Early morning at the Church on the Mountain hostel in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. I'm camped in the grass out back since all the bunk space is full. Got in yesterday around 4:00pm after my day-long, cross-half-of-Pennsylvania bus ride. The bus station was twenty minute walk away from the hostel. Nice. Even better, I learned when I got to the hostel that Red and Gary were not far south on the trail and would likely be here by morning at the latest. They walked into town around a few hour later, well before dark. I was so happy to see them. I'm back with my family. I'm amazed at the good fortune that actually landed me right on top of them. I did well.
Met many other old friends here, too: The Noodleheads, Southpaw, Now or Never, Kutsa, Cheetah, Fullmoonwalking. I do feel a bit inadequate (if that is the right word) among these veterans of the Pennsylvania rocks but, in the end, it won't make much difference.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Trail Journal 07.09.02
Raining hard now and I'm taking a little water. This spot isn't the best for drainage so I have water running under my tent. Also getting some backsplash for the falling rain. But in all, I am still quite dry. Managed to get all my camp chores done before the heavy shower cut loose so all my gear is stowed under cover. A cold front is moving in which will be very welcome so I am not at all unhappy about the rain. I hope it will play out and move on but my tent is already we wet so I guess it keep on, although I would prefer a gentler rather than harder shower. Right now it's not too bad and the air is much cooler already.
Good walk on my first full unfettered day in two weeks. Was out of Garvey by 5:30 this morning and covered 19.9 miles. Passed through Gathland State Park, the home of George Alfred Townsend, a noted Civil War correspondent. The park includes his never-used tomb and a great stone arch that Townsend commissioned as a memorial to war correspondents. Also passed through Washington Monument State Park which is the site of an 1827 stone tower built to honor George Washington. The Trail took me across South Mountain, site of a Civil War engagement leading to the Battle of Antietam in 1862.
The day was hot but not like last week. I showered (!) at Dahlgren Backpakers Campground. I felt great until I started climbing South Mountain when I added a new layer of sweat and grime to replace the one I just washed off. Got to my planned campsite at 2:30 but it didn't look particularly attractive so I pushed on to Pogo Campsite where the best site was occupied by two teenagers so I set up in this marginal spot.
Saw Nigel, an Englishman, and Turtle Soldier in the late morning but no one else until later--mostly day hikers. Sloopy, Razz, Hoss, Little Bo Peep and Uncle Jesse slackpacked past on their way to Cowal Shelter. Nigel was at the spring here and I met Greasepot, whom I first met near Bland in late May. Still the trail felt lonely, kind of like an arena after the crowd had departed.
Good walk on my first full unfettered day in two weeks. Was out of Garvey by 5:30 this morning and covered 19.9 miles. Passed through Gathland State Park, the home of George Alfred Townsend, a noted Civil War correspondent. The park includes his never-used tomb and a great stone arch that Townsend commissioned as a memorial to war correspondents. Also passed through Washington Monument State Park which is the site of an 1827 stone tower built to honor George Washington. The Trail took me across South Mountain, site of a Civil War engagement leading to the Battle of Antietam in 1862.
The day was hot but not like last week. I showered (!) at Dahlgren Backpakers Campground. I felt great until I started climbing South Mountain when I added a new layer of sweat and grime to replace the one I just washed off. Got to my planned campsite at 2:30 but it didn't look particularly attractive so I pushed on to Pogo Campsite where the best site was occupied by two teenagers so I set up in this marginal spot.
Saw Nigel, an Englishman, and Turtle Soldier in the late morning but no one else until later--mostly day hikers. Sloopy, Razz, Hoss, Little Bo Peep and Uncle Jesse slackpacked past on their way to Cowal Shelter. Nigel was at the spring here and I met Greasepot, whom I first met near Bland in late May. Still the trail felt lonely, kind of like an arena after the crowd had departed.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Trail Journal 07.08.02
Now it's Monday morning and only two of us--Maggie and me--remain. I am packed, ready to hit the trail on my own to find Red and Gary. And I'm sad to be leaving my friends and Maggie. The past three weeks have been fun and I will treasure the memories. But now it's time to get back to the trail and continue this odyssey. I look forward to meeting new people and seeing old friends. So off I go.
Evening: Made it to Garvey Shelter by 7:00 pm. Left Sandy Hook at 5:00 after spending a few hours trying to decide if I should try to catch Red and Gary now or later. Decided on later, my original plan. Was sad to leave Maggie but our time together was great. Had a steep climb up Weaverton Cliffs but still made the 5 miles in under two hours. Sharing the shelter with Hi-Tech. The hiker horde is definitely past this point.
Evening: Made it to Garvey Shelter by 7:00 pm. Left Sandy Hook at 5:00 after spending a few hours trying to decide if I should try to catch Red and Gary now or later. Decided on later, my original plan. Was sad to leave Maggie but our time together was great. Had a steep climb up Weaverton Cliffs but still made the 5 miles in under two hours. Sharing the shelter with Hi-Tech. The hiker horde is definitely past this point.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Trail Journal 07.05.02
No sooner had I written those last words on July 4 when a trail angel arrive with water for hikers. Then my crew arrived. We rigged out and started in on the last six miles to Bears Den Hostel. And what an awful six miles it was. Lots of ups and downs on The Roller Coaster. Very, very hot and humid. Reached Bears Den around 5:30 totally blasted. Had a burger and beer at the Fourth of July cookout but my stomach was too wasted from the heat and a head cold for me to eat more. Good crowd at the hostel for the Fourth, including many acquaintances: Ruby and her dog Jane, Sloopy, Razz, Buzz, Werewolf and Chigger, Gucci and Pooch. I had as much fun as I could before crashing.
Yesterday was much better--a bit cooler and a whole lot less humid. Walked with Bev and Norma north from Bears Den to Keys Gap. We took it easy and took lots of breaks, made 14 miles in nine hours. We left Virginia, sort of since we're walking the Virginia-West Virginia border. Walking was easy after a few early climbs. Had great views from Crescent Rock--could see all the way to the Massanutten Mountain. Much of the forest was fairly recent growth--stick trees with few even moderate diameter ones. But it was pleasant and green.
Stopped at the Blackburn AT Center for lunch. It's a substantial hewn timber structure with a wonderful screen porch. Read The Noodleheads' account of their Hike Naked Day adventures. Also tooka late PM break at David Lessner Shelter which had a very nice porch and gazebo with a bench swing. Got into Keys Gap to find Maggie and Pat Doyle just arrived. Fixed chilli cheese dogs and salad for dinner. Chigger and Werewolf came by and we fed them as well. Pat and Norma shuttled vehicles for tomorrow's hike into Harpers Ferry, Maggie cleaned up from from dinner while Bev and I set up camp about a quarter mile up the trail from the road.
Harper's Ferry tomorrow.
Yesterday was much better--a bit cooler and a whole lot less humid. Walked with Bev and Norma north from Bears Den to Keys Gap. We took it easy and took lots of breaks, made 14 miles in nine hours. We left Virginia, sort of since we're walking the Virginia-West Virginia border. Walking was easy after a few early climbs. Had great views from Crescent Rock--could see all the way to the Massanutten Mountain. Much of the forest was fairly recent growth--stick trees with few even moderate diameter ones. But it was pleasant and green.
Stopped at the Blackburn AT Center for lunch. It's a substantial hewn timber structure with a wonderful screen porch. Read The Noodleheads' account of their Hike Naked Day adventures. Also tooka late PM break at David Lessner Shelter which had a very nice porch and gazebo with a bench swing. Got into Keys Gap to find Maggie and Pat Doyle just arrived. Fixed chilli cheese dogs and salad for dinner. Chigger and Werewolf came by and we fed them as well. Pat and Norma shuttled vehicles for tomorrow's hike into Harpers Ferry, Maggie cleaned up from from dinner while Bev and I set up camp about a quarter mile up the trail from the road.
Harper's Ferry tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Trail Journal 07.04.02
Successfully linked up with Maggie last night and camped with her near Sky Meadows State Park. Very hot evening, though. I was sweating just laying in the truck. Bugs were thick so we could not leave the tailgate down. Even after the bugs abated and we could open the back window, it made little difference since there was absolutely no breeze. A cop came in around 1:00 am but left without bothering us. I got up around 5:30 and left an hour later to hike the 10 miles to Route 605 to meet Bev and Maggie who will catch up with me there. It was hot even early and only got hotter as morning progressed. Saw Del Doc mapping the trail with his assistant at Ashby Gap and a couple of day hikers north of Rob Hollow but no one else. Got to 605 at 11:30. Found shade, ate lunch and napped. Now I'm just waiting. Hope they show soon. Between Bev and Maggie, late is a real possibility.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Trail Journal 07.02.02
Back on the trail. Hiked in to Denton Shelter from Route 522. Started at 2:30 with Maggie. She hiked in about a mile along the Smithsonian Conservation Area before heading back to the truck. Walk in was not bad but he day was godawful hot and humid. I was sweating just sitting on the tailgate eating lunch before I started walking. Got into the shelter about 5:00. Felt strange walking--kind of light-headed and disoriented. Didn't see anyone on the trail and felt lonely.
But there were people at the shelter. Hi Tech, whom I met farther south in Virginia, was here when I arrived. So were a couple of people I met at the trailhead--Hoss and Mira. They left but three others--Sloopy, Buzz and Razz came in, plus a section hiker named John.
The shelter is very nice, has a large porch with benches and a well-made three person Adirondack-style chair. I'm tenting nearby. Thes i also a shower a the ater source--very cold but on a hot day like this it feels wonderful.
So now I'm back on the trail and I'm very happy. Not missing Maggie yet--just spent a week with her and will see her over the next few days. All is right with my world.
But there were people at the shelter. Hi Tech, whom I met farther south in Virginia, was here when I arrived. So were a couple of people I met at the trailhead--Hoss and Mira. They left but three others--Sloopy, Buzz and Razz came in, plus a section hiker named John.
The shelter is very nice, has a large porch with benches and a well-made three person Adirondack-style chair. I'm tenting nearby. Thes i also a shower a the ater source--very cold but on a hot day like this it feels wonderful.
So now I'm back on the trail and I'm very happy. Not missing Maggie yet--just spent a week with her and will see her over the next few days. All is right with my world.
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