For day 6 of 10, the 13+ mile hike took me to the to the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Winchell trail is one of the original trails in the area and it was a great opportunity to walk through some Twin Cities history. The loop took me through part of the University of Minnesota and on both sides of the river.

Day 5 of 10 was a 11 mile trek through and around Rice Lake, WI. I was nice to get some great scenery with Rice Lake, and the Red Cedar Rivers and backdrops. The Rice Lake Rotary Club has done a nice job putting up trail signage around the Trail system. It was another beautiful fall day, but cooler and the wind was definitely blowing. I feel pretty lucky to have had good weather. Rotary District 5960 Governor Dayle Quigley joined me for a quick walk around Moon Lake Park before we headed over to the noon Rotary meeting. Tomorrow I head back to Minnnesota.

Day 4 of 10 was a 13.6 mile hike from the Mississippi River Gateway park to our home. I was able to start the day with a walk across the Mississippi River dam that connects Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids, Minnesota. District 5950 Governor Lloyd Campbell joined me in the morning. It was great to have his support. It was another beautiful fall day in Minnesota!

Day 3 of 10 started out with the Arbor Lake trails in Maple Grove, Minnesota and ended with some of the trails around Rice Lake in Minnesota. It gets a little confusing. We live near two different Rice Lakes. One in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin. Both beautiful lakes in their own ways. It was another beautiful fall day in Minnesota.

The Italy team is getting very close to Rome and wrapping up their hike. I am on day 2 of 10 of my hike supporting this project. Today was a 10 mile hike in the beautiful Crow Hassan Park Preserve just NW of our home in Maple Grove. My wife Cheryl, and son Aaron joined me for the final 3 miles today. It was another beautiful fall day - this time in Minnesota.

Day 1 for me was a 10 mile hike along the Tascobia State Trail section of the Ice Age Trail. As an old railway the grade is friendly. You can almost feel the trains rolling down the tracks. The fall colors are definitely developing in Wisconsin.

Here is my plan for my 10 day #OneStepCloser Team hiking/walking adventure. Thanks for supporting Rotary's Polio Fund! Click the #OneStepCloser link above to see what the Italy group is doing too. The money all goes to the same place, so feel free to donate on this site or on their site.

** If you are a Rotarian, make sure to enter information on your Rotary membership so it can be connected to your personal Rotary Foundation donations, and your club will get credit for the donation.

Check back periodically for updates!