Todayâs Mystery Trail Hike will be led by your co-leaders, Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie. They are prone to bickering and getting lost in their own world, but youâre in good hands for your hike. Since Jessica and Marcus hail from Pineville, New Jersey, this jaunt in Normal, Illinois is a little more urban than your average hike.
While thereâs no dress code, we highly recommend you wear either a day of the week t-shirt (ironed if you can manage it) or a shirt with the simple words - you.yes.you. Running shoes are great for todayâs hike - weâre spending our time on a paved trail, so really any shoes will work.
We start at the Circle. This is part of our Uptown area. Jessica would want to hate it, but itâs pretty cool, so sheâll give it a chance. We suggest you do the same. If you have time, stop at the Coffee Hound to grab a drink. This is going to be a pretty leisurely stroll. Marcus may be late - depends on if he arrives with Jessica or arrives on his own.Â
Marcus and Jessica are a perfect fit to lead the hike. Marcus will be a more calming influence, and will happily hang out with the back of the pack. No hurrying for Marcus. Jessica will lead the group at a brisk pace - her running background has prepared her well, along with her type A personality. Her keen observation skills will make sure you donât lose any hikers, that you stay on time, and that donât miss anything!Â
Head north on the trail. Now, this is a nice, paved trail - lots of shade, some streets to cross. Youâre starting by heading through an area with lots of adjacent college student apartments. Feel free to make snarky remarks about other people - it will make your leader, Jessica, feel right at home.
Be on the lookout for lots of runners, walkers, and bike riders. And dogs - lots of dogs. Feel free to say hello or offer a little wave to the people you pass - central Illinois can be a pretty friendly place. Or ignore everyone else. You do you.
On your hike youâll also probably see lots of squirrels. (Side note about squirrels - Our squirrels here are brown, but in nearby Champaign-Urbana where some of our Book Club group members live an hour away, their squirrels are gray. It has something to do with the Chicago Worldâs Fair. In Leroy, which is between Bloomington-Normal and Champaign-Urbana our squirrels are an ugly gray-brown mix. And everyone feels smarter for knowing this, right.)
If you pass a bench or enticing place to sit, this would be an excellent place to rest and write a letter to your best friend, or do some journaling.
There will be a break for Krispy Kreme doughnuts midway through todayâs hike. Ask Marcus to perform some spam email poetry for the group.
Feel free to start a Barry Manilow sing along at any time. If you know any Len Levy Four, you can bust that out too.
At the end of your hike, youâll end up back at the Circle. This may be a good time to stop in at Emack and Bolioâs for some ice cream - itâs no Wally Dâs Sweet Shoppe, but it will do.