Madison, WI

Started walk at 7:55 a.m.

It was an overcast morning and mild. About a quarter inch of new snow fell during the night and was still falling lightly during the walk. Chance and I were not the first to mark the new snow. Two runners had left their waffle-like sole tracks on the sidewalk before us.

It was a quiet walk. Few birds were letting themselves be seen or heard with the exception of a four ducks that had paddled inland to the source of a spring-fed stream choked with watercress. They were startled by our approach and frantically flapped away through the overhanging branches as we passed on the boardwalk.

Coffee -- Costa Rican -- Excellent. Muffin -- Cranberry --Good.

As an added note, Wisconsin residents and businesses are getting prepared for the 5:30 Super Bowl kick-off. Case in point is the coffee shop where Chance and I make our daily trek. It's usually open until 7:00 p.m. on Sundays, but today they're closing at 5:00 p.m. Likewise, my wife told me that Barnes & Noble, the large book store chain, will be closing their Madison store early because of the Super Bowl. Go Pack!