Valmeyer to Modoc Shelter Rock; Distance = 28.5 Miles; People Met = 4
We carried full packs on this stretch, and that was the good news. Winds exceeded 30 mph on the first day, dying down in time for the coldest night on the journey so far. The full packs actually help to provide shelter from wind and precipitation while walking. We stayed on the Bluff Road, named for its location near the bluffs on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, providing further shelter. At night we were fortunate to find a depression with trees. We slept warm enough but it was still a pain to break camp with temperatures in the teens.
We saw all varieties of raptors on this stretch. A sleepy owl in a tree barely seemed to notice us. A bald eagle took flight; we were just able to catch its magnificent outstretched wings. Most striking was a flock of red-headed vultures (is “flock” the right term?) alternating between basking on the bluffs and taking an occasional pleasure flight above us.
The only people we met long enough to catch their names were at a convenience store in New Valmeyer. The “New” in Valmeyer was due to relocating the old flooded town up to the top of the bluffs. Those who chose to stay down in the floodplain could no longer get flood insurance; all but a few decided to move the town to higher ground.
Angie works at the Valmeyer convenience store
Tim, Ty and Lyla
We did get our first ride offer in Illinois, though we failed to get his name or picture. We also failed to meet Harry, the council president for the United Methodist Church in Ellis Grove where we stayed the second evening.
Other Photos
Planning ahead?
More budget cuts
I'd want to know why the tree is leaning first
Extreme? They need to see the White Mountains.
