Author Archives: jbanello

Originally printed June 29, 2016 It had been nearly two weeks since I was on the Ice Age Trail. My body was telling me I needed some rest, and I listened. After a week of doing nothing, I did some lighter walking in the neighborhood last week. By the morning of Monday’s hike, I wasContinue reading “Day 15 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally printed June 16, 2016 Is this a good idea? That was what was running through my head Sunday evening, the night before my hike on the Loew Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail. My left foot had gone out from under me while hiking the previous Friday, causing me to involuntarily plant myContinue reading “Day 14 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally printed June 11, 2016 Hot and humid. Highs projected for 90 degrees. Time for a hike. Huh?? On a day that most people would spend in air conditioned comfort, I was spending the Friday morning and early afternoon hiking. With the choir season over, I want to get in as much hiking as possible.Continue reading “Day 13 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally written June 6, 2016 Not all of the Ice Age Trail is through deep woods and prairies. On Sunday, I hiked 9.6 miles through two “trail towns”, Delafield and Hartland. Sunday’s hike was my first urban – maybe suburban is more accurate – hike since my trek through Janesville, my very first hike, lastContinue reading “Day 12 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally printed May 21, 2016 For the second day in a row, I was fortunate to have a partner with me for today’s hike. Joseph Krechel, a fellow chorus member, lives in the Lapham Peak area with his lovely wife, Susan. They are part of the Eat-and-Talk Gang that we’ve hosted for dinners over theContinue reading “Day 11 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally written May 20, 2016 Low 70s and mostly sunny with little if any breeze, May 19th was a gorgeous day for a walk. Finally, Spring!! For this walk, I was happy to be joined by Tom Bagwell, and his wife, Michelle Hiebert. They are fellow members of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. Tom and MichelleContinue reading “Day 10 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally written May 7, 2016 Yesterday, I hiked the Eagle and Scuppernong segments of the Ice Age Trail. I would be hard pressed to walk two contiguous segments whose geographies are so different. Because of the 11.2 mile length of this hike, I did not want to put Jane and her sister, who is inContinue reading “Day 8 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally written May 15, 2016 Clearly, I was in a lousy mood, and I actually considered taking a nap instead of doing a hike. I had slept fitfully Saturday night. As a result, I was a long way from bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Apparently, what little sleep I had was in an odd position, because myContinue reading “Day 9 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally published May 2, 2016 I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of Sunday’s hike. On Saturday, we were treated to a nearly all-day rain, so I was concerned about wet grass, cool temps (mid 50s at the start of the hike), and muddy trails making for a damp, unpleasant day in the woods. TwoContinue reading “Day 7 on the Ice Age Trail”

Originally written April 24, 2016 I had a plan. Hike the Blue Springs Lake segment today. A shade over seven miles, easily done in a beautiful, 70 degree plus afternoon. That was my plan as Jane and I made our way to the trail head on Young Road. Today was going to be a bitContinue reading “Day 6 on the Ice Age Trail(or, if God gives you lemons, make lemonade)”