Planning my own celebration.

Each year, I strive for some sort of goal. This hiking 'thing' started out a few years ago when I turned 65. I wanted to do something special for my birthday.

I decided to do the Tromp and Chomp trail that the Kickapoo Valley Reserve put on each year. The half marathon used roads and the 8+ mile route stayed on the trails. My first distance hike was here---> The Hike.

I simply followed the 8 mile route that year since it seemed easy enough to follow on the map. 
I continue to do that route just because it is a nice hike. 

Two years ago, I found out about something called the MammothMarch. It is a long distance hike held as an event in different states. 

I couldn't afford the time off to travel to the March and pay the rather expensive fees to hike with a group of strangers so I tried another distance hike in the Reserve just to see what it was like. I didn't take Charlie, I wanted to see exactly how fast I could hike the hills and rough trails. 

It was a challenge between my mind, my body, and myself. The challenge ended up being 11.45 miles. I will admit. Fall is the best time for a long distance hike. The temperatures are more moderate and so are the insects.

Looking back ---👇

In my 20's and 30's I ran 5k's and 10k's and a Half Marathon. My sister and I did a 140 mile bike ride in two days. In my 40's and 50's I rode my mule in Endurance competitions [only a couple] but we trained together all year long for those events. 

That led to the hikes. I like doing things that just challenge myself. My 60's led to hiking and caring for my husband. I'd hike when I could. I discovered that it eased the stress of Caregiving. 

All I need to complete hiking is good shoes and some common sense. All I need to challenge myself is a route. 

I've decided not to do the MammothMarch. I'd have to pay for the ticket to go, and find a motel room to stay at. Then I'd hike with complete strangers for 20 miles. Nothing against that at all. However, I like Me competing with Me. 

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I haven't yet figured out how to make the 13-15 mile hike into a 20 mile hike yet, but I'll keep working on that. One goal at a time.

After all, when the Fall weather comes, I plan on breaking my record for distance hiked so far.

Why?

I don't know. I always fantasized about hiking the Pacific Coast Trail or the Appalachian Trail. But I am a realist. I'll have to hike what I know first.

I may consider Wisconsin's trail system instead and expand beyond the local Reserve and Parks. 

The WI Ice Age Trails offer some straight through hiking near where my cousins live. I could hike and make a visit at the same time. 

Hmmmm.

Gandy Dancer State Trail [47 miles from Danbury to St. Croix Falls]
Tuscobia Trail [ 65 miles from Rice Lake to Birchwood]

The Ice Age Trail offers approximately 1,000 miles of hiking in my own state.

For now? I need to get through the hike at the end of the next month. But I sure do like dreaming!