After more than two months of walking, the generosity of strangers is what surprises Natalie Koffarnus the most.
The Wisconsin resident on May 3 set out on the Ice Age Trail from St. Croix Falls with the goal of walking the entire 1,200-mile path to Potawatomi State Park by Aug. 1. It’s the kindness of people she’s never met that has helped her along the way.
Trail “angels” are Ice Age Trail Alliance members who offer food, refreshments or shelter to hikers such as Koffarnus. Member Bob Baker accompanied Koffarnus on her journey for a short time as she passed through the Janesville portion of the trail, the southern-most tip before it turns north.
At the end of each week, a nearby Veterans of Foreign Wars member picks up Koffarnus and lets her shower, eat and do her laundry before giving her a place to stay for the night.
“For anybody who doesn’t believe in the goodness of people, go for a walk and you’ll be startled at how good everyday people are,” the 30-year-old hiker said.
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I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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