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Not really SAD, but

A lot of people are affected with Seasonal Affective Disorder in Wisconsin.  We have many, many days without sun during the winter months.  This year, we've had a string of days with heavy fog and unseasonably warm temperatures in the 30's and 40's.   Personally, I can't claim that I've ever really felt the effects of SAD, but this year, knowing that we are likely moving west later next year, I've been very impatient and annoyed with Wisconsin weather.   Sun trying to fight through the clouds It hasn't helped that my daily routine involves looking at the weather in Fort Collins and Tucson.  Their weather has been spectacularly sunny and more pleasant this time of year.   So, I haven't been blogging much because not much is going on. I've substituted indoor pickleball for hiking. The trails have been muddy and not much fun. For Christmas, we had my mother, Julia's brother and Allie here.  I went and retrieved my mother from Cedar Rapids a...
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The Ice Age Trail–Lodi Marsh Segments







First light gave every impression of another wonderful day during our recent February thaw.  However, the weather is going to change after today so I  made an early decision to hike without driving very far.  Fortunately, I live in an area with terrific day hiking possibilities.  Ten minutes after hopping into the car, I was on the Ice Age Trail-Lodi Marsh Segment.



This trail is accessed at the Robertson Parking Lot on Lodi Springfield Road just a few miles outside Lodi, Wisconsin.  The 1.5 mile loop climbs up and down ridges overlooking the Lodi Marsh.   There is a mix of prairie and woods with views looking across the scenic Lodi Valley towards the Baraboo Hills.



A short distance from the parking lot, there is a steep set of steps/trail off to the right leading down to the above spot at the edge of the marsh.



Feeding the pool is a bubbling spring.  People do fill up containers of drinking water here.  I’ve had water straight from springs before, but I’ve not sampled this one.

After completing this short hike, I cross the road to the 3.2 mile Eastern Lodi Marsh Segment.  The trail turns muddy and then icy in the shaded woods.  Later, I emerge on higher, dry ground.



Continuing across the top of the ridge, I pass a beautiful log home, and continue beyond until I reach this mileage marker sign.



Knowing that the remaining two miles into Lodi would be a muddy and icy downhill through the shaded woods, I opt for calling it a day and head back to the car, hiking about 5 miles total today.

At least two people from Lodi have thru-hiked the entire Ice Age Trail–a distance of over 1,000 miles. Much of the route is road walking, as the hiking trail part of it hasn’t been completed.  While hiking this winter, I ran into a young man attempting to be the first person to ever complete a winter thru-hike.  This was during a period of below zero weather.  He confessed to spending a few overnights indoors but was looking forward to spending the next night outside, as the forecast called for a warming trend to single digits.

The Ice Age Trail is maintained by volunteers.  When I owned my coffeeshop, the local trail organization met at my place for monthly meetings.  If you are interested in getting involved or just want to learn more, visit the  Ice Age Trail Alliance.
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