Today was a blur. I woke up to the news that my dad died last night. Not a surprise, but still hard to process. But the best way to process things, at least for me, is out in nature and hiking.
I can’t tell you great details about the hike today. Obviously, my mind was elsewhere. Plus, my family was sending a gazillion texts. I do remember it was very windy and I had a lot of road walks. Was it all road walks? No, I’m suddenly recalling trail near the end, as I entered Fergus Falls.
The trail here wound around farm fields, past ponds and squeezed through little patches of trees.
Oh, I’m also recalling – as I look at my photos – that the first several miles wound through Maplewood State Park, which was really nice.
Back at Maplewood State Park
I wish I had more to relate. But, again, my heart was heavy and my mind was all over the place. Tears were shed.
I do recall hearing loons at night, which was nice. Oh, and the bathrooms/showers were open today here at Maplewood for the start of the season, so I got to shower in the newish (lovely) facility.
Snowshoe
MN NCT miles today: 22.2 (35.7 km)
MN NCT miles to date: 834.3 (1,342.7 km)
Total NCT miles to date: 2,852.8 (4,591.1 km)
Total NCT miles to go: 1,747.2 (2,811.9 km)