"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as the sun light flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."
-John Muir
Start: Falls Village, CT
Finish: Sages Ravine Campsite, MA
Today: 15.1 mi
Total: 316.7 mi
We started the day at a hotel in Great Barrington, MA only to take a taxi back to Falls Village, CT so we can hike to Great Barrington, MA by tomorrow night. Sounds dumb, huh? We had skipped ahead to MA for the cheaper hotels while Flicka's hamburger toes healed. Since we didn't want to skip this 30 mile section we had to backtrack to move ahead.
The day began with fantastic views of the Housatonic river and were soothed by the sound of it's crystal blue water spilling over the falls. Everything about the day felt positive. The ground was soft, the air cool and the birds sang away.
We covered the first 8 miles in just under 3 hours and sat down for lunch on a park bench in front of an old folks community and across from a cemetery (unfortunate location!). Since I sent home my cook stove to reduce weight it was a peanut butter sandwich for me. Flicka had all sorts of food packed away. She ate an everything bagel, followed with some pretzels and then she broke out some Swedish fish! What else does she have in that food bag, a turkey dinner? Mary Poppins on a park bench!
There was a spot you could get water in the cemetery but we had enough to get to the next shelter. Didn't want to drink ground water that tasted like Aunt Edna anyway! We finished our lunch and put fresh socks on our feet. Walking by the cemetery, Flicka mentioned she saw a bunch of hikers go in but none came out. "Must be zombies" in there she joked. I told her there was nothing to worry about unless we heard "Thriller" come on in the background.
After the cemetery the trail turned back into the woods where we met an older gentleman. After exchanging hiker pleasantries (where'd you start, how many miles you doing today, how're your feet doing?), he went on a rant about how terrible the trail is, how you've got to be nuts to be doing this, and how sick he is of beef jerky. Flicka asked what his trail name was. "Grumpy Old Man," he said, confirming our thought.
We caught up to Miles Supertramp, a thru hiker friend we hadn't seen since Delaware Water Gap. We shared stories about the trail for almost an hour. My favorite was when a very drunk hiker got up in the night to pee at a tree. Showers are great and hikers love them but the girl who woke up to that shower wasn't pleased. The other hikers with her later agreed her new trail name was Golden Shower.
We took our time and checked out some amazing views from Bear Mountain, CT. Hunter green forests broken by wheat fields spotted with lakes surrounded us. Just after Bear Mountain we entered our 6th state, Massachusetts! Soon after that we arrived at Sages Ravine campsite for the night.
-DADDY LONG LEGS
Jul 31, 2012
Day 35-38 - ZEROS DAY
To once and for all let Heather's feet heal, we decided to go to Great Barrington where there were cheap hotels and food while she recuperates. After she feels better we will take a cab back to Falls Village, CT so we won't miss any trail.
Heather's high school bio teacher who introduced her to hiking has been following our blogs and offered to bring us there. It was great to finally meet the legend that Heather has told me about for years.
These last few days we've been in a clean, cool environment with TV, hot shower, and food. It felt strange to have all the niceties of town juxtaposed against the freedom of walking through the woods, constantly seeing something new and camping wherever you please. I can't wait to see what the trail brings me tomorrow!
~DADDY LONG LEGS
Heather's high school bio teacher who introduced her to hiking has been following our blogs and offered to bring us there. It was great to finally meet the legend that Heather has told me about for years.
These last few days we've been in a clean, cool environment with TV, hot shower, and food. It felt strange to have all the niceties of town juxtaposed against the freedom of walking through the woods, constantly seeing something new and camping wherever you please. I can't wait to see what the trail brings me tomorrow!
~DADDY LONG LEGS
Jul 30, 2012
MORE PICS
I should probably show you pictures of all the terrible climbs and
obstacles along the trail but this meadow is much prettier!
The "Boulder Squeeze"
Wet rocks along the "green tunnel"
My obsession with......moss
Porch of a great restaurant we ate at
More corn!
Hogwarts! In Massachusetts?
Rainforest Day
Jul 27, 2012
Day 34 (July 26th) - RAINFOREST DAY
"We've been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin' rain. And big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seem to come straight up from underneath."
-Forest Gump
Start: West Cornwall Road
Finish: Falls Village, CT
Today: 9.6 mi
Total: 301.6 mi
We were on the trail and into the rain at 9:30 AM. As always, we started the day with a steep climb. All around me the forest was full of vivid colors. I climbed up through the mist on soft dirt, over wet rocks and through lush, green vegetation.
The threat of severe thunderstorms with the chance of hail and tornadoes had us moving at a quick pace. We planed on doing just 10 miles today before the worst of the storms and staying in a hotel tonight. Along the climb I made my way through the "Boulder squeeze" and continued upwards. While waiting for Flicka and No Whistle to catch up I stood perched on a ledge like a stone skyscraper gargoyle, looking out at the horizon. The clouds hung low under the peaks of the mountaintops like seas surrounding smooth green islands. A couple hours later the warmth of the early afternoon burned off the clouds, revealing blue skies above.
I hiked alone for the majority of the day while No Whistle did my duty of walking and talking with Flicka. I owe her one! =) While waiting for them at a road crossing, the mosquitoes were out in full force. As I sat there a pile of unfortunate mosquitoes accumulated on my shirt and splattered on my limbs. I guess the bugs of Mosquito-chusetts know no political borders because we're still in Connecticut!
We arrived at Falls Village for lunch and I ran to the post office to get a package. A nice lady working there gave me a cold soda because she knew I was hiking the trail. The package contained toe socks, hopefully the answer to Flicka's blister problems! After an awesome lunch on a quiet restaurant patio, I tried to call a taxi. Our waitress, just ending her shift, offered to drive us the 15 minutes to our hotel to save us money. Incredible! The people we've met in Connecticut have been the nicest, most generous people on the trail so far.
As I sit here writing this the skies are turning shades of dark gray. Deep rumbles of thunder can be heard in the distance. Big storms are coming!
-Daddy Long Legs
-Forest Gump
Start: West Cornwall Road
Finish: Falls Village, CT
Today: 9.6 mi
Total: 301.6 mi
We were on the trail and into the rain at 9:30 AM. As always, we started the day with a steep climb. All around me the forest was full of vivid colors. I climbed up through the mist on soft dirt, over wet rocks and through lush, green vegetation.
The threat of severe thunderstorms with the chance of hail and tornadoes had us moving at a quick pace. We planed on doing just 10 miles today before the worst of the storms and staying in a hotel tonight. Along the climb I made my way through the "Boulder squeeze" and continued upwards. While waiting for Flicka and No Whistle to catch up I stood perched on a ledge like a stone skyscraper gargoyle, looking out at the horizon. The clouds hung low under the peaks of the mountaintops like seas surrounding smooth green islands. A couple hours later the warmth of the early afternoon burned off the clouds, revealing blue skies above.
I hiked alone for the majority of the day while No Whistle did my duty of walking and talking with Flicka. I owe her one! =) While waiting for them at a road crossing, the mosquitoes were out in full force. As I sat there a pile of unfortunate mosquitoes accumulated on my shirt and splattered on my limbs. I guess the bugs of Mosquito-chusetts know no political borders because we're still in Connecticut!
We arrived at Falls Village for lunch and I ran to the post office to get a package. A nice lady working there gave me a cold soda because she knew I was hiking the trail. The package contained toe socks, hopefully the answer to Flicka's blister problems! After an awesome lunch on a quiet restaurant patio, I tried to call a taxi. Our waitress, just ending her shift, offered to drive us the 15 minutes to our hotel to save us money. Incredible! The people we've met in Connecticut have been the nicest, most generous people on the trail so far.
As I sit here writing this the skies are turning shades of dark gray. Deep rumbles of thunder can be heard in the distance. Big storms are coming!
-Daddy Long Legs
Day 33 (July 25th) - WHAT A DAY!
"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is rapture on the lonely shore; There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, But nature more."
-Lord Byron
Start: Kent, Ct
Finish: West Cornwall Road
Today: 16.0 mi
Total: 292.0 mi
I feel great today! We totally got unsolicited trail magic before even getting to the trail. As we walked the 1 mile road walk from Kent to the trailhead, a Subaru (first hint) with two ladies in it pulled over. They asked us if we were hiking the trail and whether we knew their friend Funnybone. They were meeting him today and offered us a ride to the trailhead. After dropping us off they handed each of us zip-locks bursting with cold grapes and cherries. There wasn't even any Yogi-ing (the act of inviting yourself to or trying to get someone to offer you their food).
Once we started hiking I was really moving. I don't know if it was the zero yesterday or the new boots but I was running on all eight cylinders gliding over roots, past rocks and up the climbs. By the time I reached the first landmark, a stream, I had traveled 3 miles in less than an hour. Pretty fast! I sat there and waited for Heather and No Whistle while eating my second breakfast (Snickers and grapes). I closed my eyes and took in the sounds of the forest: the crickets, birds singing, creaking trees and the sound of water cascading down the stream.
It felt good to be in Connecticut with it's cute towns, lots of trail magic and streams that actually had water flowing in them. A couple miles later we reached Galebs Peak with it's beautiful views of blue skies and rolling mountains. We ate our first lunch there. Burning so many calories (6000+) a day you eat as many meals as a Hobbit (from Lord of the rings). There is first Breakfast naturally followed by second breakfast with elevenses coming next right before luncheon and later followed by afternoon tea, then dinner and last but not least, supper.
By 2 PM we made it to Stewart Hollow shelter 7 miles into the day. Today is going so well. 10 more miles to go. A little bit later I passed a tree with a sign and a bag of orange soda trail magic. The sign said "keep strong on your journey...you are doing what many can only dream of doing. I hope the trail is treating you well. Please enjoy a quick snack or drink -Steve." Amazing!
At 7:45 PM we glided onto West Cornwall Rd. after a very respectable 16 mi day. I felt great. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment - can't wait for tomorrow!
-DADDY LONG LEGS
-Lord Byron
Start: Kent, Ct
Finish: West Cornwall Road
Today: 16.0 mi
Total: 292.0 mi
I feel great today! We totally got unsolicited trail magic before even getting to the trail. As we walked the 1 mile road walk from Kent to the trailhead, a Subaru (first hint) with two ladies in it pulled over. They asked us if we were hiking the trail and whether we knew their friend Funnybone. They were meeting him today and offered us a ride to the trailhead. After dropping us off they handed each of us zip-locks bursting with cold grapes and cherries. There wasn't even any Yogi-ing (the act of inviting yourself to or trying to get someone to offer you their food).
Once we started hiking I was really moving. I don't know if it was the zero yesterday or the new boots but I was running on all eight cylinders gliding over roots, past rocks and up the climbs. By the time I reached the first landmark, a stream, I had traveled 3 miles in less than an hour. Pretty fast! I sat there and waited for Heather and No Whistle while eating my second breakfast (Snickers and grapes). I closed my eyes and took in the sounds of the forest: the crickets, birds singing, creaking trees and the sound of water cascading down the stream.
It felt good to be in Connecticut with it's cute towns, lots of trail magic and streams that actually had water flowing in them. A couple miles later we reached Galebs Peak with it's beautiful views of blue skies and rolling mountains. We ate our first lunch there. Burning so many calories (6000+) a day you eat as many meals as a Hobbit (from Lord of the rings). There is first Breakfast naturally followed by second breakfast with elevenses coming next right before luncheon and later followed by afternoon tea, then dinner and last but not least, supper.
By 2 PM we made it to Stewart Hollow shelter 7 miles into the day. Today is going so well. 10 more miles to go. A little bit later I passed a tree with a sign and a bag of orange soda trail magic. The sign said "keep strong on your journey...you are doing what many can only dream of doing. I hope the trail is treating you well. Please enjoy a quick snack or drink -Steve." Amazing!
At 7:45 PM we glided onto West Cornwall Rd. after a very respectable 16 mi day. I felt great. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment - can't wait for tomorrow!
-DADDY LONG LEGS
Jul 24, 2012
Day 32 (July 24th) - TUES-DAY
Advice from an old man we met in a town:
"Don't run when you can drive. Don't walk when you can sit. And don't reach for the check first."
We woke up just after 7 am to an earthquake! Well, maybe it wasn't an earthquake but the entire building was shaking as the morning train sped by. I thought it was really cool but Heather and No Whistle (we shared a room last night) didn't seem amused.
When my mom heard that we were sharing a room with another hiker her voice immediately became skeptical and she asked if that was okay and if we would be killed in our sleep. I assured her that No Whistle wouldn't hurt a fly. Well, maybe she'd kill mosquitoes or those horseflies that chomped on your skin...or the black flies that kamikaze your eyeballs all day. I made sure to tell my mom not to tell my father, though. We've survived excruciating miles, unbearable heat, infection and one really scary mountaintop lightning storm - you think people would trust our judgment by now. But, when no whistle told her parents she was staying with us they warned her we may be "swingers.". Damn, they blew our cover!
After 8am we stuck moleskin on our feet, placed Band-Aids on blisters and taped our toes before sliding into our new boots - very exciting. A walk through town would be our test to see if Heather's feet were good enough to move on (and a chance for me to return the book I accidentally stole from the library yesterday when I picked up my things from the table). A few days ago she probably would have beared this pain and hiked on but we decided it would be better if we zeroed and gave her swollen, red, blistered, hamburger toes more rest.
I think Heather and I are beginning to realize this is our trip - to free ourselves from the expectations of others, real or imagined.
"Don't run when you can drive. Don't walk when you can sit. And don't reach for the check first."
We woke up just after 7 am to an earthquake! Well, maybe it wasn't an earthquake but the entire building was shaking as the morning train sped by. I thought it was really cool but Heather and No Whistle (we shared a room last night) didn't seem amused.
When my mom heard that we were sharing a room with another hiker her voice immediately became skeptical and she asked if that was okay and if we would be killed in our sleep. I assured her that No Whistle wouldn't hurt a fly. Well, maybe she'd kill mosquitoes or those horseflies that chomped on your skin...or the black flies that kamikaze your eyeballs all day. I made sure to tell my mom not to tell my father, though. We've survived excruciating miles, unbearable heat, infection and one really scary mountaintop lightning storm - you think people would trust our judgment by now. But, when no whistle told her parents she was staying with us they warned her we may be "swingers.". Damn, they blew our cover!
After 8am we stuck moleskin on our feet, placed Band-Aids on blisters and taped our toes before sliding into our new boots - very exciting. A walk through town would be our test to see if Heather's feet were good enough to move on (and a chance for me to return the book I accidentally stole from the library yesterday when I picked up my things from the table). A few days ago she probably would have beared this pain and hiked on but we decided it would be better if we zeroed and gave her swollen, red, blistered, hamburger toes more rest.
I think Heather and I are beginning to realize this is our trip - to free ourselves from the expectations of others, real or imagined.
Day 31 (July 23rd) - NEW BOOTS DAY
"When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body. I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and cloths you have worn out."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Heather and I woke up about 7am. We layed there in bed looking up at the brown stains on the drop ceiling (hiker rate). Bursts of thunder and the white noise of pouring rain filtered into our room. Heather told me her toe was killing her (even in bed with no pressure on it). She wanted to spend this rainy day in Kent getting new boots and checked out at the doctor. It was better to get these town chores done in the rain rather than wasting a sunny afternoon on it. I agree.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Heather and I woke up about 7am. We layed there in bed looking up at the brown stains on the drop ceiling (hiker rate). Bursts of thunder and the white noise of pouring rain filtered into our room. Heather told me her toe was killing her (even in bed with no pressure on it). She wanted to spend this rainy day in Kent getting new boots and checked out at the doctor. It was better to get these town chores done in the rain rather than wasting a sunny afternoon on it. I agree.
Jul 23, 2012
New Pics
Beautiful meadow
Ouch!!! One of the many, many blisters!
From Bear Mountain Bridge...
Bear Mountain Bridge...
Morgan Stewart Shelter
I saw a bumper sticker saying "I'd rather be hiking" so I gave my opinion...
Things you don't expect to see in the woods:
Hot, sweaty mess
Holy giant leaf, batman!
Big skies, beautiful landscape...
She got within 4 feet of me!
Can't wait to swim in that!
Beautifully manicured trail (too bad it lasted less than 1 mile)
Awesome stream bridge
Ouch!!! One of the many, many blisters!
From Bear Mountain Bridge...
Bear Mountain Bridge...
Morgan Stewart Shelter
I saw a bumper sticker saying "I'd rather be hiking" so I gave my opinion...
Things you don't expect to see in the woods:
Hot, sweaty mess
Holy giant leaf, batman!
Big skies, beautiful landscape...
She got within 4 feet of me!
Can't wait to swim in that!
Beautifully manicured trail (too bad it lasted less than 1 mile)
Awesome stream bridge
Beautiful day to hike!
Jul 22, 2012
Day 30 (July 22nd) - Bad Blister Day
"I don't know where I'm going, but I am on my way."
-Voltaire
Start: RPH Shelter
Finish: Pine Grove Motel
Today: 12.5 mi
Total: 276.0 mi
One great thing about the AT is you get to meet so many people, find out about where they come from and, most of all, really learn about yourself. You get a crash course on your strengths, weaknesses, ability to think on your feet, and discover what you should and shouldn't do. Today I learned not to eat a snickers before visiting the privy...unless you want to see the snickers again.
We covered the first 5.2 miles by noon and like most hikers, were lured by a .8 mi detour to a deli. Since these aren't AT miles, we can't add them to our totals. Bummer. So often you'll find that hikers will walk several miles extra each day for food, views, shelters and water sources off the trail. Heather got a sandwich at the deli but I cooked a Mountain House meal to lighten my pack a bit. More than any other food, I crave ravioli. Mmm...
By 3pm, nearly 4 miles later, we arrived at Morgan Stewart Shelter. One hiker was still in her tent sleeping. Either she was night hiking or in town at a bar last night. We plopped down on the picnic table for a well-deserved foot break. While looking at the hiker log, Heather's face lost all expression. She saw an entry from a hiker who drowned a few weeks ago in Maine. He went swimming in a lake, one week before summiting Katahdin, and his legs completely cramped. I guess any of us can die at any moment. I'm glad Parkside spent his last 6 months doing something that he loved.
For both of us, our blisters were unbearable today. Each step was a sharp pain. Blisters are like wack-a-mole. The minute one heals another one (or seven) pop up. We were planning to do a 17 mile day to Telephone Pioneers Shelter but Heather's feet and back hurt badly. Ending at 12.5 mi in a town with shower and laundry is probably a good thing anyway since I smell pretty ripe. We can't seem to do more than 15 miles without Heather killing her feet or knees. When we get to Kent, CT in a couple days she's going to try out a new pair of boots. I really hope that solves her problems.
But at this pace we won't be able to make it to Maine. Heather wants to end mid-August at Mt Washington but I'd like to hike one week into Maine. We'll see how we're feeling when the time comes. Heather complained a few days ago I end my posts abruptly.
~DADDY LONG LEGS
-Voltaire
Start: RPH Shelter
Finish: Pine Grove Motel
Today: 12.5 mi
Total: 276.0 mi
One great thing about the AT is you get to meet so many people, find out about where they come from and, most of all, really learn about yourself. You get a crash course on your strengths, weaknesses, ability to think on your feet, and discover what you should and shouldn't do. Today I learned not to eat a snickers before visiting the privy...unless you want to see the snickers again.
We covered the first 5.2 miles by noon and like most hikers, were lured by a .8 mi detour to a deli. Since these aren't AT miles, we can't add them to our totals. Bummer. So often you'll find that hikers will walk several miles extra each day for food, views, shelters and water sources off the trail. Heather got a sandwich at the deli but I cooked a Mountain House meal to lighten my pack a bit. More than any other food, I crave ravioli. Mmm...
By 3pm, nearly 4 miles later, we arrived at Morgan Stewart Shelter. One hiker was still in her tent sleeping. Either she was night hiking or in town at a bar last night. We plopped down on the picnic table for a well-deserved foot break. While looking at the hiker log, Heather's face lost all expression. She saw an entry from a hiker who drowned a few weeks ago in Maine. He went swimming in a lake, one week before summiting Katahdin, and his legs completely cramped. I guess any of us can die at any moment. I'm glad Parkside spent his last 6 months doing something that he loved.
For both of us, our blisters were unbearable today. Each step was a sharp pain. Blisters are like wack-a-mole. The minute one heals another one (or seven) pop up. We were planning to do a 17 mile day to Telephone Pioneers Shelter but Heather's feet and back hurt badly. Ending at 12.5 mi in a town with shower and laundry is probably a good thing anyway since I smell pretty ripe. We can't seem to do more than 15 miles without Heather killing her feet or knees. When we get to Kent, CT in a couple days she's going to try out a new pair of boots. I really hope that solves her problems.
But at this pace we won't be able to make it to Maine. Heather wants to end mid-August at Mt Washington but I'd like to hike one week into Maine. We'll see how we're feeling when the time comes. Heather complained a few days ago I end my posts abruptly.
~DADDY LONG LEGS
Day 29 (July 21st) - OH, HAPPY DAY
"To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour."
-William Blake
Start: Old Albany Post Road
Finish: RPH Shelter
Today: 16.1 mi
Total: 263.5 mi
I love the soft leaves and dirt the day after a good rainfall. The Earth yields under the weight of every step and saves your knees some pain.
Throughout our journey, Heather and I have gotten into a number of arguments about our hiking pace. When I'm in front I unknowingly speed up over time and when I look back she isn't there so I wait. I have always offered to hike behind her and today we tried it out. Heather said she was hiking a bit faster and happier we were together and I didn't have to wait for her to catch up so everyone was happy!
During the first few miles thorns in the brambles kept biting our legs like barbed-wire. "Sticker bushes," Heather complained. I've noticed that we've picked up some of the dialect of our fellow hikers. Rather than calling them thorns, we call them "stickers." Rather than raining, it is "storming out."
Throughout your day you have a lot of time to think. Between the periods of me completely zoning out, I've thought about the hundreds of rock walls, built stone by stone, that we have passed. Who placed these heavy rocks in neat walls stretching miles? Did farmers place them there to mark their boundaries long ago? Was it 200 years ago that a slave placed that stone just right, never to be touched by a human again until my hand grazed it? Today, we found ourselves walking atop a 6 foot wide rock wall. Dirt had packed the path at the top of the wall smooth over time. We strolled along this gentle grade with a 20 foot drop down this wall on either side. Our raised roadway above the uneven forest floor lasted a quarter mile!
A few minutes later we came to a sign on a tree with some great news. A snack bar was just 1.5 mile away at the north end of Canopus Lake. Visions of french fries danced through my head! As we grew closer the sound of children swimming in the lake and smell of BBQ's filled the air. A terrible green blazed trail brought us up, down, over and around a ridiculous maze from the AT to the beach. We could have bush-whacked our way down in half the time.
A little fried food later all was right with the world. Today was going really well and the forest seemed much friendlier. Emerson once said "Nature never wears a mean appearance" but some days she sure isn't herself.
Heather and I have felt pretty down about the trail the last few hiking days. We've even considered whether it was time to go home. The trail seems to beat you down, throw bad weather at you, sore muscles, and terrible roller coasters of elevation all at once. It feels as though the trail is messing with you, toying with your emotions. Then the skies clear, cool weather comes and fresh hope washes over you. Maybe we can do it?
SAT question:
Heat is to a sauna as _____ is to my tent.
1) flowers. 2) freshness. 3) stink
-William Blake
Start: Old Albany Post Road
Finish: RPH Shelter
Today: 16.1 mi
Total: 263.5 mi
I love the soft leaves and dirt the day after a good rainfall. The Earth yields under the weight of every step and saves your knees some pain.
Throughout our journey, Heather and I have gotten into a number of arguments about our hiking pace. When I'm in front I unknowingly speed up over time and when I look back she isn't there so I wait. I have always offered to hike behind her and today we tried it out. Heather said she was hiking a bit faster and happier we were together and I didn't have to wait for her to catch up so everyone was happy!
During the first few miles thorns in the brambles kept biting our legs like barbed-wire. "Sticker bushes," Heather complained. I've noticed that we've picked up some of the dialect of our fellow hikers. Rather than calling them thorns, we call them "stickers." Rather than raining, it is "storming out."
Throughout your day you have a lot of time to think. Between the periods of me completely zoning out, I've thought about the hundreds of rock walls, built stone by stone, that we have passed. Who placed these heavy rocks in neat walls stretching miles? Did farmers place them there to mark their boundaries long ago? Was it 200 years ago that a slave placed that stone just right, never to be touched by a human again until my hand grazed it? Today, we found ourselves walking atop a 6 foot wide rock wall. Dirt had packed the path at the top of the wall smooth over time. We strolled along this gentle grade with a 20 foot drop down this wall on either side. Our raised roadway above the uneven forest floor lasted a quarter mile!
A few minutes later we came to a sign on a tree with some great news. A snack bar was just 1.5 mile away at the north end of Canopus Lake. Visions of french fries danced through my head! As we grew closer the sound of children swimming in the lake and smell of BBQ's filled the air. A terrible green blazed trail brought us up, down, over and around a ridiculous maze from the AT to the beach. We could have bush-whacked our way down in half the time.
A little fried food later all was right with the world. Today was going really well and the forest seemed much friendlier. Emerson once said "Nature never wears a mean appearance" but some days she sure isn't herself.
Heather and I have felt pretty down about the trail the last few hiking days. We've even considered whether it was time to go home. The trail seems to beat you down, throw bad weather at you, sore muscles, and terrible roller coasters of elevation all at once. It feels as though the trail is messing with you, toying with your emotions. Then the skies clear, cool weather comes and fresh hope washes over you. Maybe we can do it?
SAT question:
Heat is to a sauna as _____ is to my tent.
1) flowers. 2) freshness. 3) stink
Jul 21, 2012
Jul 18, 2012
Day 26 (July 18th) - X-RAY DAY
"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world."
- John Muir (thanks Erika)
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Stealth camp near Bear Mountain Zoo
Today: 9.0 mi
Total: 238.4 mi
Holy heat wave, batman! 96 degrees and 60% humidity, ah! It was really nice being back on the trail for maybe 15 minutes, until the heat caught up with me. Before long, even before the first climb, the sweat began pouring off me. The heat sapped all my energy and after we had completed the first climb I felt as if all my muscles had melted down and drained into my boots, resistant to do any more work.
As I walked through this sauna, I noticed how different each day can be. The terrain, the rocks, the trees and even the bird calls were different. I look forward to the changing landscape up north and definitely the cooler temperatures.
"Boom"...Heather asked me if that was thunder. "Boom, Boom." There it is again. I looked up and saw a completely blue sky. Every once in a while there was another..."boom." A southbound hiker told us a little while later that it was artillery fire at West Point. I hope they're not aiming at two hikers on Bear Mountain. Actually, in this terrible heat, maybe I do.
About 5 miles into the day I was walking down a path under thick tree cover with a steep drop on my right. I was concentrating on my footing when I heard another foot move in the brush. I looked up to find I was face to face with a beautiful, 200 pound deer. She was less than 4 feet from me. So close I was tempted to but dare not pet her smooth, shiny coat. She didn't run away so I'm not sure if she wasn't afraid of me or was just to hot to exert herself. We left her alone, grinding up the trail in our boots when she gracefully pranced down the trail on all 4 legs - show off!
As we climbed Bear Mountain a welcomed breeze occasionally cooled our scorched skin. Behind it, though, were some scary looking clouds. The approaching storm and booming thunder (not artillery this time) were headed straight for us. Within minutes we knew we were in trouble - too far up the mountain to go down and too close to the storm to escape.
We found a valley with some tall, strong trees to hide out in. You could sense in the air that the rain was quickly coming. Heather wanted me to pitch the tent to stay dry. I didn't like the idea but we were protected in a small valley so I didn't think the aluminum poles would attract any lightning. I wish we timed ourselves because we probably set up that tent in less than 30 seconds and jumped into it - boots, packs and all. The heavy rain was punctuated by louder and louder bursts of thunder. I counted the seconds between the flashes and bursts to calculate the distance of the lightning. It was coming. I was getting really nervous.
The flashes of lightning and sound of thunder were on top of each other. You could actually feel the ground tremble under each burst. After one particular bolt of lightning, Heather and I both looked at each other. We were scared. I envisioned, almost in cartoon form, one of us getting struck by lightning and being able to see your skeleton like an x-ray machine. I told her to put her face in the ground and butt upwards. Supposedly, its best to get struck in the meat of your butt than any other area.
The silence between each burst of thunder was excruciating. I thought that after the next close burst there would be a Brian shaped hole in the side of our tent, but the lightning began to subside. I've never felt so alone and helpless. If firemen rescue cats from trees then who rescues hikers from mountains?
As the rain eased and the clouds became less gray, I knew we had a window of time to get down the mountain. We rolled up the tent and hiked another 2.5 miles down. Along the way we saw a bunch of wild turkeys and a black snake (spotted by Heather). Near the end of the hike we finally reached the Bear Mountain trail-side zoo. Hikers enter this zoo for free which was very much appreciated. Passing through the gate, without paying, I wondered if I wore Heather's SCUBA diving suit to the aquarium, if I would get the same treatment. The end.
~Daddy Long Legs
- John Muir (thanks Erika)
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Stealth camp near Bear Mountain Zoo
Today: 9.0 mi
Total: 238.4 mi
Holy heat wave, batman! 96 degrees and 60% humidity, ah! It was really nice being back on the trail for maybe 15 minutes, until the heat caught up with me. Before long, even before the first climb, the sweat began pouring off me. The heat sapped all my energy and after we had completed the first climb I felt as if all my muscles had melted down and drained into my boots, resistant to do any more work.
As I walked through this sauna, I noticed how different each day can be. The terrain, the rocks, the trees and even the bird calls were different. I look forward to the changing landscape up north and definitely the cooler temperatures.
"Boom"...Heather asked me if that was thunder. "Boom, Boom." There it is again. I looked up and saw a completely blue sky. Every once in a while there was another..."boom." A southbound hiker told us a little while later that it was artillery fire at West Point. I hope they're not aiming at two hikers on Bear Mountain. Actually, in this terrible heat, maybe I do.
About 5 miles into the day I was walking down a path under thick tree cover with a steep drop on my right. I was concentrating on my footing when I heard another foot move in the brush. I looked up to find I was face to face with a beautiful, 200 pound deer. She was less than 4 feet from me. So close I was tempted to but dare not pet her smooth, shiny coat. She didn't run away so I'm not sure if she wasn't afraid of me or was just to hot to exert herself. We left her alone, grinding up the trail in our boots when she gracefully pranced down the trail on all 4 legs - show off!
As we climbed Bear Mountain a welcomed breeze occasionally cooled our scorched skin. Behind it, though, were some scary looking clouds. The approaching storm and booming thunder (not artillery this time) were headed straight for us. Within minutes we knew we were in trouble - too far up the mountain to go down and too close to the storm to escape.
We found a valley with some tall, strong trees to hide out in. You could sense in the air that the rain was quickly coming. Heather wanted me to pitch the tent to stay dry. I didn't like the idea but we were protected in a small valley so I didn't think the aluminum poles would attract any lightning. I wish we timed ourselves because we probably set up that tent in less than 30 seconds and jumped into it - boots, packs and all. The heavy rain was punctuated by louder and louder bursts of thunder. I counted the seconds between the flashes and bursts to calculate the distance of the lightning. It was coming. I was getting really nervous.
The flashes of lightning and sound of thunder were on top of each other. You could actually feel the ground tremble under each burst. After one particular bolt of lightning, Heather and I both looked at each other. We were scared. I envisioned, almost in cartoon form, one of us getting struck by lightning and being able to see your skeleton like an x-ray machine. I told her to put her face in the ground and butt upwards. Supposedly, its best to get struck in the meat of your butt than any other area.
The silence between each burst of thunder was excruciating. I thought that after the next close burst there would be a Brian shaped hole in the side of our tent, but the lightning began to subside. I've never felt so alone and helpless. If firemen rescue cats from trees then who rescues hikers from mountains?
As the rain eased and the clouds became less gray, I knew we had a window of time to get down the mountain. We rolled up the tent and hiked another 2.5 miles down. Along the way we saw a bunch of wild turkeys and a black snake (spotted by Heather). Near the end of the hike we finally reached the Bear Mountain trail-side zoo. Hikers enter this zoo for free which was very much appreciated. Passing through the gate, without paying, I wondered if I wore Heather's SCUBA diving suit to the aquarium, if I would get the same treatment. The end.
~Daddy Long Legs
Jul 17, 2012
Day 24-25 (July 16th-17th) - Hospital Day
"To achieve the impossible it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought."
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Holiday Inn Express
Today: 0 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
Last night, after eating dinner with No Whistle at the BBQ place, we all walked back to the hotel lobby to hang out. Outside, the skies grew darker and darker with thunder in the distance. Before long, streaks of lightning and bursts of thunder were on top of us. As if someone turned the shower knob, sheets of rain began pouring down on us at once. Next, the hotel's power began to flicker and then went out completely a few moments later. Maybe this was an omen for things to come?
I headed up to our room to get my head lamp so we could see. While I walked I noticed the pain near the top of my leg was worse than ever. A few days ago I noticed my upper thigh was red and chaffed from all the walking. I figured a couple days of rest in the hotel would have healed it by now but it became very inflamed and excruciatingly painful. Infection? I went to the lobby and told Heather we had better go to the emergency room, which scared her because I'm usually unconscious before "I" decide to go to the emergency room.
At the hospital, the doctor told us some bacteria must have gotten in the area and it has swollen up because the bacteria/infection has no place to go. He said he would have to make a 1/2" incision in the abscess to let all the crud out. Heather was freaking out about me having to be cut open a bit...I was freaking out about the trip being delayed. Over the next week on the trail I will have to make sure the cut stays open, keep it as clean as possible and take antibiotics. I guess this will be an interesting week but this trail has yet to disappoint us in that department!
Over these two days we have spent a lot of time sleeping, relaxing, and reading. To be honest, I feel trapped in this hotel and can't wait to escape tomorrow. Maine, here we come!
~Daddy Long Legs
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Holiday Inn Express
Today: 0 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
Last night, after eating dinner with No Whistle at the BBQ place, we all walked back to the hotel lobby to hang out. Outside, the skies grew darker and darker with thunder in the distance. Before long, streaks of lightning and bursts of thunder were on top of us. As if someone turned the shower knob, sheets of rain began pouring down on us at once. Next, the hotel's power began to flicker and then went out completely a few moments later. Maybe this was an omen for things to come?
I headed up to our room to get my head lamp so we could see. While I walked I noticed the pain near the top of my leg was worse than ever. A few days ago I noticed my upper thigh was red and chaffed from all the walking. I figured a couple days of rest in the hotel would have healed it by now but it became very inflamed and excruciatingly painful. Infection? I went to the lobby and told Heather we had better go to the emergency room, which scared her because I'm usually unconscious before "I" decide to go to the emergency room.
At the hospital, the doctor told us some bacteria must have gotten in the area and it has swollen up because the bacteria/infection has no place to go. He said he would have to make a 1/2" incision in the abscess to let all the crud out. Heather was freaking out about me having to be cut open a bit...I was freaking out about the trip being delayed. Over the next week on the trail I will have to make sure the cut stays open, keep it as clean as possible and take antibiotics. I guess this will be an interesting week but this trail has yet to disappoint us in that department!
Over these two days we have spent a lot of time sleeping, relaxing, and reading. To be honest, I feel trapped in this hotel and can't wait to escape tomorrow. Maine, here we come!
~Daddy Long Legs
Jul 15, 2012
Day 23 (July 15th) - RAIN DELAY DAY
"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
-Teddy Roosevelt
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Holiday Inn Express
Today: 0 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
We woke up around 6:30am. Heather got up and took a shower while I lay in bed and watched the news. As Heather came out of the bathroom and I got up from bed I heard the weatherman say that it was going to be really stormy today. Completely joking around, I said "Zero!" You could see something click in Heather's eyes. Oh no! Nobody likes to hike in the rain but Heather was convinced we would get dumped on and wanted to stay in the hotel but I hated the idea of not moving forward. We slept a little more and even ate breakfast before making our final decision.
The clouds looked pretty threatening so I made a deal with Heather. She promised to give me a bunch of 20+ mile days if we took the zero and stayed dry. We shook on it and I was already fast asleep and didn't wake until around 2pm. Sleeping through the entire night plus such long naps tells me how drained we must have been.
After waking up I noticed that while there were some dark clouds in the sky, it didn't appear as if it had rained. I teased Heather about this a bit and said that I could totally see her going to the roof with the hose making it "rain" outside our window so we wouldn't feel the day was wasted. But an hour later the rain came and even brought some thunder and lightning. All I know is I won't be putting the weather channel on tomorrow morning or mention the word zero. I might even go find the master valve controlling the water on the second floor of the hotel so neither of us hear showers in the morning and envision rain storms!
~Daddy Long Legs
-Teddy Roosevelt
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Holiday Inn Express
Today: 0 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
We woke up around 6:30am. Heather got up and took a shower while I lay in bed and watched the news. As Heather came out of the bathroom and I got up from bed I heard the weatherman say that it was going to be really stormy today. Completely joking around, I said "Zero!" You could see something click in Heather's eyes. Oh no! Nobody likes to hike in the rain but Heather was convinced we would get dumped on and wanted to stay in the hotel but I hated the idea of not moving forward. We slept a little more and even ate breakfast before making our final decision.
The clouds looked pretty threatening so I made a deal with Heather. She promised to give me a bunch of 20+ mile days if we took the zero and stayed dry. We shook on it and I was already fast asleep and didn't wake until around 2pm. Sleeping through the entire night plus such long naps tells me how drained we must have been.
After waking up I noticed that while there were some dark clouds in the sky, it didn't appear as if it had rained. I teased Heather about this a bit and said that I could totally see her going to the roof with the hose making it "rain" outside our window so we wouldn't feel the day was wasted. But an hour later the rain came and even brought some thunder and lightning. All I know is I won't be putting the weather channel on tomorrow morning or mention the word zero. I might even go find the master valve controlling the water on the second floor of the hotel so neither of us hear showers in the morning and envision rain storms!
~Daddy Long Legs
Day 22 (July 14th) - Lazy Day
"Ndakasimba Kana Makasimbawo."
-Zimbabwean for "I am strong if you are strong."
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Holiday Inn Express
Today: 0 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
To zero or not to zero, THAT is the question. Although we did not intend for this day to become one, there were so many things that contributed to its coming: My parents came to visit us, it was our 1 year anniversary and Don at the front desk said he would upgrade us to the really expensive Honeymoon Suite for the hiker room price! It was the perfect storm of reasons to take a zero!
My parents arrived at about 10:30 AM. I asked my mother to bring the hair buzzer and we cut my hair really short so I can stay cooler in the summer heat. We all got in my parents car and took a ride along the windy roads of Harriman state park and ate lunch at the restaurant on Greenwood lake. My parents brought a few boxes of supplies I had left with them so we topped off our food, fuel, and I even replaced some socks that seemed to have a permanent stink attached to them.
On the way back to the trail head, the windy road felt like a roller coaster. The combination of not being used to driving in a car, just eating and my Dad possibly going a bit over the posted speed limit made Heather and I feel sick. Heather already had a bad headache and I was falling asleep at lunch because I was so tired so we decided to go to the hotel and see if they had a room. Don, who helped us yesterday, remembered it was our anniversary so he upgraded us to the Honeymoon Suite for the lower hiker rate!
I'm so tired I'm going to take a nap now...
~Daddy Long Legs
-Zimbabwean for "I am strong if you are strong."
Start: Holiday Inn Express
Finish: Holiday Inn Express
Today: 0 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
To zero or not to zero, THAT is the question. Although we did not intend for this day to become one, there were so many things that contributed to its coming: My parents came to visit us, it was our 1 year anniversary and Don at the front desk said he would upgrade us to the really expensive Honeymoon Suite for the hiker room price! It was the perfect storm of reasons to take a zero!
My parents arrived at about 10:30 AM. I asked my mother to bring the hair buzzer and we cut my hair really short so I can stay cooler in the summer heat. We all got in my parents car and took a ride along the windy roads of Harriman state park and ate lunch at the restaurant on Greenwood lake. My parents brought a few boxes of supplies I had left with them so we topped off our food, fuel, and I even replaced some socks that seemed to have a permanent stink attached to them.
On the way back to the trail head, the windy road felt like a roller coaster. The combination of not being used to driving in a car, just eating and my Dad possibly going a bit over the posted speed limit made Heather and I feel sick. Heather already had a bad headache and I was falling asleep at lunch because I was so tired so we decided to go to the hotel and see if they had a room. Don, who helped us yesterday, remembered it was our anniversary so he upgraded us to the Honeymoon Suite for the lower hiker rate!
I'm so tired I'm going to take a nap now...
~Daddy Long Legs
Jul 14, 2012
Day 21 (July 13th) - Brian's Day
"Don't look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone. And don't be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."
Start: 17A, NY
Finish: Arden Valley Road, NY
Today: 12.4 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
I woke up to Heather wishing me a happy birthday. What a cool thing to be doing as I enter my 30s - hiking the Appalachian Trail! The freedom of the forest and simple beauty within is incredible! Most of the time I have no idea what day it is and don't care. We wake to the sounds of birds, filter ice cold water from the streams and give our bodies such a workout each day.
While packing my bag this morning I noticed how careful, if not obsessed, I am about making sure I have everything. I'm always scared of leaving something behind but have so few things that if something weren't packed, I would probably notice. We woke up late this morning so by the time we got to the trail and began hiking, it was nearly 10am. Shortly after I looked down at my watch while hiking and saw it was 10:12am - I officially turned 30 years old at that moment. I looked at the trail ahead. Looks like it isn't all downhill after 30!
We walked through the forest and every once in a while we would scramble up some exposed bedrock above the trees for a fantastic view just before descending below the canopy. After almost 8 miles we came to a tough section. Even though it was much smaller than some of the mountains we've climbed up north it was no less forgiving. We climbed hand over hand straight up rock walls, under fallen trees, through narrow passages and at some points had to lean into the mountain as we shimmied our way across a 2-inch wide ledge with a 100 foot drop behind.
A bit later, with 2.5 miles to go, we got to the endless climb of Arden Mountain. It felt like the mountain was growing, never letting us summit it. After finally getting above tree line Heather declared that we had made it to the top. I wasn't so certain. After a brief, teasing downhill the mountain grew once more. I told her the mountain was evil and that it was laughing at us. Up again, down briefly, up again, down briefly, etc. A log book at the top (usually indicating a special point) of a clearing got our hopes up that we had made it to the summit. After a brief down we saw yet another wall in front of us. I made a deep, stony chuckling sound and asked Heather if she heard the mountain laughing at us.
Heather surprised me when we reached Arden Valley road. She had called a hiking friend we met in Duncannon who lives near Bear Mountain. JB is one incredible guy who hiked the AT at 65, PCT at 66 and Continental Divide trail at 67! JB brought us to the Holiday Inn express. What a great birthday present!
~Daddy Long Legs
Start: 17A, NY
Finish: Arden Valley Road, NY
Today: 12.4 mi
Total: 229.4 mi
I woke up to Heather wishing me a happy birthday. What a cool thing to be doing as I enter my 30s - hiking the Appalachian Trail! The freedom of the forest and simple beauty within is incredible! Most of the time I have no idea what day it is and don't care. We wake to the sounds of birds, filter ice cold water from the streams and give our bodies such a workout each day.
While packing my bag this morning I noticed how careful, if not obsessed, I am about making sure I have everything. I'm always scared of leaving something behind but have so few things that if something weren't packed, I would probably notice. We woke up late this morning so by the time we got to the trail and began hiking, it was nearly 10am. Shortly after I looked down at my watch while hiking and saw it was 10:12am - I officially turned 30 years old at that moment. I looked at the trail ahead. Looks like it isn't all downhill after 30!
We walked through the forest and every once in a while we would scramble up some exposed bedrock above the trees for a fantastic view just before descending below the canopy. After almost 8 miles we came to a tough section. Even though it was much smaller than some of the mountains we've climbed up north it was no less forgiving. We climbed hand over hand straight up rock walls, under fallen trees, through narrow passages and at some points had to lean into the mountain as we shimmied our way across a 2-inch wide ledge with a 100 foot drop behind.
A bit later, with 2.5 miles to go, we got to the endless climb of Arden Mountain. It felt like the mountain was growing, never letting us summit it. After finally getting above tree line Heather declared that we had made it to the top. I wasn't so certain. After a brief, teasing downhill the mountain grew once more. I told her the mountain was evil and that it was laughing at us. Up again, down briefly, up again, down briefly, etc. A log book at the top (usually indicating a special point) of a clearing got our hopes up that we had made it to the summit. After a brief down we saw yet another wall in front of us. I made a deep, stony chuckling sound and asked Heather if she heard the mountain laughing at us.
Heather surprised me when we reached Arden Valley road. She had called a hiking friend we met in Duncannon who lives near Bear Mountain. JB is one incredible guy who hiked the AT at 65, PCT at 66 and Continental Divide trail at 67! JB brought us to the Holiday Inn express. What a great birthday present!
~Daddy Long Legs
Day 20 (July 12th) - GOODBYE DAY
"Lose yourself in nature and find peace."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Start: Barret Road, NY
Finish: 17A, NY
Today: 11.9 mi
Total: 217.0 mi
We had fun with Heather's family and even toyed with the idea of taking a zero but we need to put some serious miles behind us. Just before her parents dropped us off at the trail head, we stopped at CVS for candy bars and mole skin (big surprise, I know). Maybe it was the candy bars I was buying or the unkempt hair, but a nice old lady came up to me and asked if I was hiking the trail. She even said that if we needed a place to stay that night, we could sleep at her house. There really are such amazing, giving people out there in the world. Perhaps she offered because I still looked and smelled clean. If she had seen me emerge from the forest with twigs stuck in my hair, dripping sweat and splattered mosquitoes on my arms and legs, she might not have been so generous.
After saying our goodbyes and jumping back on the trail, Heather began to cry. Although we are having a great time waking up everyday in a new place and meeting awesome people, she was definitely feeling homesick. She bounced back a couple of minutes later and we were off. This trail is a roller coaster of emotions!
Halfway through our hike today we left NJ for good and once again entered NY. For people who have viewed NJ through the windows of their cars on I-95, I have to tell you that western NJ is a beautiful place. The lush green hills roll off into the distance, dotted with blue lakes. There were many more ups and downs than we had expected today and our feet took a beating. Even the nice, smooth ledges that Heather refers to as "sidewalk" weren't nice. They were so slanted that we had to walk on a 45 degree tilt which made our feet slide to one side of our boots and our blisters in agony!
With a couple of miles to go Heather convinced me to stay at the same hotel we stayed at last night with her parents (convinced = "please, please, please, please, please..."). Since the trail winds its way all around this area we were still relatively close to the hotel we stayed at with her parents and the owner was nice enough to come pick us up from the trail head so we didn't have to walk to 2 miles into town on the roads. That might not sound like much but we are used to walking in the forest and the hard roads kill our feet). We went across the street and had dinner with our new friend, "No Whistle" and soon after went to bed...
~Daddy Long Legs
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Start: Barret Road, NY
Finish: 17A, NY
Today: 11.9 mi
Total: 217.0 mi
We had fun with Heather's family and even toyed with the idea of taking a zero but we need to put some serious miles behind us. Just before her parents dropped us off at the trail head, we stopped at CVS for candy bars and mole skin (big surprise, I know). Maybe it was the candy bars I was buying or the unkempt hair, but a nice old lady came up to me and asked if I was hiking the trail. She even said that if we needed a place to stay that night, we could sleep at her house. There really are such amazing, giving people out there in the world. Perhaps she offered because I still looked and smelled clean. If she had seen me emerge from the forest with twigs stuck in my hair, dripping sweat and splattered mosquitoes on my arms and legs, she might not have been so generous.
After saying our goodbyes and jumping back on the trail, Heather began to cry. Although we are having a great time waking up everyday in a new place and meeting awesome people, she was definitely feeling homesick. She bounced back a couple of minutes later and we were off. This trail is a roller coaster of emotions!
Halfway through our hike today we left NJ for good and once again entered NY. For people who have viewed NJ through the windows of their cars on I-95, I have to tell you that western NJ is a beautiful place. The lush green hills roll off into the distance, dotted with blue lakes. There were many more ups and downs than we had expected today and our feet took a beating. Even the nice, smooth ledges that Heather refers to as "sidewalk" weren't nice. They were so slanted that we had to walk on a 45 degree tilt which made our feet slide to one side of our boots and our blisters in agony!
With a couple of miles to go Heather convinced me to stay at the same hotel we stayed at last night with her parents (convinced = "please, please, please, please, please..."). Since the trail winds its way all around this area we were still relatively close to the hotel we stayed at with her parents and the owner was nice enough to come pick us up from the trail head so we didn't have to walk to 2 miles into town on the roads. That might not sound like much but we are used to walking in the forest and the hard roads kill our feet). We went across the street and had dinner with our new friend, "No Whistle" and soon after went to bed...
~Daddy Long Legs
Jul 13, 2012
Day 19 (July 11th) - FAMILY DAY
"To forget how to dig the Earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves."
-Gandhi
Start: Pochuck Mt. Shelter
Finish: Barret Road, New Milford, NY
Today: 9.6 mi
Total: 205.1 mi
After hiking our last half hour in a downpour yesterday, setting up our tent while it was drizzling, and changing our cloths, we both went to bed. Unfortunately, we both slept terribly! The sounds of the night (sticks cracking, rain and wind) kept Heather awake and probably in Rambo-mode (head lamp in one hand and knife in other). I, on the other hand, had to go to the bathroom really bad but didn't want to go outside and get drenched in the rain. Its ironic how the rain sound was probably the reason I had to go to the bathroom and also the reason I couldn't.
We woke up late at 7:30am and it seemed as if many hikers had a bad night sleep. Everyone was moving around very slowly with bags under their eyes wiping the mud from their tents and packing up. I was very happy with how well the tent held up in the rain. To be honest, I half expected to wake up submerged in water since Heather was on the "uphill" side of the tent. By 9am we packed the last of the tent and headed off.
My ankle still hurts from rolling it over on a rock two days ago but the swelling is starting to go down. By tomorrow it should be fine. Aches and pains have been a constant on this trip. In fact, it's strange when someone asks me if anything is hurting because EVERYTHING is hurting. The more appropriate question would be to ask what hurts the most. Sometimes you may even get a break from pain. For example, a few days ago my knees were killing me but I then walked straight into and smacked my head on a branch. Knees don't hurt anymore! Lately, whenever Heather's feet are killing her I kindly offer to hit her over the head with my hiking poles but she always gives me a strange look and turns down my offer.
After a few miles of ups and downs and ups and downs we came to an odd sight on the trail: a FLAT boardwalk through wetlands. It was so nice walking on FLAT ground!! Knowing we were on a boardwalk in NJ, I had my eyes peeled for the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore. But, luckily, from this boardwalk you could only see swamp grass, birds and mountains...no chance of seeing blowout hair cuts or stores selling t-shirts that say "cool story bro." I have to admit, though, that Heather and I did take a picture "fist pumping" on the boardwalk.
By 12:45pm we only had about 3 miles to go for the day. Heather's parents and younger sister were coming out to see us today so we were going to get a ride in to the hotel before they got here so we could shower. We smell like a sweaty locker room that wet dogs just ran through and wanted to save their noses!!
-Daddy Long Legs
-Gandhi
Start: Pochuck Mt. Shelter
Finish: Barret Road, New Milford, NY
Today: 9.6 mi
Total: 205.1 mi
After hiking our last half hour in a downpour yesterday, setting up our tent while it was drizzling, and changing our cloths, we both went to bed. Unfortunately, we both slept terribly! The sounds of the night (sticks cracking, rain and wind) kept Heather awake and probably in Rambo-mode (head lamp in one hand and knife in other). I, on the other hand, had to go to the bathroom really bad but didn't want to go outside and get drenched in the rain. Its ironic how the rain sound was probably the reason I had to go to the bathroom and also the reason I couldn't.
We woke up late at 7:30am and it seemed as if many hikers had a bad night sleep. Everyone was moving around very slowly with bags under their eyes wiping the mud from their tents and packing up. I was very happy with how well the tent held up in the rain. To be honest, I half expected to wake up submerged in water since Heather was on the "uphill" side of the tent. By 9am we packed the last of the tent and headed off.
My ankle still hurts from rolling it over on a rock two days ago but the swelling is starting to go down. By tomorrow it should be fine. Aches and pains have been a constant on this trip. In fact, it's strange when someone asks me if anything is hurting because EVERYTHING is hurting. The more appropriate question would be to ask what hurts the most. Sometimes you may even get a break from pain. For example, a few days ago my knees were killing me but I then walked straight into and smacked my head on a branch. Knees don't hurt anymore! Lately, whenever Heather's feet are killing her I kindly offer to hit her over the head with my hiking poles but she always gives me a strange look and turns down my offer.
After a few miles of ups and downs and ups and downs we came to an odd sight on the trail: a FLAT boardwalk through wetlands. It was so nice walking on FLAT ground!! Knowing we were on a boardwalk in NJ, I had my eyes peeled for the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore. But, luckily, from this boardwalk you could only see swamp grass, birds and mountains...no chance of seeing blowout hair cuts or stores selling t-shirts that say "cool story bro." I have to admit, though, that Heather and I did take a picture "fist pumping" on the boardwalk.
By 12:45pm we only had about 3 miles to go for the day. Heather's parents and younger sister were coming out to see us today so we were going to get a ride in to the hotel before they got here so we could shower. We smell like a sweaty locker room that wet dogs just ran through and wanted to save their noses!!
-Daddy Long Legs
Flicka and Daddy L.L. before leaving a nice, clean, air conditioned hotel =(
We pass through some beautiful towns I've never heard of!
Daddy Long Legs holding NJs highest elevation point monument
Our rocky road (not to be confused with the ice cream)... Hike
on that with a 35 pound pack for 11 hours = sweaty mess!
Nice view of mountains as we approach I-87
On a NJ boardwalk "fist pumping" Jersey shore style...wow
Flicka in NY....and NJ...
Flicka and Daddy resting at the top
Road walk section
Not if we're on the way to a motel!
We pass through some beautiful towns I've never heard of!
Daddy Long Legs holding NJs highest elevation point monument
Our rocky road (not to be confused with the ice cream)... Hike
on that with a 35 pound pack for 11 hours = sweaty mess!
Nice view of mountains as we approach I-87
On a NJ boardwalk "fist pumping" Jersey shore style...wow
Flicka in NY....and NJ...
Flicka and Daddy resting at the top
Road walk section
Not if we're on the way to a motel!
Jul 12, 2012
Day 18 (July 10th) - RAIN DAY
"It's easier to go down a hill than up it, but the view is much better at the top."
-Arnold Bennett
Start: High Point Hotel
Finish: Pochuck Mt Shelter
Today: 14.1 mi
Total: 195.5 mi
What a great night sleep. We've enjoyed a few more hotel stays than planned but we might as well take advantage of them now before they are few and far between up north. At 10:30 AM, when the restaurant opened, we called for a pizza. Since pizza is such an important trail food and breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we thought it was a good match.
One of the caretakers of the hotel, Ron, gave us a ride back to the trailhead. He is an incredibly nice man and while talking to him about bears, he told us a story about one that calmed Heather's fears. One day, he told us, his friend's 8 pound dog was yapping away in the house. The dog would not stop barking at the front door so the owner finally let him out. This tiny dog shot after a bear rummaging through the trash and chased this 600 pound bear straight up a tree. The dog watched the bear intently while jumping 4 feet straight up and down, barking. Finally, the owner had to go to the tree and drag this tiny dog back into the house. The terrified bear was safe.
We hiked up and over New Jersey's highest point and across the NY / NJ border several times today. We won't leave NJ and enter NY for good until Thursday. It always feels like such an accomplishment to make it to a new state or throw away one of your old map sections (which happened again today!).
We arrived at the Murray property just as we were running out of water. This has been a hot, dry summer and many of the streams have dried up and the ones that haven't dried-up look like stagnant pools of muddy water. So we've been hiking with a ton water from one reliable source to the next. 1 L of water weighs 2 pounds and during some stretches we've had to carry as much as 4 or 5 liters each. We filled up with nice, cold well water at the Murray's spigot.
The second 7 miles alternated between mountain climbs and flat sections around a lake. A couple of miles before finishing dark clouds approached with the threat of rain but they passed by and we escaped dry. The gray clouds that followed brought us light rain that felt good against our hot, sweaty skin. With only .5 miles to go the skies opened up and rain poured down on us. We couldn't rush up because this last section was a steep, and now slippery, climb. We arrived at Pochuck shelter drenched but it was full of hikers so we waited under the overhang for the rain to slow and set up our camp. We changed into dry, comfortable clothes, checked for ticks and went to bed.
~DADDY LONG LEGS
-Arnold Bennett
Start: High Point Hotel
Finish: Pochuck Mt Shelter
Today: 14.1 mi
Total: 195.5 mi
What a great night sleep. We've enjoyed a few more hotel stays than planned but we might as well take advantage of them now before they are few and far between up north. At 10:30 AM, when the restaurant opened, we called for a pizza. Since pizza is such an important trail food and breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we thought it was a good match.
One of the caretakers of the hotel, Ron, gave us a ride back to the trailhead. He is an incredibly nice man and while talking to him about bears, he told us a story about one that calmed Heather's fears. One day, he told us, his friend's 8 pound dog was yapping away in the house. The dog would not stop barking at the front door so the owner finally let him out. This tiny dog shot after a bear rummaging through the trash and chased this 600 pound bear straight up a tree. The dog watched the bear intently while jumping 4 feet straight up and down, barking. Finally, the owner had to go to the tree and drag this tiny dog back into the house. The terrified bear was safe.
We hiked up and over New Jersey's highest point and across the NY / NJ border several times today. We won't leave NJ and enter NY for good until Thursday. It always feels like such an accomplishment to make it to a new state or throw away one of your old map sections (which happened again today!).
We arrived at the Murray property just as we were running out of water. This has been a hot, dry summer and many of the streams have dried up and the ones that haven't dried-up look like stagnant pools of muddy water. So we've been hiking with a ton water from one reliable source to the next. 1 L of water weighs 2 pounds and during some stretches we've had to carry as much as 4 or 5 liters each. We filled up with nice, cold well water at the Murray's spigot.
The second 7 miles alternated between mountain climbs and flat sections around a lake. A couple of miles before finishing dark clouds approached with the threat of rain but they passed by and we escaped dry. The gray clouds that followed brought us light rain that felt good against our hot, sweaty skin. With only .5 miles to go the skies opened up and rain poured down on us. We couldn't rush up because this last section was a steep, and now slippery, climb. We arrived at Pochuck shelter drenched but it was full of hikers so we waited under the overhang for the rain to slow and set up our camp. We changed into dry, comfortable clothes, checked for ticks and went to bed.
~DADDY LONG LEGS
Day 17 (July 9th) - STRONG DAY
"We have not inherited the Earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children."
Start: Route 206, Branchville
Finish: High Point Shelter
Today: 14.0 mi
Total: 181.4 mi
As a treat for ourselves we slept late this morning and got a ride to town to pick up some supplies. We ate lunch at a bar next to a beautiful lake and afterwards sat in the shade of a tree watching the water. Our knees resisted the days hike but in the battle of us versus our knees, we eventually won by 1:30 PM.
I felt really good hiking this afternoon. Each day my body grow stronger and I'm able to do more. I efficiently choose my footing and quickly moved forward. I listen to the tapping of my poles, the rhythm of my breath, and the cadence of my boots crunching the gravel below. Heather and I have come to crave these tough workouts where you arrive at camp completely exhausted. Out of nowhere, Heather said the trail is "my friend again."
It even seemed as though the bugs and I had some unspoken agreement today. They would swarm around me In a cloud of black flies, mosquitoes, and regular flies but never attacked. My entourage of flying friends left me alone so I didn't use bug spray at all...until a few hours later when they broke our treaty (don't trust flies).
After just two hours and 30 min we arrived 5.7 miles into the day at Sunrise Mountain. A famous record holding hiker, Jennifer Pharr Davis, who we met earlier this year arrived here during her 2003 thru-hike to find a person who had committed suicide. On my hike up I wondered what this person was going through and feeling to come to that point. At my first glimpse of the pavilion at the peak, I wondered what he thought when the building came into view - was he nervous and unsure about his last act or was he emboldened and re-assured by the sight of the pavilion. Even in this somber moment I couldn't help be in all of the beautiful 360° views and found comfort that this person died in such a beautiful place. After a half-hour of resting our feet with boots off, we left the comfort of a bench and the shade of the pavilion to walk north along the ridge.
A few hours of hiking later, at 6:30 PM, we needed to make another decision. Yesterday we had decided to go another nearly 4 miles at this time. Today, even though we might have to headlamp it in the dark near the end, we decided to go another 5.5 miles. With 3.5 miles to go (around 7:30 pm) I rolled my ankle pretty bad on a loose rock. Despite the pain I carefully moved on. It should feel fine in a couple of days but sure hurts now! We finally arrived at our destination at 9 pm.
~DADDY LONG LEGS
Start: Route 206, Branchville
Finish: High Point Shelter
Today: 14.0 mi
Total: 181.4 mi
As a treat for ourselves we slept late this morning and got a ride to town to pick up some supplies. We ate lunch at a bar next to a beautiful lake and afterwards sat in the shade of a tree watching the water. Our knees resisted the days hike but in the battle of us versus our knees, we eventually won by 1:30 PM.
I felt really good hiking this afternoon. Each day my body grow stronger and I'm able to do more. I efficiently choose my footing and quickly moved forward. I listen to the tapping of my poles, the rhythm of my breath, and the cadence of my boots crunching the gravel below. Heather and I have come to crave these tough workouts where you arrive at camp completely exhausted. Out of nowhere, Heather said the trail is "my friend again."
It even seemed as though the bugs and I had some unspoken agreement today. They would swarm around me In a cloud of black flies, mosquitoes, and regular flies but never attacked. My entourage of flying friends left me alone so I didn't use bug spray at all...until a few hours later when they broke our treaty (don't trust flies).
After just two hours and 30 min we arrived 5.7 miles into the day at Sunrise Mountain. A famous record holding hiker, Jennifer Pharr Davis, who we met earlier this year arrived here during her 2003 thru-hike to find a person who had committed suicide. On my hike up I wondered what this person was going through and feeling to come to that point. At my first glimpse of the pavilion at the peak, I wondered what he thought when the building came into view - was he nervous and unsure about his last act or was he emboldened and re-assured by the sight of the pavilion. Even in this somber moment I couldn't help be in all of the beautiful 360° views and found comfort that this person died in such a beautiful place. After a half-hour of resting our feet with boots off, we left the comfort of a bench and the shade of the pavilion to walk north along the ridge.
A few hours of hiking later, at 6:30 PM, we needed to make another decision. Yesterday we had decided to go another nearly 4 miles at this time. Today, even though we might have to headlamp it in the dark near the end, we decided to go another 5.5 miles. With 3.5 miles to go (around 7:30 pm) I rolled my ankle pretty bad on a loose rock. Despite the pain I carefully moved on. It should feel fine in a couple of days but sure hurts now! We finally arrived at our destination at 9 pm.
~DADDY LONG LEGS
Day 16 (July 8th) - BIG MILE DAY
"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves."
-Edmund Hillary
Start: AMC Mohican Outdoor Center
Finish: Route 206, Branchville NJ
Today: 18.0 mi
Total: 167.4 mi
Good news...I didn't fall off the top bunk in our room last night (Heather was scared to sleep on the top bunk). After hitting the snooze button a couple of times we quickly got ready by 7:15 AM. Unfortunately, we had both bought tickets for breakfast which wasn't until 8 AM so we had to wait.
We were off on the trail at 9:15 AM. Is it just me or is there a steep climb straight up a mountain every morning? Although the rocks aren't as bad as's PA, we had some pretty tough patches which we weren't expecting. I realized how often I had asked the trail to be soft and smooth and a trail has never yielded to my wishes. So, today, I decided to use reverse psychology and asked the trail for even sharper rocks. Unfortunately, the trail finally gave me what I asked for.
Near the 8 mile mark, the trail meandered around a small pond. The water was so still that it's blue-black surface reflected the trees like a mirror. Near the shore of the lake were thousands of green lilly pads. As I made my way around the pond I heard a plunging-swimming noise. Confused, I thought I might've discovered the Loch Ness monster's cousin. Just as soon as that thought entered my mind a great big deer leapt out from the lake and darted into the forest. What a cool thing to see! My loud feet must've scared him. (headline: Bigfoot scares Loch Ness monster).
Many ups and downs combined with a rough terrain was an energy sapping combination. One fifth of a mile before arriving at our shelter we decided to hike another 4 miles. Crazy! Below the canopy of the forest it was getting dark as the sun sank towards the horizon. We would have to move quickly because it was already 6:35 PM. By 7:25 PM, we had already done three of the miles and just one remained. Darkness crept into the forest and the crickets were getting louder and louder. The volume of the crickets felt like a countdown to darkness. By 7:45 PM we completed our 18 miles...and we earned every one of them!!
~DADDY LONG LEGS
-Edmund Hillary
Start: AMC Mohican Outdoor Center
Finish: Route 206, Branchville NJ
Today: 18.0 mi
Total: 167.4 mi
Good news...I didn't fall off the top bunk in our room last night (Heather was scared to sleep on the top bunk). After hitting the snooze button a couple of times we quickly got ready by 7:15 AM. Unfortunately, we had both bought tickets for breakfast which wasn't until 8 AM so we had to wait.
We were off on the trail at 9:15 AM. Is it just me or is there a steep climb straight up a mountain every morning? Although the rocks aren't as bad as's PA, we had some pretty tough patches which we weren't expecting. I realized how often I had asked the trail to be soft and smooth and a trail has never yielded to my wishes. So, today, I decided to use reverse psychology and asked the trail for even sharper rocks. Unfortunately, the trail finally gave me what I asked for.
Near the 8 mile mark, the trail meandered around a small pond. The water was so still that it's blue-black surface reflected the trees like a mirror. Near the shore of the lake were thousands of green lilly pads. As I made my way around the pond I heard a plunging-swimming noise. Confused, I thought I might've discovered the Loch Ness monster's cousin. Just as soon as that thought entered my mind a great big deer leapt out from the lake and darted into the forest. What a cool thing to see! My loud feet must've scared him. (headline: Bigfoot scares Loch Ness monster).
Many ups and downs combined with a rough terrain was an energy sapping combination. One fifth of a mile before arriving at our shelter we decided to hike another 4 miles. Crazy! Below the canopy of the forest it was getting dark as the sun sank towards the horizon. We would have to move quickly because it was already 6:35 PM. By 7:25 PM, we had already done three of the miles and just one remained. Darkness crept into the forest and the crickets were getting louder and louder. The volume of the crickets felt like a countdown to darkness. By 7:45 PM we completed our 18 miles...and we earned every one of them!!
~DADDY LONG LEGS
Jul 11, 2012
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