Day 122

06/30/12 - Schaghticoke Mountain campsite - 1,458 miles

First off, best name of a mountain so far.  "Shag-ta-coke."  Awesome.  And what else is awesome is that we are in NEW ENGLAND!  Connecticut has proven to be beautiful so far, and I think the best is yet to come.  Today was another hot day.  I'm glad we are moving further north everyday.  I am so sleepy.

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New. England.

Day 121

06/29/12 - [NY 22] - 1,442.8 miles

I'm glad we weren't hiking today.  HOT.  We slept in.  Ate some breakfast.  Slept some more and lazed about.  Read.  iPhoned.  Got some snacks.  Got some 50¢ snow cones from some little girls.  Long walk to the "grocery store."  Huge, overpriced disappointment.  Lunch at a neat deli/diner.  Walked past an old abandoned mental institution.  Very interesting/creepy.  Hittin' the Trail tomorrow again full force.  New England, here we come!

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The Harlem Valley State Hospital 1924-1994

Day 120

06/28/12 - [NY 22] - 1,442.8 miles

Zero!  Temptation won out this go around.  We cut our 27 mile day 7 miles short and hitched into the motel a night early.  Full zero in effect, and I think we both were needing it.  It's been about 8 days since I had a shower.  Not so fresh.  Took an hour nap by Nuclear Lake today.  Beautiful.  We found a nice, cool, shady spot by the water.  We also found a few ticks on us, but it was still a nice relaxing spot.  Today was a long day.

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Day 119

06/27/12 - Shenandoah Tenting Area - 1,421.6 miles

We are basically camped on a front lawn.  Fresh cut, flat grass.  Abandoned old building with what looks like an old bread oven.  Neat.  Several snakes nearby.  Tomorrow we're pushing for a longer day, then town the next day (yay!), then we will be out of New York and into New England!  I am ready to be out of New York.  We are getting closer to Maine and Katahdin.  We have already come so far.

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Day 118

06/26/12 - near South Highland Road - ≈1,410 miles

Sometimes when I'm hiking, the sound of my breathing blocks everything else out.  This seems to be happening a lot here in New York.  We have experienced the most frequent ups and downs than in any other state.  I feel like we are always either climbing a mountainside or falling down one.  Constantly.  Up.  Down.  Up.  Down.  Climbed Bear Mountain today which was one really well maintained trail.  Went through the zoo and saw some pretty sad creatures.  Foxes, coyotes, porcupine, bears.  Much too small cages.  Sad.  Then crossed the Hudson.  Acrophobia slightly and the fear of a falcon attacking.  Saw Uncle Spider (not since TN), Whoop and Resource today.  Also talked with U-haul as we ate some pizza at this awesome Shell station.  Much nom was nommed.  We are doing longer miles now.  Wolfsnake and Tigerlilly.  Happy birthday to seester Sarah today!

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Honoring Walt Whitman.

Day 117

06/25/12 - near West Mountain Shelter - 1,390.2 miles

Today was kind of an on-trail nero.  Slept in.  Walked to the lake with vending machines.  Hiked out in the pouring rain.  Soaked.  Then dried out in the sun.  Scary thunderstorms.  Tomorrow we start a more rigorous schedule of hiking.  Tomorrow we climb Bear Mountain and see the Bear Mountain Zoo!  Rawr.

***

Hiking with Mom & Dad

Recently, my dad came out to visit the park.
More recently, both my parents came out to visit.
This is basically what happened.

Day 116

06/24/12 - Fingerboard Shelter - 1,382.3 miles

Exhausted.  We're doing shorter days and I still can barely put one foot in front of the other.  Our last 4 miles... I was beat.  Ready to call it an even shorter day and stealth camp somewhere at the base of this damn mountain.  But we had to at least do 4 more miles to the shelter.  So far.  So, so far.  I started complaining as soon as we started yet another intense climb.  Today has only been ups and downs, major roller coaster style.  We saw a beautiful buck up the hill.  That's when I decided I wasn't going to let this day completely beat me.  What else you got, New York?  WOLFSNAKE!!!!!!! We're charging up this MOUNTAIN and eating weekenders as we do it.  We squeezed through the Lemon Squeezer and bypassed the "easy way" trail.  We climbed the mountainside like a stallion mounting the world.  We went Dothraki on this trail.  I was ready to mess up anyone that got in our way.

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Day 115

06/23/12 - Wildcat Shelter - 1,368 miles

New York!  Another shorter day, but still difficult as always.  It was nice to sleep in... a little Shabbat rest.  8 states down and 6 more to go.  Next stop, New England!

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Grass & Dirt

My empty canvas.

Sometimes I come to this scene only to turn away without inputting my words.

On the wooden table before me is an empty coffee cup, two moleskine journals and a pen.  The pen writes in smooth black ink.  I retrace when I want a hint of emphasis.  One journal is filled with memories, the other still has many white blank pages.  Both are stained from grass and dirt.

Day 114

06/22/12 - Wawayanda Shelter - 1,355.9 miles

Today I wanted to put my "manliness" aside, sit down on the trail and cry.

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Day 113

06/21/12 - Pochuck Mountain Shelter - 1,344.4 miles

Another HOT day.  Sunrise to sunset.  HOT.  Hiked 7 miles into Unionville.  Pizza and [expensive] sodas, ice cream, and Sbux energy drinks.  It was still hot even inside these buildings.  Left town and enjoyed a scenic but sweaty hike.  Anna and I both got bit by 2 direwolves (some breed of shepherd, I think).  This guy had 6 dogs... all off their leash.  The dogs come charging towards us.  "Don't worry, they're nice!" he says.  Never have those words brought me comfort in regards to dogs.  They bit Anna on the elbow and me on the hand as we were just trying to continue hiking.  Playful bites... but still.  Not cool.  I'm going to "unleash" hell when I get back to Kennesaw Mountain and see people with their dogs off leash.  Anyways... We stopped at an abandoned house for water.  It was a legit water source, but so weird.  Definitely straight out of The Walking Dead.  Well, except for the zombies.  Mmmm... brains!

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Day 112

06/20/12 - High Point Shelter - 1,332 miles

So hot.  We stayed in town as long as possible.  Dairy Queen until about 3:00.  Hitched back to the trail and hiked about 1.7 miles in 2 hours.  So hot.  Discouraged.  But tomorrow is a new day.  Even if it is another hot one.  I gots the Mid Atlantic bluesss.

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Day 111

06/19/12 - [Port Jervis] - 1,330.3 miles

Since when is being in town so difficult?  Took us forever just to get to town, and when we finally did, we had to walk everywhere again.  Shouldn't really complain though because it was still nice.  We're staying at the Days Inn with a pretty good discount, ordered Chinese, Facebook, Twitter, blog, and played games while drinking beer and wine.  But I am so tired.  So, so tired.

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Day 110

06/18/12 - Gren Anderson Shelter - 1,319 miles

Saw our first Jersey bear today!  I was singing Pocahontas and when I finished, the bear was just staring at me.  We had a nice long look at the fuzzy guy.  Earlier that morning we came across some nice Trail Magic from a couple of previous thru-hikers.  Turkey sandwiches, chips, fruit, carrots, candy, cookies, beer & whiskey.  Nitrous Oxide and the Myakka Mules joined as well, and it was a nice gathering.  Town tomorrow!!

***

Day 109

06/17/12 - near Camp Road - 1,298.2 miles

We are in New Jersey!  So glad and excited to be out of PA.  Had a delicious breakfast in Delaware Water Gap, then hit up the outfitter for a few minutes.  Somewhere along the way I lost the tip to one of my trekking poles.  We saw our first three rattlesnakes today... the first one was huge.  Those things are kinda scary.  No bears yet in NJ, but we're on the lookout!

***

A heavenly luxury while passing through town.

Day 108

06/16/12 - Mt. Minsi - 1,285.1 miles

Tomorrow, we leave PA... for good.  So excited.  We hitched into town this morning for breakfast and resupply.  Nobody was stopping so we started the 1.5 mile walk.  Then a jeep stopped in the middle of the road (PA has no sidewalks or shoulders), and Randy came out to open our doors.  He took us into town and was really nice and encouraging.  He dropped us off at the diner, and as we were getting out he said, "Here, have breakfast on me," and pushed a $20 bill into my hands!  I tried to refuse at first, but he insisted.  It's because of people like him that I can't completely hate Pennsylvania.

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Day 107

06/15/12 - near Wind Gap - ≈1,271 miles

We are almost out of PA, and it cannot be soon enough.  We are both ready for a change and hopefully a break from the rocks.  Today was laborious.  During dinner, a tornado siren started going off.  Perfect storm-free evening.  It went on for a couple minutes then stopped.  After about a minute of silence, we heard this loud (and close) howl that sounded exactly like the siren at first.  Heard some rustling in the bushes but didn't see anything.  The howl stopped and we didn't hear anything again.  Strange, right?  Hopefully breakfast in town tomorrow!

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Day 106

06/14/12 - Super Fun[d] Rocks - ≈1,252 miles

Today was a little bit of rock climbing.  Rocks everywhere.  But especially Knife Edge and then the Super Fund site.  We put our poles away and did some old fashioned scrambling.  Scary a bit, but definitely fun.  And tonight we are camped on top of it all.  Very grassy and kinda slopey.  Beautiful sunset.  First night we are not bear bagging.  Food is on the ground between our two tents.  We shall see how this goes.

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On top of it all.

Day 105

06/13/12 - Allentown Shelter - 1,233.9 miles

I'm itchy.  Not sure why... maybe those tiny black flies.  Currently reading about Bill Irwin, the blind thru-hiker.  Amazing and inspiring story so far.  Off to sleepyland...

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Day 104

06/12/12 - Windsor Furnace Shelter - 1,217.4 miles

Awesome continental breakfast!  Finished Clash of Kings.  Checked out at noon.  RAIN.  Made the "long" walk back to Dunkin' Donuts.  Chilled out for a bit while it rained.  Called Cabela's (scary hunter outfitter) to see about a hiker shuttle.  Their van was "in the garage."  Whatever... you guys are poachers anyways.  About to walk out of DD when this old cocker says he's an old friend of Earl Shaffer.  Cool!  Maybe he'll give us a ride back to the Trail, I think.  He goes on about Earl and how they're friends but now he's dead and it's a long walk back to the trail head and it's raining.  I tell him we're about to try to get a ride (hint-hint).  He says we probably won't.  Awesome.  Thanks guy!  Enjoy the senior citizen home.  He says something else trying to warn us about rattlesnakes.  Yeah, bye.

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Day 103

06/11/12 - [Hamburg] - 1,212 miles

We are taking our town day early.  The rocks are tiring.  It's hot.  We tried hitchhiking to our resupply and at least 100 cars passed us.  There are no sidewalks here.  We are staying at the Microtel.  Reminds us of the one in Gatlinburg we stayed at back before our thru-hike.  I am ready to be out of Pennsylvania.  New Jersey, here we come!


***

Hamburg hates hitchhikers.

Day 102

06/10/12 - Eagle's Nest Shelter - 1,202.7 miles

Ouch, Charlie.  Rocks hurt.  And slow you down.  We took a two hour siesta today in the middle of the heat.  I think it helped, but it's hard to say.  It was just so hot.  Just a couple miles short of camp, I felt sweat on my face and wiped with my hand.  Felt something sticky.  Looked down at my hand and saw orange slimy grub guts.  Part of it went in my mouth.  Grossest thing to happen to me on the Trail thus far.  Blech.  Tomorrow, resupply at Walmart and maybe Dunkin' Donuts and Taco Bell!!

***

This, in truth, WOULD be the grossest thing to happen to me on Trail.  Orange slimy grub guts in my mouth.

Day 101

06/09/12 - William Penn Shelter - 1,183.5 miles

Today started off early, fast, and strong.  12.5 miles by noon.  And then I started slowing.  Sleepiness and rocks began to overpower me.  I am exhausted.  Some guy just walked up to the picnic table by our tents.  He has a dog.  I just want him to go away.  Antisocial, much?

***

Home.

Day 100

06/08/12 - Stony Mountain - 1,162.1 miles

Yet again Micah struggles around every turn.  Not sure what it was today... first full day out of town, rocks, sleepy, heavy pack, heat, bugs, or hills?  Also had a low blood sugar.  Just not my day, I guess.  Tomorrow is a new day, and it will be our 100th day on Trail!


***



It was not until I began transcribing this journal that I noticed a human error in my daily numbering.  Somewhere around Day 29 or 30, I duplicated the number and did not notice.  This is why I believed that tomorrow would be our 100th day, when in fact, it already was our 100th day on Trail.  Mildly interesting, and just an FYI.

Day 99

06/07/12 - near Clarks Ferry Shelter - 1,145.2 miles

Slept in, breakfast, Starbucks.  Almost as tempting to stay for a third day, but the Trail was calling us.  And it welcomed us back with a nice severe thunderstorm.  Luckily we pitched early and before any rain hit us.  It is so relaxing to get to camp early and lounge around.

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Day 98

06/06/12 - [Harrisburg] - 1,140.9 miles

Hooray for ZERO!  We're adults and we can do what we want!  Extra day at the hotel doing absolutely nothing?  YES, PLEASE.

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Day 97

06/05/12 - Duncannon [Harrisburg] - 1,140.9 miles

Today I turned 25.  Hiked into Duncannon where Anna surprised me with a getaway to nearby Harrisburg.  Country Inn & Suites (our favorite), Chinese food, Friday's and relaxation.  It was a perfect way to spend my birthday during this journey.  And she was the best part.

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Major nom.

Day 96

06/04/12 - somewhere wet - ≈1,132 miles

I have decided, as of right now, night hiking in the rain is no fun.  One or the other is tolerable.  Both are torture combined.  Boiling Springs was a neat town.  Cafe 101 was awesome.  Lots of neat farm land we walked through today.  Saw a badger.  Anna thought it was an otter.  Turned out to be a groundhog.  Life.

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Day 95

06/03/12 - some mountain - ≈1,108 miles

Half a gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream for breakfast.  Giant sub for lunch.  I'm still hungry.  And it's cold.  A good day, though.

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One of my favorite memories on the AT.  Taking on the half gallon challenge with our friend, Badger (who took this photo).  Again, I wish so much I had taken more photos WITH our fellow hikers.

Challenge.  Completed.

Day 94

06/02/12 - Toms Run Shelters - 1,092.3 miles

As I'm writing down this mileage, I am noticing that the mileage from Katahdin is now less than the mileage from Springer.  As of right now, we are more than halfway through!  And to celebrate, we pulled a tick off Anna's thigh.  But seriously, tomorrow morning... half gallon challenge for breakfast.  This is going to be good.  (or very, very bad)

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Day 93

06/01/12 - Quarry Gap Shelters - 1,078.7 miles

Once again, today was difficult.  Up early.  And long miles.  Hiked about 23 miles then got some good pizza 0.3 off trail.  Another 2 miles to the shelter.  In the dark.  In the rain.  Super rain.  We pretty much aqua blazed to camp.  Cold.  All my clothes I was wearing are soaked.  Now I am debating whether or not to put them back on and let them dry as we hike.  Mehh.

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