Hike to the telephone shelter

Left the house at 111am having said goodbye and downing three waffles. Was dropped off at a deli down the road from the trail. Ate a bagel and got a sandwich for the road. Hiked 12 miles to the telephone pioneers shelter. Water was flowing at the shelters entrance, a good sign. Didn't have much of an appetite, so I just drank water and went to bed. A couple hikers showed up at 9pm, one a sobo. All in all it was a slow good day.

Nero day, Aug 25th

Woke up today around 8:30. Amy made us fellow hikers breakfast, waffles and coffee my favorite. The sobos said goodbye and were on their way. Amy & Bill invited me to pull a zero at their house. I decided to pull a nero and hike 5 miles to the local deli/pizza place. Made it to the pizza place in under 2 hours from the RPH shelter. Ate a large pizza with extra sauce and 3 cokes, all without a problem. Met two nice sobos at the picnic table. A beautiful German Shepherd was with them. That dog was very protective of his owner, can't wait to get one. Was given a ride back to the house by Amy. When we got to the house, a BBQ was underway. Didn't get to eat as much food as I would have liked due to the fact I had eaten a large pizza just an hour earlier. Downed a couple Guinness beers and talked to the guests. Took another shower which was still amazing as the previous day. Everyone went to a concert, but I decided to stay behind and sleep. Feelin good, tomorrow I hike to Kent.

Trail Angels part II

20 miles.
Left the Graymore center late (9am) for the RPH Shelter. Was an exhausting day for me, took an hour lunch break just eating. My pack is caked in salt from all my sweat, flexible straps are now stiff but the pack is still doing well (well done golite) Finally made it to the shelter at 7pm. Was the only one at shelter and was getting ready to eat snicker bars and ramen when a trail angel appeared before me. Bill & Amy invited me to their home for the night. Was able to take a shower and get into some clean clothes. Met a newbie Sobo, and a section Sobo. They seemed amazed by what I learned on the trail. Helped the newbie with a pack shake down, was able to cut 10/15 lbs from his pack. Was able to get some insight on what was to come for me further on up North. Ate a wonderful dinner cooked by Amy and finished my meal off with a beer and a pint of Ben & Jerry's. Was so full, that I passed out down stairs on the sofa almost instantly. Bill & Amy are good in my books. Feelin good

The Hudson River

Hiked 20 miles.
Left the shelter early and made it down to the parks concession stand. Was so happy to have coke and ice cream for breakfast. Hiked up Bear Mountain to a monument, then began my hike down the mountain. Reached the zoo that the AT runs through. The zoo is the lowest point on the whole AT at 160 ft above sea level. Crossed the Hudson river, and made my way to the Graymore center. The Graymore center was run by Franciscan friars. I had hiked in a pizza from a nearby gas station. Pizza box in hand, hiking to my shelter. The shelter area had electricity and running water, very nice to finally have. Pitched my tent, ate my pizza and passed out. Have 57 miles till Kent, CT.

Aug 22

Got my clean clothes in the morning. Clothes are no longer stiff with salt stains. They don't smell like roses, but then again they don't smell like death either. John made us hikers a nice breakfast with coffee. John and Susan's hospitality was something, picked me up. Said my goodbyes and was dropped off at the creamery. Hiked 20 miles to a shelter. Water hasn't been good but Johns been setting up hikers with water along the trail. Got some trail magic in the form of a hot dog.

Trail Angels

Aug 21st
Hiked into New York today, 20 miles down. Terrain is rocky and I've been in a funk lately. Been tough pushing on, but it must be done. Got to visit a bakery/ice cream place in the morning in Vernon. Got me some ice cream and banana nut bread. Hiked to the New York border, bunch of boulder climbing. Made it to highway 17A, called a trail angel to come pick me up and went to the local creamery(ice cream) place for a root beer float. The Trail Angel John took me and two other hikers to get pizza. Went to his house, unloaded all our gear and ate. John picked up some nobos and we let them eat, while we talked about the trail and life. Was able to take a shower and put on some loaner clothes, almost felt human, almost. Checked out my weight, I've lost 32 lbs. I can feel my ribs well, and I now have loose clothes. John did our laundry as we went to bed. I feel amazing, and very tired.

Pochuck Shelter

Aug 20
Hiked 22 miles the Pochuck Mountain shelter. Today was a slow day, been in a weird funk lately. Think it's because of all the rocks. Got to eat some pizza today at a ranger station. Talked to some nobos about what we've done and what's ahead. Was able to make it to the shelter before it rained, a small victory against mother nature. Tomorrow I hike into New York.

Aug 19

Hiked 22.5 miles yesterday. Feet were still giving me problems. Hopefully I'll be better soon. I've also been tired lately, not a big surprise but it's hurting my usual fast tempo. Just have to dig deep. Last night was able to get some water, trail magic from the shelter keeper. Made my day, as the water up here is rough. Tomorrow will try and make NY. Katahdin is calling, I must slay her.

Aug 18

Got some resupplies at a gas station before meeting my sobo friend Ga Ga at the diner. Ate to much breakfast, but couldn't drink enough coffee. Said my goodbyes to everyone and was off. Blisters on my feet hadn't fully healed, and I still have some rocky terrain. Made it 16 miles before I decided to call it a day. Hope tomorrow is better, progress must be made.

Zero day for pie

My enthusiasm for hiking today just wasn't there. Decided to give my feet a break. Went to a real actual bakery, was so excited. Got me a piece of apple pie and a hot dog for 2.50, you can't beat that. Now I want to start up a bakery, very cool place. Went back to the church's AT hiker area and passed out on the couch for a couple hours. When I woke up I walked down to a pizza place and ordered a large pizza with extra sauce. I think I've eaten over 30 pizzas so far on this trip. After downing the pizza I talked to two military guys about their experiences. One a green beret, the other a marine officer. Got to talk about guns for once on the trip which was nice, they both knew my Larue hat well. Got all my things packed for tomorrow, should be good to go.

The Church

Aug 16
Hiked 20 miles into Delaware Water Gap. Terrain going into town was very rocky, got two blisters from that section. Made it into town at 7pm to find a full on cook out being held for the AT hikers at a church. Everyone brought me food, dessert and drinks. I like the way they treat hikers. Met some more nobos and sobos, that were staying the night. I got all my stuff set up and took my first shower in 12 days. The amount of sweat, mud, blood and grim that came off me was surprising. Became a whole two shades lighter. Went and got some beers next door (gotta love zoning here) with my new friends. Beer that was well earned, best beer on the trip so far. I'm going to bed, going to hike tomorrow.

Dante's Inferno

24 mile day
Was hoping for more miles today but the rocks put an end to that. Water is nowhere to be found around here. Tough going 17-19 miles between tanking up. Met a nice trail angel who took me to the mcdonalds in town. My body hated me for eating that much garbage. Climbed Dante's inferno, a mountain made of boulders. No tree cover for five miles. Thought a tstorm was going to get me but I was spared. Tomorrow I hike into New Jersey. Another state down, feels good.