Hiking Dude Blog

I walked about 19 miles yesterday.
As we approached the Elkhart Lake area, some very loud mosquitos could be heard in the distance. Over the next hour of hiking, it became clear they were racecars at the Elkhart Speedway - amazing how far across the country the sound carries!
After completing the La Budde segment, we altered our roadwalk to the main entrance of the raceway. PapaBear's overwhelming power of suggestion convinced a gate tender to let us visit for free (rather then $30 each) so you can see our route goes right through the facility and out the southern gate. It wound up adding < 1/2 mile. The cars and crews were fun to watch as we strolled through the paddock area. No $3 pepsis for us, though.
We sped through the first 3 miles of the Kettle Moraine forest to meet our ride. Back to Potawatomi for the van and finally to my folks' home around 8:30 for a long day with not many trail miles.
The cars in the pic are Porsches doing practice laps.

In the Kettle Moraine this morning. Slackpacking along making good time - 7.5 miles so far. Plenty of woods and bugs!

We've been looking for a place to take a break for the past hour and came to Butler Lake about 11.5 miles in. A very nice, open spot with picnic tables and a wonderful, COLD water hand pump - and 4 backpackers enjoying the Kettle Moraine. We had a nice chat with Tony and friends away from the small swarm of bugs that's been following us.
Now, they're on their way north and we're continuing southbound.

I traveled about 28 miles today.
We made it to the hwy H trailhead to end the day. Bug suits were used the entire day and we got a few jealous looks from folks passing us on the trail.
At a water stop at a campground, we met Gary and his family and friends. I noticed his Philmont scout ranch t-shirt right away and we were welcomed to sit for awhile. Gary had just returned with his Hartford troop from a great trek in New Mexico.
After a cold coke, we continued the last 9 miles through the forest on a very nice trail with lots of small ups and downs.

Walking the beautiful Kewaskum and West Bend segments today. The new DCA site by Sunburst ski hill looks nice, if a little slanted. Meeting quite a few folks on the trail doing Sunday hikes.
The rain has started so it might be a short day.

I traveled about 12 miles today.
The West Bend segment is a very nice, well-groomed trail. This boardwalk over a marsh, a stroll along Silver Creek, and a selection of lunch spots at the Hwy 33 crossing are a few of the highlights.
Our hike got cut short today when the rain started. We'll have plenty of days to walk in rain, and were looking for an eas day anyway, so we took the afternoon off.
My new pack is working well and I tried out a new pair of very light shoes - we'll see how they feel tomorrow before swapping out my New Balance 606s.
It's been a nice break to visit with my family while also getting some miles done. In a couple days, we'll be back in the 'wild' with full packs.

Picking up where we left off in the rain yesterday, we did a 5.5 mile roadwalk to the Cedar Lakes segment - this time in bright sun rather than dreary rain.
When you hike this road, be VERY careful alonf Paradise - no shoulder and very winding. Also keep an eye out for Johnny T's pub that had the first 'welcome ice age hikers' that we've seen.
At the east end of the C.L. Segment, you might sight this mammoth like we did.
Now, we're at Jim's in Slinger for lunch and ice cream.

Din't get a chance to write last night - too busy eating a huge mac-n-cheese dinner and cupcakes.
We did complete the Holy Hill segment and reached Donegal Rd. Dad took us up to Holy Hill after hiking and Papa Bear and I climbed the 178 steps to the top of the tower - way cool.

We've knocked off about 12 miles, including a nice walk along the Oconomowoc River. We saw 6 deer but no cranes or turkeys for a change.
On our way into Hartland, we met these two wonderful young entrepreneurs selling homemade lemonade, cookies, and jewelry. Papa Bear treated me to a cookie and we told them about our hike. Then they gave me permission to share their picture without names.
We have about 10 more miles to the van. Today, we drove to our end point and got shuttled to our start point to save my folks a trip this evening.
Now, we're enjoying lunch outside the Marathon station at Dorn and Merton - peanut butter/honey on ritz with a cold Mt. Dew.

I traveled about 22 miles today.
Yet Another Great Day on the Ice Age Trail with great weather, few bugs, and fun people.
The two girls selling lemonade were creative; the librarians in Hartland were helpful; the 6 deer were oblivious; the 3 boys playing baseball were athletic; the Walgreen's clerk was accomodating; Millie the dog was adventurous.
We saw polo players at the Milwaukee club grounds and huge mansions in a golf course neighborhood near Delafield.
The trails throughout Hartland, Merton, and Delafield were very nice, especially along the Bark River.
Weather is supposed to remain pleasant all week so it looks like more great days ahead!