Pennsylvania to New Hampshire

Pennsylvania

Back again! As I was saying in my previous post, Pennsylvania hurt. It was a 250 mile stretch of flat, razor sharp rocks. I started in Harper's Ferry two weeks after I had taken time off the trail, so all the people I was meeting were the folks who were much slower than me. It was very pleasent. A very common thru-hiker phenomenon is the instant reunion. You may be strolling into a town or a lean-to and bump into a fellow hiker that you haven't seen in 1000 miles. After that it is all hugs and  reminicising. My first week into Penn, I was hiking faster, 20+ mile days on avg., and everyday I would meet someone I had not seen in ages. A whole list of personalities and names: Delaware Dave, Lohner Bohner, Sherpa, Switchback, Crazy Horse, Six String, Disco, John Wanye, Beanpole, Schmuck. Since the terrain was so grim in Penn, the people really helped me out to get trhough the state. I met an amazing woman by the name of Trailangel Mary, a resident of Duncannon, who has been taking in hikers, giving shuttles, and leaving coolers of drinks on the trail. You can see her in the movie "Trail Angels". But I was glad to leave the state and entering into the swampy, wet, mosquito ridden...

New Jersey

I have gone through the state of New Jersey before and I enjoyed it. There is a 1 miles long boardwalk through a swamp land (sadly devoid of spray tans and funnel cakes); a stretch through a bird reserve that attracts photographers from all over the east coast and the beautiful ice-cold, glacial Sunfish Pond. But, when I went through the state this year, it was nothing but rain and mosquitos. At times, the rain would be heavy enough to keep the bugs away, but as it let up, the bugs would come back in full force. It did work as an incentive to continue hiking because stopping was not an option. I was thrilled, climbing over slippery rocks in a cloud when I crossed the line into...

New York

Empire State of Mind! After the easy topography of the last 400 miles of mid-atlantic hills, New York throws some climbs at you. But before I tackled the most of the state, I took a 3 day vacation into the Big City. The biggest culture shock I have ever felt was walking directly off the trail onto the Harriman Metro North station, and taking a metal box into the middle of Penn Station to Manhattan. I met up with my friend from St. John's, Chris. He was staying at a mutual friend's house in Jersey. I was welcome to stay there for shower and laundry. It was a silly weekend of running around the city, talking to strangers, hanging out on rooftops and back yards. But I had to return to the trail. The trail dips to its lowest point of 124ft above sea level in Bear Mountain Zoo, marked by the bear cage, but when I passed thru, the animals were all put away. I then crossed the Hudson River over top a big, big bridge. It was somewhat disturbing as I crossed the bridge, I noticed the Suicide Prevention Telephones, two of them on the bridge. The day following my visit to the city, I stayed at a Franciscan Monastary. They opened there baseball field to hikers. A cold, cold shower after a hot day is all I needed. The states drop off left and right, and before I knew it I had crossed into...

Connecticut

I can not say enough good things about this state. The first day I walked in, I was given trail magic (random acts of kindness and generosity given to thru-hikers) of a tunafish sub, potato chips, and a Arnold Palmer. And to top it off, I was given an American flag (which I still have). No more than ten miles later Drumsolo, Arthur Dent, The Dude and his dog Kateano, and I found a clear creek, perfect for a summer dip. Dent has also packed out some Budweiser. It tastes better sitting on a rock in the middle of a river! Some thru-hikers attempt the Connecticut marathon of a full 52 mile day through the whole state. I would disagree and say, take your time because it is wonderful. Fourth of July was fast approaching and on independence day I found myself in...

Massachusetts

Less than a month ago, and it already seems so far away. I teamed up with my buddy Drumsolo, a State College native and Penn State student (Go Lions!), and we both were, and still are on a deadline, so we had a plan to do 20s until New Hampshire. We spent the Fourth in Sages Ravine. Every state as you go north gets expentionally harder, and Mass was so exception to the rule. The first climb we had out of the ravine was 700ft elevation in .7 miles. Thankfully the rock was dry. I stayed at th Tom Leonard Shelter with what was considered the coldest water on the trail in Mass. It was a climb down to the water, but it was worth it. This started a span of amazing days. The next night was spent at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, and free "shelter"-- really more of a house-- right on the pond with kayaks, canoes, docks and most importantly PANCAKES! Owned by the AMC, they staffed a voulenteer caretaker every week to look over the place. The family that was there considered it more of a free vacation. Drumsolo and I went for a long swim after our 20 mile day to a small island in the middle of the lake. We made it back just in time before the thunderstorm. The following day was spent en route to Dalton, Mass. where all of your money comes from. Dalton is famous for its paper mill that makes the paper that our currency is printed upon. The town is the home of another wonderful Trail Angel Tom Lavardi. His house was wide open with all who wander allowed in to refresh both there body and soul. He fed us ice cream!
        The last two days in Massachusetts held the biggest challenge in a while, Mt. Greylock. The inspiration of many great writers: Hawthorne, Thoreau, and Melville. This is the first 3000 footer since the Shenedoahs. In retrospect, the climb was not all that bad, but it marks an end of the easy mid-atlantic region and ushers in my favorite state on the trail...

Vermont

Gaaah! The AT runs the first 100~ miles of the Long Trail, the nation's oldest long distance hiking trail. It is in many ways the precursor and model for the Appalachian Trail. It felt so good to be home! Maple Syrup, Colby cheese, apple cider doughnuts, yum yum yum! The first mountain on the trail is Glastenbury, which right off the bat is 400 ft taller than Greylock. A distinct change is felt in Vermont, because for the first time in a while, there is a significant stretch of trail that is uninterupted by roads. It felt like the back country again. A day after there was Stratton, just short of 4000 ft. Stratton is said to be the birthplace of both the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail. The thinker behind the AT, Benton MacKaye, was standing atop Stratton in the fire tower, and with the view of a giant, imagine a trail that would connect all of the major peaks, from Mount Washington all the way down to Mount Mitchell. For an educated mind, the mountain inspires serious thought. That is, if you have some food in your belly.
       A small side adventure, the following day spent atop Bromely Mountain, an abandoned ski lodge rests atop the mountain that a friend of mine, Darvey, had converted into a make-shift hostel/lean-to. There was no water on top, so in order to fill up, I had to walk down the mountain to the Alpine Sled, that let thru-hikers ride for free. I had never been alpine sledding before and had never heard of it, but I assure you it is a blast! You sit in a little cart with wheels and travel down a fiberglass track down the mountain, sort of like a luge. And at the bottom there was a little resort where you could fill up your water and take the gondola back up the mountain.
     The next big mountain was the second highest peak in Vermont, Killington. 4235 ft in the air, and a grueling rocky and rooty climb, was all worth it for one of the most sublime sunsets I have seen on the trail.  The next day I took a zero in Rutland with the Twelve Tribes' Hostel they run in town. Ask my mom or dad to tell you a little more about the Twelve Tribes. But they took me in with open airs and all the Yerba Mate I could drink. The two days headed east towards New Hampshire were tough. It was a 45 miles stretch of roller coasters a seldom views. But, the trail did pass over a bridge in West Hartford, VT that I found some local boys jumping off of into the water. When life offers you these oppurtunities, it is foolish to sit aside and watch. So I threw off my shirt and caution and plunged 20 ft off the bridge into the cool waters of the White River.

The next day I entered New Hampshire, but I will reserve a full post for this glorious state.

Rutland, Vermont (1680 miles)

I has been so long since I have had a chance to be on a computer. Despite the luxuries of the north, my hiking schedule has not permitted me to find time to write. It has been a long time since Wanyesboro so I will try to catch up.

Shenedoah

(Papa Bear, Myself, The Colonel, Shepard, Malarky, Burly, Jukebox

Second Row: Mama Bear, Nero, Pajamas, and ShooFly)

      The hiking resort of Virginia. The trail keeps you above 3000 ft; gentle trail without steep elevation or rock; waysides with soda, sandwiches, and treats every 20 miles. All of the animals were accoustomed to people. The deer would glance at me as I would walk by and continue eating. The weather was rather poor. Rain for 10 days and everything I had was soaked. There was safety from the rain though. A friend by the name of Burly, that I had met on my first day on the trail, had mentioned a long time ago his parents were traveling in an Airstream along side his thru-hike. Burly and I stuck together and his parents had planned to meet up with him on the trail and provide some trail magic. After many burgers, beans, hot dogs, and sodas we had renamed the Airstream the "BearStream".
     Northern Virginia continued as Harper's Ferry approached. The infamous Roller Coaster stood between me and the half-way point. The Roller Coaster is a 13 mile section with 10 ascents and descents. It's Virginia's way of not letting you forget her. I managed to survive and roll into Harper's Ferry as the 154 thru-hiker of the year!

Intermezzo
     I left with a crew of roudy boys to stay a few days at Jukebox's house outside of DC. Pizza, pools, Country Clubs, cook-outs, and sailing across the Chesepeake Bay. A fun 3 day stint in and out of the city, going to the smithsonian. I headed home to see my brother Elijah graduate from high school. It was very nourshing to see my family and Olive after such a long time. I wish I was there now!

Pennsylvania
      Also known as Rocksyvlania, Translvania for all of the rocks that make your feet bleed. This was the second time I has walked the whole state and it was anymore fun the second time.

3 minutes remaining! Oy vey! Part 2 will come soon...