09/24/06

IAT Thru Hike

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

2006-07-04 / Tuesday

Status * Enjoying the sunset on a sandbar in the Wisconsin River

Hi Friends of the IAT, 

Eat your hearts out, tonight John called me from some sandbar in the Wisconsin River near Portage, WI extolling how I must thru hike the IAT.  He was describing how perfect the sunset was - clear skies, no breeze, and a perfect temperature.  The only thing I can say is I can hardly wait to see the pics he’s taken. 

Well after stopping at Pick N Save to get some supplies for John and some ice for the cooler I was on the road by 8:00 am to meet up with him somewhere between Devils Lake and Portage, WI.   About 30 minutes from arriving in the area I saw the golden arches so I stopped and got the usual for John – 3 sausage egg Mac Muffins and 3 orders of hash browns.  As I was pulling up to the cashier my cell phone rang, it was John telling me to meet him at Parfreys Glen State Natural Area.  He said he’d be drying his gear out, not from rain but from sweat.  I arrived at 9:45 am.  Parfreys was packed with cars, had a hard time getting a spot.  Shortly we would find out why it’s so popular.  First we had to take care of business – filling up empty water bottles; getting the new food organized; and deciding what gear to leave behind for me to mail to John’s home in Waupaca; downloading John’s camera pics to my lap tope; and for John to write his log entries. 

Once the business end of the meeting was done we had some fun by hiking to the top of Parfreys Glen.  Wow!!! It is truly amazing!   Check the pics out that I’ve posted.   If you are ever in the area you must stop in and take a visit. 

Happy Trails! 

“Biscuit”

Parfreys Glen State Natural Area