2020 Cruise, IATA Chapter Walk, COVID-19 Cancellations, Perryville, Gettysburg, US Army War College, Mammoth Hike Challenge 2021 Orlando/Disney
2020
HOLLAND AMERICA
SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN WAYFARER
CRUISE
 |
| HM Koningsdam - St. Maarten |
WEATHER: in the teens when I left MKE, 54 in Atlanta, 82 in Fort Lauderdale
TRAVEL: Fly MKE-ATL-FLL – cab to Port
Everglades board the Holland
America cruise ship HM Koningsdam for an 11 night Southern Caribbean Wayfarer (Fort
Lauderdale round trip)
Holland America Cruise Ship HM Koningsdam - Boarded around 1:30 pm . .
WED Sail from Fort Lauderdale 1700
THU At Sea
FRI At Sea
SAT Philipsburg, St. Maarten 1077.8
nautical miles 0800 1700
SUN Daylight passing Mt.
Pelee
SUN Fort-de-France, Martinique 242.5 nautical miles 0800 1700
MON Bridgetown, Barbados 125.6 nautical miles 0800 1700
TUE Castries, Saint Lucia 116.6 nautical miles 0800 1600
TUE Scenic Cruising Soufriere
Bay
WED Basseterre, St. Kitts and
Nevis 245.2 nautical
miles 0800 1700
THU St. Thomas, US Virgin
Islands 147.8 nautical
miles 0800 1700
FRI At Sea
SAT At Sea (Half Moon Cay) 730.3 nautical miles 0800 1500
SUN Debark ship Fort Lauderdale 271.4 nautical miles 0700
.
979 Officers and
Crew
2957.2 Nautical
Miles Travelled
After unpacking,
I had a Heineken at the Billboard Onboard
1715 – Dining Room - requested seating at a table
for 8. Reserved assigned/seating is on
the second level of the Koningsdam, the third deck. Met a threesome
form South Carolina/Pennsylvania/Florida Captain Stan, Paula and Barb and a couple from
Akron Ohio David and Kathy, another twosome did not show. Delicious dinner – a
thick lentil soup with vegetables, beef short ribs stroganoff and crème brulee
for dessert. .
In bed by 2000 –
I was up at 0250 - it was a long day.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2020
WEATHER: 77 and sunny at 6 am
TRAVEL: At Sea headed east
0700 Exercise and
walk 1 1/3 miles on Deck 3, the Promenade Deck.
On lap is equal to 1/3 of a mile.
0830 Breakfast –
Lido Market
0930 Microsoft
Studio
1030 Kitchen
Tour of the 2nd
level kitchen. In the kitchen there are
170 chefs, bakers, cooks and sanitation attendants. The Food & Beverage Service Staff totals
296 maitre’d, supervisors, waiters, attendants and bartenders. These personnel serve 10 different places to
dine and at least an equal number or
bars.
1130 Microsoft
Studio
1230 Lunch Lido
Market
1300 Lincoln
Center Stage – a quintet – 2
violins, viola, cello and piano. A 45
minute concert consisting of a sampling from the quintets programs – composers
included Khacheturian, Boriidin, Schumann, Billy Joel, Dave Matthews
1400 and hour in
the sun
1600 Enjoyed
Johnny Walker Black as a pre dinner drink during the Happy Hour at the Billboard
Onboard.
0715 Dining
Room – Smart Casual
- only David and Kathy showed up for dinner – enjoyed the conversation – again
a delicious dinner Enjoyed an after
dinner drink with the couple at the Ocean Bar.
1930 Rolling
Stone Rock Room – a house band
– good but not great – good musicians but their vocals were lacking
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2020 Valentine’s Day
WEATHER: 77 and sunny at 7 am, sunny all day, seas 5-7 feet, then
3-5 feet in the afternoon. We changed to
Atlantic Standard Time (gained one
hour) at 2 am.
TRAVEL: At Sea all day
0800 Mass
St Valentine’s
Day but the Church recognizes St. Cyril and Methodius – credited with bringing
Christianity to the Slavic people (Moravian Empire – Czechs & Slovaks in
the 800’s)
0830 Breakfast
in the Lower Dining Room – seated a
table for 6 – a couple from Pittsburgh – a couple from New Jersey and a
lady from Ohio originally from Wauwatosa.
1100 BINGO a
contribution - didn’t win anything
1140 Walked 1
2/3 miles on deck (5 laps) somehow developed blisters on heels
1215 in the sun
1300 Lincoln
Center Stage – Movie Classics program featuring Forrest Gump, The Good the Bad & the Ugly, Psycho, Star Wars, Schindler’s List
and Fiddler On The Roof
1500 World
Stage - The Caribbean Spirit – the story of rum, pirates, the
slave trade – molasses+ water + yeast = rum - Bacardi distilleries in Puerto
Rice and Mexico – the coconut palm - the
bat logo – the cubre libre – the growth of blended rum - the loss of the Bacardi family’s Cuban
distillery under Castro
1715 Dining Room
– Gala Attire – sport coat, no tie escargot and filet and blueberry cheesecake –
all 6 showed at the table for 8 – after dinner a Corona at the Ocean Bar with
David & Kathy – pleasant conversation
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2020
WEATHER: cloudy with a light rain
TRAVEL: Arrive Philipsburg, St. Maarten at 0800 – walking tour of Philipsburg – Depart Philipsburg,
St. Maarten at 1630
0640 Walked 1
1/3 mile on the Promenade Deck – a light rain – were arriving on the east shore
(the leeward side) of St. Maarten – many peaks – definitely of volcanic
origin...
The divided
states of St. Martin/St. Maarten is a result of the colonial tug-of-war between
European powers in the Caribbean.
Originally claimed by the Spanish, the island was never developed
until the Dutch settlers arrived
in the early 1600s. Thereafter, every colonial power active in the Americas owned
a piece of the island at one point or another.
Legend has it that a Frenchman and a Dutchman finally settled the argument
over territorial rights by pacing off their shares. They started at one point of the island and
walked opposite ways around the island, when they met that was the dividing
line. Of the 37 square miles, the French got the bigger slice, but the Dutch got the most valuable real
estate: the Salt
Pond, the harbor, and
what is now the international airport.
Driving is on the left hand side of the road.
Capital: Philipsburg, Dutch St.
Maarten Location.
144 miles East of Puerto Rico
Currency: US Dollar Language:
French, Dutch, and English
Population: 69,000
The harbor has
docks for 3 cruise ships and of course the shipping district. Princess
Juliann Airport is famous for
the jets that literally come in landing right over your head.
 |
| Map of St.. Maartin (Dutch south)/St. Martin (French north) located in the concrete boardwalk |
0900 Walking
Tour of Philipsburg - The main drag of
Philipsburg is lined with jewelry stores, boutiques and other duty free stores.
 |
| The Guavaberry Emporium |
 |
| The Guavaberry Emporium |
Wathey Square Courthouse – Built in 1793, the shingled structure was the
home of the town’s founder and namesake, Captain John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch
navy. At the top is an artisan wooden
pineapple – a symbol of hospitality – the belfry contains 25 bells.
The Front Street Guavaberry Emporium is a former governor’s home – products sold here are derived from the native guavaberry.
 |
| St. Martin de Tours Church |
 |
| St. Maarten - the boardwalk |
Built in 1631,
the ruins of Fort Amsterdam stand over the city to protect Philipsburg from
seaborne invaders.
The Museum
of St. Maarten hosts rotating
cultural exhibits as well as permanent historical displays.
 |
| St. Maarten - view The guide on the walking tour gave me a 2 hour ride on the island to the ariport and back to the dock for $30. I was the only person on the walking tour. |
 |
| St. Maarten International Airport - this was no big deal |
 |
| After the walking tour a bottle of the local brew 'Dutch Blonde' at Juggies Place |
 |
| The Sunset Bar by the airport - I didn't see any takers - the French north island beaches are swimming suits optional |
1530 Vigil Mass - BB Kings Blues Club
1715 Dining Room – I
knew David & Kathy were not going to be there – but I was alone –absolutely
no one showed up at the table - at 0545 I asked to be seated downstairs at any
available table with people – an excellent choice and I had a pleasant
dinner
Found David & Kathy at the Ocean
Bar after dinner –
they had 8 o’clock reservations for the Pinnacle – after a short discussion they
invited me to join them for dinner at Rudi’s Sel de Mer on Monday.
INTERESTING NOTE: When reviewing the schedule this morning, I
discovered that we do not return until Sunday – I had thought we were returning
on Saturday and had planned a car rental in Fort Lauderdale and stay in Orlando
accordingly – oops . . . . .
still will fly home from
Orlando on Tuesday – so a day shorter than could have been
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020
WEATHER: mostly cloudy with intermittent
showers all day, seas 1-3 feet
TRAVEL: Arrive Fort de France, Martinique at 0800 – I left the boat around 0945
and decided to walk the short mile to the downtown and take a tour of Fort St. Louis – Fort St. Louis is a historic French fort and also an active French Naval Base – to make a long story short – the tourist office would not book a tour for a single and I would have had to wait 1 ¾ hours to see if someone else wanted a tour – I passed on the tour and was back on board by 1215.
 |
| Martinique Catholic Church |
 |
| Martinique Fort St. Louis land side |
 |
| Martinique local brew 'Lorraine' $5 - it was a place to get out of the rain |
Nothing exciting
in this port – it was Sunday – most everything was closed - walked around –
found a Catholic Church - a short visit
– passed by a café and had a small glass of a local bier called “Lorraine” on the edge of a large park
in front of Fort St. Louis. It did rain
– hard for about 15 minutes.
. . . . and I forgot to put sunscreen on – even with the clouds, my face suffered – I
turned red easily
1715 Dining Room –
all showed with one extra - Fran
MONDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2020
WEATHER: sunny and clear, seas 1-2 feet –
a pleasant day temperature always around 82 with a breeze.
TRAVEL: Arrive Bridgetown, Barbados at 0800. Already 2 other cruise ships in port..
 |
| Barbados - HM Kiningsdam in the background on the left - a long walk along the pier |
Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation. Bridgetown, the capital, is a cruise-ship port with colonial buildings and Nidhe Israel, a synagogue founded in 1654. Around the island are beaches, botanical gardens, the Harrison’s Cave formation, and 17th-century plantation houses like St. Nicholas Abbey. Local traditions include afternoon tea and cricket, the national sport.
0745 Breakfast in the Dining Room with a couple
from Canada and a threesome from Texas – delightful conversation.
Highlights of Barbados Tour. – a long walk (15 minutes) from the ship to the
terminal because the dock is used for both passenger and commercial
shipping. There was a shuttle to the
terminal, but I did not take it.
 |
| Barbados - this was a stop on a high point of the island |
 |
| Barbados - this was a stop on a high point of the island |
 |
| Barbados - Heritage Railway |
 |
| Barbados - view from a high point on the island |
A 3 hour tour of 11 people in a 12 passenger van. I couldn’t even tell you the name of the
driver/guide - but he was OK. Perhaps this was called the North Island
Tour.. Barbados is not a volcanic island
– but a product of plate techtonics - almost 85% coral and `15% clay from the
ocean bottom. No volcanic mountains but not
flat. The highest point on the island is
less than 2000 feet – a population of 270,000.
I’ll let the pictures tell the story.
 |
| Barbados - map the tour took us through almost every parish |
 |
| Barbados - Church of St. John it appeared that every parish had a church built on a high point |
 |
| Barbados - windmills are remnants of the sugar cane plantation era |
 |
| Barbados - many beaches - rocks of volcanic origan |
 |
| Barbados -local race track - horse races every other Sunday |
 |
| Barbados,- the local brew 'Banks' $3 |
1900 Dinner at Rudi’s Sel de Mer.
I’ve been looking forward to this, and appreciated the invite to join
David & Kathy. There are a number of
specialty restaurants on any cruise ship and I am hesitant to eat at any of
them alone – just no much fun alone.
I was a very
enjoyable evening. Complimentary champaign, a small plate of tasteful
appetizers and bread preceded the meal -
I ordered smoked salmon as an appetizer – outstanding. A piece of salmon, served under glass – when
the glass was removed by the waiter – the aroma of wood fired smoke (actually
caught under the glass) wafted through the air.
Soft, delicate, very tasteful -
delicious
My main entrée
was lobster – I decided to splurge – another good choice. David and Kathy ordered Dover Sole – I was
offered a taste and wouldn’t mind ordering that someday. They had crepes for dessert while I had
coffee and Drambuie. This was a good
evening.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2020
WEATHER: mostly sunny – another pleasant day temperature around 82
with a breeze.
TRAVEL: Arrive Castries, St. Lucia at 0800. Two other ships in
port – we left the dock at 1600.
Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean
island
nation with a pair of dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons,
on its west coast. Its coast is home to volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites,
luxury resorts and fishing villages. Trails in the interior rainforest lead to
waterfalls like the 15m-high Toraille, which pours over a cliff into a garden.
The capital, Castries, is a popular cruise port.
port – we left the dock at 1600.
 |
| The most expensive beer I bought in the islands $6 and it wasnt that good |
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| St. Lucia |
 |
| St. Lucia - 'Antilles' Advertised as a local brew - |
 |
| St. Lucia - HM Koningsdam |
0800 Dining Room
breakfast with couples from Holland, Michigan and Calgary, Alberta.
0900 read for an
hour
This appears to
be a volcanic island – I have no planned tours.
Just a step ashore to a nice terminal with shops – laid back – local
craft brew was Antilles – bought Christmas Ornaments
An hour in the
sun - a corned beef sandwich for
lunch, Recovery - not very hungry today
after last night’s over-indulgence of rich food
. . . . . .
As it left port,
the ship passed one side of St. Lucia called Soufriere Bay – an impressive sight with
cliffs that stretch for miles
1715 Dining Room – I wore an orange shirt today in
anticipation of the Orange Party
1830 Lincoln
Center Stage - Mozart
2000 BB
Kings – Orange Party – Holland America’s link with
the Netherlands reaches back almost 300 years.
Orange is the color of the Dutch Royal Family. It is worn on spcial and festive occasions. This evening Holland America celebrated its
Dutch heritage.
WEDNESDAY February 19, 2020
WEATHER: the usual – mostly sunny, high of
82 with a breeze
TRAVEL: Arrive Basseterre, St. Kitt’s 0800, Brimstone
Hill Tour, leave port
1700
 |
| St. Kitt's & Nevis flag |
 |
| St. Kitt's - black rocks of volcanic origin |
Brimstone Hill Tour – the was a 4 /12 hour around the island tour – my
best day on this cruise -
ever . . . . Black Rocks, Brimstone Hill Fortress, saw the St. Kitt’s Scenic Railway, Caribelle Batik and Romney
Manor Gardens, a height on the St. Kitt’s where you can view the Atlantic Ocean
and Caribbean Sea at the same time, drove past lots and lots of churches as
well as the airport, government building, schools and Independence
Square.
 |
| St. Kitt's - Caribelle Batik - Romney Manor |
 |
| Romney Manor - bell tower |
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| St. Kitt's - Romney Manor |
Brimstone Hill Fortress is an excellent example of 17th and 18th
century architecture in the Caribbean.
Designed by the British and built by African slave labor, the fortress
is testimony to European colonial expansion, the African salve trade and the
emergence of new societies in the Caribbean.
 |
| St. Kitt's - Brimstone Hill Fortress |
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| St. Kitt's - Brimstone Hill Fortress |
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| St. Kitt's - Brimstone Hill Fortress lower forts |
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| St. Kitt's - Caribelle Batik |
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| Brewed in St. Kitt's 'Carib' $3 |
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| St. Kitt's narrow part of the island - on the left is the Atlantic Ocean on the right is the Caribbean Sea |
THURSDAY February 20, 2020
WEATHER: another day in paradise
TRAVEL: Arrive Charlotte-Amlie, St. Thomas,
US Virgin Islands 0800; taxi to
“The Mountaintop” - leave port 1700
St. Thomas covers 32 sq mles of hilly terrain
- the roads cut across and provide incredible vistas with ability to see
the neighboring US and British
Virgin Islands on clear days. The harbor
is the busiest in the Caribbean and the islands hosts over 2 million visitors a
year. USVI is the only US territory
where you drive on the left hand side of the road.
 |
| St. Thomas - view of Charlotte -Amalie and the harbor 2 cruise ships idocked n the harbor |
I’ve been to St.
Thomas twice
before. I viewed as a stopover from St.
Croix and a way to
get to St. John’s, i.e. there are no National Park sites on St. Thomas - primarily a cruise port. David
& Kathy asked me to join them for a banana
daiquiri at the Mountaintop.
We got on a 15
person, open air, ‘taxi” and for $20 rode to the Mountaintop with Beacon Point and another
lookout vista as stops. David said the
place had gotten much larger since he was there in the early 80’s and
admittedly, the building must be new since Hurricane Irma destroyed many of the buildings
by eliminating their roofs. This owner
must have had good insurance and ‘island connections’
to rebuild.
 |
| St. Thomas - Moutaintop actually US territory the banana daquiri was expensive but good- |
 |
| the local beer is Miller LITE |
1715 Dining Room – Only Fran was at the table – David & Kathy had reservations at the Tamarind – we had a short ‘soup & salad’ dinner in order to make the 1830 concert
1830 Lincoln
Center Stage – Beethoven Masterworks, the 1st
Movement of the ‘Pathetique’ for solo piano, a duet for viola and cello and the
String Quartet #4, Opus 18.
FRIDAY February 21, 2020
WEATHER: another day in paradise
TRAVEL: At Sea
0800 Mass in the Half Moon Room – feast of
St. Peter Damien, Bishop of northern Italy who spoke out against the abuses of
the church during the 11th century – message ‘you need to do
works . . . serve
. . . . faith and prayer is not enough’
1230 Lincoln Center Stage – Meet The Artists Q&A with
the instrumentalists
1300 Lincoln Center Stage – A Night at the Ballet selections from Tchaikovsky;s ‘Nutcracker ‘and ‘Sleeping Beauty’, Prokofiev’s
‘Gayne’ and Grieg’s ‘Peer Gynt Suite’-
short arrangements - a delightful program
1530 Find A Great PC for Your
Whole Family – Microsoft
Studio OK found out shop and compare – look at the site cnet.com for comparisons – make a list of
what you like and dislike about your computer – new pc’s are lighter, faster,
longer battery life, touch screens, usually only one USB port (so buy an
adapter that can hold up to six) – ok to
buy new now – wait awhile for a new phone
1600 Billboard On Board – Happy Hour and Trivia
1715 Dining Room – Gala Night – big deal I wore my roll-up LL
Bean canvas sport coat
1900 Explorations Café – Crowsnest
2000 Ocean Bar
2045 Rolling Stone Rock Room – the Rock Room Band - still not good
2200 BB King – sat next to the Lincoln Center
Stage quintet – the group was dressed to the nines – no show tomorrow –
however, the BB King All Stars are by far, the best band on the boat
2300 BB King has Happy Hour – I went to bed
SATURDAY February 22, 2020
WEATHER: partly to mostly cloudy – seas
generally 5-7 maybe even 7-9 ft –79
degrees cool with a strong north wind at 29 mph
– the ship was truly arockin’ and arollin’
TRAVEL: Arrive Half
Moon Cay 0800 However,
the swells were forecast to be 5 feet and the Captain cancelled the visit –
deeming the transfer to the tenders UNSAFE
So another day At Sea. I’ve been
here before – not much to be missed.
A new schedule
was provided by 0900 – not much interesting.
A ’turn down day’
Read and
listened to a lecture about the papacy – mostly rested – it was hard to get
into a mood to do anything
1530 Mass in BB King’s Blues Cub – Ash
Wednesday coming - - - priests and vestments sponsored by the Maritas
Apostolate – A group that sponsors the priests on these
cruises.
1715 Dining Room - exchanged addresses with David & Kathy – it
was gracious of them to let me occasionally join them during their vacation –
MJ would have enjoyed them – it would have been more fun
SUNDAY February 23, 2020
WEATHER: 67 degrees Fort Lauderdale at
0600 – 75 and cloudy in Orlando in at 1330; 33 in Burlington, WI
TRAVEL: disembark on BLUE Group 2 & 3 0900-0915; cab to the airport
car rental terminal, drive to Orlando – Hilton Parc Soleil
Took a shuttle
to the car rental facility – cost $11 + tip.
About 190 miles (3 ¼ hours drive time) to Orlando
HGVC Parc Soleil – I have a 1 BR in Building 1 – 1st
floor with a large balcony – overlooking the ponds - nice but I think anyplace
at HGVC Sea World or Tuscany Village is
better – the room here is setup for handicap . . . . . . .
Mailed post cards
to grand-kids from Orlando –the cards were purchased in Barbados and St. Kitt’s
- this time I was still unable to find a
USPO in St. Thomas. – they’ll be processed tomorrow – probably beat them home
MONDAY February 24, 2020
WEATHER: 58 at 0600; forecast high of 81
sunny
TRAVEL: Orlando Area – because I got here a day later
than planned – no visit to relatives in Tavares, FL
Hilton Parc Soleil – attended an ‘owners update’ with Juan – from Cartegena,
Columbia. Of course, Edgar
Velez was just one
cubicle away – these guys are good – they are ‘sales people’ – always
accommodating – never sincer – but they can lure you in – I resisted right up
to the end where a final offer was 2,000 points bringing me to 14,000 annual Elite Status – a whole
lot of mumbo jumbo figures on the table – with a bottom line of a new payment
of $745 – maintenance fees staying the same and refunding all 12,000 points
from this year and the 6,000 bonus points I used for the cruise – tempting but
I said NO (this was the
best and final offer of the 2 or was it 3 previous offers on the table
earlier). For whatever the reason I did
buy 7,400 VIP Points and the mumbo jumbo of a ‘price freeze’ for $1695 – I figured a good
price – an extra week in paradise – and I was thinking Maui, HA in 2022.
OK I’ve changed
my mind about Parc Soleil – but don’t stay in a handicap access room – functional but not pretty Best place to stay is in Tower 2 with a view
toward Disney to view all the fireworks at night..
TUESDAY February 25, 2020
“FAT TUESDAY”
WEATHER: 70's in Florida - 30 and windy in Wisconsin
TRAVEL: Parc Soleil to Orlando Airport – DELTA Orlando – New York La Guardia –
Milwaukee
WEDNESDAY March 11, 2020
IAT Walworth/Jefferson Chapter Hike
WEATHER: 38-42 degrees, cloudy
TRAVEL: Burlington to HWY 12 Ice Age Trail parking
between LaGrange & Whitewater
The Ice
Age Trail Alliance consists of 20 Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteer
chapters. The volunteers in these
chapters build and maintain the Trail across the state throughout the year,
bringing the Ice Age Trail Alliance organization to
a level not exceeded by many in the US. Volunteers
lead hikes and work days in their communities and share their excitement for
the incredible treasure we have available to us.
When I joined
the Ice Age Trail Alliance 2 years ago I opted to join the Walworth/Jefferson
County Chapter. In addition to maintaining the trail in
Walworth and Jefferson Counties the chapter members lead hikes every Tuesday
and Wednesday, rain or shine. The weekly walks, happen year-round on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. and
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Both meet at the Ice Age National Scenic Trail parking
lot 4 miles east of Whitewater on US Highway 12.
Today
I met with the group for my first walk.
The results of the walk are published via email each week. Below is the report for the Short Hike - I met
Ellen and Jerry.
The
Wednesday Short Hike, reported by Ellen Davis
 |
| Ice Age Trail - you can see the Yellow Blaze on the tree that's me in the bright orange |
This
was a morning of surprises. Following a night of rain and drizzle, twenty
short-hikers appeared for this morning's adventure, including four recently
returned from warmer winter climes. Jake offered us a choice of a
three-and-a-half-mile or a four-and-a-half-mile hike. The group chose the
longer one, and off we went down Sherwood Forest Road, over the berms, and onto
the horse trails.
We took
the first trail to the right. It had its share of half-rotten ice, wet
places, and hills. Lots of hills. Most of the hikers did not wear ice
cleats; that worked out well for this hike -- the horse trails were wide
enough that the icy areas were usually easy to avoid. We started out
eagerly. The air smelled fresh, patches of snow still dotted the ground in shady
areas, and we could hear a red-bellied woodpecker repeating its shrill
call.
At the
next intersection we turned right again for more hills. As the day grew
brighter the healthy green moss on rocks and tree-trunks stood out dramatically
against the wet darkness of fallen leaves. The returning snow-birds
regaled those of us spending our winters here in the great frozen north with
tales of trips and hikes and beaches and wonderful food....
One
more intersection and one more right turn took us onto the section of horse
trail that goes to Duffin Road and far beyond. We seldom hike this area,
so these hills were comparatively new to us. When we reached the pine woods,
Jake let us have a short break. We then followed him along an invisible
trail that soon led us to the Ice Age Trail itself. We turned left and started
for home -- or, in this case, the parking lot at Highway 12.
 |
| Lichens |
The
I.A.T. was very different from the horse trail. For one thing, it was
narrow, rocky, and twisty. And because we needed to pay more attention to the
trail, it was easier to notice the small things around us. Today it was
moss and lichens. Lots of lichens -- pure white, rusty brown, bright yellow, or
pale cream with touches of soft green -- on fallen twigs and branches,
tree-trunks, and rocks. And one purple hepatica leaf, a surprising touch of
unexpected color.
We all
made it down the big hill, but divided into two groups for the rest of the
hike, returning via the access road for 3.5 miles or around Lake La Grange on
the I.A.T. for 4.5. My 4.5-mile group noted the lack of ice on most of
the lake, took a short break at the benches, and duly admired the prairie and
Russ's bench. Kayaking and canoeing questions were answered. At the
bottom of the final hill, the entire group opted for the horse trail. We
arrived back at the parking lot hot, sweaty, tired, happy, and ready for lunch
-- and a chance to plan future outings and adventures. This had been a
wonderfully scenic and challenging hike on a damp early spring day. It was
worth it!
The weekend of March 13, 2020 and looking forward . . . . . .
COVID-19 virus causes the month of March and April to be all but cancelled
a National Emergency . . . .
'social distancing' becomes a new normal - I hope not
schools are closed, MSO, REP, Rotary,most meetings of 10 or more cancellled - even Masses are cancelled - bars and restaurants in Illinois are closed, bars in WI can only hold no more than 50 people by law Be Not Afraid.
 |
| COVID 19 Virus |
SHUTS DOWN THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
‘it came from
China’
Phrases I’ve come to disdain:
“hunker down’
“flatten the curve”
“turning the dial down”
“not like turning on a light switch”
“social
distancing” – I’m sure the
phrase should make Webster’s this year
2020 WAS LITERALLY CANCELLED
March 18 Cataract Surgery – left eye
March 23 Burlington
School District begins ‘virtual classroom’ – schools close
March 24 Wisconsin
Governor issues “Safer at Home Order” to April 16
Non-essential
businesses ordered to close
No
Church Services Allowed
Social
Distancing in effect – gatherings of people cancelled
Weekly Rotary Lunch Meetings CANCELLED
Monthly Serra Club of Southeast Wisconsin Meetings CANCELLED
Monthly Civil War Roundtable of Milwaukee meetings CANCELLED
Monthly GI Mess luncheon CANCELLED
Milwaukee
Symphony Orchestra – remainder of season CANCELLED
Milwaukee
Reparatory Theater – remainder of season CANCELLED
Weekly
hikes Walworth/Rock
County Ice Age Trail CANCELLED
Doctor
& Dental Appointments physicals,
procedures CANCELLED
March 1 Cataract Surgery – right eye CANCELLED – ‘elective’ surgery
March 27 Last Day Schools in Wisconsin can stay
open
March 27 ESGR Annual Awards Dinner & Conference CANCELLED
March 17 Wisconsin National Guard Association
Conference CANCELLED
Wisconsin
Governor extends “Safer at Home Order” to May 26
April 24 Ice Age Trail Alliance Annual
Conference & Meeting
CANCELLED
May 1 Gettysburg Guide Symposium - CANCELLED
May 11 Armed Forces Week activities CANCELLED
May 22 Burlington Chocolate Fest CANCELLED
June1 US Army War College Seminar
CANCELLED
July 30 National Park Travelers Club Annual
Conference CANCELLED
August 28 National Guard Association of the
US Conference CANCELLED
As a result of COVID-19 and NGAUS being
cancelled my plans to visit
Stonewall National Monument - NYC
Governor’s
Island – NYC
Blackstone
National Monument – Rhode Island
Kathadin
Woods National Monument – Maine
ALL
CANCELLED
December 25 Hard to believe I had to make a 'reservation' to attend church on Christmas Day
More people attend Sunday Mass than were allowed by reservation on Christmas Day
SATURDAY May 30, 2020
WEATHER: 54 degrees at 5 am CDT in
Burlington, WI, 74 degrees at 4:15 pm EDT near Harrodsburg, KY (Burgin, KY)
SUNRISE: 0433 CDT Burlington SUNSET:
0854 EDT Harrodsburg
TRAVEL: Burlington to Chimney Rock RV Park, Harrodsburg, KY (it’s actually
east of Burgin, Ky on the Kentucky River).
Not much traffic on the interstates, made good time – probably because
I-65 through Indiana wasn’t mostly under repair – made it here is less than 9
hours – 450 miles with three stops
Chimney Rock RV Park – a small park - pleasant, very friendly, quiet –
clean restrooms – the site was paved but a bit tight to get into - shaded and one of the owners helped me back
in - I needed the assist - very cordial. WIFI works
A good shakedown
for the trailer – spent Thursday cleaning and loading – all is well – shades still need work and one
shade frame needs to be reattached to the wall - the sun (UV) appears to have
taken its toll on the entry aide of the trailer – its faced south for the last
two winters – VOOM RV Polish and some spray on carnuba wax – haven’t brought
back the deep shine on that side – I’ll continue applications over the
summer.. still hoping to sell the
trailer.
SUNDAY May 31, 2020
WEATHER: 53 at 7 am clear, pleasant ,
sunny all day with a breeze, high of 73
SUNRISE: 0619 SUNSET:
0854
TRAVEL: Chimney Rock RV Park to Perryville
Battlefield Park – Perryville, KY
a drive of about 20 miles one way.
PERRYVILLE BATTLEFIELD
STATE PARK
I first visited
here in April 2003 on the way back from Memphis, Corinth and
Shiloh. The size fo the preserved battlefield has
more than doubled since then thanks to the Civil War/American
Battlefield Trust.
I fell in love
with this site because it has very few monuments – and is for the most part
pristine – few homes or development – except for an electric transmission line
crossing the property very few distractions.
Additionally, as you walk the rolling hills, it is easy to see how
artillery could dominate the battlefield and how entire regiments could be
masked behind a hillcrest. After at
least a dozen days on the battlefield, I’m here again, to follow-up on the
artillery sites.
The Battle
of Perryvillle was fought on
October 8, 1862. A Confederate invasion
of the Kentucky by Generals Braxton Bragg and Edmund Kirby-Smith was stemmed by General Don
Carlos Buell’s Federal Army
of the Ohio. Interestingly, the Confederates won the
battle tactically even though they were outnumbered almost 3:1 – Kirby-Smith’s 10,000 Confederate soldiers
did not participate and Bragg only faced one
of Buell’s three army
corps. A tactical victory but strategic
loss, the Confederates left the field after a day of battle realizing that they
had only faced one of Buell’s three
corps.
 |
| Crawford House - Bragg's HQ |
 |
| The Dye house |
 |
| Semple's Battery - after over a dozen visits my first time to this site |
 |
| The battle was fluid - but this is not a bad depiction of the battle as it developed The Federals were pushed back to the Dixville Crossroads (top center) An entire Federal Corps to the left did not participate in the battle The Battlefield Road depicted by dashes - - - - - did not exist at the time of the battle |
 |
| Stanford's Battery |
TUESDAY June 2, 2020
WEATHER: 62 at 5 am -
it got up to 80 along the interstate – 72 in Gettysburg
SUNRISE: 0618 Harrodsburg SUNSET:
0855 Gettysburg
TRAVEL: Chimney Rock RV Park to Gettysburg
Artillery Ridge RV Park, a drive of
about 546 miles – 10.75 hours – averaged 9.0 mpg and used 60.7 gallons of
gasoline.
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES – this was a long drive through some really
beautiful country – mountains of Kentucky – West Virginia – Maryland.
The trek along the interstate seemed tougher than most I travelled, to
include the Rockies (except for Donner
Pass) and a stretch
through northern California; i.e. as far as pulling a load
with the truck. It got tired – and the
transmission got hot. I really thought I
wasn’t going to make it – at one point . . . . however, I stopped let it cool
down and for the last 90 miles – no problems – of course, for the most part I
was out of the mountains. There are some
tough grades and a lot of ups and downs on this route and no pull-offs. Perhaps, that’s why there were few trucks on
the road. All that changed when I
connected with I-80.
GETTYSBURG ARILLERY RIDGE RV PARK – interesting - I got a call yesterday to confirm my visit
– and authorize advance payment.
Everything will be ready for pickup when I arrive – do they need they
money or are they adhering to social distancing.
NO WIFI – uneven gravel
sites – at least there are trees for shade - it’s an overpriced RV park . . . .
. only about on-third full
17 GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK - Gettysburg, PA
This will be an
interesting visit – I’m sure I’m over a hundred days on the battlefield. I have no specific goals or sites to visit.
And the Visitor Center is not open.
There were at least
seven young people with signs on the square in
Gettysburg around 8 pm – Gettysburg College is less than six blocks away.
The town is dead –
little traffic – no people on the sidewalks – although I did see at least two
ghost tours – small probably, family groups.
I didn’t see any shops open – restaurants offer carryout.
An e-mail from the Ice Age Trail Alliance . . .
In 2018, the Alliance adopted a formal policy:
Our Statement of Inclusion begins with “Our commitment to celebrating diversity,
ensuring inclusion, and working towards equity in all we do.” We’re not
celebrating now. The despicable injustices directed at black Americans is
unconscionable. The Ice Age Trail Alliance condemns racist attitudes and
behaviors that undermine the basic tenants of humanity, civil rights, and the
freedom of people of color.
We will not rest on a simple statement. Though we have taken steps towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are now, more than ever, rededicated to the effort of addressing all issues related to race, ethnicity, and all people neglected, rejected, or ignored by society.
Justice comes in the form of dedicated actions that generate meaningful change. We welcome ideas from all.
We will not rest on a simple statement. Though we have taken steps towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are now, more than ever, rededicated to the effort of addressing all issues related to race, ethnicity, and all people neglected, rejected, or ignored by society.
Justice comes in the form of dedicated actions that generate meaningful change. We welcome ideas from all.
WEDNESDAY June 3, 2020
WEATHER: 69 at 0530; high of 89
SUNRISE: 0541 SUNSET: 0833
TRAVEL: Gettysburg Area
Plenty of local
radio, but couldn’t one with familiar morning NPR shows. A lot
of talk – no action. So this morning, I
listened to a much more calming classical radio station.
The ‘Service Engine Light’ on my truck didn’t
come on this morning. I visited Renn-Kirby Chevrolet anyway – the service advisor – couldn’t fix something that didn’t
appear wrong – he said ‘just drive it – it may have overheated in the
mountains’ AFFIRMATIVE. I think it just
needed to cool down and reset, but still worry about the trip back..
17 GETTYSBRUG NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD - Gettysburg, PA
Early morning was
eerie – little or no traffic – no cars in the Visitor Center parking lot. This would have been a ideal time to take the
driving tour – few cars – no buses - no bikes – few hikers – no segway
tours . . . I decided to visit a few places that are
rarely visited. A little more traffic
around noon.
There is more than a battle field to see here . . . . The Visitor Center has an outstanding
museum, and the cyclorama painting are worth a visit, there is the National Cemetery, and of course the Eisenhower porperty. The only home Ike ever owned.
 |
| Gettysburg Cyclorama at the Visitor Center |
 |
| Eisenhower National Historic Site - tours run from the Gettysburg Visitor Center |
 |
| 5th Wisconsin Regiment part of the VI Corps 1st Division 3rd Brigade COL Amas A Cobb - COL T.F. Allen posted 3 Jul 1862 behind Little Round Top the far left of the Union Line Note the red granite. |
 |
| I Corps marker on the Taneytown Road about 5 miles from Gettysburg MG John Reynolds was CO of the I Corps The 'Iron Brigade' 2nd 6th 7th WI 19th IN 24 MI was the 1st Bde of the I Corps |
 |
| On the Emmitsburg Road the property belongs to NPS There are 4 makers and 2 cannon here |
Along the Emmitsburg Road on the little visited South Cavalry Field are several monuments to the Federal Cavalry. On the far right of the Confedrate line, BG Hugh Judson Kilpatrick attacked with two of his three brigades. The Emmitsburg Road is narrow and there is just enough room to pull off to the side.
A
graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1861, Hugh Judson Kilpatrick was
promoted to Brigadier General on June 14, 1863. When Major General George G. Meade assumed command of the Army of the Potomac on June 28, 1863, he reorganized the Cavalry
Corps, promoting Kilpatrick to command of the 3rd Division. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Kilpatrick earned the nickname of “Kill-cavalry” when he ordered
Elon J. Farnsworth to lead his
brigade in an ill-advised charge against heavily entrenched Confederate
infantry on the right flank of the Confederate line (Hood’s Division). Over Farnsworth’s objections,
on July 3. Rebels cut the Union brigade to shreds and killed Farnsworth during the assault.
The
other Brigade Commanders in Kilpatrick’s division were
BG George Armstrong Custer
and BG Wesley Merritt.
 |
| Wesley Merritt was also a graduate of the USMA 1861 A classmate of George Armstrong Custer. Custer 's Brigade was detached on July 3, 1862 from Kilpatrick's Division and fought with MG David Gregg against LTG J. E. B. Stuart's Confederate Calvary on the East Cavalry Field |
 |
| MG John Bell Hood's Confederate Line - Henry's Battalion Latham s Battery Farnsworth cavalry charge was in the valley - the tree line - below the Round Tops Big Round Top to the right - Little Round Top straight ahead center |
 |
| Farnsworth's Cavalry Charge |
 |
 |
| Pardee Field - this rock was brought to this site |
Located on Geary Avenue
on Culp’s Hill is a large rock with
the inscription “Pardee Field”
etched upon it. This is another often overlooked portion of the battlefield. In
the morning hours of July 3rd, as
the battle for Culp’s Hill
continued, some very brutal & heavy combat erupted onto this lower portion
of the slopes. On the left side of the monument is a bronze plaque which tells the tale
of how this five acre meadow was the path for the Pennsylvania 147th Infantry to regain
ground that had been briefly held by Steuart's Brigade, CSA.
 |
| 147th Pennsylvania Infantry Pardee Field The 5 pointed star indicates the XII Corps of the Army of the Potomac |
 |
| 5th Ohio Infantry Pardee Field |
Colonel
Ario Pardee
of the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry
led his men in a charge across this open terrain determined to drive the
Confederates from their works behind a stone wall toward the rear of this
field. A Confederate counter-attack ensued.
Brig.
General John Geary of the Union Army reported nearly 1200 Confederates killed, 500
taken prisoner & a great number were wounded during the action in this
area. This encounter in Pardee’s Field
represented the final Confederate offensive action on this portion of the
Battlefield.
 |
| Pardee Field - looking from the center of the field - 5th Ohio monument to the right - small tablet markers are flank markers of the 147th Pennsylvania & 5th Ohio, the 147th monument is farther left |
Below is a monument to the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry. Seldom visited - mostly a drive-by on Colgrove Avenue below Culps Hill. The extrem left of the Union line on July 3, 1863. It just occured to me that the extreme flanks of the Army of the Potomas were both anchored by Wisconsin Regiments - the 5th and the 3rd.
 |
| 3rd Wisconsin Infantry the pillars are red granite. All Wisconsin monuments at Gettysburg display some form of red granite in their design. |
 |
| The inscription reads - This regiment went into position on this part of the line on the evening of July on the evening of the moved to the left to reinforce the corps Returned to this position the same night and remained until the morning of July 5 |
The Battle of Hunterstown was a skirmish at Beaverdam Creek near Hunterstown, Pennsylvnia on July 2, 1863, in which BG Wade Hampton's Confederate cavalry withdrew after engaging BG George Armstrong Custer's and BG Elon Farnsworth's Union cavalry.
US ARMY WAR COLLEGE
Thanks to the expanse of
the historic parade ground, the student body will be seated at 6-foot intervals
in front of the Wheelock Bandstand,
the traditional landmark for graduation ceremonies through decades. In a
departure from the past, students will arrive and depart in masks, and they
will pass in front of the bandstand in a symbolic nod to the conferring of
diplomas. Student stage photos will be taken by the official photographer only,
and each student is authorized to invite one guest for a wide-flung seating
arrangement that duplicates the students’ six-foot intervals.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) celebrates its
40th anniversary this year. The the
official signing took place on October 3, 1980.
The Ice Age National Alliance (IATA) is
offering a Mammoth
Hike Challenge
for the month of October. 
MAMMOTH
HIKE CHALLENGE 20.8 miles
named for Irish immigrants Michael and Kathleen Brady who settled here in 1855. These outcroppings are a portion of the Niagara Escarpment, a thick layer of dolomite that extends through Door County, dips under Lake Michigan and the state of Michigan and reemerges at the end of Lake Erie at Niagara Falls.
Except for the
first mile and last mile, a fairly level walk, therefore it
good pace of 2.3 mph. Met several backpackers on the trail – the frist group of three was not very talkative, the second was not a thru-hiker – just out for 4 days
IAT Walworth/Jefferson Chapter Hike
The Storrs Lake Wildlife Area is a mix of old oak trees, tall prairie grasses, dry kettles and lakes that appear to cover a portion of the IAT at most times of the year. On July 1, 1832 a young Abraham Lincoln camped near Storrs Lake as one of the 4,500 soldiers commanded by BG Henry Atkinson as they sought to find the Sauk Chief Blackhawk during the Blackhawk War.
At
dawn on July 2, 1863, the Union Army of the Potomac deployed near Gettysburg, had cavalry posted elsewhere to protect the
flanks and to look for Confederate activity, particularly MG J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry.
Stuart arrived at Gen. Robert E. Lee's headquarters between noon and 1 p.m., and about an hour later Hampton's exhausted brigade arrived. Stuart ordered Hampton to take a position to cover the left
rear of the Confederate battle lines. Hampton moved into position astride the
Hunterstown Road four miles northeast of Gettysburg blocking access for any Union forces that might
try to swing around behind Lee's lines. Two brigades of Union cavalry from
BG Judson Kilpatrick's division
under Custer and Farnsworth were probing for the end of the Confederate left
flank later the afternoon of July 2.
 |
| Power Plant - site of calvary battle |
Custer's
men collided with Hampton on the road between Hunterstown and Gettysburg. As he
led a charge of Company A, 6th Michigan Cavalry, against the Confederate rear
guard, Custer fell under his wounded horse and was saved by his orderly,
Norvell F. Churchill. Hampton
wanted to escalate the action, positioning most of his brigade along a ridge in
readiness to charge Custer's position. At that stage, Elon Farnsworth arrived
with his brigade. Hampton did not press his attack, and an artillery duel
ensued until dark when Hampton withdrew towards Gettysburg. Today a power plant occupies much of the battlefield.
Enough - I also visited I Corps lines on July 1, 1863 and Ewell's Confederate line below Culp's Hill.
I’ve spent so many
days at Gettysburg there are few
places I’d like to visit or re-visit.
I’m about used up . . . . perhaps
I’d like to walk again through McPherson’s Woods to Willoughby
Run or actually
attempt an ascent up Culp’s Hill, MAJ Latimer’s artillery at Benner's Hill and his
losing fight with the Union guns is always of interest, a revisit/walk to Devils
Den, the Wheatfield, Rose’s Woods, the Peach
Orchard and Sickles’ line is always a draw. It is hard to grow tired of this [place. There I’ve just listed my reasons to visit
here again.
THURSDAY June 4, 2020
WEATHER: 67 at 0530 – cloudy but cleared
up
SUNRISE: 0541 SUNSET:
0834
TRAVEL: Gettysburg - Carlisle.
Artillery Ridge Campground – I found the WIFI password last night – an
oversight
on my part and a
result of not having an in person check-in
Visit with
several USAWC Seminar 22 students and their spouses.
FRIDAY June 5, 2020
WEATHER: 60’s and cloudy – high of 80
SUNRISE: 0541 SUNSET:
0834
TRAVEL: . Carlisle to Gettysburg
Another victim of COVID-19
Already Postponed, Summerfest Is Now Canceled
“Given
the uncertainty surrounding large gatherings in these unprecedented times, we
cannot in good conscience proceed with the festival this year,” organizers
said.
 |
| Part of Seminar 22 |
Graduation Resident Class of 2020
Graduates include 224 U.S. Army officers, 25 Air Force, 8 Navy,
17 Marines, 1 Coast Guard officer, 22 senior federal civilians, and 70
international officers.
 |
| USAWC Class of 2020 |
The ceremony will
include formal remarks from both Commandant Maj. Gen. John Kem and graduation speaker GEN Paul M. Nakasone. General
Paul M. Nakasone assumed his present duties as Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service in May
2018.He previously commanded U.S. Army Cyber Command from October 2016 - April
2018.
.
Thanks to the expanse of
the historic parade ground, the student body will be seated at 6-foot intervals
in front of the Wheelock Bandstand,
the traditional landmark for graduation ceremonies through decades. In a
departure from the past, students will arrive and depart in masks, and they
will pass in front of the bandstand in a symbolic nod to the conferring of
diplomas. Student stage photos will be taken by the official photographer only,
and each student is authorized to invite one guest for a wide-flung seating
arrangement that duplicates the students’ six-foot intervals.
Each student will be
recognized for the achievement of completing the Army War College’s master's
degree program in Strategic Studies,
earning as well a USAWC diploma and Joint Professional Military Education-Level
2 certification -- as well as for the future contributions that they will make
to the security of their countries.
SATURDAY June 6, 2020
WEATHER: 0515 67 and cloudy – in the
clouds when I crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains – then it cleared – 1600 82 and
sunny is Milan, Ohio - birthplace of Thomas Alva Edison. SUNRISE:
0541 Gettysburg SUNSET:
2101
:
TRAVEL: Artillery Ridge RV Park. Gettysburg, PA to Sandusky-Milan
RV Park , Milan, OH - 365
miles; 8.9 mpg; 40.8 gal of gasoline; 6 .3 hours travel; 2 stops for gas’ Lincoln Highway (Rte 30 west from Gettysburg)
over the Blue Ridge, connect with I70/76 over the Alleghenies to I-80. No trouble with the truck. 1) the transmission was in’ trailer-haul’ mode and 2) I didn’t push it
through the mountains i.e. 50-55-60-65 not 55-60-65-70 mph. I guess I forgot how to drive my truck. Transmission got hot crossing the Blue
Ridge, it was a tough climb, but no engine warning lights or signals.
Sandusky-Milan RV Campground - WIFI works but probably one of the three worst sites
I’ve ever set a
trailer on. It is a Good Sam park. Absolutely
not level – I raised the passenger side 2 inches and it could use an inch of
two more – in the sun – no shade – and there are plenty of open sites. Front to back is about as bad as in
Gettysburg. Won’t stay here again – now
I’m bored – should have driven farther.
and of course
when your trailer isn’t level you have problems with latching the entry door,
latching the microwave, latching the refrigerator- not coming back here – frustrating
– if I would
have asked for 50 amp – of course all those sites that are empty but blocked
off are level
SUNDAY June 7, 2020
WEATHER: near perfect
SUNRISE: 0557 EDT Milan, OH SUNSET: 2029 CDT
Burlington, WI
TRAVEL: Sandusky-Milan RV Park Milan, OH to Burlington
RV Superstore Mount Pleasant,
WI to Burlington. 6.5
hours; 3 stops for
gas; 379 miles; 9.4 average mpg; used 40.3 gallons of gasoline.
Trailer
inspection this morning revealed two cracks in the base of the skylight
above the
shower. I rarely, if ever, use the
shower – but I thought I should get it repaired. . . Burlington
RV - may take a
while, because I’m sure they will have to order the part.
NEVER ENDING ADVENTURE – just about 10 miles from Burlington
RV the
transmission temperature started to heat up again . . . I dropped the trailer at Burlington
RV and limped home – dropping the load did not
affect the transmission temp – think I’ll take it to Doug’s
Auto Service before taking
it to Lynch Chevrolet. Yup,
it needed a new transmission – OUCH that hurt the pocket but glad I got back to
Wisconsin.
SOLD the Dutchmen Kodiak trailer July 1st, the Silverado July 5th, bought a Jeep Wrangler July 6th and a new phone July 28th ,sold the Mailibu
The ‘gag’ order . . . wear a mask or get fined $200 – people without masks at St. Joe’s were chastised by the priest from the sanctuary on Sunday Aug 2 - - - - that’s it for me i.e. going to church, got a dispensation anyway . . . .no more in person Rotary – another 2 months or government health edicts - - - - - this is it . . . .’we are in control” Well that only lasted 1 week. Igo to St Mary's and St. Charles, sorry Fr. Gene.
EMERGENCY ORDER #1
Relating to preventing the spread of COVID-19 by requiring face coverings in certain situations at 12:01 am on Saturday, August 1, 2020. This Order shall expire on September 28, 2020, or by a subsequent superseding emergency order.
TONY EVERS
Governor
At least I’m working on my 2014 ‘blooks’ (blog to book). . . . editing takes a considerable amount of time, expensive but very nice – something my grandchildren or great grandchildren may find interesting – good thing I have pictures of some of those historical statues that are being destroyed . . . hope the history isn’t forgotten or we’ll be bound to repeat it . . . . .
WEDNESDAY August 8, 2020
WEATHER: low 70’s clear – humid enough to work up a sweat
TRAVEL: Burlington to HWY 12 Ice Age Trail parking between LaGrange & Whitewater to Nordic Ski Trailhead back to Burlington.
IAT Walworth/Jefferson Chapter Hike
The Ice
Age Trail Alliance consists of 20 Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteer
chapters. The volunteers in these
chapters build and maintain the Trail across the state throughout the year,
bringing the Ice Age Trail Alliance organization to
a level not exceeded by many in the US. Volunteers
lead hikes and work days in their communities and share their excitement for
the incredible treasure we have available to us. Saw this on line – looks like the hikes are
starting again – perhaps they never stopped. . . . . .because there are NO
PUBLISHED HIKE REPORTS – not even sure
this is sanctioned by the IATA
At any rate, the ‘short hike’ met at the Nordic Trailhead and we walked the WHITE TRAIL. – 3.25 miles meandering gently through scattered pines and open fields, a generally flat trail with only a few hills. 16 of us on this hike - took us about 1.5 hours.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4, 2020
WEATHER: 44 at 9 am, high in the low
50’s, sunny, slight breeze
TRAVEL: Burlington to Emma Carlin Trails parking Area in the South Kettle Moraine just off of Hwy 59 between Palmyra and Eagle.
MAMMOTH
HIKE CHALLENGE 6.6 miles
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) celebrates its
 |
| Whitewater |
By
hiking 40 miles of the Ice Age Trail during the month of October 2020 and visiting three of IATA’s Communities, participants can earn a hiking
certificate and a limited-edition patch celebrating the 40th anniversary. I decided to ‘Got For It”
BLUE SPRING LAKE Segment – OUT & BACK
START: 1000 Emma
Carlin Trailhead to Horse Camp 3.3 miles one way
FINISH 1310 Emma
Carlin Trailhead
Total 6.6 miles 3.2
hours a little over 2 mph
One Way Total
Route Ascent 505 ft Total Route
Descent 390 ft
 |
| Blue Spring Lake Trail - view |
The trail passes
through high-relief hummocky topography that makes up the Kettle Moraine. Many excellent
examples of kettles and hummocks.
No clearly defined eskers. The
trail does follow a steep ridge that could be an esker but is more likely a
ridge left by the melting of buried ice on both sides.
A pleasant day for a hike. The trail was dry – the trees are just starting to turn colors – A forest floor and trail covered with some of last years oak, and this years, hickory, aspen, cottonwood, leaves. It was a Sunday – walkers, runners, hikers and people walking dogs on the trail. Some wearing masks – some moved off the trail with their backs to me when I approached.
WEDNESDAY October 7, 2020
WEATHER: sunny mid 60’s to low 70’s, a breeze
TRAVEL: Burlington to HWY 12 Ice Age Trail parking between LaGrange & Whitewater to Nordic Ski Trailhead to South Kettle Moraine State Forest HQ, back to Burlington.
MAMMOTH
HIKE CHALLENGE 12.6 miles
IAT Walworth/Jefferson Chapter Hike
The Walworth/Jefferson
Chapter of the Ice Age
Trail Alliance Short Hike was a 3
mile walk along the KMSF Nordic
Ski Trails.
Total 3.0
miles 1 hour 20 minutes about 2.3 mph
STONEY RIDGE Segment –
OUT & BACK
START: 1205 KMSF
HQ Southern Unit Parking Lot to Emma Carlin Trailhead 1.5 miles one way
FINISH: 1307 KMSF
HQ Southern Unit Parking Lot
Total 3.0 miles a
little more than an hour at almost 3 mph
One Way Total
Route Ascent 62 ft Total Route
Descent 75 ft
A pleasant day
for a hike. The trail was dry – a little more color than 3 days ago. Only
wildlife seen were grasshoppers.
From the KMSF-SU HQ the trail climbs and follows a wooded esker on rocky outwash until it reaches a grassy savanna and onto the open prairie of Glacial Lake Scuppernong. The trail crosses a bridge over a clear stream through a small but flat stretch of woods until it reaches CTH Z and the Emma Carlin Trailhead
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4, 2020
WEATHER: cloudy, breeze less than 10 mph,
high of 61
TRAVEL: Burlington to Hwy 67 Eagle Segment trailhead and return
EAGLE Segment – OUT
& BACK
START: 1010 Hwy
67 Eagle Trailhead to CTH N - 4.1 miles one way
FINISH 1325 Hwy
57 Eagle Trailhead
Total 8.2 miles 3 hrs 15 minutes
One Way Total Route Ascent 210 ft Total Route Descent 180 ft
A fairly level walk, therefore it was a quick pace of 2.5 mph. A Sunday – the only Wildlife observed were two caterpillars and a lot of dogs taking their owners for a walk and one runner.
After a short wooded walk the trail emerges onto the prairie. About a mile south of the trailhead the trail climbs to the top of a grassy knoll offering nice views to the north of the prairie and drained Glacial Lake Scuppernong.
 |
| Glacial Lake Scuppernong - prairie |
The interesting feature along this segment is the 8 ft high outcropping of Brady’s Rocks,
 |
| Brady's Rocks |
named for Irish immigrants Michael and Kathleen Brady who settled here in 1855. These outcroppings are a portion of the Niagara Escarpment, a thick layer of dolomite that extends through Door County, dips under Lake Michigan and the state of Michigan and reemerges at the end of Lake Erie at Niagara Falls.
The trail continues on across the Scuppernong Prairie (Glacial Lake Scuppernong) .
WEDNESDAY October 14, 2020
WEATHER: cloudy low to mid 50’s - a breeze
TRAVEL: Burlington to HWY 12 Ice Age Trail parking between LaGrange & Whitewater to Nordic Ski Trailhead to South Kettle Moraine State Forest HQ, back to Burlington.
MAMMOTH HIKE CHALLENGE 23.8 miles
IAT Walworth/Jefferson Chapter Hike
The Walworth/Jefferson
Chapter of the Ice Age
Trail Alliance Short Hike was a 3
mile walk along the KMSF Nordic
Ski Trails per Jake. A different route than last week.
Total 3.0 miles
1 hour 20 minutes about
2.3 mph
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, 2020
WEATHER: mostly sunny, 42 at 10 am up to
50 at 1240, a very pleasant day for a hike
TRAVEL: Burlington to Hwy 67 Bald Bluff parking area and return
MAMMOTH HIKE CHALLENGE 29.4 miles
BLACKHAWK Segment –
OUT & BACK
START: 1000 Bald
Bluff Parking area on CTH H (Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr) to Duffin Rd – 2.8 miles
one way
FINISH 1240 Bald
Bluff parking area
Total 5.6 miles 2
hrs 40 minutes
One Way Total Route Ascent 283 ft Total Route Descent 361 ft
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| Blackhawk Segment- view |
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| Pine Plantation |
good pace of 2.3 mph. Met several backpackers on the trail – the frist group of three was not very talkative, the second was not a thru-hiker – just out for 4 days
The Blackhawk segment actually begins on Young Rd. It’s about a 3/10 mile walk one-way from the parking lot to Young Rd. Between young Rd and CTH H (Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr) there is a steep up and down climb through a savanna like open forest, pockmocked by kettle depressions and scattered boulders. Some great views overlooking the forest and surrounding terrain.
WEDNESDAY October 21, 2020
WEATHER: 44 at 1030 with clouds clearing, mostly
sunny by 1130 sunny and 55 by 1315. A slight breeze. A great day for a walk.
TRAVEL: Burlington to Nordic Ski Trailhead to Emma Carlin Trailhead parking area, walk about 2 ½ miles of the McMiller Ski Trail system to Big Hill and return to the parking area, then to Lapham Peak parking area in South Kettle Moraine State Forest, back to Burlington.
MAMMOTH HIKE CHALLENGE 34.3 miles
IAT Walworth/Jefferson Chapter Hike
The Walworth/Jefferson Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance A challenging hike. The McMiller Ski and Stute Springs & Homestead trail systems are just a short walk down CTH Z from the Emma Carlin parking. The hike to Big Hill (1,050 ft) was a steep climb. The total hike was about 2.5 miles per Jake.
Total 2.5 miles 1 hour 20 minutes about 1.9 mph
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| View From Big Hill |
|
| Delafield |
LAPHAM PEAK Segment – OUT & BACK
START: 1315 Lapham Peak parking area on CTH C to a point 1.2 miles heading north along the IAT
FINISH 1420 Lapham
Peak parking area
Total 2.4 miles 1
hr 5 minutes about 2.2 mph
One Way Total
Route Ascent 86 ft Total Route
Descent 89 ft
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| Lapham Peak Segment |
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| Lapham Peak Segment |
I had planned to
walk to the parking area on S Cushing Park Rd (1.9 miles) and then return but
time demanded that I be back in Burlington before 4 pm.
This hike was through the Lapham Peak unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The unit is named after Increase Lapham, who spent his lifetime researching and documenting regional geography, botany, biology, conservation, forestry, geology, and archeology. Lapham’s work in meteorology led to the creation of the United States Weather Service and modern weather forecasts.
A number of bike and horse trails crisscross the IAT. Met a number of runners and bikers on the trek, a few walkers.
The trail between CTH C and Cushing Park Rd has a low relief topography with fewer deep kettles as opposed to the land east of CTH C The trail offered some nice views of the prairies and surrounding areas.
SATURDAY October 24, 2020
WEATHER: 38 at
1130 with clouds clearing, to mostly sunny by 1420 not much higher than 40
degrees. An occasional breeze from the
north. A great day for a walk.
TRAVEL: Burlington to Storrs Lake Trailhead on Storrs Lake Rd to Storrs Lake Trailhead on Bowers Lake Rd to Milton House parking, back to Burlington.
MAMMOTH HIKE CHALLENGE 42.3 miles
STORRS LAKE Segment –
OUT & BACK
START: 1130 Storrs
Lake parking area on
Storrs Lake Rd to a point 0.8 miles heading north along the IAT
FINISH 1420 Storrs
Lake parking area on
Storrs Lake Rd
Total 1.6 miles 40
minutes about 2 mph
One Way Total
Route Ascent 42 ft Total Route
Descent 55 ft
 |
| Storrs Lake Segment looking north from here its is covered in water |
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| IAT Storrs Lake Trailhead |
The Storrs Lake Wildlife Area is a mix of old oak trees, tall prairie grasses, dry kettles and lakes that appear to cover a portion of the IAT at most times of the year. On July 1, 1832 a young Abraham Lincoln camped near Storrs Lake as one of the 4,500 soldiers commanded by BG Henry Atkinson as they sought to find the Sauk Chief Blackhawk during the Blackhawk War.
STORRS LAKE Segment – OUT & BACK
START: 1435 Storrs
Lake parking area on N
Bowers Lake Rd to a point 1.0
mile heading south along the IAT
FINISH 1315 Storrs
Lake parking area on N
Bowers Lake Rd
Total 2.0 miles 50
minutes about 2.2 mph
One Way Total
Route Ascent 80 ft Total Route
Descent 100 ft
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| Storrs Lake Trailhead - north |
 |
| This is as far as I walked without getting into water - walking south |
The Milton Moraine is poorly defined in this area but you can see the advance or the glacier with the somewhat hummocky topography. Sand & gravel underlie much of the mud. When the buried ice melted, kettles formed to produce a pitted outwash landscape.
MILTON Segment – OUT & BACK
START: 1315 Milton
House parking area to Vernal Ave and return
FINISH 1420 Milton House parking area
Total 4.4 miles 1
hr 15 minutes about 3.4 mph
One Way Total
Route Ascent 69 ft Total Route
Descent 69 ft
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| Milton Veterans Park |
|
| Milton |
The Milton
Segment is entirely on outwash.. When the glacier advanced and
then retreated from the Johnstown Moraine, it deposited outwash till at elevations between
910 and 950 feet. These older till and
outwash surfaces were left as terraces standing above the outwash
channels through and
south of present day Milton.
WEDNESDAY November 4, 2020
WEATHER: 48 at 0700, clear and sunny
TRAVEL: Burlington to Nordic Ski Trailhead back to Burlington.
IAT Walworth/Jefferson Chapter Hike
Such a beautiful day thought I'd hike the trail one more time.
posted by David Gapinski @ 5:23 AM
1 Comments
