By Josh Zelazny
On November 14, 2001, a group of 23 people met at school for a Mini-School hiking trip. We set sail around 6:00 am and not one person was late (that is very unusual). About half way to Grantsburg, WI we made the usual stop to McDonald’s. Afterwards we were on the open road again. Finally we arrived, unloaded everything and packed up our hiking gear! Around 9:30 am we started walking down the trail, continuing until around lunchtime when we stopped at a picnic table and had a snack. After our snack Merlin set off ahead of us while we all rested trying to get enough motivation to get up with the heavy packs on our backs.
After walking about umm…. another mile we spotted an unbelievably steep hill repeating to myself, “I hope we don’t have to walk up that!” but knowing my luck… of course we did! A couple of people decided to take a head start and run for it but soon after they were lying on the trail out of breath. Finally we all made it to the top of the unbelievably huge hill. While everyone was resting others were eating lunch and talking.
About an hour passed by and it was time to start hiking again. We went about another mile and a half and came to notice a huge area missing numerous trees; acres and acres just missing. While we were stopped and looking at this in disbelief we noticed Merlin doing the same thing we were! After talking with Merlin and Doug later in the day we came to find out that it was called a “clear cut” used for logging.
Finally we reached our campsite and set up camp using tarps because we did not bring tents. We all made bungalows except Kali Johnson and Amanda Sheats, they slept out in the rain. After all of the commotion settled we had school and dinner, then night games. Around 10:00 everyone was exhausted and sleeping.
In the morning we ate oatmeal for breakfast, packed our bags and did the same thing all over again. Everyone was walking either in groups or as couples. In our group we heard about the dreadful trip last year because of the early snow and last thing I know, it was the end.
The participants were…
Students: Joe Allen, Jeremy Appollo, Sarah Beegle, Andrew Bernstein, April Brown, Noah Bystrom, Billy Davis, Kali Johnson, Lindsay Klug, Alissa Kuder, Steve Lawson, Liz Mattson, Jake Rutstien, Amanda Sheats, Ryan Sterns, Jake Stumme, Krissy Valdez, Amanda Wegler, and Josh Zelazny.
Staff and such: Merlin Zimmerman, Doug Berg, Charlie Urbia, Ryan Prich, Paula Wegler (providing additional transportation, Thank You!)