Cedar-kearsarge.jpg

I am a carpenter and designer, living in a small island community on the largest freshwater lake in the world. I am deeply invested in disrupting the cycle of intergenerational trauma in my own lineage and my communities. I am more interested in the exploration of questions than the proving of answers.

Comfortable

Cedar Schimke
Superior Hiking Trail

August 15, 2018
Southern Terminus to Jay Cooke Rd
Superior Hiking Trail Thru-Hike: Day 1

Sitting by the Dam, Running my Brain

Apparently, and somehow, I only have 15.5 miles tomorrow? I must really suck at counting or something because my math from the trail guide says it's supposed to be 21? I have no flipping clue how that works, and I want to be wary of starting too late or feeling lax, but that would be sooooo nice if it was 15 tomorrow instead of 20.

I'm next to a dam on Jay Cooke Road, waiting for Alex to pick me up so we can camp at Jay Cooke State Park. I was going to stop there today but made miles more quickly than expected, so I walked a few miles to the next intersection to meet up with him.

I felt good today. Some joint pain and rubbing toes on the downhill, but generally fast and strong and made way better time than expected.

Ah, okay, so that's what happened. I thought tomorrow was 20/21 miles. The next day is actually my 20 mile day which, in a way, works out better because I can start super fucking early after camping alone.

I also resisted my natural urge to call people when I was done for the day, and fill fill fill my time. Instead, I wrote in my journal and spent time with myself.

Duluth is where I eat and what I want right now is bread bread bread. So tomorrow maybe before heading out on trail I can get Duluth's best bread (6am-1pm)? Though I don't think we'll want to drive all the way there. That sounds soooo delicious.

Tonight Alex and I have to run and get DEET, then beer at Bent Paddle and OMC Smokehouse. Maybe ice cream?

It's really chilly in the shade, though it got warm today while hiking. I peed in a biffy at the State Park and thought I was going to suffocate from the hot humid air. Now, I have my fleece on but took off my shirts underneath to try and dry them in the sun while I wait for Alex.

So, Saturday, or wait, no, Friday will be a push. Especially since I'll be going through Canal Park and aahhhhbbviously need to stop to get a sandwich at Northern Waters Smokehaus and a Pastrami Mommy with extra pepperoncini peppers yoommmmm. I'm glad tomorrow is more slack of a day since I'll have more pack weight and I'll have first day soreness. I think I will pack up my stuff now, Alex is supposed to be here in 5 minutes

Camping at Jay Cooke State Park

What a wonderful way to finish a wonderful day. Alex picked me up, we drove down 35W to the Bent Paddle taproom. We sat by the fireplace, me with a blanket I found sitting on a chair, and ordered OMC barbecue, drank our beer, and enjoyed each others' company.

I put the tent up all by myself and man is it wearing out. The string inside the poles is super slack. I feel like that's something you can replace though? My poncho made a perfectly sized groundsheet, even for a 3-person tent.

Bears, Periods, Trail Friends