Day 557 – US – Illinois/ Indiana [Chicago to Gary]

13/10/21

47km

  From Chicago (Illinois) to Gary (Indiana)

North America

Leaving Chicago by Lake Michigan’s shore trail, into the 8th state of the crossing: Indiana – with a welcome committee from Connie!

I have really enjoyed Chicago. Such a lively city, with a proper town center, so nice to walk there, with the squares, and the trees and the parks… the shops, the cafes, the restaurants… I had a really good time there. Now I know there will only be a few cities with such a vibe before I reach NYC… and I sure am looking forward to seeing them.

Leaving Chicago by Lake Michigan’s trail

I left Chicago via the Lake Michigan shore trail. It was so beautiful in the morning light. I kept taking pictures of the city, deeming further and further away from where I was. I seem to notice a veil (of pollution?) hanging over the city… but it was beautiful nonetheless. The bike and pedestrian paths went on for well over 20km, what a pleasure to enjoy the nature and the lake shore away from traffic and noise.

I then ran across a less glamorous part of Chicago, the Southern suburbs, then the industrial zone (loads of petroleum industry, the smell was very nauseous).

Lake Michigan’s shores

Then I got into a more countryside environment, it felt better. I reached Gary (in fact, the outskirt of Gary, Hammond). And as I took the turn to my motel, I saw my welcome committee of the day! What a joy… Connie organised this. Who is Connie? Well, she is connected to Dr Lisa Bliss – if you have read this Blog long enough, you would know that on my 5th day of the American crossing, leaving from Ellensburg (WA) to Vantage, I met Dr Lisa Bliss on her bike and we became friends. Lisa is amongst USA’s top american Trail Runners of all times. Google her and you’ll see for yourself.

From the moment I met Lisa, my US crossing was interspersed with encounters with friends of hers, fellow runners, even family members, as I now am friends with her mum too, whom I met in Beloit WI.

With Dave (left) and Connie (right)

Connie is an acquaintance of Lisa. But not only. She has also met Jesper Olsen (World Runner #1) on his US crossing. She has met him on the road (near where I am today). And she is now in charge of Sponsorship/Fundraising for Jesper’s Antarctica crossing… Needless to say, she was very chuffed about meeting another “world runner” so to speak!

I got gifted a zucchini bread, baked by her neighbour Patti, and Connie was there with Dave a Vietnam Veteran who was very admirative of the journey.

These encounters really warm my heart. I should be able to meet Connie again tomorrow in Michigan City, and this time, we’ll have time to sit down at the local brewery and share a beer together!

Enjoy the video of today’s run: https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2yKEzJ4q

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: