Paul made it to Camp Manitou last night. He is so happy to be there to visit with Camp friends and rest after a long hiking day. He started at Weyerhauser in the morning so looks like he covered about 28 miles or so. Yikes.

May 30th
Paul started the morning at Weyerhaeuser. This day will be mostly roads. He should walk along Plummer Road which is along the Chain Lake and Round Lake area. He is looking forward to the well done trails of the Chippewa Moraine Chapter of the Ice Age Trail.

It's Monday the 28th of May, day 7 of the hike. I have 120 miles behind me and already too many stories to recall. I'm resting during a rainy day in Rice Lake where the Bina's have taken me in.

Really strange to think it has been only a week since I left. The days become so long with nothing to do but walk. I still can't walk the entire time the sun is in the sky. I start usually as the sun comes up but have to quit around 6pm as my joints can go no further, for now. I'm getting stronger but still limp through the woods. It is painful but better than just laying in the tent.

Much has happened since I left and I will share a quick story with you. On the third day, around 5pm and after around 16 miles of walking I found out my phone had died in my pack. I neglected to take out the battery and the phone had turned on as it rolled around my bag and died slowly starting the first day, I'm guessing. At this time I'm blistered and bruised and should not continue on. Not feeling comfortable without an emergency outlet, I decided to continue on doing a couple more sections hoping to find a house who would let me make a phone call so I could get my phone charged. After about 20 miles I only found dirt road after dirt road, no cars, no houses. I could go no further and set up camp as a storm rolled in. In my desperate and tired state, I pitched my tarp in an unfavorable location and ended up getting washed out through the night. I woke in a puddle, soaked to the bone, maps ruined, gear wet, and cold. I had to move. I decided to pack my things and walk, trying to build some heat and stay warm at least. The section I had to walk here just happened to be the poorest marked trail I'd come across. I got lost and had to break out the compass to find the county road I was headed for. Lucky for me, a farming house right off the trail head. Just as heavy rain and even hail began to come down, a women kindly took my in, let me use her phone, dried my clothes, and housed me until my mom came to the rescue. I thought I was invincible, immortal, and no weather could stop me. I wasn't prepared, and more importantly naive. I spent the day searching for better rain gear, and now a tent to replace my tarp. I did not become discouraged and have since spent nights in the rain plus I'm able to walk through light rain. A great advantage to have as I must continuously make good time.

Many other highlights I will tell in time include staying in the yard of some potters. People have been incredibly interested and kind in all things related to the hike. It is truly a pleasure to see Wisconsin from this perspective. Soon I will be able to show the many pictures I have taken of my journey.

Yesterday marked the first day I had friends participate in the hike. Randy Bina snapped many pictures of my 15 mile day in which he and Alex Bina joined me.  

 Tascobia trail head. 11.1 miles of nice flat walking.

Lunch at the ball field in Brill. The local baseball team takes batting practice for their afternoon game in the background.

Leg of Randy Bina, Ticks. I average between 50-100 a day. No joke. This is after less than an hour of walking.  

Just north of Red Ceder Lake. 

 In Birchwood, bluegill capital of the world.

Fording a stream. 

Life.

End of a long day.

May 20th

Tomorrow morning I set out for St. Croix Falls and begin my 3 month journey backpacking the Ice Age Trail. I am terrified and have no doubt falsely insured myself that I'm prepared. I didn't train enough, my pack is too heavy, I didn't bring enough food; all nightmares which will shortly become reality. I draw strength from friends, family, and the few kids who now have the opportunity to attend summer camp. I will not be denied.

Here's my gear, and far too much of it. Special thanks to all the people who donated items. Killer hiking stick from Uncle John. Backpacking guitar from Dave. I tell myself I'm trading weight for sanity with the guitar. We'll see how long it lasts before it's burned for heat and the strings are used for snares when I'm starving. Fishing pole and mosquito net from the Longbella's. 27 pounds with no food but a half gallon of water in the pouch.

Pray this lasts a week. Dried fruit, dried meat, granola, and some add water meals. Bout 7 lbs of food. Hope to catch fish as well.

Packed. 

Considering the torn ACL, I call this inspiration.

Prepare for war.