09/24/06

IAT Thru Hike

John Bauer and Bill Rhodes - 2006 Ice Age Trail Thru Hike Journal

2006-06-29 / Thursday

10:00 AM Status – He’s Northward Bound

Hi Friends Of The IAT, 

An early start this morning, John was on the trail thru the Brooklyn State Wildlife Area (Map 35e) by 5:00 am.  At 10:00 am he had finished Maps 35e and 36e and he was well into Map 37e being just south of Verona where the trail crosses County Highway M in Dane County.  He was burning up trail like he was “Forrest” Gump    The excitement in John’s voice made me think of the hit “Don’t Look Back” by Boston from back in the 1970’s.  Makes me want to be out there on the trail.  

Yesterday, somebody called John’s cell phone and said she had mailed John a care package and that it would be at the Verona Post Office.  John needed help because he had no clue as to where that might be, so I was able to help him from my desk in Bayside, WI and I Googled “Verona Post Office” and sure enough I was able to get a map, address, and phone number which I passed along to John.  I’ll find out tomorrow if John received the package as well as its contents.   Anyway “Thank You” to the lady who mailed the package, I’m sure it will be appreciated.   John’s destination for this evening is the Valley View Preserve west of Madison, WI (Map 37e).    John Cramer will be meeting John and taking him in for the evening.  Thank you John! 

What do you all think of “Forrest” as John’s trail name?   Actually, I must be honest the idea came the other night when John, Cliff and I were at Sara’s house for the evening.  Cliff mentioned it; he was also in on coming up with my trail name. 

Happy Trails!