We chose the Kaintuck trail because it was close and had a natural spring along the trail so we could refill our water bottles. It also had several different loops around the area so if we got too exhausted we could always opt for a shorter hike.
As we approached our designated gravel road turn off we were unsure of the directions the guidebook had given. We soon realized that the directions were incorrect when we found ourselves on a road leading to someone's driveway. A dog ran out and started to chase our car all the way out to the main road. We tried to lose the dog several times but we just couldn't get going fast enough on the gravel road. He followed us nearly 3 miles jumping on the drivers side door the entire way. Once we got to the main road we peeled out and finally left the dog behind.
After realizing we should have turned left (instead of right as the book said) finding the trail parking lot was easier. Finding the trailhead was not. After walking for about an hour on what we thought was the trailhead we came to a dead end. Perplexed because we'd followed the directions well we retraced our steps looking to see if we missed a turnoff. We did not.
Going back to the main road we checked the map again and it appeared that the road might meet up with the trail in another spot so we took off on the gravel road. Up ahead we noticed a swarm of something. Cautiously approaching what could be mosquitoes, bees, or various wilderness insects we were ready to run in the opposite direction if necessary. Just a few more steps and we realized we were in the middle of a swarm of baby butterflies. There were probably at least 100 of them flying around, chasing each other, landing on us, just playing around on a magnificent day! We took a few moments to revel in their beauty. Blue, white, yellow, and orange colors fluttered around our senses. This was one of the most beautiful natural occurrences I've ever witnessed. After a few minutes we decided it was time to move on. Now knowing that the butterflies were a sign we were headed in the right direction we proceeded with new energy.
Soon a car passed by and we signaled for them to stop so that we could ask them about the trailhead. They said it was just a bit further down the road and would be marked by some large boulders. About 1/2 mile down we spotted the boulders that signified the beginning of the trail. RELIEF!!!! We wouldn't go home disappointed.
The trail was beautiful with a variety of different terrains-prairie, wetlands, and thick forest. Each step propelled a complex series of thought-beauty, serenity, happiness, worry, and confusion. We were obviously on the trail but actually had no idea where we were on the trail. We continued on and at each turn tried to make the best decision on which way to go to hopefully reach our overnight destination.
Around 5:30p.m. I started to get a little worried about where we were, fearing that we have to set up camp along the trail if it got dark. Shortly after my internal worrisome panic, we saw our first trail marker that gave us a point of reference. By this point our legs were fatigued and our packs felt about 5 lbs heavier but for the first time I actually believed we'd reach our destination before nightfall. Another hour passed and we came upon a clearing that lead to Wilkins pond.
The clearing was stunning and filled with tall prairie grasses. It was nice but not the place we were looking to camp. Supposedly there was an old homestead on the property that made for the best camping. Once again we ventured off relying on the words of a trail book to guide us. We never did reach the homestead but we did follow a road that led to an old grain silo. 
We considered pitching our tent here for the night since it was surrounded by flat, cleared land. It seemed to be the perfect spot until we discovered a make-shift fire pit and some empty beer cans. Figuring this was a spot that local teens come to party the decision was made to go back and camp near the pond. As fate would have it this turned out to be a great decision. Near the pond was a picnic bench and a fire ring. We were also a short hike to Wilkin's spring which was the whole point of the trip. Wilkin's spring is a freshwater spring that releases over 3 million gallons of water a day! Utterly impressed by our new surroundings we made camp and relaxed our tired bodies.
No matter how outdoorsy I think I am, there are moments when I realize I am still such a city girl. One of those is when I freak out because a bug is crawling on me and the other is when I wake up scared because I hear strange noises in the woods. What is fascinating to me is that I live in a city comprised of millions of people, a fairly dangerous city at that, yet when I'm completely alone in the woods I get scared. As I fell asleep I started thinking of horror movies that took place in the woods. I realized that no one knew where I was and if someone murdered us in our sleep no one would come to look for us. Paranoia is a strange thing because it is completely irrational. As I said before I'm much more likely to get murdered in the city than the country, statistically speaking.
Chuck and I bundled up in our fleece blanket and took refuge from the cold. It's amazing how cold 50 degrees feels once your used to a 90 degree summer.
Needless to say I was excited to see the sun come up. The sun's warmth was refreshing as it crystallized the droplets of dew across the landscape. 
We awoke to the sound of a cross-country team jogging around the pond. They were all wearing little jogging shorts and my mind went racing with thoughts thanks to the movie "Juno." I can never see guys jogging in little shorts without letting out a chuckle.
I was really looking forward to a stress-free day of hiking today since we now knew where we were going and understood the map a little better. We spent the early morning hiking to the spring and back to the abandoned grain silo. The weather was perfect and although my legs were aching it felt good to push them further and further.
It must have been butterfly season or something. We encountered so many flocks of butterflies throughout the trail and the area around the silo was no exception. Stunning! It reminded me of the the time Carrie and I were at the Tikal ruins walking amongst the morning dew only to discover thousands of bees covering every inch of the grass. The buzzing made in unison was unlike any sound I've ever heard before but that's another story entirely.
After packing up our tent and filling our bellies with granola bars and Chex Mix we headed out to take another route back to our car. This path was just as beautiful and majestic as the one we took in but since we knew we weren't lost it was much easier to slow down and take in the beautiful scenery. As we walked we contemplated the life of a butterfly. Do caterpillars know they are going to turn into butterflies or do they just instinctively start preparing a cocoon? We talked about the complexity of metamorphosing into another species all together. Then our talk shifting to tadpoles who start at as legless creatures and eventually turn into frogs. How amazing nature is!
Our talk of the natural world continued as we made our way back out of the trail. The strange thing was that we thought we knew where we were going and that we were on a completely different part of the trail. Ultimately this new trail led us directly back to the original trail we started on. None of our 3 maps could explain how this happened. I'm still puzzled by this but I guess it doesn't really matter.
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