Friday, June 29, 2012

June 29th

I was in Packwaukee, not Pewaukee during my last post.

Just did 18 miles mostly through Devil's Lake State Park. Lots of topography. Coming off a rest day yesterday and feeling great. Ferry ride in Merrimac tomorrow morning. Possibly some friends coming to join me as well tomorrow. Lots of pictures coming when I get a chance as well as more popular video updates.

Give Money For Kids

Paul

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

June 26th

At the Pewaukee town hall/public library enjoying some internet access during a break. Feeling really good as of late and putting on big long miles. Met the Strawberry Lady(thru-hiker landmark) earlier today. Also met a ton of people from the Ice Age Trail Alliance as well as numerous other thru-hikers last weekend. It was truly a pleasure to swap stories and enjoy dinner with a group of amazing people. I can't wait to attend my first trail building event when I finish. I'm over half way done now and am giving fair warning... You only get one shot at this so get out here and hike or camp with me. It's gonna be over before we know it.

Give Money For Kids

Paul

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Paul is in Rosholt, WI tonight. Watching a Little League Baseball game in the Park. Thanks for checking in.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

June 17th

The swelling is going down slowly and I'm optimistic I'll be able to put on at least some miles tomorrow.

Here is almost 2 weeks worth of the trail and its stories.

Day after my sisters high school graduation. Happy to be back on the trail on such a nice day. This atop the second moraine of the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Area.

Shortly after the moraine I came across some pick axes, shears, and 5 gallon buckets along the trail.


Sure enough an Ice Age Mobile Skills Crew. They're improving what is unarguable the best section of the trail already. The man organizing the event of course knew my mom. At this time it seemed anyone I met was a neighbor.


The mobile skills crew had just finished building this beautiful bridge. I'm guessing I was the first hiker to use it.

While approaching the girl scout camp my sisters work at a couple mile later I ran into a group of day hiking girl scouts. Strange to see a bearded man along their trail I'm sure, and even stranger when I began dropping my sisters and mothers names which they recognized. They moved along quickly after that.


A sign I've been to before. A simple sight which makes me feel as if I belong.


Having to end my day on a connecting route, I found myself in the country, asking for a patch of grass to pitch my tent. It was here I experienced my first of many households denying me a yard to sleep in. The second house even refused to come to the door and sent the dog to scare me away. After I remained, they flickered the lights twice which I interpreted as them asking me to leave the property while restraining from the use of profanities. I left. I can always tell what people think of me by how large they're eyes are when they answer the door. The third house might as well of been a deer in headlights though the women politely denied me staying in her yard. She said I could stay across the street, in the freshly mowed section around a couple buildings. I asked if she owned the property and she said no, it was the church's. "They won't mind?" I asked. She cracked a fake smile and replied, "I'll call them." I didn't believe her, but since the sun was setting I decided to camp there anyways. The property had a couple pavilion type buildings with small stages and roofs. The one I stayed at is pictured above. Didn't even have to set up my tent. Much to my surprise, I heard the lady walking towards me talking loudly on her phone. Sure enough she called the man who oversees the space and wondered if I wanted any firewood. Too tired for a fire I declined as she asked what kind of sub I wanted. I was full after eating dinner in town and denied the sub as well. She insisted I save it for breakfast. 20 minutes later a man showed up and gave me a sub. I thanked him. That's it. No conversation, he just handed me the sub. I spent the night with a full moon lighting the field which revealed a pack of coyotes which had taken interest in my location. They spent most of the night investigating me but I somehow got enough sleep to put on a 25 mile day after.


A cool tree in a field.


Two days later this truck passes me and immediately makes a quick three point turn. We greet and he asks, "Remember me? I gave you the sub two days ago." I thanked him in my surprise and apologized for not recognizing him as I was very tired. He offered me a ride since we were heading in the same direction, them to install some docks. I explained to him my cause and why I must walk every mile. He had noticed my shirt during the sub exchanged and wondered its meaning. He knew Camp Manitou and had even bought a motorcycle off of my old boss, Jeremy, the caretaker. Adam ended up stopping again on their way back for more conversation which was much appreciated. These are the kind of experiences that continue to give me energy. More debt.


Chequamegon National Forest. 2002 Tornado Damage.

Primitive campsite in the Chequamegon National Forest.


View from primitive campsite.


Atop a one hundred foot esker in the Chequamegon Nation Forest. An esker is a steep ridge resulting from deposits of rivers that ran underneath the glacial sheet. The trail often runs along the top providing scenic views. Notice the steep sides along the trail. A yellow blaze which I follow day in and day out can also be seen.


After three days of the Chequamegon in which I rushed to a lodge near a campground advertising hot sandwiches and homemade pizza I approached and found sign. It was Tuesday. This kind of thing will kill a long distance hiker and I just about died. They had showers, food, everything. Closed. I continued on in my disgust and ended up getting caught in the rain, forced to set up a wet camp for the night. It seems so pathetic now, but this was truly a low point in my moral.


Bad picture but you can just make out a fawn, freshly abandoned by its mother. This one didn't know how to act and ended up guiding me through the woods for a quarter mile.

At dusk along a connecting route I come across a beautiful beach along spring few South Harper Lake.

Lucky for me, people to talk to! They took great interest in my story and were truly a pleasure to meet. I asked if I could set up my camp along the beach for the night.

 

They did one better. After a short drive in a truck, I was allowed to stay in this no longer used boy scout building. 5-star service for a hiker. I believe the names were Trent and Jay, I can't thank you enough. I am truly grateful. More debt.


I was in such good spirits I enjoyed my first fire of the journey. A beautiful view from the building.


I slept inside with no worries of the elements or critters. Much easier to get quality rest with peace of mind. No bed so I slept on a couple tables in the corner. More than I could ever ask for. I hope to repay you all someday!


Passing the trail to the highest point in Wisconsin. This shortly after meeting a man who doubted my journey citing that I was helping people "Satan's way." Everyone is doing something for charity he would say, not helping people spiritually. There are doubters and negative experiences I have and meet on the trail. I wanted to be fair in showing all angles of this trip. That's all I have to say about that.


Historic logging camp. I quickened my pace in my excitement to arrive at what I thought would be standing buildings. Only a plaque was found. Oh well.


Much of the northern trail looks like this. It's old logging roads which horses pulled sleighs full of lumber. Notice the trench to the right of the path used to transport water.


Hiking though a campground early in the week. No one to be found.


Fresh clear cut.


Bears hate hikers.

Standing atop an enormous beaver dam. Pictured is the reward of their hard work, a pleasant lake.


I had to ford this river just after it rained. I was mad.


Huge pile of brush deep in the woods.


Crossing the Wisconsin River!


My first overnight company! Thanks Nate!


Old school external frame.


Camping at a campground on a Saturday. We're one of two groups in the whole place. Where is everyone!


So easy to put on miles with someone to talk to.


Highest point of the trail, a few feet off Timm's Hill. No civilization in sight, any direction.


Mini Everest. Beautiful.


Some logging we had to walk through. It was Sunday so the crews day off. Would of been interesting had it been a weekday. They clear cut everything other than trees with yellow blazes on them.


Coming up on a campsite just across this lake. Heard people talking and became very excited. This is in the middle of a large ATV trail system. As I approached gun shots began and did not cease for many minutes. I decided to move on.


ATV rest area. Very nice.


Homey too.


High spot in Langlade County.



Logging is a way of life up here. I began to continually walk through active sights.



Another high spot.


In my daze I almost stepped on this guy.


A truck in the woods. My favorite make perhaps? International Harvester?


Tried to snap a picture of a man I met hiking the Ice Age Trail the other direction! I believe it was Jim, a section hiker. Great conversation about the trail and its condition in both directions. We could relate on multiple levels. He offered me a bed when I passed by Madison.


Snowmobile bogey wheel.


Campsite Privy.


Game Lake primitive campsite. Dropped below freezing.


View from game lake.


Long boardwalk.



More logging provides a view.


Here is a secret hiker sanctuary that I'm not sure I'm even supposed to tell you about. It's just so dang cool I'll at least leave out its location. The Hillbilly Hilton!


Its an root cellar remaining from an old logging camp which now gives hikers and hunters shelter from the elements.


It has everything you need to survive for weeks!


Beds, cards, propane, candles...


Wood stove, water.....


Pantry, meat, oil, canned goods.....


Pans, spatulas, knives, spoons......


Flour, coffee, lighters.....


Obviously respected.



Many people have mentioned this man to me. Here he stopped at the Hillbilly Hilton!


After running out of water caused from a dried up water source, I put on 12 miles late in the day to make it back to civilization. The cocktail cage, a hiker friendly establishment right on the trail.


I'm not even sure if they were open but I walked into the bar and asked for water after water. I was fed a frozen pizza as locals came and went ordering drinks between sporting clay sets. An awesome place that I thoroughly enjoyed. I rested on the patio and talked with the crowd as gunshot after gunshot chased orange flying disks. Everyone took great interest in my story and I wish I could've been in better condition.


Sporting clay 5 stand. Notice the lights. Shots continued far beyond midnight. What a great time. I will be back.


Chicken coop in town.

Dells of the Eau Claire


Dells of the Eau Claire


Dells of the Eau Claire


Dells of the Eau Claire, local cliff jumpers.


Dells of the Eau Claire

Eau Claire River


Eau Claire River