Day 4-- The Pack Shakedown

Friday March 29 -- DAY 4 of hiking -- (day 7 since we began)

We had 13.7 miles of connecting route ahead of us. It looked like part of this was along Lake Michigan. We drove past Alaska to get there. We left the Murano in the parking lot one building away from the Subway. We drove my car back up to Forestville to pick up where we left off last weekend.

It was really sunny, so this weekend we applied sunscreen, It was so wet last weekend, that I ordered the girls new Merrell hiking shoes during the week. I had them wear 2 pairs of socks and the new shoes. As we walked that first route, Bristol remarked how ¨These shoes have changed my life!¨ When I asked how, she replied, ¨my feet aren´t wet or cold like last time!

This weekend, I allowed the girls to carry their backpacks if they wanted to. They were delighted to bring their furry animals along. Bristol brought Lady and Zebra, while Piper brought Marie. We tied them carefully into their backpacks. The animals needed to come out and play at our first playground that morning down by the pier. And they really enjoyed looking for seas shells and rocks on the beach.

We luckily moved from the limestone path, to the asphalt road, with a blustery wind at our backs. We made it to Subway and stopped to eat hot subs.¨This section took 3 times as long as I had planned along Lake Michigan. The girls loved this little section as they ran from rock to rock picking them up. With pockets full, backpacks full, and now bellies full, we walked one parking lot further to our awaiting Murano.

Jeremy and I were laughing as we helped Piper take her backpack off at the table. It was so heavy! We agreed a ´pack shakedown´ was in order. So, when we returned to the car, Piper handed it to dad who gave me the go pro to try to fill it. I could hardly hold the camera still as he removed at least 4 My Little Ponies, 2 bags of trail mix, and a plethora of toys and rocks. I think that her bag and jacket together were heavier than my entire backpack today, which just sproted a few snack wrappers and a platypus water bladder.

We moved the cars and began to walk along the many dairy farms that bordered all of our road segments.

We found a pizza place for dinner. We ordered two pizzas, and left Jeremy to pick them up, while we headed to the hotel to check in. The girls enjoyed swimming in the hotel pool.

#IceAgeTrail #Adventure #Hiking #Outdoors #FamilyGoals