Sheffield, IL. For the first time on my journey the snowy trail I was on turned left and disappeared amongst several small hills and trees. The only thing I had to navigate by we're the snowmobile tracks however they seemed to branch out and go in different directions so that was of no help. I spotted a house and made my way to it where I met Tish.

That house was actually the Hennepin Canal Trail visitor's center. After atepping inside I also met Ken. They gave me a slew of maps and some rare Clif bars I've never tasted before. They were both very helpful and so before I left I signed their guestbook.

For more information:

Friends of Hennepin Canal
www.friends-hennepin-canal.org
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
16006-875 E. Street
Sheffield, IL 61361
(815) 454-2328
R1Parks@dnrmail.state.il.us
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/hennpin.htm


2/25/13
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Chicago, IL. As I was leaving the city limits on my way to Lemont, I was met with this sign. It made me smile, I liked the idea of taking this Maggie Kuhn quote and turning into a road sign. Not too sure if its legal, but very creative!

2/13/13
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Joliet, IL. These are photos from the first portion of the I&M Trail. The trail was very beautiful & serene, didn't see many cars or people so it gave me a lot of time to think.

2/14/13
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Lemont, IL. After walking through the White Oak Woods, it was a tough task navigating over a narrow bridge in rush hour, and fighting vegetation taller than me. I noticed a gentleman with dreads approaching me as I was skillfully blocking the tall grass from hitting me in the face.

It is rare to see someone other than me walking in such a remote area, judging by his demeanor I knew it was for good reason. Come to find out he jumped out of his car to come and talk to me.

His name was Tom Locks and was interested in walking for a cause. He had a ton of questions so I knew he had previously thought about it. I told him that doing it was great and that he should do it, but just to make sure he got some sponsors in his corner before setting out.

Riding with Tom were his buddies, Omar and Jeremy, who later came out the car as we approached closer. All three of these guys were great and I wish them all the best!

2/13/13
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Chicago, IL. The wind in Chi-town is no joke! Anytime the weather has you leaning like a Michael Jaskson video there's a problem. I did almost lost my hat walking across the bridge going to Union Station.

Most of the newspaper vending machines in the photos are fallen victims of the wind including the metal ones!

2/11/13
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Lemont, IL. After walking through Chicago's west side down Ogden, through Cicero, walking then for quite a while, I finally ended up in Lemont, Illinois. Where the my host Michelle, a teacher, offered to put me up for the night in her beautiful home.

Arriving there after dusk her youngest two children greeted me at the driveway with excitement. I came in, Michelle welcomed me, and introduced me to her family. That night was a busy school night involving a soccer game, kids going out with dad, homework, preparing for a Florida soccer match road trip, and a minor visit to the ER.

Michelle was a great host, we talked a bit while eating in the kitchen. The family had a great energy about them, it was great seeing them interact with one another.

The next morning I woke from a restful sleep, washed up, and went down stairs to the kitchen. On the kitchen counter I discovered Michelle had prepared me breakfast and lunch labeled with my name before she went to work. Honestly, I place that moment in my Top 5 things that happened to me on this trip. It was totally unexpected, put a big smile on my face for the whole morning, and instantly brought me back to elementary school when my mom, who passed 18-years ago, would have prepared lunch neatly packed in my plastic dark blue Batman lunchbox.

Michelle and her family were phenomenal, I really felt like family! During my visit she also spoke very highly of her students, who I hope are all treating her well.

2/13/13

Chicago, IL. After staying a day in the diwntown area of Chi-town (The Loop), I really wanted to visit the outskirts and hang with real Chicagoans. Alison and Ian were my answer as well as fantastic hosts!

They provided a great room to stay in which was nice and cozy. I was given great tours of the neighborhood and attended some great local functions with Alison & Ian. Ate so many excellent vegetarian/vegan dishes and met a lot of cool people.

Alison even took the time to stitch my torn glove and showed me how to stitch my hat -- which I truly appreciated. My stay there was wonderful!

Food Not Bombs. During my walking tour with Ian we grabbed some food, because I was hungry, from an Indian restaurant then we proceeded to Humboldt Park. At the park we volunteered for Food Not Bombs, a non-for-profit that serves free surplus vegan and vegetarian food from local stores to those in need. I met some great people and I enjoyed this occasion very much because I believe it's important to serve others especially the less fortunate.

Once this journey is complete and I return to New York I would entertain the thought of setting up a Food Not Bomb chapter either in my hometown of Mount Vernon, NY or in Manhattan. I'll figure it out as time progresses.

Wicker Park. As we were walking through the park we noticed a group of people blowing up red balloons. As we approached, Ian noticed they were some his friends and what they were doing was blowing up balloons for a random pop-up art exhibit.

They were attempting to fill the empty fountain with red balloons. We helped them blow up quite a few balloons, said our good-byes, and left.

Below are some very cool neighborhood art pieces.

The Wormhole Cafe. Before ending the night with Alison at Native Foods restaurant; Ian, Jeremy, Minku, and myself went to sit back and relax at Wormhole Cafe. It's a very hip almost Internet cafe that caters to a young crowd. They offer a variety of delicious coffees and pastries. They even had an 8-bit Nintendo system connected to a large old school floor TV where I watched a first timer who did very well at Megaman 8.

2/9/13

Davenport, IL. This is the bridge commonly named the Centinnial Bridge which connects Rock Island, IL to Davenport, IA. I've become very familiar with this bridge after crossing it several times within the last couple of days.

The five arches of the bridge are a symbol often used to represent the Quad Cities. The two largest arches symbolize Rock Island and Davenport while the smaller ones represent the other surrounding Quad-Cities (Bettendorf, Moline, and East Moline). --Wikipedia

2/27/13

Marseilles, IL. After camping out that night on the I&M Trail near Seneca, IL I was dead hungry and was too cold to setup my stove to cook. So I walked the trail to Marseilles (mar-sales) and came across a Burger King. Not normally a place I visit however, I needed to feed my belly.

I entered and approached the counter, the ladies there were very excited and very curious about me walking for diabetes. It was great because even after my long walk that morning I needed that verbal jolt to wake me up and get me going (it was my first conversation of the day).

Deb (white shirt), Robin (black shirt), La Vonne (has glasses), and Mary Beth (no hat) were the ladies working that day and they took such great care of me and went above and beyond anything I ever expected with food, donations, and hospitality -- I felt like it was my hometown and I was King for a day!

These two awesome young gentlemen are Damon (top photo) and Jacob (bottom photo). It was great talking to them about everything from my walk, the town, New York, music, dogs, family, school, to them sharing some personal situations. These guys were great and I hope the adults in their lives keep them on the right path. It was a great pleasure meeting them!

2/18/13

Tiskilwa, IL. I come across so much wildlife I decided to record this herd of deer who jumped from the trail and galloped into and through the woods once I approached.

2/23/13