While eating breakfast after sleeping in until 9 am, I noticed grey dreary skies. Being comfortable in the Onnen home I decided to wait it out a bit. Prolonging the inevitable lasted until about noon before I got the cart all packed up with the parting gifts Janelle gave me which included a TON of food, and a new can of pepper spray. Saying goodbye to Todd, Janelle and Nichole was tough, but I could only stay for so long.
I walked to Grundy Center and through downtown before starting running. I jumped back onto the Pioneer Trail after a mile and let it take me through Morrison into the town of Reinbeck. The run just kind of trudged on from there as I got into the center of La Porte City.
For a split second entering town I got a good internet signal on my phone. Turning on my Pandora radio station the first song to come on was Chelsea Dagger-the terrible song the Chicago Blackhawks play when they score a goal. The fact that I was in Black Hawk County made matters even worse. Illinois, home of the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks (three of the worst sports franchises outside of the ducks) is getting close I suppose.
In town I learned that the closest legitimate camp site was McFarlane Park, 2.5 miles east of town. I reluctantly started walking over there, figuring I would have to walk back the next day to get on the county road that would take me over the Cedar River. I realized how much longer walking takes than running as the trek took me about an hour. It was well worth it, however, as the park had an amazing shelter to make camp in and showers.
As I returned from the showers I passed by a group from Cedar Rapids with three RVs who were sitting around a campfire that had a flame of several colors. They offered me company and beef stew with cornbread and pumpkin bars. It was a million times better than the ravioli with hot sauce I had been trying to work up an appetite for. As everyone started to get ready for bed, I head back to the shelter to prepare myself for the 38 degree night.
I walked to Grundy Center and through downtown before starting running. I jumped back onto the Pioneer Trail after a mile and let it take me through Morrison into the town of Reinbeck. The run just kind of trudged on from there as I got into the center of La Porte City.
For a split second entering town I got a good internet signal on my phone. Turning on my Pandora radio station the first song to come on was Chelsea Dagger-the terrible song the Chicago Blackhawks play when they score a goal. The fact that I was in Black Hawk County made matters even worse. Illinois, home of the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks (three of the worst sports franchises outside of the ducks) is getting close I suppose.
In town I learned that the closest legitimate camp site was McFarlane Park, 2.5 miles east of town. I reluctantly started walking over there, figuring I would have to walk back the next day to get on the county road that would take me over the Cedar River. I realized how much longer walking takes than running as the trek took me about an hour. It was well worth it, however, as the park had an amazing shelter to make camp in and showers.
As I returned from the showers I passed by a group from Cedar Rapids with three RVs who were sitting around a campfire that had a flame of several colors. They offered me company and beef stew with cornbread and pumpkin bars. It was a million times better than the ravioli with hot sauce I had been trying to work up an appetite for. As everyone started to get ready for bed, I head back to the shelter to prepare myself for the 38 degree night.
Finishing up the day in time for this
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