Latest Update from Karla

Subj: Madison, Wisconsin
Date: 10/25/02 3:17:01 AM !!!First Boot!!!
From:    kbwalk@mymailstation.com

Howdy Everyone!
  Things have been going well as I've been marching along from town to town
and fire station to fire station.
  In Waupun, the fire chief visited with some church members and I ended up
staying with Earl and Lynn at their house. The next day I headed for Beaver
Dam and stayed at the fire station there.   Chief Del was a hoot, and when he
asked me where I was from and I said "Kansas," he said "I'm sorry." He then
contacted the Fire Chief in Columbus, and Chief Dykstra said sure. Columbus
has a volunteer fire department, and that evening was their practice -- and on
those evenings they fix a big supper for their volunteers. So I really lucked
out that night! The next morning when I headed outside, it was snowing and
blowing hard and the flakes were big! It olny lasted for a few minutes, but I
thought it was pretty neat! I got out my gloves and my stocking cap and
continued on.
  A week or so ago I had contacted the Epilepsy Foundation office in Madison,
and they were helping to make some arrangements for me. So when I left
Columbus and headed for Sun Prairie, I stayed at Berts home. He's the
outreach coordinator for the Epilepsy Foundation, and that evening we attended
a support group meeting back in Beaver Dam -- where I had just come from!
  Today I was in Madison, the Capitol of Wisconsin. I spent some time at the
office catching up on some of my stuff, and then attended a support meeting in
the afternoon. I also tried to contact some schools, but found out that
there's a statewide teachers convention going on the 2 days I'll be in town --
so there's no school for me to talk at! What are the odds of that happening?!
I was also able to make several contacts for places to stay at as I head down
the road from here. In fact, I've got places lined up for all the rest of
Wisconsin, so that's a good feeling.
  I also found out that for the next 40 miles or so I can walk on a bike
trail. I was THRILLED to hear about that, because for the last 40 miles or so
I've been walking on a 4-lane freeway -- and I don't enjoy that nearly as much
as a slower, 2-lane highway. Anyhow, the 4-lane freeway runs 40 miles north
of Madison and 40 miles south of Madison, and I'm glad to know that from here
on out I can take the rail-trail. That will be a wonderful change.
  On friday I plan on being at the office in the morning, then in the
afternoon we're going to do a little bit of sight-seeing. We'll check out the
4 lakes here in Madison -- Mendota, Menona, Wingra and Kegonsa. Plus we'll
stop at the Capitol, possibly check out a couple museums and see the botanical
gardens. Anyway, it should be a great day before I head out of town on
saturday.
  Y'all take care and have a great weekend! KB

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