American Bison

Today, we got back out on the road. Dad walked the first couple of miles this morning to test out his foot. Everything seemed to work out pretty well. 

He spent the rest of the day trying to track me down on the trail to help with logistics resupply. He did a great job, and really pulled my iron out of the fire with a timely delivery of some tape for a blister that was really giving me trouble.

It’s good to have him back, and it was good to get out on the road and put some miles under our shoes.

American Bison - Linn County, IA

Not too many truly photogenic moments today, but I did see the first American Bison on the trip. Sure, they were on a bison ranch, but it was good to see these creatures roaming a small piece of what was once their vast unchallenged territory.

Hope you all enjoyed your Saturday!  

Dad Returns

Dad Returns to the Road - Cedar Rapids, IA

Look who arrived in today from the south! He's still recovering, and for now he's going to play a logistics support role. I'm sure grateful to have him back.

Plan to Reengage "the Scene"

It's been 12 days since I departed Josh and n2n in Yorkville, IL to return to Plano for treatment of my injury.  It is my intent to commence my return to the trek today, July 04.  It's with mixed emotions. I'm happy to be doing so, but greatly distressed by the  necessity to do so in a different capacity. My participation as a committed 100% walker appears to have to come to a halt.   I'm having to chose between undesirable alternatives:  1) attempting to continue as a walker,  and introduce more risk potential to overall success of the effort,  or, 2) accept a diminished role, that of providing valuable (maybe essential) logistic support as the trek enters an altered environment wherein greater distances make  supply of essential consumables less predictable.   My heart tells me (loudly) to pursue option 1), and accept the additional risk to success    My logical, rational, unemotional self tells me to relinquish my personal "druthers",  and accept  2),  the  support role.   Begrudgingly,  I'm  choosing  option 2).  (I can almost hear my medical advisors applauding the choice !  They advise me that the foot needs another 10_15 day stand-down for recovery;  they assure me that another two days of wet foot walking almost guarantees a recurrence of the injury.   With heavy heart,  I choose to not acquiesce to my heart's desire with the incumbent risks to an already aggressive time line.  I'll now be functioning as support as we go forward.  More later.    Jay