Day 25 - Monday, July 31, 2017

Canopus Hill to Hwy 52 Stormville, NY. - 20.2 Miles

The trail is getting smoother with much fewer rocks . Today was a long hike.   The sun was hotter than the last few days making it an extremely sweaty day.   I'm still hiking with Fern, Ludo, Rambo and Ghost.  We stopped at another state park for water and Gatorade around lunch and stopped at the RPH Shelter before pushing on to a deli for dinner.  The deli allows hikers to camp on a lot just down the road from the business.   Tomorrow we will be heading to Wingdale to resupply.

RPH Shelter

Day 24 - Sunday, July 30, 2017

West Mtn Shelter to a camp site near Canopus Hill NY -  17.3 Miles

Yesterday was hump day (mid point in time).  I'm slightly ahead of schedule with 59% of planned miles completed.  It looks like I will be going beyond Manchester Ctr, VT.

Today was a full of sightseeing as I passed through the Bear Mtn State Park.   There were thousands of picnicking families at this park.  Then the trail took us through a zoo before crossing the Hudson and back into the woods. I had lunch in the park and dinner at a roadside deli.    This was a much different day.

Day 23 - Saturday, July 29, 2017

Orange Turnpike, NY to West Mtn Shelter - 14.7 Miles

Late start in town.  Had Dunkin Donuts for breakfast,  walked to the Stop N Shop for a couple of items.  Got back to trail around 10:30 am.  I hike with the group I stayed with in town.  They trail names are Luda, Rambo, Fern and Ghost Writer.    By the way, Bulldog is back the trail and is trying to catch up.  Presently he is 35 miles behind me.   We had some fun climbs today including the "lemon squeeze",  I had to take my pack off to get through it.   This afternoon, we stopped by Tiorati state park for ice cream before walking the last 7 miles to the Shelter.   The Shelter overlooks NYC in the distance.   Tonight's low   Is forecasted to be in the mid-50's which is great sleeping weather.   Tomorrow the trail takes through a zoo and the lowest point on the AT.   

Day 22 - Friday, July 28, 2017

Waywayanda Shelter to Orange Turnpike NY - 20.2 Miles

Another nice day.    Left camp with trail magic planned for the afternoon.   Someone had posted a sign two days back about a hiker fiesta today at Ferguson Falls, NY .  Everyone was looking forward to some free goodies.  The hike was challenging several climbs and rock scambles.   Saw four venamus snakes two rattlers and two copperhead.  I fell twice on the slide rocks but no injuries other than scrapes and bruises.   Had ice cream at a local creamery,   Tacos and beer at the Fiesta,  and Chinese in town for dinner.   Staying in town tonight for shower, laundry and air conditioning.    

Day 21 - Thursday, July 27, 2017

Pochuck Mtn Shelter to Waywayanda Shelter - 12.4 Miles

Another cool day,   The day started and ended with climbs.   Middle morning I hiked the boardwalk through the cattail swamps before Vernon,  NJ.  In Vernon,  I stopped in to heaven hills fruit market for a little food.   To find out they only serviced hot food on the weekend so myself and two other hikers walked to the hot dog stand down the road.   After lunch we hiked up "Stairway to Heaven" a nice climb.   Due to lack of camping options and looming thunderstorms I'm stopping short at Waywayanda Shelter just a few mile south of the NJ/NY boarder.    

Day 20 - Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Brink Shelter to Pochuck Mtn Shelter - 17.2 Miles

Started the day with a short hike to High Point state park where my hiking partner for the last couple of weeks met his wife for a couple of days off the trail.   We are staying in touch and will attempt to catch up when he gets back on Friday morning.   After leaving High Point, I ran into a group of hikers I knew from the many camps over the last three weeks.  So I hiked with them the rest of the day.  We had a few climbs but overall a great hike.   We stopped at Unionville, NY for resuplies and pizza.   At the end of the day we were treated to trail magic and a stunt plane in the sky above us.   Great day on the trail.

Day 19 - Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Brink Shelter to Rutherford Shelter - 15 Miles

Started the day in a drizzling rain with temperature in the high 50's.  The high for today was forecasted to be 68.   What a nice change in the weather.   Bulldog and I got up and headed 4 miles to the road for breakfast to find a sign on the door that stated they were temporarily closed....not a good start to the day.    We were able to get a Gatorade at the bait shop 1/4 mile down the road.   It was foggy in the morning but did get a nice view of the valley below in the afternoon.   Tomorrow morning Bulldog is getting picked up by is wife for a couple days of R&R.   I also will pickup another maildrop of food at the High Point State Park Headquarter.

Day 18 - Monday, July 24, 2015

Mohican Outdoor Center to Brink Shelter - 14 Miles

Short day due to heavy rain this morning.  We got a break in the weather mid morning so we took off for our destination before the rain restarted.    Hiking was nice,  rocks are less frequent and the temperature was cool.   In NJ for a day and reports of two bears sighting and we saw a deer up close.   

Day 17 - Sunday, July 23, 2017

Kirkridge Shelter to Mohican Outdoor Center - 17.2 Miles

Great day for a hike!  It was overcasted with both temperature and humidity lower.  We hike into the Delaware Water Gap this morning for Brunch before crossing the bridge  to New Jersey.  Hooray!!!  Another state down!   The first part of NJ is rocky but forward to leaving them behind.  As for PA here are my highlights:

1) Great People (Super Trail Magic)

2) Lots of Poison Ivy

3) Fairly flat terrain 

4) Super Rocky in Northeast part of state

5) Fun Rock Scambles

Goodbye PA,  Hello NJ

2

Day 16 - Saturday, July 22, 2017

Leroy Smith Shelter to Kirkridge Shelter - 13.8 Miles

Hiked into Wind Gap, PA this morning to pickup my supply box at the post office.  Lisa thanks for the goodies.   After post office we ate lunch, visited the urgency care and CVS before heading back to the trail for another 9 miles.   Today's hike more of the same.....rocks!   Will be in NJ by lunch tomorrow.   

Day 15 - Friday, July 21, 2017

George W Outerbridge Shelter to Leroy Smith Shelter - 16.7 Miles

Another gorgeous day.  Started the day hiking down to the highway and across the Lehigh Valley before climb up to the ridge.  The climb  included a difficult rock scramble at the top....what a great workout.    Walked along the ridge overlooking the valley most of the morning.   Bulldog and I stopped at Slopeside Pub for lunch before hiking 10 more miles to the Shelter.   The rocks are keeping my feet tender.   Two more days in PA.   

Day 14 - Thursday, July 20, 2017

Allentown Hiking Club Shelter to Outerbridge Shelter - 16.8 Miles

Nice day.   Challenging rock scambles including "knife edges" and "baked oven knob".  PA is really rocky but I love the challenge.   

Day 13 - Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Port Clinton, PA to Allentown Hiking Club Shelter - 22.2 Miles

Steve took me to Port Clinton at 6:30 am.  It was tough getting out of the car knowing I had  a long day in front of me to join back up with Bulldog.   It was a wonderful day and a half at the Siebert's....Thanks again.   

Today's hike had three good climbs and some challenging rocks.   There were 1/2 dozen boulder scrambles.    

The goal this week is to get out of PA and on to NJ.   

Day 12 - Tuesday, July 18, 2017

PA 183 to Port Clinton, PA - 14.4 Miles

Great day!!!!   Slacked packed with Steve for 14.4 miles.  We finished early afternoon.   Steve's dad took us to Cabelas in Hamburg for a couple of resupply items.   Once back in Myerstown, Steve took me to the post office to  send a food box to High Point, NJ for next week and to the grocery store.   It the afternoon we had the opportunity to enjoy the pool.   Soaking my feet was wonderful.   Steve  is taking me to the trail early tomorrow for a long day of hiking.   I cannot thank Steve and his parents enough for the hospitality they have shown me.   THANK YOU!!!!

Day 11 - Monday, July 17, 2017

501 Shelter to PA 183 - 10 Miles

It was a short hiking day.   A church group brought breakfast to the shelter at 6:30 am.  What a great start to the day.   I hiked 10 miles to the meet point with Steve (who was travel from BWI to his folks in Myerstown, PA).  A major storm rolled in as I was waiting and after a couple of hours of heavy rain I was rescued by Mr. Seibert (Steve's father).   It was a wonderful afternoon of talking as we watch the storm roll through the valley.   Steve arrived around 7:00 and after dinner we planned our hike for Tuesday,

Day 10 - Sunday, July 16, 2017

Rausch Gap Shelter to 501 Shelter - 17.5 Miles

Nice Sunday walk mostly across ridges.   There was two climbs both early in the day.   Ran across trail magic after the first climb and again at the end of the day....Wow twice in one day.    The trail was overgrown in spots and rocky in others.   Tomorrow I'm planning a short day to a meet point with Steve Seibert ( Good Friend from Atlanta). Steve and I are planning to hike together on Tuesday.  

Day 9 - Saturday, July 15, 2017

Peter Mtn Shelter to Rausch Gap Shelter - 18 Miles

Wonderful Saturday....Warm, dry with a good trail and trail magic to boot.  

Day 8 - Friday, July 14, 2017

Duncannon PA to Peter's Mtn Shelter - 8.4 miles 

Happy Friday!    It was a easy hike today.  It rained off and on but the distance was short with only one big climb.   A couple good. Views of the valley north of Harrisburg. I'm giving my feet a little break today but tomorrow the plan is another 18 mile day.  

Day 7 - Thursday, July 13, 2017

Carlisle, PA to Susquehanna River (Duncannon, PA)  19.4 Miles

Weather was overcast today but humidity was extreme.   The first 4.5 miles was through farmland.  Had lunch at a road crossing and watched a farmer stack several tons of hay within minutes,  having the right tools for the job was the key.  Once back in the woods there were two big climbs an a lot of ridge walking until dropped down into Duncannon.   Planning a short day tomorrow my feet need a little break.

Day 6 - July 12, 2017

James Fry Shelter to Carlisle PA - 20.0 Miles

Hiked with a hiker who goes by trail name "Bulldog".   Our first stop was at Boiling Springs (12 miles) for hiking pole repair, post office to pickup maildrop and lunch.   At 2:30 we headed out to Carlisle 8 miles away.   Staying at a hotel tonight,  phone and battery charged, showered, rehydrated and blistered repaired.   Tomorrow we will head to Duncannon.   

Day 5 - Tuesday, July 11

Birch Run Shelter to James Fry Shelter 17.1 miles

Hot and humid today.   Past the AT midpoint this morning on way to Pine Grove Furnace State.  Ate at the general store while watching fellow hike do the 1/2 gallon (ice cream) challenge.   Visited the AT museum and enjoyed their shower house before hiking on to the Shelter.  Plan to be in Carlisle tomorrow.

Day 4 - Monday, July 10

Deer Lick to Birch Run Shelter - 23.9

Well I hiked a few extra miles after last nights post.  So between post I'm 23.9 miles further up the trail. Today was beautiful and the hike was good.   I hope I didn't over do it. I will know in the morning. Highlight of the day was a visit to snack bar at Caledonia state park for lunch.   

Day 3 - July 9, 2017

Cowall Shelter to Deer Lick Shelter - 15 miles

It has been an emotional day.   Started the day excited about seeing Lisa and Tracey at lunch but the goodbyes were tough.   Danny, I'm very appreciative of the you hiking with me over the last three days. Congratulations on completing another state.  You can rejoin me at anytime.  Lisa,  I promise to be careful and no more snake pictures.  I will see you in 42 days.   

Day 2 - Saturday, July 8

Dalgren campground to Cowall Shelter. 13.9 miles

It was a nice Saturday with the Trail full of day hikers and runners.   We saw the original Washington monument in Boonsboro, MD.  I also saw my first copperhead.   The trail was extremely rocky at times.   It's 6:21 and rain is approaching,  so it is going to be an early bedtime.   I will see Lisa tomorrow afternoon before saying goodbye for the next 42 days.

Day 1 - Friday, July 7, 2017

Knoxville MD to Dalhgren Backpack Campground.   

We hiked 16.9 miles from the Potomac River (where we finished last year). The trail had little elevation change but rocky. It was a good first day.  We finished around 3:00 pm at a nice campground.  We saw a couple of trail historical sites  today. Civil War Correspondents monument at Gathland State Park and the Battle monuments from Fox Gap.  

Day 0 - Drive to Trail

Well "Eeyore" and I just left Richmond heading toward Knoxville, MD.  Danny (Eeyore) is hiking the first 2.5 days with me which will be all of Maryland.   Tonight we will hike from the hostel back to the river where we finished last year and back.   In the morning, we will start the hike northbound.