8/2/2015
Good Day Wisconsin aired while we ate breakfast. Crystal and I watched a broadcast from the Green Bay farmers market. We didn’t realize the broadcast was being shot just outside our window. After we loaded up and checked out of the Quality Inn we discovered crowds of people mobbing the downtown area farmers market. I never realized Green Bay had such a diverse community of people. Crystal and I looked around and there was every nationality out there selling and buying organic foods and handmade items. It was much bigger than the ones we were accustomed to attending in Los Angeles. I walked with her a couple blocks and parted at the far end. I crossed a bridge and made my way towards Pulaski.
I had run past a ghetto in every metropolitan city on this journey right up until Green Bay. As I ran I expected to reach a rundown area. It never materialized. After many traffic circles I found my way to where Crystal was parked. Cheese and lettuce sandwiches graced my pallet followed by a can of fruit. I found that a sweet snack helped boost my energy. Of course that didn’t mean I wouldn’t’ shut my eyes for a midday break. Snoozing gave me an even bigger boost.
From the park I found my way to the mountain bay trail. A crunching noise came from beneath my feet once my shoes hit the gravel. I listened to the leaves on the trees rustle as I ran on the straight, unobstructed path. I could hear a couple of cranes calling out. It wasn’t a sound I expected from such a beautiful bird. It sounded like a duck gagging for air. The only other animals that came into view were dairy cows beside the path and exercise enthusiasts on the trail. Crystal once again planned to meet me on the trail. I walked the last mile to try and give her more time on the trail but she never materialized. When I reached the trailhead at Pulaski I spotted our aluminum vehicle all alone. Where could she have gone?
The minutes passed slowly. I watched my phone every few seconds to check the time. And every couple minutes I looked at both directions of the trail. I flailed around as a couple flies buzzed by my ears. They grew more annoying as I waited. When Crystal finally popped up from the opposite side of the trail I knew she had run towards the west. She had an annoyed look on her face which quickly changed when she found out she had run off in the wrong direction. We were lucky the sky was still bright. We were able to find an open spot in the parking lot a few blocks back. We camped out at the local grocery store and purchased a box of potato wedges and macaroni salad to go with our dinner. The population of the town didn’t include any riffraff so we fell asleep to the chirping of crickets.
We were greeted in the morning by a loud downpour. Moments after the pounding rain stopped the ground dried. I had a fried egg on an English muffin and took to the trail. Suddenly booming thunder rattled the ground under my feet. Trees on both sides of the trail were a hazard so I decided to run fast. The clouds crept closer until another downpour was upon me. I avoided a full on assault from the precipitation but there were casualties. I reached Crystal in a short time and when I did all rain drops ceased. With another short day of running I was just about halfway done.
The mountain bay trail spanned 83 miles. Each town was in charge of taking care of their part so you could see the course change slightly at every intersection. I enjoyed the scent of tea in the air during some stretches while other parts just provided me with the scent of dairy farms. Up to Shawano, fruits plants decorated both sides of the path. I could have made a fruit cocktail with the all apples, berries, and grapes that were out there. The one nuisance I encountered, when I ran near dairy farms, were pesky flies. I turned on my jets whenever they started hovering. I arrived at the Super 8 in Shawano much earlier than I anticipated. The trail let out right next our lodging. I happened to stumble upon Barbra when stopped to dry off. She gave me a friendly greeting and I found out she was the person that had arranged our hotel stay. She even asked if I would enjoy having a room with a large Jacuzzi tub. With plenty of time to relax and enjoy the amenities, I was in heaven. 
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