Our Dare: 25% Complete
Posted in Boots are Made for Walkin on August 8th, 2007 by Erin DietrichJenny and I have completed a quarter of our walking dare, having walked nearly 170 miles of trails since May. Looking back, I realize most of our posts about our hikes have been about the lessons we have learned on the trails, rather than about the trails themselves. So, per the request Liara, one of our readers, here is a bit about the trails and the other side of the experience.
Most of the state trails Jenny and I are walking are part of a program in Minnesota to convert old railroad tracks into recreation trails. Seeing reminders that the trail used to be a railway is one of my absolute favorite parts of the walks. On the Gateway trail an old railroad intersection is still intact, with all of the rusted gears and levers standing amongst tall grasses. As Jenny stood waiting on the trail (she did not want to get bit by wood ticks after all) I waded through the grass to the intersection, grasped the levers and envisioned an old train barreling towards me. It was quite a feeling. We have passed several old train platforms as well. I love to imagine what these areas might have been like in the height of rail transportation, with young teachers waiting anxiously for the train to bring them to their next school or families excitedly waiting for their soldiers to return. It intrigues me how a once bustlingly area can transform into just a memory in the middle of a forest.
The only trail we have walked so far that is not an old railroad is the Gitchi Gami trail. This trail cuts through forests, over cascading waterfalls and past breathtaking views of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Jenny described stepping onto the Gitchi Gami trail akin to being transported into the pages of a magical storybook, stark white birch trees towered above us, butterflies were our constant companions and Jenny even claimed to see a few wood fairies, this was the point I stopped to question her sanity. At the bottom of a steep cliff we found the contorted remains of a deer that must have been run off the cliff by a predator. Although gruesome, it was fascinating to be so close to the natural world of predator and prey and the tragedies it contains.
The plants have been fun too. If you have not figured it out by now, Jenny is not much of a nature buff. I have done my very best to impart some knowledge on her. Although she pretends utter boredom as I point out plants, it appears she may actually pay attention. On one trail Jenny challenged me to guess her favorite wildflower. “What?” I thought, “How can she have a favorite, when she doesn’t know any.” I was wrong. Not only could she find the flower, she was able to identify it by name!
She never ceases to amaze me.
We have eaten well along the trail. Although we carry camelbacks filled with water and food, this has not been our only form of nourishment. The many unexpected treats along the way have included wild raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and apples. We also tried garlic mustard, which tasted fine but left our breath very stinky. However, it would be delightful heated with a little olive oil and some chili peppers next to a nicely cooked steak. We have made big plans to go back and harvest some of the wild asparagus and wild onion whose homes we are keeping secret.
What we have not seen on the trails, the real rare and elusive find, are people. When we first started walking we thought this was because we were too early in the season. As summer came and we still were not seeing people we figured our timing must just be off. However, after walking every day of the week at every imaginable hour, we have simply concluded that people just do not use this resource. On a 20 mile trail day we may pass an occasional biker, but once we are more than 2 miles outside of a town we are usually the lone people on the trail.
We have had some lovely company, and would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested in joining us. If you are feeling up to the challenge, send us an email and we can see what we can arrange. So, as we continue our walks I am sure we will encounter more stories, share more laughs and overcome more barriers. However, regardless of what happens tomorrow, this has all been worth it for today.
To read more about our walks visit Boots are Made for Walkin’
August 8th, 2007 at 5:58 am
Well done ladies!
I hope you two will take me to the Gitchi Gami trail when I come to visit!
Good luck with the rest of the trails!
More exclamation marks!!!
August 8th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Thanks Mark!!! Yes, we will definately take you on the Gitchi Gami!
August 8th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I have a Finnish vegetarian friend who hunts for berries and edible natural foods in the forest during hikes. You might read about it in “Skewer Wild Mushrooms” on my blog. Exploring the wilderness can enable you to feel more connected to nature and to your own spirit. What is your own experience?
August 8th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Mmmm, fresh blackberries. I love blackberries (and black raspberries… I used to eat these when I lived in a small town in the mid-west US, can’t find them now in Los Angeles, even in the farmer’s markets and such).
Fresh fruits and veggies, as in I literally just took it off the plant, is one of the few things I miss about life in the mid-west. I’m mostly much better suited to life on the west coast, but there are a FEW things I miss.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Mark,
Thanks and hiking the Gitchi Gami with you and Erin would be a true pleasure.
Liara,
Yes, when I’m outdoors I do feel a connection to nature.
Jason,
Raspberries are my favorite!
August 8th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Mmm…I also love wild blackberries and have picked a bunch for my dessert of blackberries and ice cream tonight! Great blog. Fun to hear about and imagine the great trains. Last night on the news I heard how economical and pollution free trains are and that we would serve ourselves well to rebuild train transportation and rely less on cars and planes as Europe and Japan have done.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Thanks Mom for commenting! I hope you save some of those blackberries for me. I can see the argument for trains. I’d be interested in hearing more.
Liara, yes, I most definately do feel closer to my own spirit in natural places. This is what originally drew me to the outdoors and has kept me coming back. This sensation is strongest when I am by myself because I can be still and connect with my inner self. There is also something completely magical about being outdoors with young children. I don’t know if they bring the mystery and wonder, or if it is attracted to them. Regardless, it is injuvinating.
Oh Jason, I can see why you miss the fresh produce - even if it is for only 4 months of the year.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Hi Erin’s Mom!!!
Hope all is well with you. Thanks for commenting!
August 8th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Your post reminded of some time I spent in Naperville, Illinois. I was working there and had weekends to myself. One weekend I remember it had snowed and I drove out to one of the many woodland trails expecting to find many people taking advantage of the conditions by skiing or toboganning. In fact I think I saw a maximum of 6 people in the whole expanse. As I live in the UK I’m aghast that locals don’t take advantage of this wonderful resource. Having said that of course I’d probably be just as bad back home. We never seem to appreciate was is on our own doorstep so it’s great to read that the two of you are enjoying the freedom of the outdoors.
I’d have to agree that wild raspberries do it for me as well.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Hi John! It’s kind of a mixed bag not having people out and about, isn’t it? On one hand it’s alarming there aren’t more people enjoying the trails, but on the other it’s great to have such great resources all to oneself. Part of me wants to advertise how great the trails are, while another part wants to keep it as my own little treasure. I hope you have wild raspberries wherever you are.
August 9th, 2007 at 7:15 am
I just couldn’t resist commenting on the blackberry image. You see, I’ve been doing yardwork at my parents’ cottage in Nova Scotia, Canada and I stumbled across this huge wild supply of blackberry bushes. This must mean we’re on the same wavelength. Although these wild berries aren’t yet ripe, I sense that they will be soon!
August 9th, 2007 at 7:17 am
Lovely!
August 9th, 2007 at 11:51 am
As long as we are discussing food (a passion of mine), I’m curious: Have you two seen any wild mushrooms? I’m thinking about taking a class in September on mushroom hunting. People really get into it, I hear. I’d learn about and search for: Giant Puffballs, Chicken-of-the-Woods and Sulfur Shelfs. No clue what any of these are, but I’m sure it’ll be fun!
August 9th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
You guys are about to make me drool… when are you going to send some of those berries to me?
August 9th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Hi Shannon! An edible mushroom class sounds excellent. Personally, Puffballs are my favorites. They are ball-shaped mushrooms and typically are about the diameter of one’s thumb, but gaint ones can be about the size of a basketball. When they are fresh you can eat them. However, when they are a bit older you can squeeze, squish or bop the mushrooms and spores come shooting out the top. And it’s not just a few spores, but lovely big green clouds of them! It is hours of fun for any child, or adult for that matter!
( This is the type of stuff I subject Jenny to all the time. And typically, despite her protests, I would make her squish a few too! It’s a mystery to me why she complains… ha ha.)
August 9th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Sorry Jason. Maybe a trip back to the Midwest is in order!
August 9th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
BTW, who dared you and Jenny to tackle these trails in the first place? Maybe it was written somewhere and I just missed it.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Hey Shannon,
It was a friend of mine over dinner and drinks at my place one night long, long ago.