Jeffers Brook Shelter
Left at 745AM and arrived at 3:45PM.
It rained. Took an early out. We're going to go till 7pm for a 22mile.
Took my 36 fall today. Yesterday's 35 fall I broke an AT log going over a stream and fell into a shoot and grabbed on to something. I felt something go on my side and thought nothing of it. Next day my kidney hurt on every step. I thought the tick medication was doing it until I remembered the fall. I took ibprophen and the pain went away...indicating a muscle pull.
Well we are moving into the whites but much more slowly than I anticipated.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
14.1.91 AT1776.3. 0 miles
Hexacube
A Dad call...zero day. No known issues.
Dan is scheduling a 22 mile day for tomorrow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
A Dad call...zero day. No known issues.
Dan is scheduling a 22 mile day for tomorrow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
13.7.90 AT1776.3 18m hike
Hexacube Shelter
Dan has been needing rest lately so we got out late at 7:30am. New Hampshire has been giving us mountains to climb again so we were very slow today.
Dan did get a tick bite today. We were pulling ticks off us all day even with the bug spray applied.
I'm hoping he'll get a good night sleep in tonight and be back to his old self. His 3.1 mph dropped to below 2mph which is slower than my pace.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Dan has been needing rest lately so we got out late at 7:30am. New Hampshire has been giving us mountains to climb again so we were very slow today.
Dan did get a tick bite today. We were pulling ticks off us all day even with the bug spray applied.
I'm hoping he'll get a good night sleep in tonight and be back to his old self. His 3.1 mph dropped to below 2mph which is slower than my pace.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, May 27, 2017
13.6.89 AT1758.6 11 mile hike
Moose Mountain tent site
We slept in at the Days Inn at Lebanon New Hampshire. Was a great day spent in Hanover on Friday with John Jr. He also was my advocate in getting me a 14 day treatment for a bad tick bite. We are so grateful for all the help he gave us.
We got back on the trail at 1pm after a 4.5 mile walk to the trailhead.
The ticks are worse than anything else on the trail. If I had known how bad they were going to be on The AT I would have reconsidered this quest. Lyme disease is a serious illness.
So Armed with deet and sunscreen to prevent burns from the sun due to the tick medication on what little skin I have exposed, hands, face, neck, we headed out to the trail.
I caught a big tick climbing on my feet sprayed sock and Dan pulled one that was just starting to bury itself in my feet sprayed skin.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We slept in at the Days Inn at Lebanon New Hampshire. Was a great day spent in Hanover on Friday with John Jr. He also was my advocate in getting me a 14 day treatment for a bad tick bite. We are so grateful for all the help he gave us.
We got back on the trail at 1pm after a 4.5 mile walk to the trailhead.
The ticks are worse than anything else on the trail. If I had known how bad they were going to be on The AT I would have reconsidered this quest. Lyme disease is a serious illness.
So Armed with deet and sunscreen to prevent burns from the sun due to the tick medication on what little skin I have exposed, hands, face, neck, we headed out to the trail.
I caught a big tick climbing on my feet sprayed sock and Dan pulled one that was just starting to bury itself in my feet sprayed skin.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Hanover,United States
Friday, May 26, 2017
13.5.89 AT1743 15m
Days Inn
Dan got up an hour early but not two hours early when I tried to wake him up. So he told me before the start of the hike that I had to average 2.5 miles per hour over the 15 miles so we could meet Dr. John Mattimore Jr in Hanover New Hampshire. Ok I got the message....I am normally a 2.2 mph hiker. But I had no food to weigh me down and something for the old man to prove so I took off past him and never looked back. I broke my record and did 3.33 mph and beat him by 15 minutes...though I didn't tell him it was a race. How he puts up with me I'll never know.
We stopped at Lou's Diner where John Jr came up from Boston to see us at his old college Dartmouth. We then took his two westies for a walk, got settled in at the Days Inn and off for a resupply at wal mart , and Eastern Mountain sports for new hiking shoes and to dinner at Jessie's Steak house.
As we said our goodbyes at the Inn and John drove off he soon got a call. I found a tick buried in my groin. He came back and took me to the ER at The Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. 14 days of dioxcylene. off to CVS and then back to the Inn to finally drop Dan and I off.
Thank god for my great sons!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Dan got up an hour early but not two hours early when I tried to wake him up. So he told me before the start of the hike that I had to average 2.5 miles per hour over the 15 miles so we could meet Dr. John Mattimore Jr in Hanover New Hampshire. Ok I got the message....I am normally a 2.2 mph hiker. But I had no food to weigh me down and something for the old man to prove so I took off past him and never looked back. I broke my record and did 3.33 mph and beat him by 15 minutes...though I didn't tell him it was a race. How he puts up with me I'll never know.
We stopped at Lou's Diner where John Jr came up from Boston to see us at his old college Dartmouth. We then took his two westies for a walk, got settled in at the Days Inn and off for a resupply at wal mart , and Eastern Mountain sports for new hiking shoes and to dinner at Jessie's Steak house.
As we said our goodbyes at the Inn and John drove off he soon got a call. I found a tick buried in my groin. He came back and took me to the ER at The Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. 14 days of dioxcylene. off to CVS and then back to the Inn to finally drop Dan and I off.
Thank god for my great sons!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:I-89 S,Lebanon,United States
13.4.88 AT1733 21m hike
Thistle hill Shelter
Cool day then rain. Lot of hill work. Going into Hanover New Hampshire tomorrow to meet my son Dr John Jr. Then to lou,s for breakfast and to the dirt cowboy for coffee and to Ben and Jerrys and to the pizza place.
Two Texans in their mid 50s doing 300 miles of the AT. Fun to chat Vermont.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Cool day then rain. Lot of hill work. Going into Hanover New Hampshire tomorrow to meet my son Dr John Jr. Then to lou,s for breakfast and to the dirt cowboy for coffee and to Ben and Jerrys and to the pizza place.
Two Texans in their mid 50s doing 300 miles of the AT. Fun to chat Vermont.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:N Main St,Hanover,United States
13.3.87 AT1710.8 20mile
Stony Brook Shelter
Left the Shelter at 6:30am. All the old farts had left already. Two north bound flip floppers one thrasher (a thrasher is a guy whom quits the trail then starts back up where he quit). We won't see them again since none were hiking this far today.
Stopped at the Killington Deli for a 3 day resupply at mile 14 and some deli sandwiches and drinks...$103. Also stopped at the outfitters where Dan got socks.
Serena Williams, a disabled vet whom started in January is here. He plans on doing the PCT next year.
I'm excited about hitting the whites. I'm the slow man so I got to give 100 percent. As far as in shape goes this is at good as it gets at 61. Just have to keep moving forward as efficiently as possible without taking breaks until the top of the hill is reached and those breaks are not for rest but to refuel with water and food.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Left the Shelter at 6:30am. All the old farts had left already. Two north bound flip floppers one thrasher (a thrasher is a guy whom quits the trail then starts back up where he quit). We won't see them again since none were hiking this far today.
Stopped at the Killington Deli for a 3 day resupply at mile 14 and some deli sandwiches and drinks...$103. Also stopped at the outfitters where Dan got socks.
Serena Williams, a disabled vet whom started in January is here. He plans on doing the PCT next year.
I'm excited about hitting the whites. I'm the slow man so I got to give 100 percent. As far as in shape goes this is at good as it gets at 61. Just have to keep moving forward as efficiently as possible without taking breaks until the top of the hill is reached and those breaks are not for rest but to refuel with water and food.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
13.2.86 AT1690.2. 23m hike
Governor Clement Shelter
Dan, Billy Goat and I hiked out at 6:30am.
I was able to keep up with them for the first two hours then caught back up to them at mile 16 where they had been eating lunch for 25 minutes and Billy Goat was catching a ride to a hostel.
The walk was great. Pine forests, mountain streams, a big owl and a nice rock climb.
Tomorrow we climb Killington mountain and resupply in town. We'll hit Hanover New Hampshire on Friday. We will stay at our first hotel since I can't remember. Dan will try and get a required series of shots that are remaining requirements for his medical school.
We are down to 500 miles to go...less than 5 weeks.
44 percent of the work is in New Hampshire and Maine. We are ready and will give it our all.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Route 4,Killington,United States
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
13.1.85 AT1667.2 19.3 mile
Big Branch Shelter
Left our 27 mile hike out of the blog yesterday...to late to write.
With Billy Goat for the second day. We get a lot of chatter in on our hikes making the time go by faster.
We have been climbing 3 to almost 4K feet mountains each day.
Seeing a lot of moose poop. Apparently we are not the only ones using the trail.
Was cool yesterday and cooler and rainy today.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Left our 27 mile hike out of the blog yesterday...to late to write.
With Billy Goat for the second day. We get a lot of chatter in on our hikes making the time go by faster.
We have been climbing 3 to almost 4K feet mountains each day.
Seeing a lot of moose poop. Apparently we are not the only ones using the trail.
Was cool yesterday and cooler and rainy today.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Clarendon,United States
Saturday, May 20, 2017
12.6.84 AT1620,7 27mile
Godard Shelter
Coyotes we're gathered 30 feet from the tent calling each other at 3am
Got on the trail at 6am. We are now in Vermont. We got to our tent site at 7:30pm.
Every night we do a tick check and usually spot a tic.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Coyotes we're gathered 30 feet from the tent calling each other at 3am
Got on the trail at 6am. We are now in Vermont. We got to our tent site at 7:30pm.
Every night we do a tick check and usually spot a tic.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Glastenbury,United States
12.5.82 AT1593.8 25m hike
2.5 miles from Vermont border. We did a 6 day resupply at the stop and shop..$150.
Had my happy dance shoes on the last 2,1 mile rock hopping downhill. Even sprinted on the stretch points. Waited 7 min for Dan a very very rare event.
A very nice stroll through the Berkshires will end today as we pick up on the Green mountains of Vermont tomorrow.
Had a heck of a thunderstorm and lightning show for at least 5 hours last night as we were in the tent. Powerful winds too.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Had my happy dance shoes on the last 2,1 mile rock hopping downhill. Even sprinted on the stretch points. Waited 7 min for Dan a very very rare event.
A very nice stroll through the Berkshires will end today as we pick up on the Green mountains of Vermont tomorrow.
Had a heck of a thunderstorm and lightning show for at least 5 hours last night as we were in the tent. Powerful winds too.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, May 18, 2017
12.4.81 AT1573
Crystal Camping Campsite
Getting out at 5:15am to hike 25miles and got subs and ice cream in Dalton.
The toads are jumping out of the way of our steps. I hope the toads hurry up and get fat on gnats and mosquitoes which are unbearable at times.
Massachusetts is different terrain than other states. More pine and rounded mountains. Glacial ponds, swamps, and swamps turned back into ponds by beavers.
We are both getting used to the heat. The key is drinking more water than you think you need and drinking often. That slows us down so it puts in for a longer day.. 13 hours.
Moose has been spotted in this area. And we saw the scat on the trail.
I'm up to 23 falls so far...maybe I'll break Scott Jerrick's record of 120. Dan is at 5.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Getting out at 5:15am to hike 25miles and got subs and ice cream in Dalton.
The toads are jumping out of the way of our steps. I hope the toads hurry up and get fat on gnats and mosquitoes which are unbearable at times.
Massachusetts is different terrain than other states. More pine and rounded mountains. Glacial ponds, swamps, and swamps turned back into ponds by beavers.
We are both getting used to the heat. The key is drinking more water than you think you need and drinking often. That slows us down so it puts in for a longer day.. 13 hours.
Moose has been spotted in this area. And we saw the scat on the trail.
I'm up to 23 falls so far...maybe I'll break Scott Jerrick's record of 120. Dan is at 5.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Dalton,United States
12.3.80 AT1548,3 21m
Upper Goose Pond Shelter
Watched a big porcupine make gruff snorting sounds as he waddled past our tent at 2 am to climb a 25 foot tree to the very top branches that overhanged a. 40 foot cliff and start munching on branches in the moonlight.
We hiked out at 6am and by 9am it was in the 70s and soon rose above 80. Dan was not happy with the heat.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Watched a big porcupine make gruff snorting sounds as he waddled past our tent at 2 am to climb a 25 foot tree to the very top branches that overhanged a. 40 foot cliff and start munching on branches in the moonlight.
We hiked out at 6am and by 9am it was in the 70s and soon rose above 80. Dan was not happy with the heat.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Hinsdale,United States
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
12.2.79 AT1527 23m 664m to go
Tom Leonard Shelter
Got a nice tent site with a great view of the valley, mountain stream and bird songs.
We did great the first 6 hours then slowed the last four seemingly running out of energy in the heat of the day.
We'll fix that by getting up at 5 am and getting 7 good hours in.
Dan got a good video of getting a porcupine off the AT trail.
We are in Massachusetts and like the influx of tall pine trees, smooth rock ridges, scrub pine on the mountain tops.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Got a nice tent site with a great view of the valley, mountain stream and bird songs.
We did great the first 6 hours then slowed the last four seemingly running out of energy in the heat of the day.
We'll fix that by getting up at 5 am and getting 7 good hours in.
Dan got a good video of getting a porcupine off the AT trail.
We are in Massachusetts and like the influx of tall pine trees, smooth rock ridges, scrub pine on the mountain tops.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Great Barrington,United States
Monday, May 15, 2017
12.1.78 AT1504 20.1
Brassie Brook Shelter
Just Dan and me. Did pass a cluster of YALE'ies in shorts on the edge of a cliff. They were studying the habits of lemmings . I don't think we'll see them again.
Was a 10 mile hike to the powerful falls of the housitanic river. Then to an upscale grocery store where we got a good quality resupply at record price for a 3 day resupply of $173. That included two $10 foot long great subs.
We'll hit Massachusetts Tomorrow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Just Dan and me. Did pass a cluster of YALE'ies in shorts on the edge of a cliff. They were studying the habits of lemmings . I don't think we'll see them again.
Was a 10 mile hike to the powerful falls of the housitanic river. Then to an upscale grocery store where we got a good quality resupply at record price for a 3 day resupply of $173. That included two $10 foot long great subs.
We'll hit Massachusetts Tomorrow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Salisbury,United States
Sunday, May 14, 2017
11.7.77 AT1482.2. 25 mile hike
Pine Swamp Shelter
Hiked with Billy Goat for.maybe the last time. He got a ride to the hostel at the 21 mile mark.
Got to the Shelter and it was overrun by Yale students. Shouldn't they have summer jobs? We tented out. Luckily the forecast for 5pm rains didn't hold.
Connecticut has shown us nice glacier lakes, swamps, birds, toads, trout streams, and lesser elevation mountain with big long well worn rock exposure on the ridges.
One more day in Connecticut.
We are also checking for ticks. Both Dan and I had one on us today.
Weather was cool and nice for hiking.
We've hiked 67 miles in 3 days.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Hiked with Billy Goat for.maybe the last time. He got a ride to the hostel at the 21 mile mark.
Got to the Shelter and it was overrun by Yale students. Shouldn't they have summer jobs? We tented out. Luckily the forecast for 5pm rains didn't hold.
Connecticut has shown us nice glacier lakes, swamps, birds, toads, trout streams, and lesser elevation mountain with big long well worn rock exposure on the ridges.
One more day in Connecticut.
We are also checking for ticks. Both Dan and I had one on us today.
Weather was cool and nice for hiking.
We've hiked 67 miles in 3 days.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Sharon,United States
11.6.76 AT1458 20mile hike
10 Mile River Shelter
Welcome to Connecticut the gateway to New England.
Big NorEastern storm is now battering our Shelter with rain.
The Shelter holds 6. A young couple out for the weekend, Dan and I and Billy Goat, and 3 section hikers...1 is sleeping in a hammock outside....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Welcome to Connecticut the gateway to New England.
Big NorEastern storm is now battering our Shelter with rain.
The Shelter holds 6. A young couple out for the weekend, Dan and I and Billy Goat, and 3 section hikers...1 is sleeping in a hammock outside....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, May 12, 2017
11.5.75 AT1438 27m
Shelter
Nice hike on The AT Hudson trail. Long 12 hour 27 mile hike. Only New Jersey John a 58 year old section hiker is with us. Quite a funny hard working construction guy with a wife and 3 grand kids back home.
Going to be a big storm tomorrow and we'll be hiking 20 miles.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Nice hike on The AT Hudson trail. Long 12 hour 27 mile hike. Only New Jersey John a 58 year old section hiker is with us. Quite a funny hard working construction guy with a wife and 3 grand kids back home.
Going to be a big storm tomorrow and we'll be hiking 20 miles.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trail,Beekman,United States
Thursday, May 11, 2017
11.3.73 AT1388.9 27m hike
Traveled through NY. Was tough to find white blazes due to random crisscrossing of trails.
Was exhausted and went to bed at the Shelter. Other than seeing a male and female turkey happy with the views nothing special.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Was exhausted and went to bed at the Shelter. Other than seeing a male and female turkey happy with the views nothing special.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
11.4.74 AT1409.9 20mile hike
Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Had a full Shelter last ER night. Professor T is 65year old just retired university of Vermont Elec. Engineering professor
Firecracker is graduating from Moravian College And will be getting off the trail in June to do that. Snap was there also as well as a billy goat a physical therapist who got the okay from his employer to hike the trail. He lives on Raleigh North Carolina.
Dan said we are now averaging 19 miles a day. He's now shooting for finishing July 3 or earlier.
We hiked 3 mountains today. Bear mountain was my favorite. The monument at the top was named for an old Department of Public works guy. The steps up the mountain were made from the mountain to fit the mountain and to make it easy to climb a tough mountain and enjoy the view rather than watching where to step.
We hiked through an old zoo though the red foxes were a very dull red compared to the vibrant red fox I saw 2 days before in the wild.
We are staying at a monks community and tenting out not too far from the trail.
Tomorrow some heavy rains from the south are
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Had a full Shelter last ER night. Professor T is 65year old just retired university of Vermont Elec. Engineering professor
Firecracker is graduating from Moravian College And will be getting off the trail in June to do that. Snap was there also as well as a billy goat a physical therapist who got the okay from his employer to hike the trail. He lives on Raleigh North Carolina.
Dan said we are now averaging 19 miles a day. He's now shooting for finishing July 3 or earlier.
We hiked 3 mountains today. Bear mountain was my favorite. The monument at the top was named for an old Department of Public works guy. The steps up the mountain were made from the mountain to fit the mountain and to make it easy to climb a tough mountain and enjoy the view rather than watching where to step.
We hiked through an old zoo though the red foxes were a very dull red compared to the vibrant red fox I saw 2 days before in the wild.
We are staying at a monks community and tenting out not too far from the trail.
Tomorrow some heavy rains from the south are
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Philipstown,United States
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
11.2.71 AT1361.9 24mile
Waywayyonder Shelter
Was a quick resupply in town day.
Had to pay cash $158.40 for 5 days of food. Almost beat The Citgo gas station record which was $164. Give me Dollar General!
Hiked by swamp land that was converted to agricultural land that was reconverted back to swamp land as a wild life preserve.
Saw blue bird, terns, red wing blackbirds, gray cat birds.
Then to the AT New Jersey boardwalk through a natural swamp. Saw my first red fox by before the swamp.
Climbed the "Stairway to Heaven" and saw a beautiful view of the Jersey countryside.
We are staying with "Snap" for the 3rd Shelter night. She's from Houston Texas and meeting up with her boyfriend and will spend 3 days hiking with him soon. He will be deployed to Afghanistan soon.
Downwind, Tenacious D, and Johnny Sunami have not caught up to us.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Was a quick resupply in town day.
Had to pay cash $158.40 for 5 days of food. Almost beat The Citgo gas station record which was $164. Give me Dollar General!
Hiked by swamp land that was converted to agricultural land that was reconverted back to swamp land as a wild life preserve.
Saw blue bird, terns, red wing blackbirds, gray cat birds.
Then to the AT New Jersey boardwalk through a natural swamp. Saw my first red fox by before the swamp.
Climbed the "Stairway to Heaven" and saw a beautiful view of the Jersey countryside.
We are staying with "Snap" for the 3rd Shelter night. She's from Houston Texas and meeting up with her boyfriend and will spend 3 days hiking with him soon. He will be deployed to Afghanistan soon.
Downwind, Tenacious D, and Johnny Sunami have not caught up to us.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Vernon,United States
Monday, May 8, 2017
10.1.71 AT1339.7 19m
High Point Shelter
Didn't get a good night sleep listening to a girl toss and turn on a very noisy air mattress. Ok tonight the girl showed up at this Shelter. This time I'm wearing earplugs and the heck with porcupines skunks bears or raccoons...I will not defend this Shelter from attack.
The day was in the low to mid 40's and mostly cloudy. Perfect hiking weather for me.
I got asked if we got any health issues. No we have none. We are both in 100percent great health. Our initial health issues were mainly with shoes not fitting or right for our feet and the initial weight of our packs. We fixed most of that at the outfitters 32 miles in at Neal's Gap, Georgia.
Ponce de Leon may not have found the fountain of youth but that is because he never hiked the Appalachian Trail. Where else can a 61 year old man hike 19miles a day for 71 days , shed all his baby fat and weigh what he did in his junior year in high school, and eat anything and everything he want? This is the fountain of youth.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Didn't get a good night sleep listening to a girl toss and turn on a very noisy air mattress. Ok tonight the girl showed up at this Shelter. This time I'm wearing earplugs and the heck with porcupines skunks bears or raccoons...I will not defend this Shelter from attack.
The day was in the low to mid 40's and mostly cloudy. Perfect hiking weather for me.
I got asked if we got any health issues. No we have none. We are both in 100percent great health. Our initial health issues were mainly with shoes not fitting or right for our feet and the initial weight of our packs. We fixed most of that at the outfitters 32 miles in at Neal's Gap, Georgia.
Ponce de Leon may not have found the fountain of youth but that is because he never hiked the Appalachian Trail. Where else can a 61 year old man hike 19miles a day for 71 days , shed all his baby fat and weigh what he did in his junior year in high school, and eat anything and everything he want? This is the fountain of youth.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Wantage,United States
Sunday, May 7, 2017
10.7.70 AT1318.3 19.5 mile hike
Brink Road Shelter
Left at 8:30am from our tent site near sunfish pond. The Jersey landscape is pretty. More blueberry shrubs and smaller trees.
Dan fell on the rocks once and me 3 times. No damage done. Drisselled all day.
Got another North bounder staying at this Shelter. She started in mid February. We've passed at least 5 nobo's since Harpers Ferry. Have had no March people pass us.
Got a father son team section hiking that is staying here too.
Dan has started doing my tarahamarra running style when I catch up to him so now he's uncatchable and I'm left sucking his dust. I guess I'll have to try something new.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Left at 8:30am from our tent site near sunfish pond. The Jersey landscape is pretty. More blueberry shrubs and smaller trees.
Dan fell on the rocks once and me 3 times. No damage done. Drisselled all day.
Got another North bounder staying at this Shelter. She started in mid February. We've passed at least 5 nobo's since Harpers Ferry. Have had no March people pass us.
Got a father son team section hiking that is staying here too.
Dan has started doing my tarahamarra running style when I catch up to him so now he's uncatchable and I'm left sucking his dust. I guess I'll have to try something new.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shay Rd,Sandyston,United States
10.6.69 AT1198.3 24mile
Hiked 20 miles to the Delaware Water Gap. Had pizza and then stopped at an ice cream shop. TD and Downwind are staying at a church Shelter in town.
We hiked 4 more miles out of town and out of Pennsylvania to New Jersey to a nice tenting spot on a ridge with frog and bird songs in the background.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We hiked 4 more miles out of town and out of Pennsylvania to New Jersey to a nice tenting spot on a ridge with frog and bird songs in the background.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, May 5, 2017
Porcupine Shelter Attack
Leroy A, Smith Shelter
Was attacked at 10pm tonight by a living land mine, a porcupine! This pin cushion was aggressively trying to reduce the Shelter to wood chips. No sleep could be had.with his incessant gnawing of the front steps and I had to use those steps
Used my friends going away present to scare the critter off. The porcupine ran backwards into the forest with all quills in defensive position. Like my furry little friends Hannah Gracie and Dr Flynn TD and L,E, Bean would have done I promptly marked my territory, Porky won't be back.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Was attacked at 10pm tonight by a living land mine, a porcupine! This pin cushion was aggressively trying to reduce the Shelter to wood chips. No sleep could be had.with his incessant gnawing of the front steps and I had to use those steps
Used my friends going away present to scare the critter off. The porcupine ran backwards into the forest with all quills in defensive position. Like my furry little friends Hannah Gracie and Dr Flynn TD and L,E, Bean would have done I promptly marked my territory, Porky won't be back.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Bushkill,United States
10.5.68 AT1273.5 16.5m
Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Rain when we got up. Stayed in bed for 13 hours. The rain did not stop so we left at 9am. Hiked over a bridge and climbed up a Rocky Mountain and through a zinc superfund site. Saw the remnants of the steel industry below and a mile long pile of coal.
Staying with Downwind and tenacious D . TD is from Atlanta. All are NoBo's
Pennsylvania has not lived up to what many have called Rockslyvania. Been a quick hike through.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Rain when we got up. Stayed in bed for 13 hours. The rain did not stop so we left at 9am. Hiked over a bridge and climbed up a Rocky Mountain and through a zinc superfund site. Saw the remnants of the steel industry below and a mile long pile of coal.
Staying with Downwind and tenacious D . TD is from Atlanta. All are NoBo's
Pennsylvania has not lived up to what many have called Rockslyvania. Been a quick hike through.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Bushkill,United States
Thursday, May 4, 2017
10.4.67 AT1257.1 13miles
Tent site.
Wow. My Cousin Mike Hirsch picked us up where Rt. 309 intersects The AT at 5pm yesterday. Then it was laundry, shower, pick up dinner at Boston Market, resupply at the Giant grocery store, play with Zoe an exuberant lab mix and Bear a bishon poodle mix. Then Dan went off to the computer room to print out college forms that are due soon. I don't know how the Hirsch family coordinated all this but they did a fantastic job. And in the morning a freshly baked breakfast cheese bread was ready with coffee and fresh strawberries. This all in the middle of their busy work week. I love them all including all their furry little friends! Thanks so Much!
It was tough leaving such great people and getting back on the trail. We went slower today but with great memories of yesterday. We will be out of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and into New York in 6 days when we get our next resupply.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wow. My Cousin Mike Hirsch picked us up where Rt. 309 intersects The AT at 5pm yesterday. Then it was laundry, shower, pick up dinner at Boston Market, resupply at the Giant grocery store, play with Zoe an exuberant lab mix and Bear a bishon poodle mix. Then Dan went off to the computer room to print out college forms that are due soon. I don't know how the Hirsch family coordinated all this but they did a fantastic job. And in the morning a freshly baked breakfast cheese bread was ready with coffee and fresh strawberries. This all in the middle of their busy work week. I love them all including all their furry little friends! Thanks so Much!
It was tough leaving such great people and getting back on the trail. We went slower today but with great memories of yesterday. We will be out of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and into New York in 6 days when we get our next resupply.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Pine St,Slatington,United States
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
10.3.66 AT1144.7. 24mile hike
Last night we had a young Texan thru hiker whom started on February 14 set up camp next to us. He expects to be done by mid July.
Dan and I were up at 5am and hiking by 6am. We were cooking! I kept up with Dan on all downhills, flats and some uphills.
We have been motivated for our 2 day 46mile push to see my Cousin Michael and his family.
Dan avoided stepping on a nice sized rattle snake. No scream from him. Guess he didn't inherit my gene.
Dans got us scheduled for 6 days of hiking before a resupply. I would suspect we'll be through most of PA.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Dan and I were up at 5am and hiking by 6am. We were cooking! I kept up with Dan on all downhills, flats and some uphills.
We have been motivated for our 2 day 46mile push to see my Cousin Michael and his family.
Dan avoided stepping on a nice sized rattle snake. No scream from him. Guess he didn't inherit my gene.
Dans got us scheduled for 6 days of hiking before a resupply. I would suspect we'll be through most of PA.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Route 309,Lynn,United States
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
10,2.65 AT1220.7 22mile hike
Tent campsite
Was a thunderous night! Got a late start in the morning. Rains had stopped and tent had dried.
Fairly cool day. Paths were fairly rocky but mainly flat.
Saw two northbounders slack packing south. And met one new northbounder named downwind. All 3 hikers started in early Feb.
Saw a black and a garter snake both that I almost stepped on and both got the same scream. Statistically I'll almost step on 15 more snakes, Fall 16 more times, and get hit in the head by a tree 4 more times. I'm only worried about tangling with a rattle snake. So far I avoided stepping on 1 rattle snake. So far I haven't had to add bears to my stats.
Got trail magic from a 77 year old man at a trail crossing. Root beer grape juice cape cod cheese puffs a box of trail bars. That got me through my 22 mile day! Very kind Trail Angels out here.
24 miles tomorrow and we'll meet up with my cousin Mike Hirsch!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Was a thunderous night! Got a late start in the morning. Rains had stopped and tent had dried.
Fairly cool day. Paths were fairly rocky but mainly flat.
Saw two northbounders slack packing south. And met one new northbounder named downwind. All 3 hikers started in early Feb.
Saw a black and a garter snake both that I almost stepped on and both got the same scream. Statistically I'll almost step on 15 more snakes, Fall 16 more times, and get hit in the head by a tree 4 more times. I'm only worried about tangling with a rattle snake. So far I avoided stepping on 1 rattle snake. So far I haven't had to add bears to my stats.
Got trail magic from a 77 year old man at a trail crossing. Root beer grape juice cape cod cheese puffs a box of trail bars. That got me through my 22 mile day! Very kind Trail Angels out here.
24 miles tomorrow and we'll meet up with my cousin Mike Hirsch!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Lowland Rd,Tilden,United States
Monday, May 1, 2017
10.1.64 AT1198.7 23m hike
Hert line campsite
Gave my Texas handshake to my new Texas friends Charlie and John Francis.
Also left Johnny Sunami behind. He was planning on hiking 33m today but as of 7:30pm our tent is adjacent to the AT and he hasn't passed by. Tornado warnings, hail and severe thunderstorms predicted from 7pm to 7am.
Saw no true thru hikers on the trail. Saw one old (old refers to anyone 62 or older-I'm still a youngster at 61...obviously when I turn 62 then 63 will be the new old..etc.
That old guy had gone from Georgia to Maryland and then stopped home for a weekend tripped on the stairs and tore his clavicle needing surgery and 4 months of rehab. So he's back this year starting where he left off. Yep I don't make these stories up.
Saw three old Germans 2 male and a female in full hiking gear.
Day was cool. Terrain was mostly flat. Hiked through an abandoned coal community that once had 1000 people there. Saw no evidence of people living there except an abandoned coal mine that was flooded and a sign pointing to a cemetery. There were slag heaps covered by vegetation.
I did try out my Fred Astaire dance moves combined with a marching band leader moves and baton twirling moves with my poles across the rocks. Dan was throughly entertained.
Though I found out he entertains himself by seeing if I would hit a similar low hanging fallen oak tree like I did yesterday. I didn't but I did look up and saw him clapping.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Gave my Texas handshake to my new Texas friends Charlie and John Francis.
Also left Johnny Sunami behind. He was planning on hiking 33m today but as of 7:30pm our tent is adjacent to the AT and he hasn't passed by. Tornado warnings, hail and severe thunderstorms predicted from 7pm to 7am.
Saw no true thru hikers on the trail. Saw one old (old refers to anyone 62 or older-I'm still a youngster at 61...obviously when I turn 62 then 63 will be the new old..etc.
That old guy had gone from Georgia to Maryland and then stopped home for a weekend tripped on the stairs and tore his clavicle needing surgery and 4 months of rehab. So he's back this year starting where he left off. Yep I don't make these stories up.
Saw three old Germans 2 male and a female in full hiking gear.
Day was cool. Terrain was mostly flat. Hiked through an abandoned coal community that once had 1000 people there. Saw no evidence of people living there except an abandoned coal mine that was flooded and a sign pointing to a cemetery. There were slag heaps covered by vegetation.
I did try out my Fred Astaire dance moves combined with a marching band leader moves and baton twirling moves with my poles across the rocks. Dan was throughly entertained.
Though I found out he entertains himself by seeing if I would hit a similar low hanging fallen oak tree like I did yesterday. I didn't but I did look up and saw him clapping.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Bethel,United States
9.10.63 AT1176 18m hike
Rausch Gap Shelter
Got up with a headache left over from the collision with the low hanging fallen oak tree. Turns out all 3 people over 6"1" got knocked down by this tree. I don't feel like a clutz.
Staying with Johnny Sunami and two old guys from Houston and Austin Texas. The old guys had beans.
Had fun talking with the old guys. One is a retired community banker the other is a financial advisor.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Got up with a headache left over from the collision with the low hanging fallen oak tree. Turns out all 3 people over 6"1" got knocked down by this tree. I don't feel like a clutz.
Staying with Johnny Sunami and two old guys from Houston and Austin Texas. The old guys had beans.
Had fun talking with the old guys. One is a retired community banker the other is a financial advisor.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)