Day 50 Wabasha, MN to Dakota, MN 51 miles

Easy mile day. Gradual hills, beautiful views of the Mississippi River, high clay bluffs and even a quick spot at the spring to cool off and take a dip. We made it to Dakota by 1pm and headed back to the cousin’s house to stay another night. We showered, and played an endless round of cards. Towards the evening I went up to call my parents, and the reception wasn’t great so I stepped out on the porch. While talking with my dad, I sat on a chair, and within a minute was swarmed by wasps. My feet immediately started to feel pain. I screamed into the phone, “Wasps!! Dad got to go, getting stung!” I ran inside and it’s hard to describe the painful sting of a wasp. It felt like needles were continuously piercing my skin. I ran over to the sink and ran cold water over each foot one at a time. I was starting to panic cause of the pain. I got out the first aid packet and rubbed a stinging wipe over both feet. Within minutes my feet were swollen, and the pain ridiculous. Matt came up the stairs as I was crying, sitting on the floor, holding my feet in my hands. I told him what had happened and he reminded me that I should take Benadryl right away. I popped two and waited for the pain to subside. Within 5 minutes, the pain reduced and I was able to walk around. For the next hour it felt like red ants biting feet, but it was manageable as the meds started to fog out my senses. I went down stairs and played two more rounds of cards, before retreating to the bedroom to pass out. It was only 8pm. The next morning, the swelling was gone, the pain was gone, and all that was left were eight tiny puncture marks where I had gotten stung.  I found out that I slept through a fresh venison and cucumber salad dinner and a card game that lasted until midnight.