Notes from day 2 - 6

FROM DOUG: Stayed in Sedalia on day 2 at hotel. My calves felt like jelly, couldn't walk the one block from the trailhead to Green Ridge Park where I'd planned to camp. Took a cab to Sedalia. Stayed in with both legs propped on ice bags. I really felt like calling the whole thing off. Went back to Green Ridge the next morning to pick up where I'd left off for day 3 (June 6). Walked to Sedalia Fairgrounds. Still needed ice but legs seemed okay. I got a great sunburn! The trail here is long and has a steady mile + incline.

Day 5 - June 8

Tonight Doug is settled in at the Katy Roundhouse Campground - mile 189.1. He has traveled 75.5 miles in his first 5 days - and is one day ahead of schedule. Tomorrow he will hang out at the Katy Roundhouse and I will meet up with him to restock some of his supplies, including another paperback. It's pretty quiet in the evenings and with no t.v. or computer - he's going to be getting in a lot of reading. I will be bringing home some pictures to post from his first few days on the trail.

Day 1 - June 4

Well, Doug hit the trail at 7:40 this morning at the Clinton trail head. The weather was perfect! 70s and sunny. He had 16.6 miles to hike to his first stop, Farrington Park (a little city park that allows overnight camping) in Windsor, MO.
From Doug: 1st part good but not a lot of shade; very sunny. Slow 6+ mile incline from Calhoun to Windsor. Really beat when I arrived; sore shoulders & calves. Next 2 days are 10 milers, good chance to recover.

Here we go!!!

Change of plans, leaving Monday. My wife will update the blog as I call them in, hope to see you in Machens on the 23rd.

Why?

Here's the answer to a question almost everyone asks: Why?
The answer actually has 4 parts.

First I want to prove I can do it. I haven't had a major challenge since the marathon in 1996 and basically want to see, as Rocky says, "if there's anything left in the basement".

Second, because very few people have hiked the trail end to end.

Third, I love & teach history. There's a lot of history associated with the Katy.

Fourth , to prove something to my son and former students. I've always preached that you can do anything you want as long as you have a goal and am willing to work hard to get there.

I hope this answers the questions for everyone.

Quicky

Gas dropped so I grabbed a quick 10 miler. I hiked from Clifton City to Mile Marker 210. Long steady incline heading east. I still need to work out the water dilemma from Sedalia to Pilot Grove.

Minor setback

I'm faced with a few minor setbacks in hike preparation now that gas is $3.15 a gallon. The closest trailhead is 30 miles away so I'll be doing local hikes on the roads near my home. It's not going to be the same as hiking along the Katy but I guess a hike is a hike for training purposes. I'm also not able to make a day drive to try and answer any unanswered questions about facilities, water, etc. But, as my father used to say: "You need horse sh** to grow a good garden".