March of March

The month of March keeps marching on. Before we know it, we'll be headed toward Lake Superior. For now, it's still early spring and chilly. Yesterday's hike at Blue Mounds State Park pretty much came down to this: 28 degrees F, windy prairie, 5 hours, 10 miles, and a 35 pound pack. That was the challenge, but I completely forgot about the aching in my shoulders when I took in the surroundings. There were bluffs rising from the prairie, prickly pear cactus tucked next to rocks, and a herd of buffalo in their winter coats, to name a few.

Catnip was coming up, in spite of the cold.

"Hen and chicks" ?

Prickly pear cactus hiding out in the grass.

Stopped for lunch behind Eagle Rock to get (mostly) out of the wind.

The old Sioux quartzite quarry

Goodness I was bushed by the end, but I felt a sense of victory. The Emily I was two years ago, or five, or ten, didn't dream of doing this, much less imagine she could.

I celebrated and warmed up with some coffee from The Bean in nearby Luverne, MN.

☕🤓😊💪

Prairie Hike

My seven hour hike yesterday (so extra sore today!!) resulted in some pictures featuring the Redwood River and the very blue sky...

The prairie was blustery, sunny, and cold.

A small tree basked in the sunlight...

...and looked out from its perch by the river.

The mullein stood watch like mini cacti...

And out by the bridge...



...lay an abandoned banana. ??

This row of corn was too close the river's edge to risk harvesting.



Sunlight on the water. Future picnic spot?

Unexpected Hiking Partner

Today was my first seven-hour hike, and while I feel victorious having finished, I have to admit that I'm sore as heck, too. Mostly in the ankles (surprisingly) and especially in the shoulders and upper back (NOT surprisingly). Those last few miles, the only thing driving me forward and through the screaming in my shoulder muscle was the end in sight and the promise of a burger, fries, and a cold one.

Yum: hard cider from the tap.

The arrival of this epic burger just had to be chronicled.

The highlight of the day was a few hours in, when the bike path I followed passed a few houses. I heard a dog barking furiously for me to get away from his territory, so I kept looking forward and walking on, thinking he'd see I'm no threat, end of story.

Then I heard the barking grow closer, coming up behind me. I looked and it was a black lab, so I talked to it, "hey what's up with you?" and all that. He took one whiff, decided I was his new best friend, and proceeded to hike with me for the next hour. 

He scouted ahead, tail wagging, tongue lolling, him smelling everything and marking his territory, having a blast. After about half hour of us walking in 25F weather on the windy prairie, I started to think I should turn back with this dog. Halfway back to his house, he slowed his pace and walked next to me. I've never seen a dog so exhausted. I emptied part of one water bottle into my fry pan and let him drink, then shared the remains of my summer sausage, too.

When we got back to his address (from his dog tag), it took a little convincing to get him to stay behind. His owners weren't home. It was sad to say goodbye to my new friend. He reminded me so much of our black lab, Max, who used to go out jogging with me in high school, scouting ahead, tail wagging, tongue lolling. I hadn't planned on having a hiking partner, but this was a welcome surprise.

 Bye, pup. I won't forget you. 🐕🐾

3+ months until Superior

It's only 3+ months until I head off to my first multi-day backpacking adventure. The plan is to start at the North end of the Lake Superior Hiking Trail and hike south from there for about two weeks. I had today off, so I spent it refining my packing list and jotting notes of what I still need. 

All I'm missing are a backpacking stove and fuel, a few more moisture-wicking layers, extra batteries, and food (dehydrator is running in the kitchen as I write).

After spreading all the gear out on the floor, it doesn't look like much:

But somehow when combined it becomes an almost bulging pack:

Amazing to think that of all I have and enjoy at home, all I really need can fit in an 80 L pack. It makes even my junkiest possession look like a luxury item. 

Just looking at this pack nearly ready for the trails makes me excited. June come quickly!! 😁🌲🎒