Wow

I'm 5 days into my hike, and its a little different than I thought it would be. So far, the challenge is there, but boredom is the enemy.

The very first day of my hike, I walked about 15 miles. That was the average that I was hoping for per day. The first problem that arose was that I was definitely not prepared for this trip. My feelings about the challenge of hauling 55-60lbs on my back for miles and miles all day were sorely underrated. A bit more conditioning would have done me well. While it was really hard and painful, I was expecting this sort of thing as part of the package. Because I never had time to recover in the next days, it just got worse.

The second challenge was the development of many blisters on my feet, which also happened on the first day. I have no fewer than six, of which one on each foot bleeds with the abrasion of walking. My socks are bloodstained. My choice in shoes could have been better as well. Every step is painful, but worth it.

These initial days will be the hardest for sure, as I get strong and heal my feet. No pain no gain.

I thought there would be people on this trail like on the Appalachian Trail but I was mistaken. There is nobody except a few fisherman. I went the first 3 days without a town or anything. I definitely appreciate solitude, probably more than others, but a fellow hiker here and there would be nice. Additionally, I'm in the middle of cornfields most of the time. If I wanted to to walk through cornfields I could have stayed in McHenry County. A reevaluation of my goals on this trip are in order.

I like how hardy this makes a person, and the great challenge. The physical hardship is good for anyone, and I'll be happy to complete the Hennepin Canal trail and cross the Mississippi. As far as going through Iowa and Nebraska... it can only get worse as far as seeing things and meeting people.

The locks and bridges along the Hennepin are pretty cool. Some of them are not active, some are restored. You can almost imagine the barges going through and the towpaths which I walk being used. I do particularly enjoy the aqueducts as the streams below are quite clean.

On the third day I find a town. It's called Anawan. I see a local cop on some country road and ask him if there is anything in this town. He looks at me strangely and informs me that there is a grocer, laundry and to check out the best restaurant in town, called the Purple Onion.

I walk the next mile of the canal, take a left at a road, cross an interstate highway and find Anawan. The first thing I see is a gas station and my sweet tooth overwhelms me. I go in and scarf a package of Ho Ho's and pick up a Snickers bar for the road. I ask one of the locals there where I can find a restaurant called the Green Olive. She laughs and kindly informs me that the Purple Onion is down two blocks, take a right, two blocks.

I head that way, and find the post office. I go there and unload books, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and unnecessary equipment. I send them back home. The lighter load makes me happy. The lady at the post office seems normal, so in passing I happen to mention that I'm going to the Purple Onion to eat. She gave me a weird look when I said that. She would not say anything bad about the place but I wondered what that look meant.

I stroll around the block to find the diner and see in the middle of downtown, a shabby section of white building with purple trim. Ugly, but interesting.

I felt like a baddie in an old western movie as I enter. I don't exactly look normal with this huge pack on my back with gear strapped everywhere. I walk through the door and judging from the looks I get I could have just slammed the door, pulled out a revolver and told everyone to hand over their cash and jewelry. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and looked directly at me. A moment of complete motionless silence ensues. After my shock of the place wears off, I ask the waitress if I should seat myself. Life resumes normally.

I have never seen a more ramshackle restaurant. the chairs and tables looked like those that come out of a fifty year old house to be used in a rummage sale. I can see the kitchen from the "dining area" and it seems that the fridge came out of the same house. Thankfully, due to a half wall, I cannot see the cooking surfaces. I notice a dingy old house smell me as I sit, and I notice that our friendly police officer is having coffee with a group of gents old enough to be his grandfather.

The bacon double cheeseburger is okay and the fries are good. Once soft drink and a water later and I'm ready to go. The price was fair. The waitress was very good, so I tip her $5 and pay the bill. Over all, it was definitely an experience.

I do my laundry and charge my cell phone then head out of town to the trail.

Another day's walk, and I'm in the town of Geneseo. A town of 6000 that reminds me of Woodstock with nicer people. There is a real campground here so I am enjoying the shower immensely. I'm staying here for an extra night to try to heal my feet and aching body then I will move on. In a couple more days I will be at the Mississippi and then to Iowa. Unless I have some sort of epiphany that I want to spend my next few months in absolute boredom, I think I will probably make it a road trip to Denver, where I can do some real hiking.