every day.
well, the next thing that happened after i said that…i went in a cafe to get breakfast. met a very nice owner named kathy. i told her about safeplace kids, and she immediately wanted to help me get to the po to get the package sp sent. she began asking her friends as they came in to eat. one lady going right there gave me a ride. turns out she is the aunt of the 16 yr.old boy struck by lightning in watertown during that bad storm two days ago. she said she is a christian, as well as the boy and his family. she also said they are well loved in there community, and the boys death has affected everyone there. her hope is that God will get glory from this, and some will be saved.
i made good time today. at my campsite by 3 pm. all was calm until 6 pm…i could smell it first,then i heard the thunder at a distance. before the storm got here, the forest ranger drove through the camp telling everyone that it was a sever storm. i gathered all my stuff,tighted down my tent,dug a trench around it, and got in and waited…not long. the wind and rain blew my tent sideways,and in about 20 mins it was over.
it is calm again, and a lot cooler…good sleeping.
my husband told me that i have been this way before…in a storm in my tent. he is right…when i have seen God work out my problems once, especially things i can’t control,i need to remember it and trust.
thank you safeplace for the t-shirt, pictures & cards. i will put them to good use :}

day 10

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:58:51 -0400

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 from the bugs, but its hotter. hard hiking day.
three things stick out in my mind:
the man in the laundry mat want to give me water if i couldn’t fnd some. he was very kind hearted…it goes along way.
rachel called to see how i was. i know safeplace prays specifically for my needs.
david {my son-in-law} called to give me fun news from his experience today.
all these things encouraged my heart. thanks!
the sun is setting, and i am sleepy.
this day made me stronger…..

day 9

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:36:21 -0400

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 more then anyone else. she is a christian, and wouldn’t take $ for gas. we were both glad we met.
i ate a good health breakfast, and finally on the glacier drumlin trail! so good to get off the roads.
today was a wildlife day. bear scat, cardinals, red squirrels, turkeys, magpies, and mosquitoes.
tonight i am camped right by lake mills…beautiful! the fireflies are all around my tent, and a mulberry tree near by {good for breakfast}. the sun is setting…and my eyes are heavy. im sure i will be to sleep by 9 pm.
sweet dreams…….

day 8

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:52:14 -0400

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 to come meet me not knowing why. he said he needed to encourage me on my
journey, and gave me money for safeplace.
got to cottage grove, when a huge black cloud appeared in the north moving quickly my way. so i called a cab, and headed to the nearest hotel. turns out, someone was struck by lightening, and the rain caused more flooding.the rain was coming down so hard the cab driver took the wrong exit. i was very grateful for safety and rest.
God shows me every day that He is taking care of me. thank you for all that are praying.

day 7

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:41:00 -0400

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. then at 12 noon got it back, so i called rach, my daughter with safeplace. she and sam were heading home from mpls, and we decided to meet. after 5 hours of traffic from the weekend holiday,they picked me up 2 miles from waunekee. in the mean time, my husband dave, suprised me by flying to waunekee to see me. here’s the interesting part: rach and sam find me at 5 pm. dave called at 5:07 pm when he landed. we end up picking dave up and eating dinner together. we topped the eveining off with icecream, then rach and sam left for chicago.

day 6

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:40:45 -0400

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 across. i realized i was right next to the ice age trail, so off the road, into the bluffs on the trail i went. on top i found a flat spot to pitch my tent with a view of the river. i am pretty content right now in my tent with the breeze blowin in. i really enjoy camping.
almost 9 pm. i hear fireworks way off in the distance. GOD continues to take tender care of my every need. thank you who are praying i can feel HIS presence all day.
i am praying for safeplace.

last night when i was dosing off to sleep,little lights were popping all around my tent. it took me a moment to realize it was fireflies, even between my tent and the fly. it was quite wonderful. they only show their lights when it gets dark. God reminded me that it is not dark for Him. i was so comforted by that.

journey

day 5

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:05:37 -0400

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 looking over the lake waiting for the fireworks. there are bats flying all around me, but im not going to let them bother me right now.
firework show has started…happy 4th!

just thinking about why we set fireworks off, and celebrate the 4th. it was worth dying for, to be independant and free to the people back then, something we take for granted because we have freedom, and have not been without it.
this day has reminded me to be grateful, and to think long and hard about the precious things i have…the important stuff that is worth dying for.
this trek is very valuable when it comes to thinking about important stuff.
sorry i wasn’t able to connect with the news paper in mauston. i left a message with them. my phone had no service from sparta on. i re-routed because the trail was usable…much safer and enjoyable then the roads.
i am going to sun prairie. that paper contacted me too.
journey

day 4

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:04:07 -0400

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 sidewalk, two women stopped me,asked me what i was doing…then one invited
me to dinner. they then took me to a wanewoc sign and took pictures of me. i pitched my tent at the campground, tended to my feet, then went to dinner. three of us sat and talked while mike and pam prepared a meal. mike served:beef patties,grilled salmon,pirch,veges,and rice. we had fresh strawberries and apples…and joan brought out fresh baked chocalate chip cookies and carmel bars. it was a gormet meal. we ate on the patio…telling stories and getting to know eachother. they asked about safeplace kids and want do a story. so many treasures came out of that time and i will never forget the kindness of these once strangers, now trail angels.

day 3

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:11:13 -0400

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, many friendly bikers, walkers and towns people.
today was a 26 mile day. went through my first thunderstorm, and through three tunnels. i couldn’t find camping in kendell, so i am in a little motel with breakfast in the morning :}
talk to you tomorrow!

day 2

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:44 -0400

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 recognized. i just have to say that the kids of safeplace are very special, and worth every mile i am walking. tonight we are in a hotel in sparta where a friend, sarah fellman will meet us to take dave back to winona, and bring me tennis shoes :}

at 11:30 am, winona daily news met us in town to take our picture. we ate lunch at the trempealeau hotel, then off we went.
we are in a hotel tonight because of our sore bodies. i have 2 of the biggest blisters a person can have on their feet…guess they got too hot. amazing day!
bye for now…..

Day 1

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:53:24 -0400

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 there!