Milwaukee to Grinnell: 335 miles and 5-1/2 hours by car, about one hour by plane through Des Moines.
How things have changed! I've been thinking about this alot...this notion of walking out the door of my home in Shorewood and begin a hike to go see Ben in Grinnell, Iowa. That's how far I have gone at this point and it's taken me 25 days to do so.
Thank goodness for transportation advances! But it says a lot to me how significant of an impact transportation has made in this world. Everything moved much slower 100 years ago!
It's also been interesting to get glimpses of history in the woods. We've hiked past several grave stones deep in the woods from the late 1800s. It's unclear of why they are there, but one in particular got my attention...of a 13 year old boy that died in 1863. Was he a fatality from the Civil War? Was he a young soldier? A drummer boy?
Also have seen remnants of old log cabins. Reminds me of growing up in the outskirts of Atlanta when Billy Bartlett and I use to hike into the woods and sneak up on some old shacks where black families were living in the woods. Made me also thing that maybe some of these grave stones were for black people that could not afford a cemetary (or weren't welcome?).
Interesting, huh?
You must be getting a reputation as an Uber-Hiker by now. You are CRANKING out the miles!
ReplyDeleteWe had a lot or random graves like that in
Alabama to. I always figured they were old home steads or reamnants from family plots (Southerners did tend to bury in the back yard) from before the Govt. bought up the land for forrest land. Some family friends up here are shopping for a house down around Bristol and one of there criteria is no graves on the property! Wait till you see Little Ottie's marker in VA. That is the one that kind of disturbed me.
Tyler and I are sitting comfortably in a hotel in Ithaca working on homework and reading your blog. Continuing to enjoy the progress and stories. Are you the oldest surviving hiker now ? Prayers for safety and stamina! Love, your big sister.
ReplyDelete349 miles down, a few more to go. So the question no longer is "if" you are going to finish, but "when" are you going to finish. Take care, Bill p.s. Chris won!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right on the "when"...lots of obstacles along the way - including the nutrition challenge coming up! Thanks for the comment - and great to hear about Chris!
ReplyDeleteBird,
ReplyDeleteFar from "uber", more like "older"...as my sis said, I must be the oldest "surviving" hiker on the trail at this point. Not quite right - am incredibly impressed with some old timers on the trail. Though I have to admit, 90% of the hikers I am with right now seem to be in their 20s. Hanging with a few hikers in their mid-50s. Kind of fun to show the young ones up a bit!
P.S. to Barb...two things:
ReplyDelete- Do you remember a sign that dad had with a hiker on it and it said "No Business Shelter"? I think he had it at the cabin. There is a shelter here called No Business Shelter with the exact same sign. Am I imagining things? It was very wierd.
Also, do you remember the shacks in the woods in Sandy Springs? Do you know the story behind them - besides the imagination of two little boys?
Those grave stones and old cabins sound fascinating; I love coming across old infrastructure and such in the woods. I am really jealous! And haha Billy Bartlett. Hopefully there is some of that when I join. Congrats on walking to Grinell hahah
ReplyDeleteBen was telling me about your blog and I thought I'd comment. Hope you're having a great time!
ReplyDeleteWalking distance also had a great influence on the spacing of towns and the commerce therein. As I understand it, farming settlements were often spaced so that a farmer half-way between two towns could reasonably walk to town (or drive with a horse and farm cart), conduct some business, and get back in a half-day or so. About 7 miles, 2-3 hour walk. These small towns would be pretty close to full service (general store, bank perhaps . . .). For instance, along the Wisconsin River: Boscobel to Blue River to Muscoda to Lone Rock to Spring Green: 8.4, 6.5, 6.2, 8.4, 8.4 miles, according to Google Maps; driving time 10-12 minutes each; walking time, 2:45 to 2:00 each. So what's the spacing of Wal-Marts?
ReplyDeleteElana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for tracking my progress...would love to continue to hear from you even though I may not be able to reply right away. Hope all is well with you!
Don
David D,
Is this David Drews? I suspect so because of your observation on how these towns are mapped out. It's really interesting how "time of travel" influences the make up of towns, etc. over time! Anyway, thanks for checking in every once in a while. I do hope I can see Peter in MA!
Ben,
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's really quite interesting coming across some of this stuff. The other day we came across a grave stone that said something like: "Uncle Nick...born alone, lived alone, died alone"...can't remember the exact words - but a hermit that died in 1925 and someone wanted to remember him with a huge headstone.