The Hot

Its been hot; incredibly hot and humid and miserable :( 

A lot of days I am in agony from the heat and bugs but there is always one good thing that happens EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Some hikers tell me when the trail stops being fun that they will quit. I don't understand that, is there anything worth doing that is always fun? Overall though, even with the troubles i'm still enjoying it.

Day 95, Sunday, 6/16, Boiling Springs, PA to Darlington Shelter mile 1131.2 hiked 14.3 miles

Went to Church in the Morning. John's Dad and John's kids dropped me off in Boiling Springs in the late afternoon. I hiked the rest of the cumberline valley. Very nice farm fields and brought back memories of my hike with Hugh. Stopped at Scott farm and called my parents and wished my Dad a happy Father's Day. It was dark by the time made it to the other end of the valley. I hiked up to the shelter - really hoping for others to be there. There was one other guy in the shelter "Lush" and in the morning i was there were a few others camped out that I did not see on the way in.

Day 96, Monday, 6/17, Darlington Shelter to Peters Mountain Shelter mile 1153.8 hiked 22.6 miles

Hiked in to Duncannon, PA and got lunch at the Doyle Hotel. Very old building built by Anhisor Bush. The owners were very nice and hiker friendly. It is  a well know place on the trail, in fact infamous for being a bit dirty but again friendly to hikers. The food was good. Picked up a package from my parents at the post office - tyvec tarp, applem cookies. Hiked out of town and across the Clarks Ferry bridge. Neet to hike across. I remember riding with my friend Nate over that bridge and him explaining how the trail was there - I was fascinated.

Day 97, Tuesday 6/18, Peters Mountain Shelter to Rausch Gap Shelter mile 1171.7 hiked 17.9 miles

Real

Day 98, Wednessday 6/19, Rausch Gap Shelter to 501 Shelter mile 1189.3 hiked 17.6 miles

I was excited to finally make it to the shelter because I knew you could get puzza deliverd there. I already decided I was going to eat a whole large pizza! When I got there, there were a bunch of people and a picnic table full of food, and burgers cooking over the fire! Malot, MIsery, paddy cakes, puddin, Kaboose, Sasafrase, Caboose and others where there.

The shelter was nice, 4 walls with a bunkroom and big skylight - but I tented.

Day 99, Thursday 6/20, Pine Grove, PA hiked 0 miles

Got a hitch in to town with Malot, misery and his friend. A nice lady picked us up and we crammed in to her little car. She even offered to come back in and hour and give us a ride back to the trail.

Stayed at a hotel.

Day 100, Friday 6/21, Pine Grove, PA hiked 0 miles

Stayed at hotel and watched alot of 30 Rock on my phone.

Day 101, Saturday 6/22, 501 Shelter to campsite mile 1200, hiked 10.7 miles

Jon and  Nicole came down to visit and I got to meet their newborn Jade. It was great to see them, they drove all the way from Williamsport. They picked me up and we ate lunch under some trees by a school - the closet thing we could find to a park. Then we went to the 501 shelter and spent some more time their before they left. Very nice to catch up with them.

Jon & Nicole and Jade

Day 102, Sunday 6/23, campsite to Windsor Furnace Shelter mile 1219.1, hiked 19.1 miles

Hitched to Hamburg, PA. Took forever but a guy in a pickup stopped for "Cash" and myself. Turns out he was the caretaker for the Eckville shelter. Cash and I went to Cabelas. Met "Trip" and "Jd" there. They had given up on hitching and walked there. We all had lunch there.

I was walking to McDonalds to wait and figure out how to get back to the trial when a car pulls up and they guy inside offers me a ride - awesome! He also stopped to buy me soda. I told him about WAR, International and he found me on Facebook and made a Pledge. He has hiked the 100 mile wilderness before and leads hikes for kids.

Day 103, Monday 6/24, Windsor Furnace Shelter to Allentown Hiking Club Shelter mile 1235.6, hiked 16.5 miles

Hiked to Pulpit Rock and then to the Pinicle in the morning. Lots of rocks and a view on the Pinicle. Neet to see the turcky buzzards gently gliding through the air.

Got to Eckville shelter around noon. I stayed there till about 5. It was hot and I took a nap and used the Solar shower.

Took me till 9 to get to the shelter that night. Lots of rocks and it was dark and hot. I setup my tent on the best place I could find in the dark and it still had rocks. It was a pretty misserable day.

Day 104, Tuesday 6/25, Allentown Hiking Club Shelter to Bake Oven Knob Shelter mile 1245.6, hiked 10.0 miles

Rough day, made it to the shelter and set up camp by 2pm and slept part of the afternoon. Met "Sky pilot", "Shiweasel", "Mr. Chips", and "Roadrunner". Several people stopped early that day because of the heat.

Day 105, Wednessday 6/26, Bake Oven Knob Shelter to Superfund trail mile 1253.6, hiked 8.0 miles

Got up early and hiked to Palmerton - took a side trail to get there. Stayed at the Jailhouse Hostel. The Hotel is in the basement of the Borough hall. It was never used as a jail. Cash, Bambo, Morning kid, and Booboo were there.

Day 106, Thursday 6/27, Palmerton, PA, hiked 0 miles

Spend a zero day in Palmerton because I didn't want to hike up the huge exposed hill going out of Lehigh gap in a thunderstorm. The hostel I was at only allows hikers to stay one night so I had be a little stealthy the second night there. That was not so hard - all hikers are smelly and have big beards so they really couldn't tell me apart from anyone else. My friend Dave drove out and took me to dinner that night. He is a Civil Engineer and showed me one of the bridges he worked on.

Day 107, Friday 6/28, Superfund trail to campsite mile 1275.8, hiked 22.2 miles

Hiked out of Palmerton, PA and back to the trial. I climbed up out of Lehigh gap and up a huge rocky mountain and deforested area. The area is deforested due to zinc smelting. PA's favorite thing is to exploit their own natural resources - no judgement - its just a fact. 

Lehigh Gap

Lehigh Gap

Day 108, Saturday 6/29, campsite to Fox Gap PA191 mile 1282.3, hiked 6.5 miles

Hiked out in the Morning and my friend and roommate from college (College part 1 aka undergrad) Dave came to pick me up. We went back to his house and I finally got to meet his wife Talitha. We watched the Simpsons for a while - which was cool because that was what we did a lot of back in our college days. We all went to see fireworks that night too.

Day 109, Sunday 6/30, Fox Gap PA191 to Delaware Water Gap, PA mile 1289.3, hiked 7 miles

I went to Church with Dave and his wife that morning which was nice. Talitha made lunch and then Dave dropped me off at the trial and prayed for me. It was very nice to have a short break with Dave and Talitha. I headed off to Delaware water Gap, PA and stayed at another Church Hostel there. There were a ton of people there and many I had not met before. 

Day 110, Monday 7/1, Delaware Water Gap, PA to campsite mile 1311.5, hiked 22.2 miles

Hiked out of DWG after getting my hiking poles fixed at the outfitter. The carbide tip broke off and my poles have been slowly getting shorter and shorter as a result. I crossed the bridge over the Delaware river and out of PA. Went to the Mohican outdoor center for lunch. Met "Chuckles" and we passed each other several times that day. Camped with Chuckles, Hot foot, Shrek and some other guy that night.

Day 111, Tuesday 7/2, campsite to Rutherford Shelter mile 1329.4, hiked 17.9 miles

Met "freebird" a 2008 thru-hiker just out for a few days. He was an interesting guy. Says he is a pastor but also smokes pot and curses. I'm a crazy person magnet! they love me and they find me! Then problem is that i'm introverted and quiet so they know that I will listen patiently to their craziness.

Day 112, Wednesday 7/3, Rutherford Shelter to NJ94 Vernon, NJ mile 1352.6, hiked 23.2 miles

Really neet part of NJ today - the boardwalk. It is a 5 foot wide, elevated, wooden pathway through a wetlands area and its longer than a mile! It was very fun to hike on. I hitched in to Vernon, NJ to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel. Was a nice hostel - they ask for a $10 donation but I'm sure they only break even at best with that.

The NJ boardwalk

Day 113, Thursday 7/4, NJ94 Vernon, NJ to Wildcat Shelter mile 1369.7, hiked 17.1 miles

I got a ride with "Trip" and "JD" to the trial in a taxi. I offered to pay but they wouldn't let me - fine with me!. Finally  made it to my home state of NY! Wow was I happy to be home (still a 6 hour drive from where I grew up) and more importantly out of NJ. Sorry NJ but your a swamp and you have mosquitos and rocks and sadness - perhaps we can be friends someday, but not yet! The first few miles of NY was a bit crazy - just hiking on a ridge on top of miles of hugh pieces of exposed rock - up and down and up and down - but then it happened - smooth dirt trail, then a road and 0.4 miles down the road an ice-cream creamery! they make their own ice-cream and it was amazing! I sat inside ate and charged my phone and enjoyed the airconditioning while those fools outside sat in the heat! ok, maybe it felt good to them but not me! I also probably got more looks of "What is that?" at the ice-cream place than I have had anywhere. I just wanted to yell "stop looking at me! I was once like you!" - but actually I don't care, if the situation was reversed I would surely do the same.

Day 114, Friday 7/5, Wildcat Shelter to William Brien Memorial Shelter mile 1389.3, hiked 19.6 miles

The water in NY isn't that great. It has lots of tannon in the water (due to being close to the ocean as I understand) which colors the water into an awful brown tint. So it was a welcome sight to come across three different road crossings where people had left spring water in jugs for hikers. I crossed over the interstate and came across a nice fella who works for Campmor (camping outfitter) he gave me fruit, a coke, and candy and a few things that I guess they couldn't sell in there store - expired camping food and a really nice pair of socks! Then in the mid afternoon I came the "the lemon squeezer" which is a rock tunnel that turns in to a rock channel that tappers in to a very narrow opening  I got about half way and had to take off my pack to get through! Then right after that the trial came to a rock ledge that was straight up and came up to my shoulders. No handholds to climb up it, but there was a tree growing on it that was just small enough for me to get my arms around. So, I shimmied up the tree while putting my feet in the very small rock holes in the rock face below - made it! A few miles later I (and "BMW" actually) came to the park lake with a beech and lots of people. And even better there was a group of former hikers from NYC cooking burgers for hikers! they were real nice.

The lemon squeezer

The lemon squeezer

Day 115, Saturday 7/6, William Brien Memorial Shelter to Graymoor Spiritual Life Center mile 1405.8, hiked 16.5 miles

Big Day! Hiked out and crossed the Palisades parkway which is a busy 4 lane divided highway. It is kind of a real life game of frogger but I made it without some agitated new yorker hitting me. I hiked up a mountain and there was a group of tourists enjoying the view. They told me they were just talking about me. They had seen me at the road crossing. They decided I look like Forest Gump and then said, no you look like "Cast away". Sooo basically I look like Tom Hanks with a beard - I guess thats good. Next I hiked up Bear Mountain. There is a memorial tower there and lots of tourists, bicyclists,  bikers, etc up there. But more importantly there were vending machines! Caboose, BMW and I took a break and had lunch up there. Its less than 40 miles to NYC from there and you can kind off see the skyline from the tower. There is a park at the bottom of the mountain and there were lots off people hiking up from there on my way down the mountain. Its a long way up, almost 2 miles of hiking so I was supprised to see some many people on their way up. It was mostly stone staires and they where placed at just the right distance apart for me. I flew down that mountain! Seriously, I made it down in half an hour which is twice my normal pace. And then I made it to the park and there were thousands of people! thousands! instantly I went from seeing at most 15 people a day to thousands! It was very overwelming as I hiked on a sidewalk that boarders the lake looking for white blazes. I stopped and got ice-cream as I am always sure to do at absolutely every opportunity  I also got some food and then after getting lost, crossed underneath the road and in to a Zoo! In fact on the way there I had to pass by a huge line of people waiting to get in to the pool. The pool was completely full too. I hiked in to the Zoo which is just a paved path with pens of local New York wildlife that is coyotes, bears, porcupines  groundhogs, etc. but it was still cool (and free). The bear pen is the lowest point on the AT - just 124 feet above sea level. After that I came to bear mountian bridge which is a huge suspension bridge going over the Hudson River. Thankfully there is a walking lane so I didn't have to worry about being run over. The Hudson Vallley was amazingly beautiful  even with some development in the area. The Hudson is very wide and there are very high and rolling hills surrounding on both sides colored in all shades of green. After a few more miles I made it to my destination for the night - Graymoor Spiritual life center. It sounds like a Hippy commun but it is actually a Franciscan order monastery. The monastery lets hikers camp on their ball field which also has a pavilion  water and cold showers. It was very nice - save the bugs :(

Monument on top of Bear Mountain

View of Hudson River looks toward NYC

Walking over the Hudson River on Bear Mountain Bridge

The Hudson River

Day 116, Sunday 7/7, Graymoor Spiritual Life Center to NY301 Canopus Lake mile 1417.6, hiked 11.8 miles

I was the last one to leave in the morning (about 8am) which is typical for me. I started hiking and was dripping with sweat in less than 20 minutes. Awful hiking day, it was hot, humid and the mosquitos were everywhere! I have a bug net for my head but it gets hot so I have to take it on and off depending on wether I want to die by heat stroke or west nile virus. I mean both are fun, I just find it hard to choose. I hiked a few miles and stopped to rest at a road crossing. As I sat there struggling to open my granola bar with my sweating hands (I eventually opened it but it took much more time, tears, and bad words than normal) a car pulled up to the corner and a nice lady offered to get me a coke. When I said yes, she drove 0.1 miles back to her house and came back with a coke, 2 waters, apple juice and a cliff bar! Suddenly misery was turned to joy and I drank all I could, as fast as I could for fear that another hiker might want a cut of my spoils. A few miles after that I also got a cold drink from a guy at a road crossing. I eventually made it to the road and walked 1 mile down to Clarence Fahnestock state park by about 3pm. Concession stand! I stayed there with other hikers Shaman, Smoothers, Better man, Bambo, Morning kid, German couple. It was nice to hang out and eat with some people I know.

Trail Magic!

My Parents came down to see me again and picked me up at the park.

Day 117, Monday 7/8, Fishkill, NY, hiked 0 miles

Spent the day with my parents. My Mom brought her sewing machine with her and spent a lot of time with me making adjustments for a pack she made for me. The pack is very light - I am going to try going ultra-light for a while. No stove and as little stuff as possible. We all also went to EMS and I got a new summer bag, water bladder, etc. And that night we went to a movie - Monsters University - loved it.

Day 118, Tuesday 7/9, Fishkill, NY, hiked 0 miles

Worked on my blog and got more supplies.

The Damp

The Good: Its warmer now!
The Bad: It rains ALL THE TIME!
I get wet, I dry off, I get wet, my feet turn in to sponges, I get blisters, I stink, I dry off, my feet heal then the cycle repeats.

The more Gooderer: pledges are at about 40 cents per mile for Women At Risk International! Thanks for your support and please make a pledge if you are able.

 Day 75, Monday, 5/27, US60 (Buena vista) to The Priest Shelter mile 822.7, hiked 20.6 miles

My Parents dropped me off in the morning and headed back home. It was memorial day. I met "Rock steady" First person to see my WAR International sign and ask me about it. He started April 14th and is doing 30 miles a day!

Climbed up Spy Rock - was used during the civil war - for spying. Not sure who put a flag there but as it happened to be Memorial day it was wonderfully appropriate.

Lots of weekend/day hikers out because it was Memorial day. Met "Ponie stride" and "preacher man" a section hiking couple. Preacher man isn't a preacher but he does work for Liberty.

 Day 76, Tuesday, 5/28, The Priest Shelter to Maupin field shelter mile 836.5, hiked 13.8 miles

Hiked down from the Priest Mountain. Big descent then immediate big climb up 3 ridges mountain. Met "Civil" at the shelter on the way up. She recently retired from the Navy. She was an engineer for them. I told her that I was an engineer PhD (she asked) then I told her my name was steady-state and she immediately laughed and said "of course it is"

 Day 77, Wednesday  5/29, Maupin field shelter to Waymesboro, VA mile 857.5, hiked 21 miles

 Saw two black snakes and a real small black and yellow snake on the way. Made real good time. 21 miles by 4 pm. Wandered around at the road/visitor center for a few minutes then a guy pulled up and offered me a ride to town. I had heard that this was common here. "six seven" and "lost" were at the hostel. Grace Evangelical Lutheran church. great hostel! Slept in basement went to Chinese restaurant with lost.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

 

 

 Day 78, Thursday, 5/30, Waynesboro, VA mile 857.5, hiked 0 miles

Ate and walked around and went to the Library. Ordered a kilt that should be delivered to Luray, VA.

They cooked us a free dinner at the Hostel. Met hikers "Smiles"(from England) and "Shutter Bug"
 

 Day 79, Friday, 5/31, Waynesboro, VA to Blackrock hut mile 878.0, hiked 20.5 miles

 Dropped off at trail in the morning by one of the trail shutters - with Smiles and Shutter bug. Got a permit to enter Shenandoah national park. Pulled two ticks off me in the evening. they were the bigger dog tick kind. Ticks are dumb and I hate them. Met section hiker "Dr. Pepper" German guy that lives in NYC

Corndog and Cruse showed up again here - I love seeing them!

Met "Johnny walker" and "Sinner"
I like Sinner's trail name. Of course he choose it because he does bad things or whatever but well we are all Sinner. 

Day 80, Saturday, 6/1, Blackrock hut to Hightop hut mile 899.4, hiked 21.4 miles

Stopped at lost mt. Camp store for resupply then hiked another mile to the wayside sat down inside and ate my burger. Cruse and Corndog also showed up there. They got a cabin at the campground and a friend let them borrow a car. They offered to give me a ride somewhere but I didn't need anything. I also told them about WAR International.

Saw a big bear near Ivy creek. He was on the trail only 30 yards behind me! Sorry, but no picture, I was busy trying not to be in the bears way.

Day 81, Sunday, 6/2, Hightop hut to Rockspring mile 923.3, hiked 23.9 miles

Big day but I stopped at Lewis Mt. campground and got lunch - just convenience store type food but it was great! Then I stopped at big meadows for dinner. Nice middle eastern family getting gas stopped me and asked all about my hike. I felt like a rock star.

The terrain was pretty easy- real flat in parts

Got to shelter and slept in shelter because it looked like rain - and it did. warning on the shelter about the norovirus going around again had me worried. Another hiker I knew was camping in a tent near there because he got sick again. 

 Day 82, Monday, 6/3, Rockspring to Thornton Gap US 211 mile 937.4, hiked 14.1 miles

Got up real early so I could be sure to make it to the post office in Luray before it closed. Saw Better man a few miles from the shelter he was camped there with Smothers. He said since I stayed at the Waynesboro hostel I should probably expect to get sick :(

Got to Luray Post office - kilt not there! got REI to send another one to Harpers Ferry

Stayed at a hotel in Luray. It was right across the road from Luray Caverns.  My parents took me there a few times in high school. We always went to an archery tournament in nearby Harrisonburg, VA each spring.

Tower in Luray. The caverns are just beyond this.

Day 83, Tuesday, 6/4, Thornton Gap US 211 to Tom Floyd shelter mile 962.2, hiked 24.8 miles

  

Day 84, Wednesday, 6/5, Tom Floyd shelter to Dicks Dome Shelter mile 980.3, hiked 18.1 miles

Day 85, Thursday, 6/6, Dicks Dome Shelter to Bears Den Hostel mile 998.6, hiked 18.3 miles

 Raining all day. Got to Bears Den hostel and took a shower and threw my stuff in with a few others doing laundry. Nice bunks and hang out area. Got a bunk, soda, pizza, ice-cream for $30. I even ate 1/2 of someone elses pizza. Did part of "the roller coaster" which is about 13 miles of lots of ups and downs but the worst part was all the rocks - i hate rocks.

Day 86, Friday, 6/7, Bears Den Hostel to just south of the VA-WV state line mile 1016.6, hiked 18.0 miles

Went to pizza place in the afternoon to eat and wait out the rain. Was not a terribly classy place but they were real cool about me bringing in my pack and being soaked from the rain. Rain pretty much stopped and I went back on the trail. Met a guy along the way carrying trash bags with his stuff in it. Not sure what his deal was but me mentioned being laid off 9 months ago and his wife kicked him out. Since then he was worked one place; McDonald's - for two weeks. I think he hitched to the trail. Real overweight and I think he was looking to hike half the trail - ok, um, ok
  
I set up my tent just south of the VA-WV line.

 

Crossed the 1000 mile mark!

 

Day 87, Saturday, 6/8, just south of the VA-WV state line to Harpers Ferry, WV mile 1019.0, hiked 2.4 miles

 Got up and hiked in to Harpers Ferry. Finally out of VA! Hiked to the historic lower town district - nothing open yet. Baltimore Jack was there. Got some food recommendations from him. Went to the ATC headquarters and got my picture taken for their book. They have pics of everyone from years back. I was #369 to come through this year.

At the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Walked to the diner and also went to lunch. Tried hitching but got nothing and I didn't see anyone else get a successful hitch either. called Davy to make plans to hike with him in PA.

Cherith and Daniel came by to pick me up. They fellow WAR international supporters that contacted me through Facebook. They live about 30 minutes away. Real nice couple from Kentucky  went to Cedarville. Daniel is an EE. They let me shower and they did my laundry. They took me to dinner with their friend Neels.

Day 88, Sunday, 6/9, Harpers Ferry, WV to Crampton Gap shelter mile 1029.4, hiked 10.4 miles

 Went to Church in the morning and in the afternoon Cherith and Daniel's friend Eric took me back to the trail. It was so nice meeting them.
 

With my new friends Cherith and Daniel (also the kilt makes its first appearance)

 

 

Shaman, Better man and Smoothers in Harpers Ferry

 

 

Day 89, Monday, 6/10, Crampton Gap shelter to Egsign Cowall shelter mile 1050.1, hiked 20.7 miles

 Rained allot. Break in the rain in the afternoon then rained a lot when I got under the shelter. The rain stopped just in time to go met Ben and Ashley at the Road! Ashley is an old friend from Penn College and it was good to finally met her husband. They took me to a restaurant, bought my dinner and we got to catch up. Ash even made me cookies!

 

 

Day 90, Tuesday, 6/11, Egsign Cowall shelter to Antietam shelter mile 1067.0, hiked 16.9 miles

I crossed the MD-PA Border and the Mason-Dixon line! Hitched in to Waynesboro, PA and got KFC for lunch and a few things from food lion. 

 

Mason Dixon line: Out of the South

 

Day 91, Wednesday, 6/12, Antietam shelter to Toms Run Shelter mile 1094.0, hiked 27.0 miles

Hiked to Caledonia state park by mid-day. Charged my phone and dried off my tent and got some food at the snack bar. I got to Birch run shelter by about 5:20 pm. Only one there and awesome shelter, got set up and had dinner. Then my parents contact me and I find out a big storm is coming through. I was only about 10 miles from the Iron Masters Hostel. I decided to pack up and try for the next shelter about 6.3 miles away so that I could easily bail out the next day if I had to. I left at 8:20 pm, no rain yet. As I set out the sun turned the white clouds red and the reflected light illuminated an orange haze across the trail. Made my way through the pitch dark night with only my headlamp to guide me. Crossed the half way point at mile 1093. There was no real marker there but I took a picture. There is an actual post marking the half way point but it is a few miles north of there and not at the true half way point - the trail changes from year to year so the half way point changes.

I do not always wear a kilt; but when I do, I rock it!

 

At the halfway point!

Day 92, Thursday, 6/13, Toms Run Shelter to Pine Grove Furnace State Park mile 1097.3, hiked 3.3 miles

 Woke up at 7 am to the sound of thunder. I didn't want to get stuck in the shelter all day so I packed up and got out of there - bad idea. Only about 15 minutes after taking off the rained started coming down. I did the 3.3 miles in a little more than and hour - running a lot of it. It was pouring and the trail was under water. Boots were full of water and twice the weight. But don't worry the rain stopped when I got to Pine Grove Furnace and the Hostel. This is where Hugh and I hiked two about 6 years earlier. I hung out at the General Store all day and went to the AT museum.  Stayed in the hostel that night, much nicer than it was when Hugh and I stayed there.

Day 93, Friday, 6/14, Pine Grove Furnace State Park to Boiling Springs, PA mile 1116.9, hiked 19.6 miles

Real easy hike to Boiling Springs, very flat and it was neet to go over a section I've done before. I went to a section a big rocks known as the rock maze - and it was a maze - I got turned around and almost headed back to GA! Made it to town sooner than a thought and got mt package from the post office before it closed - the second half of my guidebook. Christy came and picked me up and I stayed at her husband John's parents house. John and Christy are good friends from my college days (college part 1).

Day 94, Saturday, 6/15, Carlisle, PA , hiked 0 miles

 

My friend Abby came over to visit!

 

Then my friend John came to visit! He was my roommate all 4 years of undergrad.

 

 

The hike for WAR

I am hiking the Appalachian Trail and raising money for Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int'l). WAR, Int'l is a great ministry that helps (and helps prevent) victims of human trafficking. Please join this effort to fight against slavery.

My trail name is "Steady-State" I am currently hiking the Appalachian Trail, a 2186 mile continuous footpath that stretches from Georgia to Maine. I started this trip on March 14^th 2013 and as of this date (May 24th) I have completed 800 miles of the trail. Please click here to see my first blog post which has some good basic info about hiking the Appalachian trail. 

I will be starting a charity hike to benefit Women At Risk International. 

There are several ways you can join in the effort to help this great ministry

1. Pray for Women At Risk International and the women they are helping

2. Make a pledge for each mile that I hike on the Appalachian Trail

3. Give a one time gift

4. Follow me and maybe send me an encouraging word now and then

Note:

I will not be handling any money for this fundraiser; rather please send all donations directly to Women At Risk International. Give via their website and please remember to write "Steady-State" in the Designation field, this is my trail name (the name I go by on the trial) and will allow them to keep track of how much we raise for them.

Make a pledge

You can pledge any dollar amount per mile. You may for example pledge $0.01 per mile. The trail is 2,186 miles long so please keep that in mind when you are considering how much to pledge. So if I complete the whole trail, $0.01 per mile means you would donate $21.86

Send me a message through my facebook page (Steady-State hike for Women At Risk International) with the following info:

1. Name

2. City/town where you live

3. Your pledge amount in dollars per mile (any amount is fine)

4. Your email

The pledge money will be collected after I complete the trail (or make it as far as I can). I will keep track of how much you pledged and remind you to make a donation on the WAR website but please try to keep track yourself as well.

Please visit the Women At Risk International website to find out more about the work they are doing.

http://warinternational.org/

Make a one time donation

1. Go to the Women At Risk International website: https://warinternational.org/donate/

2. In the "Notes about gift" section write "Steady-State"

4. leave the Designation field blank if you want the money to go to their general fund, otherwise choose a program you would like the money to go. 

Follow me!

I will be updating the facebook page on a regular basis with pictures, updates on where I am and how much money has been raised and pledged. I carry a GPS device which I update most days so you can see exactly where I am. Also I have a blog appalachiantrailrob.blogspot.com where I have detailed accounts of what I see each day and the people I meet. Also you can see pictures, lots and lots of pictures on my flickr photostream. 

Lizards, and Ponies, and Cattle, and Snakes, and Coyotes, and Bears! Oh, My!

I am uploading my photos to Flickr as well. Here is my photo stream!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94837690@N05/

Day 47, Monday, 4/29, hiked 14.8 miles, Hampton, TN to Vandeventer Shelter mile 434.0 

Sam dropped me off at about 11:30 am. We said our goodbyes and he prayed for me. I hiked up and over the hill. I think I saw Matt and Banter but none of us recognized each other at the time. On the other side of the hill I came to Watagua Lake - a manmade lake due to damming the river. I had to take an alternate route around the lake because of flooding. Then I got to cross Watauga Dam. I saw "Karma" camped out a little after Wilbur dam road. I also met "Quaker" on the trail. He is an older gentleman with a big white beard and no mustache. He was a Chemistry professor at University of Indiana Pennsylvania - real nice guy. I came to find out later that he is almost 80 years old and he is indeed a Quaker. His father passed away and his very elderly mother told him he should hike the AT and spread is father's ashes on every state border crossing. It wasn't a suggestion but a command.

Day 48, Tuesday, 4/30, hiked 19.8 miles, Vandeventer Shelter to Double Spring Gap mile 19.8 

At one point I came to a spot right before a road where a local Church had a metal cage where they regularly leave snacks and drinks for hikers and they have a sign that says they pray for us and want us to grow closer to God in the great outdoors. I took a diet coke because that was all that was left. Right after that the trail goes into a gravel path through a pasture- it is a handicapped accessible trail. Then that stops and the trail goes right through and active cattle pasture with beef cows.

pasture

Sun, blue sky, bug puffy clouds beautiful green grass and a cold drink. It was beautiful and reminded me of home and I could not help lingering for a bit to take it all in - I love this so much!

Earlier in the day my right leg had shin splints! It hurt very badly. I prayed, rested a bit, took 800 mg of Ibuprophen then kept going - it felt better after less than an hour of walking on it. Probably happened because I have been favoring that side due to pain in my left foot.

Day 49, Wednesday, 5/1, hiked 12.8 miles, Double Spring Gap to Damascus, VA mile 466.6 

Finally made it out of TN and in to VA! Then walked down the hill to Damascus, VA known as the friendliest town on the AT - it goes right through town. A town employee "Bill" was cutting the grass in the park and stopped to welcome me, give me directions and let me know the best places to eat.

Damascus sign

I was going to stay at the hiker Inn but the lady had no room - she did try to help me find one elsewhere but I just ended up staying at "The Place" a Church run Hostel. Lots of hikers there, only a $6 donation to stay. The town is very much built around the trail - many businesses cater to it. But there is probably more business dedicated to the national bike trial that runs through town, lots of bike shops and rental places.

I had a terrible Buffalo chicken wing sub at a certain cafe in town, service was bad too. Bill told me not to go there - Why did I not listen? After dinner I walked over to the creek and soaked my feet - Sooo cold!

Day 50, Thursday, 5/2, hiked 0 miles, Damascus, VA mile 466.6 

Stayed another night at the hostel to let my foot heal. Talked to the caretaker "Bayuo". The Church bought the house in 1975 for parking space. When the bike trail was put in the Church agreed to let bikers stay. The hostel was rundown until in 2000 the hiking community helped improve it. Bayuo isn't a member of the church; he just runs things during hiker season.

The Place

I went to Mount Rodgers Outfitters (MRO) and talked with the owner- real nice guy - I think he might even be a believer. He got me set up with some superfeet insoles. Says I will get more arch support. My feet will be higher and thus shorter in the boot. >15-mile days will feel like I only did 12 miles. He cut up some old insoles and put them behind my laces. He says they are tongue suppressors; he laced my boots different to keep feet from moving around in the boot. More arch support should make my calves feel better. He says this should make a big difference for me on the trail and then he encouraged me to "keep smiling". I put a post on Facebook asking for ideas for my hike-a-thon. A friend suggested "WAR International" - that on is my favorite so far.

Day 51, Friday, 5/3, hiked 17.5 miles, Damascus, VA to Campsite mile 484.1 

Packed up and left The Place and stopped at "Cowboys" for some blueberry pancakes. Met "headbones" older gentleman lives outside Hot Springs, NC. He was in the military and has good memories of living in San Antonio when stationed at Fort Sam Houston. He is retired but was some kind of medical lab specialist. Also met "Doodles" a mechanical Engineer - works for John Deere. Also met "Soleman" he has a friend named "poor boy" who I did not met.

Day 52, Saturday, 5/4, hiked 21.8 miles, Campsite to Orchard shelter mile 505.9

Walked over Whitetop mountain - it was very very windy! Hurricane force winds over the bald, foggy and cold. The wind came from the side and I had to lean and put my hiking poles at a 45 degree angle just to stand up! There was a man and girl headed southbound down the mountain before I got up there. They said it lifted the girl off her feet! I would meet up with these two again later - they are a father (Kaboose) and 13 year old daughter (Sasaphrase)Check out this article Yahoo did about their hike

Made it to the shelter on Mt. Rodgers for lunch -real cold. Made it to Grayson Highlands State Park. Went through "fatman squeeze" a rock tunnel.

Going through the highlands was cool - lots of rock outcroppings and balds and I got to see the wild ponies! They were real cool and I saw lots of them. I could only get within about 10 feet before they would run off a little.

Wild Ponies

Oh, and they all slept in a big pile!

Crossed 500 miles!

Day 53, Sunday, 5/5, hiked 24.7 miles, Orchard shelter to Partnership Shelter mile 530.6 


Got up really early. Only a little rain at night. I saw "Cruse" and "Corndog" again. I had not seen them since the Smokies. I did not recognize corndog at all because he shaved his beard. The rain held off until mid afternoon right after I finished my lunch. I put plastic bags on my hands to keep them dry and protect them from the wind. It worked fairly well. Walked through a real nice meadow/clearing in the light rain. Came across a box left by a local Church with food and drinks - didn't have much left but I got some candy. It was a real nice box left by the youth group and had hand prints and the names of the kids all over it - real sweet - They also had a sign on the road welcoming hikers to walk down the road to Sunday Services. Unfortunately it was Sunday afternoon by the time I got there. It was rainy and windy but the terrain was flat and you can order pizza at the visitor's center at the next shelter so I hiked real fast and got there by 5:45pm. Got there and ordered my pizza - downed that whole medium pizza and mt. dew in no time. My hands were cold when I stopped and I was a bit wet - stayed in the shelter in my sleeping bag with my pizza on my lap and drifted into pizza heaven (directly adjacent to Thru-hiker heaven). Smokes and Smiley were there and there were lots more people upstairs. The shelter had showers but they were of course cold water so I abstained.

Day 54, Monday, 5/6, hiked 0.1 miles, Partnership shelter to Visitors center mile 530.7 


Took the $0.50 Shuttle to Marion, VA. I got my room and then went across the road to the other hotel that had a restaurant but they were closed, but fear not for I went to Sonic instead! Then I went to my room and watched Demolition Man on TV. I love that movie! Oh and if i'm ever talking to you and I say "you know that movie that is like Judge Dread but way better?" I am referring to Demolition man, I just can't ever remember the name.

Day 55, Tuesday, 5/7, hiked 11.5 miles, Visitors center to Atkins, VA mile 542.2 

Took the shuttle back to the trail, there were lots of other hikers also on the shuttle. A big group was slack packing to Atkins. Saw Cruse and Corndog again and also saw Guru who I met in Erwin and saw Twigs, and met Starface and Garden girl. I saw Apa again - I hadn't seen him in a long time. I also met "Danno" who is a retired attorney/legislator in Hawaii. Also met "Noodles" a retired firefighter from San Fransisco. He has hiked the PCT before. When I got to Atkins I split a hotel room with Noodles and Red knees. I didn't want to stop but it was raining and there was a flood watch and thunderstorm warning.

I went over a lot of flooded streams, rock hopping and jumping over and getting my feet wet. I went past a one-room schoolhouse - it was just past a 1890's era farm. Hikers are welcome in the schoolhouse, which is pretty much just a museum now. I went in and saw the old style desks and wood stove and on the wall was a list of offenses and punishments.

One room school house

school house punishments

Noodles (front) and Danno (behind)

It was raining as I hiked in to Atkins the light woods gave way to clearings and the wind and rain set free white tree peddles that floated down to the ground around me. Then I went through a few clearings -without fail every time I reached the middle of a clearing I would hear a the load crack of the thunder not too far in the distance - the shadow of heaven and of hell nearly touching.

Met "Hawk" he has hiked the AT before, just doing part of it again to stay active. He was born in Turkey.

Day 56, Wednesday, 5/8, hiked 13.9 miles, Atkins, VA to Knot Maul Branch Shelter mile 556.1 

Packed up my stuff and left the hotel. Went to the gas station before I left and got coffee. Walked under I-81 and back to the woods. Went through farmland, through fields and pastures and over fence stiles. One stile was way over my head! Note: fence Stiles are these ladders that you climb up and over a fence thus allowing hiker access but keeping the livestock in. They look like this:

Fence Style

Saw a bird with very bright red body and black wings. It was rainy and a bit cold. Very muddy. I had to climb up a hill a bit to get around a fallen tree. I literally skied down on the mud on the other side of the tree.

Met "OB" - stands for "Old and Busted"

It was raining a lot of the way and my feet were hurting from my brand new blisters that I was developing due to the wet weather, so I decided to stop and stay in the shelter even though it was early afternoon. Of course the rain pretty much stopped soon after I got settled in the shelter but I was pooped and happy to have a warm and dry place in the shelter. There was much discussion that night about how much education the average thru-hiker has. In the shelter we had 3 engineers and statistician and an attorney.

Day 57, Thursday, 5/9, hiked 19.1 miles, KnotMaul Branch Shelter to Jenkins Shelter mile 575.2 

Formally met Kaboose and Sasphrase. Met "Banyon"

Fun climb up clearing on Chestnut Ridge. At the top is Chestnut knob shelter, which is a cool fully enclosed stone shelter in a clearing.

Chestnut Ridge

Amazing view of a valley surrounded on all sides by high ridges. Down in the valley are about 20 farms and you can see all of them! Walked the ridgeline - you can see the ridgeline I walked to the right in the picture below. It was rocky and tough!

Farm valley

Day 58, Friday, 5/10, hiked 23.8 miles, Jenkins Shelter to Jenny Knob Shelter mile 599.0 


Fairly easy hiking- mostly flat even trail, made it to US 52 which is about 2.5 miles from Bland, VA. Trail goes right by a Church so I sat outside the Church and ate lunch. Lots of hikers getting picked up and dropped off from Bland. One local even came over and gave us some water and offered a ride in to town. He had a 45 cal on his hip (soo common in the South - I love it) I really wanted to keep hiking so I declined the ride. 

By the way, a missed opportunity for that Church -they didn't even have a sign welcoming hikers to Sunday services and they are 30 feet from the trail. 30 feet from more than 1500 hikers every year that need Jesus! But then again they may have some outreach I don't know about and I've missed A LOT of such opportunities myself.

The trail crosses I-77 cool area between mountains with cut outs for the roads. I got to the shelter about 1 mile from the road but it was still early. I had 1.5 liters of water and my guide showed no more water sources for at least 10 miles but I went anyways. Then it started raining and thunder/lightning and on I went charging down the ridgeline (it has trees - I wasn't in the open) - there is a point when despite the fear you have to man up and go! So I went praying the whole way that I would not have to walk on an exposed bald and that I would be I would be safe, warm, dry and find water - God Provided - But who's surprised at that? I came across some section hikers who gave me water and when I got to the shelter there was space for me. It was a long day but you can really fly when you are dodging lightning (Its hard to dodge lightning because it travels a 3x10^8 meters/second).  I've had some fun opportunities to just go and trust God on the trail. In my other life I would have a hard time pointing out many times I had to trust God in something, but out here I have to trust so for all my daily needs: water, food, shelter, the weather, rides to town. It's been a good growing experience. I hear other hikers speaking of this provision and say "The Trail Provides" I say the trail is just dirt, God Provides.




I-77



Met section hiking couple "Hopps" and "Trail wench"

Day 59, Saturday, 5/11, hiked 14.2 miles, Jenny Knob Shelter to Wapiti shelter mile 613.2 

They were predicting more storms for the afternoon so I was trying to plan my hike around that. When I crossed Kimbering creek there is a cool wooden suspension bridge going over it. The bridge wobbles and sways as you go but it is very sturdy.

Wood suspension bridge

After the creek I came to a road and walked half a mile to Trent's Grocery which is pretty much just a gas station/convenience store. I had some food and took a very nasty shower. The shower was down a dirt road next to some old campers and a horse pasture - it was nasty beyond reason. I was at that place 2 hours waiting for the storm to start thinking I could wait there till it stopped. The section hikers that gave me water the day before were there too and had the same idea. By 2 pm it had barely rained at all so I gave up and just went! At least I got to eat some hot food and have some coffee. 

I hiked about 2 miles and here comes Smokes with no pack hiking south! He is looking for his friend Smiley. I kept going another mile and then there was Smiley heading south too! They had somehow missed each other but met up later on. It rained the last 2 hours before reaching the shelter but I got a spot no problem. "Dreamer" (who I met in the Smokies) and his son "Tex" and friend "Oppie" where there that night.

That night we could hear a pack of Coyotes not too far from the shelter; they were making a lot of noise. It sounded as if they were fighting or had cornered some animal. Coyotes really aren't dangerous to humans but they do make some erie noises in the night.

Day 60, Sunday, 5/12, hiked 17.6 miles, Wapiti Shelter to Pearisburg, VA mile 630.8 

Some rain, a bit cold, very muddy trail. Met "Temp" and "Stumbles" when I stopped for lunch. Also met "rainbow braid" and her mother. Nice views of the valley below. Called for a hotel from the trail and invited Red Knees to share the room with me. We saw "Hoppes" and "Trail Wench" before the decent to town. They have a car parked at the Old Rendezvous motel (Which burned down in March) and they gave us a ride to our hotel!

On top of the mountain before the decent in to Pearisburg

Remains of the Renevous motel

It was Mother's Day and there were lots of day hikers out. I called my Mom when I got to town and wished her a Happy Mother's Day.

I have been thinking about what I want to do when I get back - probably thinking about it way too much in fact. I'm making lists and plans for work and personal life. Daydreaming makes the miles go faster but then I get antsy to go do this stuff. Whatever I like this life and I like my life off the trail - But I'm doing the trail first.

Day 61, Monday, 5/13, hiked 0 miles, Pearisburg, VA mile 630.8 

Just hung out in Pearisburg. Got a crappy economy room at the same hotel - Holiday motor lodge. The owner's father (I'm told that's who it was) sits in a chair next to the front desk all day! Lots of people live in the hotel and there is some kid that was pacing back and forth on the balcony all day. The town is a bit depressed - lots of closed businesses. Even the Valero is closed. They do have a factory there that makes filters for cigarettes. I went to the Mexican resonant for dinner and there was the section hikers that gave me water a few days back. "Tin cup" and "Centrum" they invited me to sit with them and even bought me dinner. Centrum gave me his email and told me to send him an email and picture when I finish. Centrum is some kind of salesman for startup medical companies. He talked allot about the importance of employees to be able to be independent workers and not afraid to make mistakes.

Met "Shamen" this is a different Shaman from the one I met before.

Send home my Z rest, fleece and old insoles home.

Day 62, Tuesday, 5/14, hiked 20.5 miles, Pearisburg, VA to "The Captains" mile 651.3 

I camped at The Captains that night. Just a guy that let's you tent in his backyard. It was cool; I took a zip line from the creek over to his yard. Its just a cable system that you sit on and someone else pulls you across but it was still fun!

Zip line

When I got across I found a bunch of other hikers, a campfire, some friendly dogs and you can go grab free cold sodas from a fridge on the back porch! I met the captain. We though maybe he was a ship or airplane captain - nope- he looks like captain kangaroo!

The Captains

Day 63, Wednesday, 5/15, hiked 17.3 miles, "The Captains" to Laurel Creek Shelter mile 668.6 

Day 64, Thursday, 5/16, hiked 22.5 miles, Laurel Creek Shelter to Pickle Brach Shelter mile 691.1 

Saw a bear today! it was a smaller bear and by the time i realized he was there he was nearly to the other side or the ridge I was walking. I also saw a snake. not sure what kind but he was laying across the path to the shelter that night. I through a few sticks is his direction so encourage him to get off the trail so some other hiker didn't step on him. He did move, but took his sweet time.

Snake

Day 65, Friday, 5/17, hiked 14.6 miles, Pickle Branch Shelter to Catawba Mountain shelter mile 705.7 

Daragons tooth

The view from dragons tooth

 700 miles

The home place restaurant

Day 66, Saturday, 5/18, hiked 17.8 miles, Catawba Mountain shelter to Daleville, VA mile 723.5 

Went to McAfee Knob in the morning with Better Man and Smothers - it was foggy - could not see the view at all.

McAfee Knob

The next view we came to was the Tinker Cliffs

I met "The Dude" he is from a small town near Batavia, NY which is close to where I grew up in NY.

Day 67, Sunday, 5/19, hiked 11.2 miles, Daleville, VA to Wilson Creek Shelter mile 734.7 

It finally worked out that I could be in town on a Sunday morning so I went to Church for the first time since I set out on this trip. I went to Botetourt Community Church. They we very welcoming, helped me find a place to keep my pack and about half of their congregation came over at one point to shake my hand. Its nice to know that even if you smell and haven't shaved in over two months you can still be welcomed in to a good Church.

Botetourt Community Church

Day 68, Monday, 5/20, hiked 20.8 miles, Wilson Creek Shelter to Bryant Ridge Shelter mile 755.5 

Cool shelter

Bryant Ridge Shelter

Day 69, Tuesday, 5/21, hiked 17.1 miles, Bryant Ridge Shelter to Marble Spring campsite mile 772.6 

Day 70, Wednesday, 5/22, hiked 7.7 miles, Bryant Ridge Shelter to US 501 (stayed in Glasgow, VA) mile 780.3 

Hiked out and make it to the road by about 10:30 am. The trail parallels the James River for a mile and then I crossed the river on a bridge that is the longest foot traffic only bridge on the AT. I had to hitch in to Glasgow - it is about 6 miles from the trail. Took about 15 minutes and then a nice younger guy gave me a ride. He said his brother hiker the trail a few years ago. I like Glasgow - it was small but nice. For some reason there was a dinosaur statue by the road. I asked local why it was there, she said some guy in the town made a lot of those statues and they used to be all around town but they took everything down but the dinosaur - she says the tourist seem to like it.  

Glasgow dinosaur

Day 71, Thursday, 5/23, hiked 10.5 miles, US 501 (stayed in Glasgow, VA) to Punchbowl Shelter mile 790.8

I took my time getting back to the trail in the morning. Talked to Banzai for a little bit. Turns out he is going to seminary after the trail (Lutheran I think). Our conversation drifted around dispensationalism, Calvinism, Arminianism, predestination and the Lutheran perspective eon each of these. I did some other course and stuck out my thumb to hitch back to the trail. The second car that came by picked me up! New record - about 30 seconds to get a hitch! It was a long climb up the mountain but I only needed to do about 10 miles that day. Smothers and Better man were at the shelter when I got there. I tented that night and of course it rained but I stated mostly dry. There was a thunderstorm that moved through at one point the lightning was very close, only half a second between the light and sound. But we were safe and none of the dead trees I camped under feel on me - win win.

Day 72, Friday, 5/24, hiked 11.3 miles, Punchbowl Shelter to US 60 (Buena Vista) mile 802.1

I got up and hiked out. Met "sweet tooth" at a road crossing. She was handing out soda and snacks. She is following her husband "Molar man" up the trail. I haven't met him yet. He is a retired dentist and was an industrial engineer before that. She says he switched to dentistry because he wanted to work with people more and that the guy who bought his dentistry practice also used to be an engineer. I don't want to be a dentist and I like people well enough but life as an engineer easily fulfills my daily human interaction quota.

I hitched in to Buena Vista with Smoothers and Better man then waited at Hardee's for my parents to come pick me up. They came down to get me of the trial and spend Memorial Day weekend with me.

Day 73, Saturday, 5/25, hiked 0 miles, Lexington, VA and Damascus, VA

Got a haircut and a shave for the firs time since I started the trail. Just had them clean up my beard a bit - I plan on growing it out as much as I can before I finish the trail.

My parents and I went down to Damascus VA to met up with my old trial family! they took a day off in Damascus to "Bike Blaze". They rented bikes and took a ride along the Virginia creeper trail.

I went to the outfitter to get new boots. My old ones are shot. My parents generously bought me the old boots last year and between the AT and my practice hikes they have about 1000 miles on them. My feet were hurting more than normal and I looked down to find a huge crack in the soles - so, time to replace them.

I didn't get to see everyone but Borders, Doobie, Pink Panther, Glowbug, Tin man, and Yukon where there. It was great to see them again!

Trail Family Reunion! (minus Gweejo, Spider and Tumbleweed)

 Day 74, Sunday, 5/26, hiked 0 miles

 I worked on my blog and spend they day with my parents. My parents also helped me get things set up for my charity hike. I love my parents; they have been very  supportive of me and of my hike.

My Parents

In other news please look out for a new post with all the details about my charity hike. Also you can go to my new facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steady-State-hike-for-Women-At-Risk-International/511238812258703