The past three days been a great chance to catch up with family and friends. Read on to catch up.
5-8-06
Start: Menard, IL
Destination: Fort de Chartres, IL
Miles: 25.1
Weather: partly sunny/breezy
Adam and Dad got up with us at 4 a.m. so they could drop us off on the trail. We got there at about 6:45 and said our good-byes. We were all strong, and none of us broke down. It was hard, but mom and I were soon heading down the road, and they were on their way back to the airport.
I think we just tried to shut the good-bye out, and we did hike hard today. We made good time and good mileage. At lunch, Gina, and her mom, Pat, showed up to hike with us for a couple of hours. That was really nice. We always love good company - it makes the miles go smoother and distracts from the little aches and pains. They got off the trail at about 2:30, and we hiked on.
We stopped in Prarie du Rocher, where we were given a very warm welcome. We had pie and coffee at the local cafe, and then Gina's mother-in-law had a friend drop off milkshakes. :) As we walked down the street, a couple of people stopped and wished us luck - including the mayor! How cool.
After that we had 4 more miles to Fort de Chartres. We kicked it in high gear and got completely silly. We were making up words, and laughing at the word, "turtle." Margie and Grandma came by to get us, but we had .6 more miles to the Fort, so we kept going. Margie started walking towards us and could hear us laughing. I can't believe how goofy we got!
This section of trail was kind of fun to hike. Last year when mom, Pam and I came down to meet Ken & Marcia (Gottawalk), we hiked this section backwards, so it looked familiar. I wanted to stop in the Pop-a-Top bar for a soda and call Pam, but they weren't open on Mondays, and we didn't have cell coverage. So, anyway - Pam, we were thinking about you today - and no Rottweilers! Yeah!
We have lots of levee walking tomorrow, but we're planning for over 20 miles again. Should be in a new state soon!
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