Time is Running Out

Cold is in the air, and I'm not sure how much longer we can last without snow covering the state.  MN got hit last weekend, and the white stuff is due in WI pretty soon (at least I'm hoping so for deer hunting opening on Saturday!!)

We are potentially looking at doing a few more miles, really just getting through parts of Algoma, but I'm not sure if there will be time before we get lots of snow.  I would have no problem doing some in the winter, but some of the IAT shares its path with snowmobile trails.  I'm sure the last thing they want is people snowshoeing as they are going 50mph down a winding trail.  The other problem is we have some large stretches of roads, which I really don't want to be wandering down in the snow with ice and vehicles....

We will see.... it will depend on the weather and the "free time" we have :-P

~Dave

First Blister Forms

Yep - compared to our trip to the Dakota's about 2 months ago, I'm way out of hiking shape.  Got a blister on my foot from our 23 miles this weekend.  I've been walking on it tenderly all day today..... even got a comment at work asking what I did this weekend that I was moving slow!

I feel like it is going to be a wasted blister though.  It likely won't see the repeat abuse we normally give our feet during the summer with our camping and hiking, which means by the time we get to go hiking again, it won't have turned into extra layers of protection :-P

Photos from day 2 of hiking are updated in that post.... we are trying to figure out where we can post more pictures... not sure if we will use Picasa or something else that is easier to upload to.

~Dave

Hike 2

Starting point—Maplewood
Ending point— Algoma
Distance—10 miles
Cumulative Distance—23 miles

Our Ice Age journey continued today, pushing through the aching muscles that suggested a lazy Sunday would be a better idea. It was an absolutely gorgeous fall day with sunshine and minimal wind.

Dave's favorite photo of the day!

We picked up the trail in Maplewood where we ended yesterday and continued to follow the Anahpee State Trail toward Algoma. This section of the trail went through many farm fields and some wooded areas. Saw a few colorful leaves, plenty of tempting (and likely non-edible) red berries and some wild grasses that glowed in the sunlight.

After several miles of hiking, we stopped at the Forrestville Dam for lunch. This is a very nice and well-maintained park with plenty of playground equipment, picnic tables and a nice lake. We learned that the original dam was also the site of the first gristmill in Door County.

We continued on our hike, taking in bits of history with approximately four signs posted along the trail explaining the history of the Anahpee-Western Railroad. We got to see first-hand railroad artifacts turned into useful construction materials for the trail, particularly an old steam boiler used as a culvert for a bridge. We also crossed the Anahpee River, which was really pretty today and would probably be a nice paddling river when there's a bit more water.

This section of the trail had a couple of the benches closer to Maplewood, but they disappeared as we got closer to Algoma. The Blahnik Heritage Park wasn't on our map, but it was apparently closed for the season. The Anahpee River Campground also showed little signs of life, so we assume many people leave boats and campers parked there through the winter. Fortunately, there was a rustic (meaning pit toilet) bathroom near the Algoma end of the trail, just for Kerry to use!

Another good day of hiking, and it might be our last until spring.

Hike 1

Starting point—Trailhead in Potawatomi State Park
Ending point— Maplewood
Distance—13 miles
Cumulative Distance—13 miles

We finally started our adventure today! It was a gorgeous fall day, although it was a bit windy at times and chilly when the sun hid behind the clouds. Still, it's a good day in Wisconsin when you can be comfortable in a long-sleeve shirt at times (and a fleece the rest of the time).

We really enjoyed the trail through Potawatomi State Park as it heads through the woods and along the shore. We took the side trip up the lookout tower to see Sturgeon Bay and the last of the fall colors. This was the only section of the trail that had any vertical climbs or descents, and none of it was too substantial.

All the restaurants in Sturgeon Bay were tempting as we hadn't eaten lunch yet, but we stopped just outside of town at Cherry Blossom Park for lunch and a quick visit to the swingset for Kerry. By this time, the trail had piggybacked with the Ahnapee State Trail. (Sidenote: Ahnapee is the Ojibwa word for "when." Our logic for naming a trail that is it's a lot shorter than, "Are we there yet?")

The trail takes you through the countryside and follows an old railroad bed most of the way from Sturgeon Bay to Maplewood. One of the nice things is benches every couple miles, and the trail is well maintained. This section would be gorgeous in full fall colors, but we managed to find a Black-Eyed Susan still in perfect bloom, intriguing purple leaves, two grouse and two deer along the trail. We didn't encounter any other hikers, although we crossed paths with a few people walking their dogs.

We took our time (between Kerry's random pains and wisdom tooth extraction yesterday and the fact that we are out of practice for hiking) finishing the segment in 5.5 hours, with a couple rest stops and a lunch break. Oh, and don't forget the 254 picture breaks!

DEER!!!

It was a great hike to start our adventure!

Bring on the Miles :)

It appears as if we might go hiking this weekend!!!!  We are planning to start our 1000+ mile trek across Wisconsin. Trail for us will be begin at the East Terminal at Potawatomi State Park. 

Weather is looking good for the weekend... cool... but good.  50s with sun and cloud mix.  Anything but rain or the 30-60 mph winds we had for the past few days!  I still need to dig through all of the books and maps that we bought to do all this planning, but I think our start is near!

~Dave

Delays

Just like any best laid plan, something always goes awry.  Kerry hasn't been feeling the best, so we are delaying our start another weekend or two.  I'm hoping we can at least get the first 13 miles in before the first snow, but it will depend on what the doctors say!  Let the unknown pain in the joints go away, so we can replace it with pain created from long hikes!!!

~Dave

Fall Colors

The color is here!  Trees are turning fast.  If we do not hurry, our first hike will be with bare trees!!!  Unfortunately, we will be at least 2 weekends out before we have enough time to get out and start our adventure. 

At this point, the best we can do is plan out what we can all get done this fall.  Hopefully, the snow does not start flying until late this year to allow us to get some miles in!!!

Adventure Delayed....

Family plans have come up that prevent us from starting the weekend of October 2...

Our next best date will be doing the 13 mile portion starting at the East Terminal Point in Potawatomi State Park on Sunday October 10.  Hopefully the weather and the bacholerette party for Dave's cousin Kerry is attending does not prevent another delay!

Looks like we may get another use out of our state park pass this year!

~Dave

First Adventure

We're considering starting our Ice Age Trail adventures October 2. It looks like our first leg will be 13 miles, followed by another 11-mile segment. It's nice we'll start with 24 miles of trail before we head onto 50 or so miles along roads and such to connect to the next piece of true trail.

~Kerry

Books Arrived - Let the Planning Begin!

The books arrived today, which was pretty fast considering we just ordered them on the 14th!  Thank you IATA!  Both the atlas and the companion book seem pretty well put together.  We have lots of information to dig through now!

I also invited Kerry to the blog, since she got mad I started it without "formally" informing her :-p

Anyways....Let the planning begin!!

~Dave

Today It Starts

It started with a thought.

My wife and I have traveled around the country to go hiking, camping, and backpacking, to see firsthand the wonder of the world we live in.  But why spend hours in a vehicle....

It was one of those vehicle rides and our love for the National Park Service that eventually lead us to finding out about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.  We talked about the Appalachian Trail being a goal to one day tackle, but we needed something simpler, something closer to home, something we can do without taking months off of work.

The Ice Age Trail makes perfect sense.... over 1000 miles, all located in the great state of Wisconsin, where we both were born and raised.  After about a week of research on IATA website (http://www.iceagetrail.org/), I told my wife this evening that I want to section hike the trail.

I just placed an order for a year membership to IATA, along with the IAT Atlas and Hiking Companion, so we can start planning this next adventure of ours.

I hope I know what I'm getting myself into!

~Dave