Ice Age Trail: Dells of Eau Claire Segment

So Charlie and I hiked this section on June 1st for National Trails Day... but I forgot to write a post about it! Life gets crazy sometimes... but then you get caught up! June 1st was also my birthday so even though I've hiked parts of the Eau Claire Dells Segment several times, I wanted to finally finish hiking this section all the way to the end. The weather was a combination of intermittent sun with ominous dark clouds and we were supposed to have isolated thunderstorms. I wasn't going to let a little rain keep me away from hiking for the whole day so we headed out anyway. The good thing about bad weather is that the trails were pretty deserted and we only ran across a few people - surprising for this popular park!

About 1/4 of the way down the trail, it started sprinkling a little bit. It was a very peaceful, light rain and I barely noticed it under the canopy of trees. The leaves were dancing with each rain drop and I felt like I was in a tropical forest. The mosquitoes flew away to their hiding spots to avoid the rain and the rest of the hikers disappeared. Charlie and I continued on.

There has been quite a bit of rainfall lately and the forest was getting lush. There were tiny rainwater pools on rocks and along the trail - perfect breeding ground for more mosquitoes, and the Eau Claire River was roaring. I think a lot of people turn back to Dells of the Eau Claire Park when they reach the "actual" beginning of the Ice Age Trail segment. The terrain gets a little steep along the riverbank here, but the views are really pretty. At this point, the rain was getting a little heavier and I could hear distant thunder. Charlie and I continued on.

The rain was really coming down now and I was wishing I had a hat and rain jacket. I realized I was not properly prepared for this weather, but we were already all the way out there and now had to hike back. Thank goodness the mosquitoes were hiding because all my bug spray got rained off. The thunder got closer (and louder) and I was glad that I had Charlie on her Roamer leash because every time she heard a loud crack she tucked her butt and rain forward like she was about to bolt into the woods. Even though we were getting soaked, the woods were still magical and I absolutely love the uneven terrain filled with moss-covered boulders and intertwined tree roots.

We hiked back as fast as we could; I knew Charlie was getting miserable - she hates to be wet, unless she's swimming. My hair and clothes were soaked and my boots were covered in mud, leaf debris and pine needles. We crossed over some cool little rock bridges with rain water washing down the hillsides.

Charlie paused long enough for me to snap a picture of her next to a giant tree sitting on top of ancient rocks overlooking Sandberg Island before I had to put my camera away to prevent water damage.

We emerged from the woods looking like two wet dogs - soaked from head to toe - and as we approached the parking lot, the clouds cleared and the sun peaked out. On the drive home we even saw a rainbow. Pretty perfect birthday hike.

Treasure Hunt Continues...

A few more counties have been eliminated in the recent edition of Our Wisconsin magazine's "Wisconsin Treasure Hunt" for the key to the Kia Soul. My county, Marathon County, is still in the running! Charlie and I have been diligently searching in every park we encounter during our hikes. The additional clues reassure me that I've been looking in the right spots... we just need to find the "right" park now!

Charlie and I have some REALLY BIG hiking plans this summer... stay tuned for awesome trail reports coming soon. Since we're going to be on the road traveling to see some great Wisconsin trails, I decided to trade in my Jeep Wrangler for something a little more fuel efficient. I didn't want to give up the cargo space that I was used to, but was glad to get something with a back seat and cargo space.
Introducing my new car (with Charlie as co-pilot):

Charlie in her "Middle-Up-Front Seat"

Yep. I couldn't wait to find the key, so I traded in my Jeep for a used 2010 Kia Soul. And it is SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE! I love this car and am really happy with the trade. It gets about 30 mpg on the highway, the back seats fold down for great cargo space, and it's got a sun roof! It took Charlie a couple weeks to adjust to it, but she's happy now. Of course this doesn't mean I'm going to stop looking for the key though.

Happy Hunting!

Dear Dudley

Follow the weekly pen-pal letters between Charlie and Dudley as they discuss life as dogs. Dudley lives in Massachusetts with his owner, Sarah Kilgallon, who leads dogs on wilderness trail hikes through pristine conservation land. You can view her blog at: http://trail-dogs.com/blog

Dudley's letter: http://trail-dogs.com/blog/2013/06/06/dudleys-new-letter-to-charlie/

Dear Dudley,
I love getting your letters. It sounds like you have very fun adventures and get to make lots of new friends! I don't think I would like to have sleep-overs like you because I don't want to share my toys. It's bad enough having to share with Peanut.

I had a sleep-over at my buddy BB's house this week. Mom and me went to visit Grandpa and we took a loooong drive! We picked up my friend, MacKenzie, on the way and then I got to play with BB when we got to his house. BB is a black lab/beagle mix and he is a little slow, if you get what I mean. But it's fun to play with him because I can get him to chase me if I have a toy in my mouth! Plus, if he gets my toy, I just scare him with a little growl and then he drops it! He has to always be on a leash or in his kennel because sometimes he sniffs a scent and just starts running! I like to run around his kennel and make him bark. I think he is jealous that I get to run around all by myself.

We did a lot of driving the past couple of days, but it's okay because I love car rides. If I get tired, I just take a nap anyway. I was glad to get home and be in my own bed and have all my toys again. I was really sleepy from the fun sleep-over and long drive so I slept in really late today! Mom was sleepy too and I got to snuggle with her all morning. It's nice to have my mom all to myself again.

I really missed my mom earlier this week. She said she had to go to Wilderness First Aid training for 2 whole days and she couldn't take me with! I don't understand why I couldn't go with because I love WILDERNESS! I would have been a big help to Mom with training too. Sometimes when we go hiking, I get so excited that I don't pay attention to owies. It's a good thing Mom stops and checks me over because sometimes she has to put doggie-bandaids on me. I love my doggie-bandaid because it's PINK! That is why I would be a big help... I could be her patient and she could practice on me. I was glad when she got home. I think Grandma was starting to get upset with me because I was crying a lot and then I would bark at her! But I was just worried about Mom.

Mom says she is planning some really fun hiking trips this summer and I get to come along for ALL of them! I am so excited to go camping and swimming and hiking! Do you have any fun summer trips to do? Here is a picture of me with my pink doggie-bandaid... aren't I cute?

Love,
Charlie

Wilderness First Aid - CERTIFIED!

Morning fog on the lake... 32 degrees on June 3rd.

When I set off for Wilderness First Aid training at Camp Manito-wish, I had visions of heading off to "camp" and being able to explore and roam the property, snapping awesome photographs, making friends and learning tons of first aid stuff. The realities of being "at camp" were quite different. I never had the experience of being sent off to camp when I was a kid. At most, there were two class trips to area "camps" in middle school that lasted for about 3 days. I have very few memories of those trips - mostly yucky food, mice in the cabins and ticks on our heads. This time was going to be different! I am an adult now! I can bring my own food! I have a car and can go where I want!

Unfortunately, the good scholar in me just wanted to make sure I learned as much as possible so I wouldn't fail the training. Plus, I was almost the oldest person in the class. Surrounded by more than thirty 18-22 year-old kids, I realized I was old enough to be their mother. Ugh. The hardest part is that I still feel like I'm in my twenties... but obviously older and therefore left out.

There was no time for leisurely exploring - I had 9 chapters of reading homework the first night. After a long day out in the sun and fresh air, I was exhausted from all the CPR drills and making my brain learn new things. All I wanted to do was lay down and go to sleep, but I forced myself to get through the reading homework and review my notes from the day. The other girls in my cabin headed off into town for... real food? ice cream? alcohol? ...I'm not really sure since I wasn't invited. All I know is they piled into a car and left. By 9pm., after finishing the homework assignment, I showered and got ready for bed. This is when the girls returned to the cabin and decided to go start a fire in the camp fire pit... they politely invited me to join them, but I was already in my jammies... and way too tired to stay up any later; I went to bed.

The next morning, instead of waking up early and hiking around the lake, I slept in a little. I still got up earlier than the rest of them and headed off to breakfast by myself. Apparently many of my classmates were up late the previous night because the instructor had to stop her lecture to ask people to stay awake or they wouldn't be certified. Seriously? I felt like I was in high school again. Don't these people want to learn first aid? Unfortunately, many of them were there as a prerequisite to their summer camp jobs and not really engaged in learning the material. Even more unfortunate, these people all passed with their certifications. I'm not really sure I'd want to rely on these people if I were injured in the wilderness... but at least now I have the knowledge to help someone help me.

I think a lot of the students were confused why someone would take this class voluntarily. I actually paid to be there. They were there on someone else's dime and just going through the motions. Maybe I'm being too harsh; I'm sure there were some students who put forth the effort. In any case, I feel like I have the tools and knowledge to help someone if I ran across a situation out on the trail... and that was the purpose behind signing up for this training. In the future, though, I think I'll take my training at a designated wilderness school rather than one that is offered at a "camp." I would rather be in an environment with other like-minded individuals who are serious about learning the material. I've had enough of camp life.

My bottom bunk.

Product Review: Ruffwear Roamer Leash

First the disclaimer:  I was not paid to write this review. The leash was purchased by myself online for personal testing to see whether this leash would work for hands-free hiking. The following is my own personal opinion of the product.

I got the size Large leash in Red. Fully extended, from belt clip to collar clip is 11' 6".  The "bungee" part of the leash - fully extended - is about 8'.  So overall this leash can give your dog up to 8' of roaming space, which is plenty enough to allow some freedom to roam around without tripping over your dog from being too close.  When the bungee part is loose (not fully extended) it is about 4' 6"... so again, not too long to drag on the ground during regular leash walks. There's a handle built into the leash near the collar clip for city walking. I've included some photos and a video below for additional visualization of the product. As a hiker, I highly recommend this product for hands-free hiking with your dog!