Sturgeon Bay and Heading South - 1/30/10

A very blue sky, what a day
Chilly Horses
.
Compass is 4.5", I'm calling the track 4.5" long
and 4" wide = Gray Wolf
Heading out on the Ahnapee State Trail

Went back up to Sturgeon Bay to continue the journey. Did the loop just north of the park that I missed last time, then headed south. It was cold, but very sunny so that took the edge off. Got right back into stride without any issues. I couldn't wait to get on the Ahnapee State Trail and see what that is like. The trail was ok, plenty of ice to watch out for, but not bad overall. Most interesting thing I saw was a -huge- wolf paw print. See the picture above to note the size of the prints, the paw length is 4", nothing else has paws that large, except a werewolf maybe :) For lunch I stopped at some spot in the sun and tried to get out of the wind which seemed like was picking up. Chowed down on the beef sticks I picked up at the place just north of the park. After a bit more hiking finally came to the realization that I wasn't going to make it to Maplewood, turned around at the place with the cool (figuratively & literally) horses. On the way back it was mostly exercise but did see some more wildlife so that was good. All said and done I went about an hour longer (again) than I should have, the last 45 minutes with the wind and legs starting to tighten up made it real work.

Details & Weather: Left the house at 7:43 a.m., arrived Cherry Blossom Park 9:03 a.m., started hiking at 9:13 a.m., returned to car at 3:13 p.m. - 6 hour hike total. High of 18 degrees, could stay out there all day with no wind, but when the wind picked up it was brutal.
Wildlife: Crows (always); squirrel; red tailed hawk; 2 small deer crossing the trail ahead of me; male & female cardinals; 2 pileated woodpeckers; doves; cool horses; turkey tracks; and a very large wolf track.
Dangers: Slipping on the ice.
Deliverance Moment: I could see this reddish truck from way off in the distance with it's nose parked on the trail. It pulled out into the trail, I suppose so he/they could get a look at me walking toward them, then they pulled back into the woods, but still there with their nose sticking out. Got to within a half mile or so from them, and then they pulled out into the trail, turned around and drove off. Guess they didn't like what they saw!