Day 51,  20 miles

We get up at 5am to try to get miles in before the heat sets in. We’re walking at 5:40 through the woods and then open fields. The grass is wet from dew and my socks get damp but I know they’ll dry in no time on the road.

We’re walking along corn fields. Lots of corn fields. And maybe some soybeans too. It’s sunny and exposed but the temperature isn’t too terrible yet. We’re trying to drink enough but not too much since we don’t want to run out. We meet four ice age trail section hikers and have a nice chat. They are going the opposite direction so we say goodbye and move on.

I’m hoping for a nice break at the upcoming creek. There is a bit of trail and we’re excited to get off the road and in the woods. Unfortunately it doesn’t stay woodsy long. We soon are on a grassy track out in the open. Baking. The grass is mowed but the mowed grass is not removed so we’re plowing through it. My sandals and socks are not amused. And it’s slow going.

We finally make it to the water and Greenleaf fills up a few bottles. I find a shady spot to sit and as Greenleaf approaches he notices something yet doesn’t tell me what. Until it leaves. There was a garter snake crossing right in front of my feet. I never saw it. I would have screamed as I always do when I see a snake.

Feeling somewhat cooled off we continue and are soon back on the road. There is an artesian well in our future and we are excited to get there but I need another shade break and something to eat. We’re walking around fields on a small road. A large tractor passes us and smells like cow shit. Yuck! We find a small spot of shade and sit down.

Two more hot miles bring us to the well and the water is amazing. Gushing out of the pipe. Cold and heavenly. We both dunk our heads under and it feels so good!

There is a picnic shelter with concrete floor and we lay our pads out for a long break. We’ve been drinking but sweating so much we’re still not hydrated as well as we should be. We drink as much as we can, adding in hydration tablets. That should help.

Several people stop by to fill up their water jugs. It’s a popular spot.

The bird in the roof of the shelter doesn’t seem happy we’re there but we promise we’ll leave soon. And we do. The sun is starting to interfere with our shade and it’s getting pretty hot even in our protected spot. Time to move!

Just a short walk further we finally hit woodsy trail and we can say goodbye to long road walks for a while. Go Team Green Apple!!

The trail is lovely and it’s so much cooler in the trees. Hurray!! Another 90 d