July's Journal Entries
July 1, 1998
So I'm on a train to D.C with Hawkeye, Got Milk? and Skids. Great to be caught up.
Crazy story on how I got here. The last few days are somewhat of a blur, but
here's my best recollection.
I woke up at 5:00 from Highstop Hut in the SNP and headed out after a beautiful breakfast from atop a rock out cropping on Hightop Mountain, I covered 7 miles to South River Picnic Grands. I met up with 4-wheelers, the driver for the kids and he agreed to slack me to Milan Gap... 11 miles avg. 3.5 hours later... at 12:45 I arrived having hiked 18 miles a quick hitch to Big Meadow for lunch, and I was off again, hiking with the Florida Guy. I arrived at the 22 mile spot, Rock Spring Hut, and 6:00 and kept going.
At about the 30 mile mark, I pitched my tent, just after seeing my first bear of the trip.
I woke up early to get to Skyland for Breakfast where I caught up to W.B. He was definitely living up to his surge hiker mentality.
We pushed on to Panorama for lunch. We met up with Bosie, Running Ribcage (her husband), Ender and Shelter Monkey.
I decided that I couldn't make it to Harpers by the 1st, so I called a local trail angel -- Jim "Skyline" Austin. He picked me up from Panorama (25 miles shy of finish: SNP), took me to his log cabin-style house, washed my clothes, fed me and let me sleep on his front porch. In the morning, he drove me to the P.O. ... to a diner, then back to the trail. I tried to convince WB to go with but he declined.
I met up with Mountain Muzz and Panther, a retired military couple from Florida. Mountain Muzz and I read a letter that my mom had written about her thoughts from DC and the journey I am on. About 1/2 way through the letter, I was overcome with tears and could not finish. We talked about my dad and mom, about pursuing dreams, and not taking chances in your life. As we cried together Mountain Muzz wanted to stop to wait for Panther, her husband, so she could hug and kiss him. With the letter in my pocket, I pushed on.
I hiked to Bears Den Hostel and met up with Black Widow (who, incidentally, had received her name because she was bitten by a black widow) who had gauze all over her hand. As it turns out, Black Widow was bitten by a raccoon through her tent, and was receiving rabies series vaccinations. The Duchess called up to Bears Den to tell Black Widow that they were eating at Horshoe Diner. We headed down there.
When we arrived, the Duchess had gone so we ate a huge lunch... or at least I did. I hiked well into the night to Blackburn Hostel, met up with with Squish and Red (married couple) and caught a good night's sleep.
I hiked the remaining 12 miles into Harper's Ferry the next day to find Got Milk, Hawkeye and Skiddah waiting for a late, very late, train.
I was still in a hiking daze, but they led me around to the P.O., the ATC headquarters to have my 1/2 way picture taken and to the train station.
As it turns out, Got Milk and Skiddah had felt the same blues I had so they turned around and headed South bound from Harpers Ferry to Panorama. I had missed 'em by a few hours.
So, I have officially done my First Yellow Blazing. I will go back and pick up the last part of the SNP when I am finished. But Good bye to VA!!! I can't believe I've hiked 1000 miles. D.C. here I come!!!
July 6, 1998
Quick trip to the outfitter in D.C. Bought a new pair of lightweight Boots.
150 Bucks. Merrell Millenium. They are mediums... well, medium weight.
I'm preparing for the legendary rocks in Pennsylvania. I will bounce them to
Duncannon, PA. Hope they are as comfortable as they were in the store.
I find that outfitters are sometimes intimidated and standoffish. I mean, how can you argue with a thru-hiker? When I walked in; I briefly perused the shoes, and I chose a cheap $60 pair. The clerk walked over and immediately started quizzing me "What type of hikin' ya doin?" he asked. "I'm on a thru-hike of the AT" , I replied. "Wow!" he exclaimed, "cool." and promptly continued, "here ya go, this is what you need," handing me a 4 lb mountaineering full leather boot.
Grimacing, I picked out an all mesh clearance trail running show and said "what about this?" "Well," he said "it's too lightweight, the grommets won't hold up. The sole will rip apart and the stitching will likely fall apart, so I can't recommend it." I paused, for dramatic effect, and responded "can I see it in a 9 and a half?"
Oh, was he pissed!
We took the commuter train to Union Station, then back to Harpers Ferry. Caught a quick hitch to the campground for a reunion with Oasis, Purple, Rosie Running Ribcage and Pilgrim. The whole group was taking 3 days to "aqua blaze" (canoe) from Front Royal, VA to Harpers Ferry.
We pitched out tents in a gravel field after ineffectively complaining to the park ranger about the location. Unbeknownst to us 30 hikers had stayed w/o paying and one elderly hiker had refused to move his tent after numerous complaints by the staff. Such is our lot. We are all affected by the actions of each other out here. Its not, as you can imagine, the first time one person's behavior has ruined a free place to stay or free mails for thru-hikers.
July 7, 1998
Got two hitches today. The family took us to the ATC and Mala, who coincidentally
lives on the trail and is about 53, to Wal-Mart. We grabbed some food, lunch and
film.
We headed back to the ATC and Kings Pizza for more food with G. I. Jane and Frenchy. They were sucked in for a night at a B&B. Hawkeye's stomach problems continue so he went to see a doc. Dysentery is the diagnosis. Paregoric is the remedy. He was so white he almost passed out.
Despite his ailments, we all managed to hike out of Harpers Ferry; Hawkeye left shortly after Skiddah and I.
The first part of the hike was over the Potomac and the Shenandoah. We saw geese turning upside down and eating off the bottom of a drainage canal. Took way to many pictures. It was called the Tow-Path.
Hiked over the WV border and up a steep climb. Hawkeye made it as far as he could, but camped just up the hill. Skids and I continued on in the dark for a few more miles with our headlamps. Dry camp, but good sleeping. ...
July 8, 1998
Sister's B-day. Hope she got the flowers I sent. Hiked to Gathland State Park,
A park dedicated to war journalists and correspondents. All I know is that they had
great sodas, bathrooms, and a phone.
Talked to Mom. The sale of the building is progressing. Sounds positive.
Saw Kilo Gathland, heading south. He was heading back to be with his love interest Topsy Turvy who had joined the aqua-blazing crew. He told us Got Milk was at the shelter, so we ran to catch up. Missed him by inches. Drat! Hiked with Skids past Washington Monument State Park to Pine Knob Shelter. Met section Hike Mike, but had the shelter all to ourselves. First time for that.
July 9, 1998
Still in Maryland Magical Days with Skids today. Skids left early. I was
walking and saw a tree crash over. Suspected a bear but didn't see one.
Found an unexpected swimming hole and took a bath. Cold, but refreshing. Dr. Bronners can do wonders. Headed up the mountain, passed Devil's Racecourse Shelter to High Rock Trail. We accidentally took a wrong turn and made it to High Rock, an overlook of Maryland, WV and Pennsylvania. Also a popular hanggliding spot.
Luckily for us a hangglider was preparing for and executed a take off. It was amazing. He stayed up there for an hour before we left. I hope the pictures turn out.
A steep descent to Penn Mar State Park. Pen Mar was an old amusement park and train station. There was a small museum dedicated to the train and the park.
The park ranger told us we could camp across the street from the park and that the Pizza joint will deliver. Sure enough, 2 cheese pizzas for $11.00. Oh yeah, and fudge. A small sugar coma makes for a good nights sleep.
July 10, 1998
After a great night's sleep, woke up to a nice cool morning. Took our time packing.
Mitch showed up to drop a hiker off, but was too rushed to slack us.
Hawkeye showed up. Great reunion. We finished off the pizzas and cokes. Good breakfast. Met a guy who was a retired school teacher. He had visited the park a lot as a kid. He regaled us with his adolescent hitchhiking adventures, and his Pen Mar Park stories. Hawkeye kept eating. I suppose his stomach ailments were getting better!
We headed out late after a round of pictures at an AT sign. .2 miles to the Pennsylvania line. Big celebration that included wild berries. Another .2 to the Mason-Dixon line. We are officially up NORTH!
Got to a road crossing that had a sign which read "Groceries 1.2 miles". We agreed to try a quick hitch for a couple of sodas. 2 cars. No more. The 2nd car drove by and stopped in front of us. A guy leaned out and said "Yeah, buddy, whaddya need?" A hitch, I guess. I said a little dumbfounded. Wasn't I holding out the universal hitching sign? He told us about the towns ahead and said "Me and the Misses are on our way - can't help ya..."
The north is going to be Wacky!
Great view from Chimney Rocks; then an early evening hike to a clear cut in the mountain. Camped w/Skids and Hawkeye. Skis has to get up early to meet her folks at Caledonia State Park.
Stars are out. Everywhere.
July 11, 1998
Skids headed out early, but we all met her folks @ Caledonia State Park. When we
arrived, there was a huge folk festival going on. We ate concession food and swam at
the poo most of the day.
The folks took us for pizza and re-supply. Ice cream!
Met a wide variety of people @ Caledonia, all interested in our adventure. Headed out to the first shelter to sleep. The weather has been great, but cold at night. Too cold for my fleece blanket. I'm getting my sleeping bag back.
Milk is up ahead, not sure when we will catch him. We're holding back a bit so Skids has time to catch us after a visit with her family.
July 12, 1998
Pulled a nice day to Pine Grove Furnaces State Park and the Iron Masters Mansion Hostel.
It's an American Youth Hostel, and fairly prices, as the trail goes. 20 mile
day to get here. Pennsylvania's beautiful.
Headed to the General Store to eat the Thru-hiker's 1/2 gallon of ice-cream. The feat is rewarded by a free wooden spoon. It did not really surprise me to find out that they were out of all flavors except Cherries Jubilee and Root Beer Float. I was crushed. Also discovered that the wooden spoon is a flimsy infinity0shaped tasting spoon that, on a good, dry day, measures 2" long. I decided to eat a hot dog and a cookie instead.
July 13, 1998
Friday the 13th fell on a Monday this month. Hawkeye and I spent the greater part of
the day at Pine Grove Furnce Pond. Ate more hot dogs... Chatted with a few
camp counselors from a Jewish camp... You know you're up north when you run into Jewish
Camp kids.
Saw my first hummingbird in flight.
Hiked out late to the Trail's 1/2 way point. It's marked by a sign erected by "Woodchuck" of 1985. Hawkeye and I took a variety of goofy shots and headed off to a nearby camp spot.