Spring has Sprung

We were on the road early today. The drive to reach my drop off point was well over 100 miles. I think it might have been 112 miles which means that Diane had a round trip around 225 miles.

We reached my starting point around 10:15.

The scenery certainly has changed. On the first leg of this journey, Spring had not yet arrived. I had walked for seven days in the middle of March. Much of the terrain was interesting but everything still had that late winter look. Ice on the lakes, and all the fields and grass were still brown.

Not today, Spring is in her full glory. Apple blossoms, cherry blossoms, tulips, daffodils and so many others in full bloom. Absolutely gorgeous.

I took many more pictures than I normally do. I don't have words to adequately describe the colors and smells on this perfect Spring day. I felt great this morning and I had a spring in my step.

I started out 2 miles east of Marshall and headed west. Each pond, lake, stream and river had signs of life laid out abundantly for my viewing pleasure. Within an hour I had seen a muskrat, swan, duck, geese and more.

As I entered the east side of Marshall the path took me down the Marshall River Walk.
The city of Marshall did a great job on the River walk. It follows the Kalamazoo River for what I believe is a little more than a mile.

This is a very picturesque area. I started by the dam and the hydroelectric plant. The path meandered along the Kzoo river. There were many look out stations hanging nearly directly above the water. I loved the way the Mallards just floated by on the current.

The river walk ended at Kalamazoo road. I looked to my left and knew that was the way I was to turn. I looked to the right and saw the Riverview Pub. The bar won out for the time being. It was nearing 12:30 and time for lunch. I had already walked 5 miles and I was ready for a break. A big bar burger and two Bud Lights and I was on my way. I did turn the right way this time.

There was quite a bit of traffic on the roads today. I am between Marshall and Battle Creek now and a lot of people are out and about.

My feet were really staring to hurt as I reached the 7 mile mark. I thought I still had about 4 miles to go before I would reach my destination of the Quality Inn. I stopped by a bridge that crossed the river. I took off my hiking boots and added some tape to my feet in an effort to stop a few blisters that seemed to be forming.

It was also getting quite warm. I found out later that it reached 75 degrees today. That doesn't seem that hot but walking with a 50 pound pack in direct sunlight seemed very warm. I need to get used to the heat again.

I took three ibuprofen and was on my way again. It seemed like the tape and ibuprofen were doing the job. For the next two miles I was proceeding a bit more comfortably. Somewhere around the 9 mile mark I hit the proverbial wall.

I felt thirsty no matter how much I drank. My legs hurt, my feet hurt and my shoulders hurt as well. I just kept humming and thinking "Just keep taking one step at a time". I was taking a lot of breaks and each time I restarted I was thinking about the next break.

I became desperate around the 10 mile mark. I wasn't sure how far I still had to go and there was no sign of the hotel. I called Diane and asked her to mapquest my destination and my current location. She told me I had less than a mile to go. I took another break and considered the pace I should make to reach the Hotel. I had already covered 11 miles in total. My only option was to gut out the last half mile.

It was my intention to cover the last half mile without stopping again. Over the next hill I saw a casino ahead. I knew the hotel was supposed to be near the casino. I really couldn't see the hotel and it was now evident that I still had quite a ways to go. Time for a break.

Even though the spirit was willing the body definately was not. The pain in my feet was excrutiating. Each step felt like my feet were being hit with hammers. On I went.

I eventually saw the hotel and it appeared to still be about a half mile off. I did not take any more breaks. I wasn't sure I could get started again if I took another break. I was afraid that if I rested my feet and legs that they would refuse to start again.

I basically staggered into the hotel lobby and dropped my gear onto a luggage cart and made my way to the desk. Even though I had a reservation I had a moment of panic as I made my way to check in. Check in was fine but just walking through the hotel to my room took all of my resolve.

The hot tub and a nap has revived me enough to order room service and to make this post. I am concerned that I am in for a very painful day tomorrow as I have about a 10 mile walk to my next destination. I also plan on an early start as it is supposed to break 80 degrees tomorrow.

I am putting quite a few pictures up today. I may have hit the wall at the 9 mile mark but I had noticed the beauty of the rest of the day. I ended up with 12 miles.