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- - - - DAY 4 - THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008 - - - -

  Today's Distance: 26 Miles
  Today's Route: Powder River/Hwy. 12 to Miles City, MT
  Today's Weather: Freezing Rain... Then LOTS of Snow!!
  Current Elevation: 2,362 Feet (288' Less Than Tuesday)
  Total Distance Traveled: 88 Miles
  Total Distance Remaining: 532 Miles

Paul's Thoughts For Today:

This was one of the most difficult days on the road with Bob that I've ever had... and I'm not exaggerating! It was very exhausting, from start to finish. Let me tell you about my day - which continued this week's trend of extremes. As most of you know from reading Tuesday's journal entry, it was around 85 degrees and incredibly hot just two days ago. This part of Montana has not had any considerable precipitation for at least one month and the brown, barren countryside showed that on Tuesday. However, today is Thursday... and sooo much can change in just 48 hours! You likely see that in the comparison pictures above!

Karen Huckins drove me out to the Powder River this morning in a downpour that was accompanied by a persistent wind out of the north. I knew right away that this was going to be a challenging day. Karen dropped me off and then stayed close by in her car for the first hour to make sure that I was going to do okay on my less-than-perfect left foot. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, you'll want to read yesterday's journal entry. I had all of my rain gear on and was equipped for the 42-degree blowing rain. Karen then headed back into Miles City and I continued down the road. Shortly afterward, Sergeant Cal Schock drove out from Miles City in his patrol car to see how I was doing. I really appreciated him checking on me... which he did periodically throughout the day. Thanks Cal! It was a real comfort to know that you were in the area... particularly on this very demanding day.

So, you're probably wondering what made the day "demanding". The driving rain became colder as the temperature dropped. I was about 7 miles into the day's trek when the rain began to change to snow, and it got colder (32 degrees). The wind continued out of the north and was coming at me pretty hard. The two hours of rain that started my day slowly seeped into my various layers and then the cold snow slowly began to lower my body temperature. Before I knew it, I was in nearly a blizzard with snowplows going by and visibility dropping to less that one-quarter mile. The shoulder of the road was slowly disappearing beneath the snow and the roadway was getting very slushy and icy. The hilly terrain added to the difficulty in that the road had constant bends in it. This was not a day to have an iPod in my ears! I had to hear cars coming from the front and from behind... particularly the snowplows!

Karen Huckins logged over 130 miles today by driving out and checking on me. She brought me hot chocolate and even a hamburger, which I truly appreciated. Karen and her husband Gary have been absolutely wonderful by allowing me to be at their home during these particular days of running/walking in the Miles City area. Eastern Montana has some absolutely wonderful people, and the Huckins' are truly wonderful. There are others, of course, who were concerned about my well being today. In fact, I was offered a total of 8 rides... and one cup of coffee! I got a temporary ego boost from a large cowboy/rancher who stopped in his oversized truck. He was wearing a ten-gallon cowboy hat (which for those of you who don't know... means it was big) and he asked me what I was doing. I told him and this big fella simply replied, "You're tougher than me!" That made me feel pretty good... for about 10 minutes until the wind began to come out of the west directly into my face. Then I was thinking that guy in the big cowboy hat has probably endured a lot of wind in this territory on his ranch and in all actuality, is likely tougher than me. So, my temporarily inflated ego decreased. I pushed on to Miles City.

The day was a total of 26 miles and I arrived in Miles City feeling very cold. I could tell that my core body temperature had dropped and I was in need of warmth immediately. Karen Huckins picked me up at the junction of Interstate 94 (which I will take into Hathaway) and I got back to the house and got in a warm tub with a cup of cocoa. My core temperature increased and I began to feel much better. In fact, I waited to write this entry until my hands had shaken off the cold of the day.

Miles City is forecasted to get 3 to 5 inches of snow tonight, and as I write this the snow is coming down pretty hard. I just spoke to the sergeant, Cal Schock, and he gave me some recommendations for tomorrow - including a web site that shows the surface temperature of the roadway I'm scheduled to be on. Tomorrow is slated to be about 27 miles from Miles City into Hathaway, and it could be quite challenging on the Interstate if we do get up to 5 inches of snow. However, the temperature is supposed to climb to 47 degrees tomorrow. If that's the case, it will make for better conditions later in the morning. So, my thought at this time is to try to head out at around 10am. That will give commuters enough time to get into work and for the snowplows to take care of the Interstate. So, that's the current plan.

Bob is drying out after this incredibly wet and cold day. I have some laundry going and have been treated to some wonderful chicken noodle soup that has helped to warm my inners! I'm sure I'll sleep well. Today was was truly a contrast to a couple of days ago! I hope everyone is enjoying P.A.C.E. Trek 2008 and I truly appreciate the support and encouragement from so many friends, family, teachers, students and those that I come across on this journey - including Karen, Gary, Cal, Wayne, Mary, Nellie, Randy, and others who have helped me along the way. I know that this journey appears to be "solo" in that it is just Bob and I alone on the road. However, there are people behind the scenes providing meals, beds, and more... assisting in a huge way to help get me back out onto the road for another day. It is a "team effort" and the team behind the scenes are people who give selflessly of their time and generosity to help keep me (and Bob) moving forward.

I've posted 4 videos from today and will aim to post a few pictures tomorrow morning before I head down the road. I'm just a little too tired right now to do the pictures for this day. Stay tuned... they'll be coming!

Thanks for checking in after this cold winter-like day. Is it really May 1? Hopefully, spring is coming soon. Time for rest!

Today's Montana "Did You Know?"...
The largest snowflake ever recorded in the United States fell on January 28, 1887 at Fort Keogh in Miles City, Montana, according to Guinness World Records. The flake measured 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.

Today's Native Americans "Did You Know?"...
Indians extracted oil from the many layers of fat that came with fresh bear meat. The fat was boiled down in earthen pots to produce the oil, which was stored in gourds and pots. The oil was used for cooking and beautifying the body. Indians would mix red pigment with the oil, add the fragrances of cinnamon and sassafras, and rub it on their bodies.

Today's Fitness "Did You Know?"...
Today is the first day of National Physical Education and Sport Week (May 1-7). The theme this year is "Moving Is A Learning Experience." Certainly P.A.C.E. Trek 2008 is an experience that involves both moving and learning! Be sure to move and learn this week!

Your Turn! Share Your Thoughts With Paul...
Click here to sign the official P.A.C.E. Trek 2008 guestbook!

Thanks for stopping by this milepost update. Run back here tomorrow!

Keeping on PACE,

Along The Way...

Near Miles City, Montana is PIROGUE ISLAND STATE PARK, which is a typical cottonwood-covered Yellowstone River island. It provides a natural haven for waterfowl, bald eagles, and both white-tailed and mule deer. Wildlife viewing, fishing, river floating and moss agate (gemstone) hunting are popular activities. Due to the site’s location, birds typically associated with a more eastern range are frequently observed at this locale during spring and fall migrations. Examples include Indigo bunting, Rose-breasted grosbeak and Green heron along with various mid-continent warblers. Woodland and wetland/riparian birds can be found along the river and side channel as well as grassland/meadow birds. Although there are no designated hiking trails, the site is level and easily walked throughout the 269 acres. The park is located 1 mile north of Miles City on MT Hwy 22, then 2 miles east on Kinsey Road, then 2 miles south on county road.

Paul's Current Position In Montana