Friday, July 14, 2017

Harper's Ferry, WV to Port Clinton, PA (1023.1-1217.8

Sunday 7/2; (Harper's Ferry, WV to Rocky Run Shelters, mile 1023.1-1039.1)
What can we say accept we go from being in Virginia for weeks and weeks, and today we missed the sign into Maryland after only being in West Virginia for a total of about half a day. The terrain here is good, relatively flat with a few rocks. Unfortunately, we don't seem to go much faster over all when the day is flat, though the first half of the day may be so.

We walked out of you're today without our posse. It's finally hitting me now that we're in camp tonight that I won't hear U-Turn screaming "Freshie Fresh!!" every time I walk into camp ever again on this journey. There are people here and we'll go meet them. We recognize a few, and we even ran into GWAG earlier! We thought he was camping here tonight, but it looks like he pushed on to the campground a few miles ahead. We'll hopefully see him soon! Now...DINNER!

Monday 7/3; (Rocky Run Shelters to ??, mile 1039.1-1054.7)
Stupid damn rocks Today was hard. We have started finding the rocks of Pennsylvania already. The end of today was quite hard with the rocks and fatigue. I tend to slow down at the end of the day. Apparently many people speed up when they're tired...I most certainly do not. We'd hoped to hit my first 20 mile day today (Erik's second), and when we didn't, I was really disappointed.

We are super excited to see my Uncle and Aunt tomorrow! They'll come pick us up and take us to resupply. We hope to also share a meal. Looking forward to seeing you guys!

Tuesday 7/4; (Ensign Cowall Memorial Shelter to Waynesboro, PA)
Happy 4th! It worked out well that we were able to meet up with my Uncle John and Aunt Meg today from Pen Mar Park. They generously drove us to resupply (where we ran into Y'all!!!!) And took us to lunch. Erik was really interested in finding some fireworks, so we looked it up and found a community event in Waynesboro, PA, and they dropped is here, too. Thanks so much for lunch, the lift, and your enthusiastic interest in our life out here! It was great seeing you, even if only for a little bit!

So now we're hanging out in the grass waiting for the show. Contrary to my typical, we are not entirely sure how well get back to the trail tonight. A local shuttle is a possibility, or it's possible that as we walk out of the festival someone will offer to take us. I think we're hoping for the latter as it's fewer logistics. But for now, I'm trying to look forward to the sparkles to come. Missing U-Turn a whole heck of a lot, and trying to calm my anxiety about the coming weeks and live in the moment. Practice makes perfect, they say.

Thank you to all our service men and women past and present on this day of celebration! We are grateful for the sacrifices you and your families make to maintain our freedoms!

Wednesday 7/5; (Waynesboro, PA to Rocky Mountain Shelter, __-1079.5)
Today was pretty uneventful. We missed a photo op at the PA/Mason Dixon Line yesterday. We were so excited to see Uncle John and Aunt Meg that we didn't get the photo before hand (which had been the plan), and then we stayed in Waynesboro until after dark for the fireworks. So one more state line we don't have a photo of. But the afternoon was quite enjoyable. Thank you, again, to my aunt and uncle for your generosity and interest in our endeavor. We enjoyed the time with you very much!

So we didn't make camp last night until around 1130PM. A local trail angel called Soggy showed up for the fireworks with some other hopes and was kind enough to drive us back to the trail. I hope he checks this out so we can tell him THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, SOGGY!

This morning was slow going with a sleepy start, but what else is new for Fresh. We did manage to get hiking early and finished it 15 mile day at 330. It has been nice to relax Little.  We found a beautiful bunch of flowers today which look like orchids, and Erik spotted a gorgeous, big owl this afternoon. It was sitting in a tree looking around before it got spooked by a car and flew a short distance. We found it again easily and watched it for a bit before moving on. It was very special as they are hard to spot! Making our way to Pine Grove Furnace--the official halfway!

Thursday 7/6; (Rocky Mountain Shelter to Birch Run Shelter, 1079.5-1092.5)
Living the dream...In the rain. Not a lot happening today. We're sheltered with a bunch of very nice people and have had a chill afternoon with an early stop. Oh, and Fresh's pack blew out. Yup. The frame is entirely broken and very uncomfortable to wear. Looking forward to the official halfway tomorrow and the half gallon challenge! And we'll figure the pack out eventually

Friday 7/7; (Birch Run Shelter to Pine Grove Furnace State Park 1092.5-1102.0)
We started a bit late this morning after a night of rain (thank goodness for great shelters!) And a chill in the air. I just didn't want to get out of bed. At it first road crossing 1-1.5 miles in, we came across some trail magic. A sweet couple was making breakfast burgers and hotdogs. He was so excited to offer, and we'd had no protein for breakfast, that we accepted. We hung out for a few minutes and chatted with Lobster (a section hiker out for a couple of weeks) before moving on toward the halfway mark! That's right, we're officially halfway. More actually, now. We have fewer miles to complete than we've hiked from here on out. The walking was relatively easy and we made decent time to Pine Grove Furnace General Store where the half gallon challenge is attempted. The half gallon challenge is when a Thru Hiker attempts to eat a half gallon of ice cream in a sitting. We both opted not to attempt and ordered lunch and a little ice cream instead. It worked out for the best, I think. We spent a little time with new friends drying out after days of rain and taking while we ate. Bean and I trying to work out what to do about my pack. While doing so... Have you ever startled so abruptly and loudly that everyone around you freaks out? Yeah, I did that today. We were sitting taking with Mark, Taryn, Landon (Dad and kids out for a twenty day section--very cool family!), and Lobster, and I screeched and fell backward of the picnic table. As this happened, the whole table moved as well as they realized why I'd done so in the first place:  There was a very large snake coming to visit the table out of the tree that grows next to it. Once I realized it was a harmless black snake I was fine, but that initial shock was something!

We continued to talk until it was time to head out. We got to the trail and again brought up what to do about my pack. We stalled a bit longer before walking a mile or more. Erik happened to turn around and see me pulling at the sternum strap because it was riding up to my neck. The broken pack is beyond uncomfortable. He suggested that we turn around and camp the night at the park, and find a ride to Boiling Springs in the morning. We're hoping the outfitter there will have what I need. I have spoken to Gregory (the company who makes my pack) and, while the reps I spoke to we're extremely nice, I'm not convinced they're interested in helping in the way I need them to. In other words, I can't keep hiking with this pack until the end of next week or later, and they can't/won't expedite the process. I love my pack, but I'm not sure Gregory will continue to be my brand.

So we ate dinner and were offered some fresh salad and chicken breast by a family camping next to us, and we took showers. Going to bed clean, dry, and not sticky with sweat and humidity for the first time in over a week feels pretty great. Though now that we're clean we realize how disgusting our laundry smells. Anyhow, on to Boiling Springs in the morning. Hoping for a miracle.

Saturday 7/8; (Pine Grove Furnace State Park to Boiling Springs, PA, 1102.3-1121.6**yellow blaze due to pack)
The amazing trail provides:  We met a young couple this morning who stopped to chat last night for a brief minute after seeing our packs. They are Emily and Daniel, and they have two beautiful young kids, Jude and Aubrey. They talked with us about education, jobs, life, their interests, their road trip (they're from Texas), and they offered to share their breakfast with us. Then, before leaving them, they kindly asked if they could pray for us. Never knowing what to expect when this question is asked, we quietly agreed and I hoped for the best. Being a Southern non-Christian, I am grateful for anyone's kindness, but often shy away from these offers for fear of the conversation that often follows. Let me say their genuine kindness and wishes for it well being will not soon be forgotten. Their blessing was heartfelt, genuine, and very moving. Thank you for your generosity! Please, if you are reading this, consider keeping in touch. We'd love to hear from you!

No miracle occurred in Boiling Springs, though we must admit that everyone is so ridiculously nice here! The outfitter (which is actually a fly shop) is called TCO Outfitter, and the staff were super helpful! Unfortunately, they only carry Deuter packs and are, of course, out of women's at the moment. It's Saturday, so naturally all the car rental places close at noon. So, we are taking two unexpected zeroes to figure out the pack situation and hope to have it resolved by tomorrow. In the meantime, though, our community had been simply fantastic. I had a complete meltdown earlier with stress from time crunch and having to take two days off. Erik was great about supporting me, and people rallied to suggest ideas I have even considered. I think I've learned that I should share my problems more often, and see what kind of help I might find to solve them. We then opted to go out for a drink at the local tavern with the crew we've been spending some time with. Lobster, Uber, Alexis, Lil Dipper, Ferrari, Bean and I all hung out and chatted amongst each other, and then a couple arrived and asked us questions about it hike. They took photos of us (see below) and showed genuine interest in our journeys. Thank you to you both_______!

Sunday 7/9; (Boiling Springs, PA to Duncannon, PA, 1121.6-1147.2**yellow blaze due to pack)
Today was a quite the shit show. I was a bit less melting than yesterday. Resting was a good choice and allowed us to start over today and form a plan. Long story short, we rented a car in Mechanicsburg, PA, drove to Timonium, MD to REI to replace my pack, took the car back, picked up a shuttle to Duncannon, PA, and the plan is to leave on the trail from Duncannon. It was a very expensive endeavor, but it's done. And my pack no longer hurts. I'm pleased to say that I received a contact from another hiker for a social media rep with Gregory. She's been working helpful and while I'm not entirely pleased with they're customer service process, she had redeemed the brand to some degree in my eyes. Now, laundry and dinner.

Monday 7/10; (Duncannon, PA to Peter's Shelter, 1147.2-1158.2)
A relatively easy 11 miles today. Not much to share. Missing family and home, but grateful for the experience and all that comes with it.

Tuesday 7/11; (Peter's Shelter to Rausch Gap Shelter, 1158.2-1176.2)
The happening of today was that Bean found a birds near with tiny baby birds in it! It was built in the ground which surprised us both, but it was pretty cool to see the babies looking for food from mama bird. Otherwise uneventful. We made the miles on good time taking uncharacteristically short breaks. I was hurting a lot by the end, but it keeps us on schedule. The shelter has been quiet tonight, which is nice. It's a near shelter with rocks to walk on and a well-covered platform, along with a spring right here next to the shelter itself. Much improvement over last night's 300 steps to the water source. We avoided the rain another night and hope we continue to do so. It can rain all it wants at night, after we're sheltered and dry. Anyhow... Time for sleep. Hopefully another good day tomorrow.

Wednesday 7/12; (Rausch Gap Shelter to 501 Shelter, 1176.2-1193.7)
Bean heard a rattle snake today.  Never did see it, but he heard it. Then it took us 10 minutes to cross the trail where he heard it.

Camping with a great group tonight! Spills, Scout, Sky Walker, Belch Babe seems super nice, and GWAG and Patch showed up tonight. Apparently, a deer took off with one of GWAG's trekking poles last night. I'm not sure I believe it, but he swears up and down.

The shelter tonight is nice. Enclosed with a big sky light. And even a "solar" shower (which basically means cold). It wasn't so bad though, and I'm not sticking to my blanket. So no real complaints here.

Thursday 7/13; (501 Shelter to Eagle's Nest Shelter, 1193.7-1208.8)
It's raining, it's pouring...And we're in a shelter. Thank goodness! Tonight's rain would not be a good one to be tenting in. It's been coming down consistently for 2 hours. Thank you tornado watch.

Anyhow, we stopped at a swimming hole this morning for an hour or so and hung out with some fun people. Bean and I passed on the swimming as it was very cold water and little sun.

The day passed quickly, and we saw two rattle snakes on the walk. One rattled at us which is the first time I've heard that sound. I was surprised at how loud it is!

The sky opened up as we began to near camp. Frustrating to walk in, but glad it started late. We arrived at camp, the 6 of us, in time to claim the spaces. There are two women here hoping to squeeze in, and we're happy to accommodate. The problem is that the shelter is packed, so they'll have to sleep on the step into the shelter.

I finally was able to hear from Taylor after they came out of the hundred mile wilderness. Glad to know they're trucking on and missing them terribly, but excited to see what the future holds for each of us on this journey.

Friday 7/14; (Eagle's Nest Shelter to Port Clinton, 1208.8-1217.8)
A nearo day in the books, and my it has been nice! We walked in the rain for a good while and came down the mountain to find ourselves on a live train track. As in, a legitimate train depot. It was pretty neat to see. We got lucky and accepted a ride from Cabela's shuttle to the Walmart in Hamburg, PA. We found a Red Robin (can we say bottomless steak fries?), Resupplied at said Walmart, and found ourselves at a quaint, precious little hostel called Rock & Sole. We're in the bunk room which is perfectly comfortable, but they have this adorable little camper that I'm just in love with! An I Love Lucy theme, mint and red color scheme, and original kitchenette make "Trashy" my dream! We are certainly making over a camper in the future! Dinner was fantastic, and breakfast is said to be even better. Hikers, check this place out for sure!!




























1 comment:

  1. Loving the ongoing narrative! Thanks for keeping us updated. I hope you continue to make great new friends who will be with you for most of the rest of the hike. We all love and miss you too.

    ReplyDelete