Some Hidden Treasures of NJ

New Jersey was a hot state to hike through, at least for us. Temperatures reaching well into the 90s and feeling like triple digits is less than ideal for hiking. We did have a bit of fun though. The first day in NJ, in a zombie mode of a hike, my eyes are glued to the three feet of trail in front of me and my peripherals are blurs of green and brown. I'm hiking at a good pace and I know if a stop I'll lose my rhythm. As my right foot approached the ground, I  subconsciously stepped farther out to avoid coming down on a burnt orange colored tube. I instantly knew what it was. I quickly moved my feet as the snake slithered to the edge of the trail and IMMEDIATELY turned to face me. My first copperhead I've ever seen! What a horribly beautiful creature. I knew how aggressive these little snakes were so I took caution. 

 

Me being a person that likes to "play" with snakes (I've picked up and moved plenty of black rat snakes and even a timber rattle snake off of the trail) I did not want to get close to this little guy. It was only about a foot or so long but I've never seen a snake move so quick. I kept my distance and encouraged the snake to move off trail by nudging it with my walking stick. After a few strikes to the end of my stick, realizing it was ineffective, he took the hint and kept moving. 

The other favorable moment of being in NJ was on a piece of private land where the land owner allowed people to camp, get water, charge electronics, and even shower. The best part....

 

 

 

 

It was the best!!

Some other great things that happened...

 

Food and drinks,

 

Lakes,

 And free sodas.

It's Good To Be Back

It feels great to be back on trail and back with my trail family. I haven't missed a beat. Although my feet are screaming at me. All we have been walking on are literally piles of rocks. 

 

 

 

Some piles larger than others. 

Despite the pain and struggle we continue to smile and find enjoyment in the little moments. 

 

The views,

 

the wildlife,

 

the free food, 

 

and the company. 

All has been well. We have gone into a few towns for various reasons (resupplies, hostels, just escaping the heat) and it's always different and interesting. 

 A hitch into town got us a ride in the back of a small dump truck.... That was previously filled with horse crap and shavings. Bear (the little dog in the bottom of the picture) was not thrilled about this. 

 

A hostel in Palmerton, PA in the garage behind a diner. 

 

Goofing around in Delaware Water Gap.

 

And the latest treat was staying in a hotel for a night to rest feet and get out of the heat. The air conditioning felt great!

Now it's back into the blistering sun and soon to be stormy skies. But, at least we're heading into NJ and NY.

Looking Forward

This past weekend I went camping with my parents and hiked a short section of the trail with my dad. He did very well and I'm so glad I could include him on trek. It's been a lazy week for me as a hiker. I've been able to lounge around at home with hot showers, hot food, and hot, sticky dog kisses. All comforts of home that will be missed (along with air conditioning). But it's time to press forward. 

New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine stand before me. It almost feels like a race to get there now. I must finish before Baxter State Park closes and I must finish before my funds diminish... Which may be sooner than I anticipate. Having to buy and update gear, eating hot food when I can find it, and staying in hostels/hotels for a bed and shower all add up very quickly. I've had a lot of help along the way that can't and doesn't go unnoticed and unappreciated. 

Ill be dropped off in my "bubble" where I left off, so I'll be hiking with the same crew. Chef will still be at home loving his house-dog life on the couch. I'm going to miss all of my family and friends, but the next two months will fly by. New adventures, terrain, and views await me. Excitement fills my body as I can only imagine what's ahead- river fords, scaling the Whites, and the 100 mile wilderness to name a few of the challenges. I'll give all that I have to finish and when I summit Mount Katahdin, it will be unexplainable. The thought of it now is overwhelming, so for now, it's one foot in front of the other. 

 

This picture is me at the half way point. It's actually last year's half way point, but the post for last year's was so much more gratifying than this year's. 

 Lame half way sign for this year's thru hikers.

If you'd like to help fund my trip and get me to Maine I have a go fund me page. It will only be used for food, lodging, and gear. If for whatever reason I don't finish or have left over funds from the go fund me page, it will be donated to Appalachain Trail Conservency. 

https://www.gofundme.com/pzzkpc78#

Duncannon to Caledonia SP

It felt so weird to be hiking south. I left my car at the carpool parking under the Clark's Ferry bridge. I had driven over that bridge so many times and not once known I could walk across it... On a sidewalk. 

 

I saw new faces and many familiar ones. The new faces always asked if I was a south bounder (sobo) and the familiars ones gave me confused looks. In either case, I explained myself as a nobo just section hiking Pennsylvania. 

At Pine Grove SP I ran into Teddy and Bear Keeper (of course Bear was there too). They decided to do the half gallon challenge! This is where hikers eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. I opted out of this challenge, and regret nothing. It was hilarious watching them force down ice cream with looks of pain and disgust. 

 

Teddy on the left, Bear Keeper on the right.

 

 

But they did it! And what was there prize? 

 

A tiny, worthless Popsicle stick/spoon that read "Member Of Half Gal Club". It wasn't even printed on evenly.

Good Ole PA

I made it to Harper's Ferry! It had been about 10 days without a hot shower and washed clothes, so I was ready to come home. Not for good of course. I had mom come down and pick me up. Two days of home cooked meals, a bed, showers, and all the dog lovings I could handle is just what I needed to get me going again. 

The plan for Pennsylvania is to hike it in sections. Visiting/using friends and family to resupply and as shuttles will help significantly and also be a great moral booster. I'm ready to knock this state out and get onward and upward to Maine. 

Chef will stay home for the remainder of the trip. The vet said that he has lupus. Yes, it's just like the autoimmune disease, lupus, that is found in humans. He is happy being a lazy, normal house dog and I know mom and dad will take good care of him while I hike. 

Here are a few pictures to recap the past week or so of hiking.

 

 

 

The Green Tunnel

The Shenandoahs are sometimes referred to as 'the green tunnel'. Hiking in this forest is literally like walking in a green tunnel.  The AT part of the Shenandoahs hops back and forth across the ridge line. Skyline drive does a similar thing but with better views, flatter more even ground, gradual steady inclines or declines. In the past, skyline drive and the AT were actually the same path. 

So considering all this, I walked most of the Shenandoahs via skyline drive. My decision turned out great!

I only hiked in about 8 miles the first day. That night Teddy, Haribo, Legs, Bear Keeper, and Bear (a yorkie terrier mix) came to the same shelter. We hiked together and stopped at the first Wayside eatery in the park. After stuffing ourselves with breakfast foods I convinced Teddy to walk skyline drive with me. Not 5 miles down the road, a couple stopped and gave us some trail magic. I forced down some Oreos and a coke. We continued on. The day was filled with great views and a cool breeze. We even saw a bear! We rejoined the AT at the  closest spot to the shelter the group had planned to meet at. 

The next morning, Legs was the first to agree to the 'retro blazing' was we called it. It wasn't long before the rest of the agreed to come along. 

Wednesday my Grammy and Grandad came to Big Meadows (mid way through the park) and resupply me. They treated myself and Teddy to a great breakfast. We explored the visitors center and then they drove us down to the horse stables. 

 

 

We had a great time! Thanks Grammy and Grandad!!

Overall, the SNP proved its worth in a number of views.

 

 

 

Saw 8 bear in the SNP. That's puts me at 19 total!